So you're saying VT won't allow a non runflat tire and no spare just fix a flat. The best way to find out if that's true is to contact local MB dealer in VT to see what they are doing about that with the CLA 45's they are going to be selling. A side note , I think going into purchasing any new car $ should be put aside for a proper winter set up ( snow tires & rims) if you live in such an area and are buying a car with summer tires. When I bought my Audi I had winter wheels ordered and delivered before the car arrived. I will be doing the same with my CLA45.
Winter tires and state inspection issues
My new CLA250 is due in this month, and living in Vermont, I had to start thinking about what to do concerning winter tires. It can snow here as early as October or November, so I want to be prepared. I ordered my car with the standard 17" run flat tires and wheels, opting for a little smoother ride, but all season tires just aren't going to cut it in a Vermont winter.
I thought that I might just buy the Michelin Alpin run flat winter tires and leave it at that, changing the tires over each fall and spring. Then I thought that I don't really like the idea of running the stock MB wheels in the winter salt that we use so much of here, or having the extra wear and tear on the wheels from continuous tire change overs. You read my mind... I decided the best, and most expensive, option is to buy a complete winter tire & winter wheel package complete with a second set of TPMS. Say goodbye to almost $2,000! I've got to think about this. I could save money if I don't put in the TPMS in the winter set... but then it doesn't pass our state inspection. I could save by using non run flat winter tires and buying a tire fix kit to put in the trunk, similar to the CLA45 setup... except that if I do get a flat, according to the Costco tire center, I have to throw a $210 tire away since they can't repair it after that tire goop has been sprayed inside it. And I'll also need a new $50 TPMS since that will also be ruined. Besides that, this plan doesn't pass Vermont state inspection either. Here, your car has to have either run flat tires, or regular tires with a spare tire in the trunk to pass inspection. The trunk space in the CLA is too limited to even think about adding a spare tire to it. I guess I finally have it all worked out in my mind... I'm going to be another $2,000 poorer, but that's actually the smartest choice.
The final thing I'm curious about, from researching the above, is that if I had bought a CLA45 instead of the CLA250, it won't pass our state inspection... high performance non run flat tires on it and no spare tire in the trunk. I realize this is Vermont and we're a little different, but I have to suspect that there may be other states with similar regulations. I actually ordered my car from a New Hampshire dealer and they said it's not an issue in their state; just having the tire fix kit in the trunk is sufficient. If you ordered the CLA45, you may want to check with your dealer to be sure that you won't have a state inspection issue wherever you live. :us::us::us:
I thought that I might just buy the Michelin Alpin run flat winter tires and leave it at that, changing the tires over each fall and spring. Then I thought that I don't really like the idea of running the stock MB wheels in the winter salt that we use so much of here, or having the extra wear and tear on the wheels from continuous tire change overs. You read my mind... I decided the best, and most expensive, option is to buy a complete winter tire & winter wheel package complete with a second set of TPMS. Say goodbye to almost $2,000! I've got to think about this. I could save money if I don't put in the TPMS in the winter set... but then it doesn't pass our state inspection. I could save by using non run flat winter tires and buying a tire fix kit to put in the trunk, similar to the CLA45 setup... except that if I do get a flat, according to the Costco tire center, I have to throw a $210 tire away since they can't repair it after that tire goop has been sprayed inside it. And I'll also need a new $50 TPMS since that will also be ruined. Besides that, this plan doesn't pass Vermont state inspection either. Here, your car has to have either run flat tires, or regular tires with a spare tire in the trunk to pass inspection. The trunk space in the CLA is too limited to even think about adding a spare tire to it. I guess I finally have it all worked out in my mind... I'm going to be another $2,000 poorer, but that's actually the smartest choice.
The final thing I'm curious about, from researching the above, is that if I had bought a CLA45 instead of the CLA250, it won't pass our state inspection... high performance non run flat tires on it and no spare tire in the trunk. I realize this is Vermont and we're a little different, but I have to suspect that there may be other states with similar regulations. I actually ordered my car from a New Hampshire dealer and they said it's not an issue in their state; just having the tire fix kit in the trunk is sufficient. If you ordered the CLA45, you may want to check with your dealer to be sure that you won't have a state inspection issue wherever you live. :us::us::us:
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Almost same here (WA) - I'll have to switch to winter tires within a month after getting my car (two-three weeks from now). Any recommendation for 18" winter tires + wheels set?
Btw -- users manual suggest all weather 17" tires... Also for CLA45. Who will be following the suggestion and who will be installing 18" winter tires?
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Btw -- users manual suggest all weather 17" tires... Also for CLA45. Who will be following the suggestion and who will be installing 18" winter tires?
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Ill be going with 18" wheels with Pirelli sottozeros. They are performance winter tire that I currently use and work great in winter.Almost same here (WA) - I'll have to switch to winter tires within a month after getting my car (two-three weeks from now). Any recommendation for 18" winter tires + wheels set?
Btw -- users manual suggest all weather 17" tires... Also for CLA45. Who will be following the suggestion and who will be installing 18" winter tires?
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And which wheels you will be using? Or you will be mounting the tires over original wheels instead of summer tires?Ill be going with 18" wheels with Pirelli sottozeros. They are performance winter tire that I currently use and work great in winter.
