ferrariyellow44

This is probably a ridiculous and very obvious question but I honestly couldnt find the answer anywhere. I have a 2010 E350 sedan sport 4matic with the factory 5 spoke 18 inch rims, do they have run flat tires standard?

I know theyre conti's, I just dont know if theyre sport or pro contact and if that means they're runflats or not...

So do run flats come standard on 2010 E classes?

robalo220

Absolutely not! The only runflats MB uses are the blutec's in the E and GL and ML (ML blutec's used runflats pre 2012). Your E should have regular tires. Runflats are more expensive, can be patched only if you do not run with no air pressure for any amount of time and ruin the sidewalls. (if you discover a nail, screw, etc in a runflat, and do not let the air pressure diminish to the point of almost nothing, you CAN patch it and it will be safe).
Other problems with runflats: a tendency to tramline, rough ride due to the stiff side walls, handling can be poor depending on tire manufacturer.

Also, try going on a road trip and have a failure where you need a new tire. Not all tire stores carry runflats, so plan on staying a while until the MB store can get a new tire in a few days.

BMW almost uses runflats exclusively. I have a 2005 Z4 that has them. They stink.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the only so called benefit is you can drive on one with no air pressure at 50 MPH for 50 miles. However if you hit a road hazzard and blow them apart, you just park and wait for a tow truck and then wait a few days for a new tire(s).

Be glad you don't have them.

robalo220

Almost forgot, lift up the flat panel in your trunk and you should see a donut spare tire. Not great, but you can change your flat tire and be on your way.

Cheers!

Live Oak

A year ago, I was very close to buying a 550i. That is, until I discovered that run-flats were the only option, and at the time, at discount dealers and at BMW, replacement tires, mounted and balanced, cost $600 EACH! And the word on the street was that tire life was really short.

(I understand that cost may have come down since then.)

ferrariyellow44

Yeah Ive heard the runflats have a pretty ****ty ride quality, but thanks for pointing out all those other drawbacks! Im very glad Merc doesnt put them on their cars standard like BMW.

ImInPA

Newer RunFlats are not that bad when new. As the tread wears; however, noise increases. The irony of RunFlats is that if you were to actually have to drive on the sidewall for any length of time (more than a mile or two) the tire would have to be replaced. Almost no tire store stocks RunFlats in many if any sizes. You are probably SOL unless you get a flat in front of Tire Rack.

Raymond Lee

ImInPA
I, too, have BlueTec so I am stuck with runflat. NO way out. If you find new solution or idea, please do share.

ImInPA

I replaced my runflats with regular tires and a kit similar to what MB ships with Canadian Bluetecs. Essentially a fix-a-flat and a compressor. Essentially, if I get a flat that the kit will not seal, I am no worse off than if I got the same damage with Runflats. Time to call for assistance. I have found the non-runflat tires have made my already nice riding car a great riding car.

Mbenz260e

I have a '12 E BTC and '09 ML BTC so run flats on both. In hind site I should have flipped the order of buying the vehicles and avoided the run flats. The ML is coming up on replacement and not sure if i will go with run flats but they don't seem to have a big advantage over a pump and fix-a-flat.

Has anyone put fix-a-flat or slime in a run flat so you could drive it once you have leak and possibly patch the tire instead of replacing? I am planning on keeping a can in each car for out town trips but not sure if its and vain and then end up messing up the TPMS...

Raymond Lee

I love this forum. There are so much to learn from you guys and you are nice enough to share your knowledge and experience. With this car there really are a lot to learn.

Raygt3

Over time and use the RF's become deafining noisy and the longer you have them the noisier they become. Had them on a C5 Vette and could not wear them out they got hard as rocks. Finally just threw them out, should have gotten rid of them on day one. Never again!

Raymond Lee

Raygt3
Which brand tire was it? This is a good piece of information.

Raygt3

The car was a '98 so probably early Goodyear run flats.

