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Why do you say snow tires are OK if AW are not. What is the gas mileage you are getting? You had said about 25 liters/100km before and that you had been unable to get it below 20.
Snow tires have certain advantages at low temperatures and on snow, AW tires can't keep up with that.
The problem with AW tires is: you get the bad traction/handling/etc. over the whole year, not only during winter time. Personally, I make compromises in winter time when it comes to tires (yes, I know that winter tires might be even worse than AW tires) but as soon as it warms up, I want to have the best traction/handling possible.
My wife's SLK32 AMG is almost undriveable with winter tires, I hate only the idea of putting on the winter tires again soon.
Another problem you might get: tire wear. My Contis on the rear are "finished" and I have only 9700 km on them.
OK, my driving style (with ESP turned off most of the time
) isn't very favorable for tire wear but anyway, I never had to exchange my rear tires after 10000 km.
Regarding fuel consumption: in the city, my car eats around 20-22 litres per 100 km. Driving on the Autobahn at average speeds (160-200 kph), my car uses 16-17 litres. Very surprising. Driving at top speed (300 kph), I have a fuel consumption of around 28 litres per 100 km.
If I drive slowly on a country road, not exceeding 100 kph and driving very calm, I get around 12 litres per 100 km. Never did less.
AMG has winter tire recommendations, I let you know as soon as I return back next week.
BTW: I forgot to ask why you asked if I still like my E55? Do you have some "doubts" about your car or any serious problems? The only real thing which sucks is traction and I hope to improve it with the LSD. And of course, you didn't expect that a 2 ton limousine handles like a 996 Turbo (you owned one before, right?), did you?