Can vouch for this

In my experience, downsizing to 18s is the way to go for the W213. I've tried many setups over the years, and a smaller wheel basically saves ur suspension from those nasty potholes.

1. Go with Michelin for the tires—honestly, they handle the dry pavement way better than others.
2. For wheels, just get any reputable flow-formed brand with a +35 to +40 offset. It clears the calipers easily and looks flush.
3. Tire Rack is my go-to vendor; they ship them pre-mounted and balanced within ur budget!

Seconding the recommendation above. I've been running the 18-inch setup on my E-Class for three winters now and it's literally the best decision for the budget. Honestly, if you're trying to stay under $2,200, you gotta look at getting a package from Tire Rack or Discount Tire since they do the mounting and balancing for free.

In my experience, you can save a ton of cash by going with a high-quality replica wheel or a solid aftermarket brand like MSW Type 30 18x8 Wheel instead of OEM Mercedes rims which are crazy expensive. For the tires, since you mentioned slush and steep inclines, I'd suggest Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 245/45R18. They give you that smooth ride you want but actually bite into the snow when things get nasty.

Plus, going with a slightly narrower 245 width helps the car cut through the slush rather than floating on top of it. It's been a lifesaver on my driveway! So yeah, basically:

* Stick to 18s for that extra sidewall protection.
* Look for an offset around +43mm to clear those calipers and keep the look flush.
* Check out Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 245/45R18 if you want to save even more money over the Michelins—they're beastly in deep snow tho.

Good luck with the new ride, you're gonna love how it handles with the right shoes on!

100% agree

Can confirm

I saw this post earlier and totally felt the pain because I have been through this exact same headache with my W213. Honestly, I spent about three weeks just looking at load ratings and clearance data before I felt comfortable pulling the trigger on a winter set. It is such a specific car when it comes to the hub assembly and those front brakes. Here is what I have picked up over the last few years of long-term ownership:

• Getting a square setup for winter was basically the best move I ever made. Being able to rotate them means I am getting way more life out of my current setup than I did with the staggered factory wheels.
• I was super worried about the TPMS sensors playing nice with the car computer, but I am happy to report that going with high-quality pre-programmed ones worked out perfectly with no complaints.
• The clearance for the front calipers is much tighter than it looks on paper. I am satisfied that I double-checked the inner barrel shape, not just the offset, because some designs just dont fit right. I am finally at a point where the car feels solid in the slush and I have no complaints about the ride quality. If you need any help looking at spec sheets for a particular set you are eyeing, just let me know. I have probably got the technical data saved somewhere... I am happy to dig it up for you.

TL;DR: Downsizing to 18s is the smart move for ride quality, but look into Continental or Pirelli for a different balance of performance and grip.

Sooo, I went through this last year with my own W213. I've spent years researching the winter market, and basically, choosing the right rubber is about balancing the 'cold dry' performance vs 'deep snow' traction. While many go for the big names already mentioned, I actually found some long-term success looking at the European market leaders.

In my experience, Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is a total sleeper pick if you want that smooth Mercedes feel without the 'squishy' handling you sometimes get with hardcore snow tires. I also experimented with Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 which lowkey felt the most like my summer tires on the highway. For wheels, I found that an 18x8 inch setup with a +35mm to +40mm offset, like the Enkei Performance M52 Hyper Black, clears the calipers perfectly and keeps that flush look you're after. Honestly, it's all about that sidewall height when the potholes start appearing. Good luck with the build!!