Raymond Lee

Raygot3
I believe it is Bridgeston.

CorvetteOJ

Yes, the '98 C5 definitely had Goodyears. They were crap! I had a '98 and had to replace them at 18,000 miles. The fronts were wearing on the inside. They were noisey and hard from day one. I later bought an '03 and it still had Goodyears. They were still crap. At 15,000 miles I replaced them with the Michelin Pilot Sports run flats. It was like riding on air compared to the Goodyears. However, now, after 4 years, even the Michelins are starting to get noisey and hard ridiing. They are light years better than the Goodyears in every aspect. I guess run flats are like everything else on cars...it all has its pros and cons, for me, the run flat pros out weigh the cons.

robalo220

The beauty of the newer MB's is that if you actually get the individual tire pressure readings, you will get a low tire warning when the tire starts to lose pressure if you have just picked up a nail, screw etc. If it is a complete blow out from a road hazard, you are screwed. So if it is just a nail, or screw as i said earlier in this post, keep driving but keep it aired up and take it to a good year store and have them place a patch/plug. It is more expensive than just a plug because they take the tire off the rim and install the patch/plug from the inside. The repair is much better than just a plug. The plug can work its way out over time. So as long as you don't let the pressure get low or to almost nothing, you would be good to repair it.
I would NOT recommend SLIME repair solution. It is flammable and some shops won't touch the repair if you have used it. I worry about it messing up the TPM system as well.

Mbenz260e

Thanks for the recommendations! yeah I noticed our '12 has individual readings for each tire and the '09 does not, very handy feature. Still up in the air about what to do but my wife seems to prefer the idea of Runflats on the ML, happy with the current ride quality.

Makes sense about the slime though, really only good for slow leak such as nails which a compressor can get you to limp into a shop with...

ImInPA

MB includes a kit that contains "slime" and a compressor for Bluetecs shipped to Canada without RunFlats. Continental Tire makes a similar kit as well. Regardless of what you say about slime, products like this are widely endorsed by manufacturers.

sosh

Would NEVER even consider owning a vehicle with runflats. Don't care how much I love the vehicle otherwise.

rjm

I had runflats on my BMW. Trust me, you don't want them!! I hit a small pothole at low speed that resulted in bubbles on both tires on that side. Both tires had to be replaced at a cost of over $900. Luckily, I had bought the tire and wheel insurance when I purchased the car. Just take a look at the BMW forums and you will see how much these tires are hated. You can't buy a BMW without runflats. They are standard on all models and are universally hated for their constant failures. Goodyears are the worst, followed by Bridgestone Potenzas.

Raymond Lee

rjm
Appreciate your input. I am stuck with runflat! I have to learn to get around.

Mbenz260e

Yes they are definitely not ideal I agree. I think I will pick up slime though as a last resort if I end up with a puncture and loosing air fast out of town etc. Really it only worries me for long trips out of town on the weekends.

I wish Mercedes had put more thought into the AdBlue tanks. The new ML has both spare and tank, and the New Passat even has a dougnut and a tank in the trunk. Looking at the side of the tank on the E, i feel they could have come up with some complex tank design to allow a tire to fit there as well. Maybe on the next generation. For now though the ride quality and noise really doesn't bother me but when it comes time for new tires on the E will probably go for conventional for comfort reasons.

Has anyone priced out buying a spare rim and tire for the E?

rjm

Slime won't do much good if you have a massive blowout due to hitting something on the road. I called Tire Track and asked about opinions on a spare tire and wheel, ordered one for about $200 and threw it in the trunk for our frequent drives to Santa Fe from Dallas. Out in the middle of the desert the runflats are pretty worthless if you have a massive failure.

Mbenz260e

Yeah I realize slime won't do much with massive failure but i hope won't happen if I watch the pressures. Thanks for the info on the spare! It's a doughnut with a steel rim i assume?

rjm

Nope, it's a full size spare. And there is still lots of room in the trunk for several bags.