Winter tyres for C-Class

I am looking to buy a set of winter tyres for my Mercedes C-Class 220 CDI Estate (W204). I currently run on 225/45 R17. Should I retain same size/profile or reduce to 205/55 R16?

The Continental TS850 Winter sound a good option, do you agree? I will buy separate rims so I can swap from summer to winter each year. This may seem a luxury for living just north of London, but we have some difficult hills in Rickmansworth/Croxley Green which are more tricky with a rear-wheel drive. I also often drive in Germany in March, when winter tyres are considered mandatory

Asked on 13 January 2014 by MartinT

Answered by Honest John

Obviously reducing to 205/55 R16 means buying another set of rims (£335 a set of Alutecs from www.tyremen.co.uk), but the 16s will perform better than the 17s. Continental Winter Contact TS850 was third in the all important 2013 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test: www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2013-Auto-Bild-Top-1...m
Michelin Alpin AP4 won.

Tags: wheels and tyres technical issues winter tyres

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