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Going aftermarket. My car will be here in may so hoping there is some choices by then. Also contemplating using stock 19" for winter and get 19" summer wheel as opposed to using an 18" for winter. I will have dedicated winter/ summer set up. If you know of any wheels for the 45 please point me in that direction.And which wheels you will be using? Or you will be mounting the tires over original wheels instead of summer tires?
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CLA45 is 4matic, therefore all-season tires are optional.The final thing I'm curious about, from researching the above, is that if I had bought a CLA45 instead of the CLA250, it won't pass our state inspection... high performance non run flat tires on it and no spare tire in the trunk. I realize this is Vermont and we're a little different, but I have to suspect that there may be other states with similar regulations. I actually ordered my car from a New Hampshire dealer and they said it's not an issue in their state; just having the tire fix kit in the trunk is sufficient. If you ordered the CLA45, you may want to check with your dealer to be sure that you won't have a state inspection issue wherever you live. :us::us::us:
Well, mine is edition 1 and it will be delivered this month, so I have to start looking for winter tires/wheel soon. Generally -- should winter tires be one step below summer -- my summer are 18", so should I look for 17" winter/tires set?Going aftermarket. My car will be here in may so hoping there is some choices by then. Also contemplating using stock 19" for winter and get 19" summer wheel as opposed to using an 18" for winter. I will have dedicated winter/ summer set up. If you know of any wheels for the 45 please point me in that direction.
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The more rubber the better. So 17" would give you more sidewall to cushion against the pot holes. I ride on 18" wheels in winter now and have had no issues. Knock on wood. My car weighs 4000lbs also. I also know plenty of guys that ride on 19" and haven't had any issues regarding bent wheels. I'm guessing luck and dodging the pot holes helps. Congrats on getting that edition1. Have you checked tire rack for a winter set. I will check later and let you know if they have anything.Well, mine is edition 1 and it will be delivered this month, so I have to start looking for winter tires/wheel soon. Generally -- should winter tires be one step below summer -- my summer are 18", so should I look for 17" winter/tires set?
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Tire rack (as long as many others -- for example Costco) still don't have any specific package for CLA. They only permits to make a selection based on sizes, but do not recommend anything as CLA is not on the list of cars they support. I believe it will change in a few months from now, but in my case I must start thinking about it pretty soon as WA temperatures below 40 (at least mornings and evenings - the time I am driving to/from office) will start in about two months...The more rubber the better. So 17" would give you more sidewall to cushion against the pot holes. I ride on 18" wheels in winter now and have had no issues. Knock on wood. My car weighs 4000lbs also. I also know plenty of guys that ride on 19" and haven't had any issues regarding bent wheels. I'm guessing luck and dodging the pot holes helps. Congrats on getting that edition1. Have you checked tire rack for a winter set. I will check later and let you know if they have anything.
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Alex I just checked for winter tires. Blizzak LM 60. Set of 4 $600. If you want same tire in runflat they are $968. At least you know tires are available. And once tire rack gets their hands on a cla they will have wheels available.
Thanks. Just checked tire rackAlex I just checked for winter tires. Blizzak LM 60. Set of 4 $600. If you want same tire in runflat they are $968. At least you know tires are available. And once tire rack gets their hands on a cla they will have wheels available.
What about Pirelli's, Goodyear's or Dunlop's?
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I run the Pirelli sottozeros and I have no issues with them at all. Quiet, great in the snow. Excellent grip dry or wet. I know guys that run the LM60's and have heard nothing but good things about them as well.
What about studless ice/snow tires? Are they less recommended? Giving the fact we are not getting much snow here in WA but mostly icy/rains what is more recommended?I run the Pirelli sottozeros and I have no issues with them at all. Quiet, great in the snow. Excellent grip dry or wet. I know guys that run the LM60's and have heard nothing but good things about them as well.
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I have no need for them where I live. I looked for performance snow and the sottozeros didn't disappoint in either category.
Yeah, looks like I am at the same boat you are. So basically now I will be looking for some 18" wheels for the tires...I have no need for them where I live. I looked for performance snow and the sottozeros didn't disappoint in either category.
Any idea why CLA users manual recommends all weather 17" for CLA250 and all weather 18" for CLA45?
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I don't know why they are suggesting all seasons. I do know that from a personal performance standpoint and this is a performance car, I would always go dedicated summer and dedicated winter. I want my car to perform. And I know all seasons have come along way but it'll never do the job of a dedicated summer/ winter tire. We're investing a lot of $ by getting these cars and we want all the performance out of them, so for me I go dedicated tires.
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I got a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires awhile back and have been really impressed with them. Surprisingly good road manners and performance for a winter tire...
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R Tires at SimpleTire.com
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R Tires at SimpleTire.com
Ah, the south. I don't have to worry about that stuff anymore!
ok, i def don’t want to be switching tires every 6 months on my nice Edition 1 black AMG wheels, that is a recipe for ruining the wheels. For the winter tires, I’d like another set of rims. But I’ve already spent so much on the vehicle, I really need to contain any additional expense without completely ruining the look. With that said, what would be a cost-effective 17 inch or 18 inch setup for the winter wheels/tires. What are the measurements for the bolt pattern / offset to figure out what wheels might fit on this car as tire rack currently doesn’t look like it supports choosing wheels for this car? Any help would be appreciated. Obvious answer is to buy a stock set of rims from the dealer with winter tires but I am sure this will be 50% more expensive than the alternative.
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