clonmel

OK - so still not happy with the idea of run flats only with no spare. There's a substantial well under the load floor cover and I'm tempted to buy a space saver
for our GLC 300 4Matic, a second hand tool kit from eBay, and stow it there. We've got the stock 18" 5 spoke alloys on the GLC and the issue is finding the space saver with the right bolt hole spacing for the four GLC hubs. Any ideas? My dealership is a little hazy on answering the question - I'm hoping an X204 fitment will do the trick as it would be easy to source secondhand on eBay, but perhaps there are other models that would work?

tron786

/subscribed

awjenni

I too have reservations about runflats but no actual personal experience with them. I have heard that a nail in your tire means driving to a tire store within 50 miles. The tire will get you there but it will then be ruined and need to be replaced. Chances are good that the 'tire store" will not have the right tire in stock and that little nail will cost you a set of four new tires.

Do the European spec GLC's all come with runflats or do they carry a spare of some sort?

Al

clonmel

I can tell you, after a ridiculous amount of phone research this afternoon, that there IS a Part No. for non-US market GLC spare wheels - A2534000300. There's also a Part No. for a jack kit -A1665800400 - it's relatively simple - a jack, a lug wrench, and a wheel chock in a zippered bag (not the grey foam insert that fits inside the wheel with cutouts for the tools that we're used to) but your dealer will likely tell you that he can't order it for this market. I haven't tried Canada but, if you have a source on the continent, I'm sure you could order it and have it shipped. My suspicion is that MB is deliberately vague about it because they're trying to hard sell the run flats. I agree with all your observations - Even with the 50
mile range and MBrace, I'm not crazy about my wife (it's her car) being stranded on an Interstate in the middle of no place without something that will let her limp home.

JEVA

I've had run flats on several cars and thankfully have never had to test out their effectiveness. I do know that they give a harsher ride and are more expensive. A lot of people take them right off and put on conventional tires.

You could always sign up for AAA

clonmel

Have AAA. When ever you've got tire problems the first question is whether you've got a functional spare.

fabbrisd1

Just to clarify - the style tire is Extended Mobility - and the reason I make this distinction are original Run Flats use a aluminum disc inside the tire - and yes, RunFlats were harsh, lowsy handling, much lower tread life - and quite expensive on replacement.

This newer class Extended Mobility use a different sidewall construction - not alum discs - and handling is quite respectable - none of the RunFlat harshness - and tread life is "said" to be extended to closer to "real" tire - replacement cost is a bit more than a "real" tire - but not the hefty $400-$500+ a tire that are RunFlats...

Yes - the GLC has gone to Extended Mobilty - as are "almost" all others in same/newer "compact SUV" class that I know of

Keep the beat !

tron786

In South Africa our tyres are RFT true runflat

JEVA

Good info!

rbrylaw

I have to say I'm quite impressed with Extended Mobility tires on both our GLC300 and C300 Sport. I don't find the ride harsh at all. I live in a very populous area and am rarely far from a MB dealership. I figure if I have a tire issue, I'm close enough to get safely to a dealer. And if by chance I'm not, that's what the new car warranty is for as it includes Road Side assistance standard. I also did purchase the Tire and Wheel insurance at purchase. Got a really good price at $1250 for 60 months, including the transfer of the warranty to new tires if purchased during the 60 month period.

JEVA

I personally think the wheel insurance is not the best choice...it's essentially a hedge bet unless it's refundable if unused. You're better off putting that money into some sort of investment for the length of the warranty and then using it if needed. I guess the caveat is if you are a infamous for beating up your rims and are sure it will be used it may be a good decision.
I can't remember the last time I parallel parked my X6 and with the 360 view it's very easy to avoid the curb. I live and work in the suburbs and if going downtown, I typically take the beater car anyway. The one time my rims got rashed in the past was the result of a valet parking job. Unfortunately, I didn't notice it until a few days later.

rbrylaw

I'm sure you're right that the wheel and tire insurance isn't the best investment one can make. I hope I never have to use it and if I don't, then the money will have been wasted. I initially said no during the finance part. They wanted something like $1700. When he finally got it down to $1250, I just added it. What was in the back of my head was my boss who in the first 3 months of owning his new 2015 S550 managed to get nails in 3 tires, which he had to replace without the wheel insurance. Had he bought wheel insurance, it would have saved him money and that's just in the first 3 months of ownership. I live in a part of the city that is undergoing a rebirth and revitalization. Lot's of construction going on. I figure it's just a matter of time before I get a nail or two in one of tires in either the C or GLC.

JEVA

Since these are not tradition RFT's, are they pluggable/repairable if you get a nail in it or are they like RFT's in that respect?

rbrylaw

Mercedes likely won't plug one and the recommendation is to not plug them. An independent shop might. I probably wouldn't.

tron786

With regards to plugging a RFT. If you have a slow leak and have noticed a nail in time without having driven on a completely flat tyre then I think it's ok. But if you have driven on the tyre completely flat and damaged the sidewalls in the process then it's irreparable

tron786

My apologies.

On my tyre it states both MOExtended and RFT.
It's a Bridgestone Dueler
Not sure if Mercedes spec requires the MOE stamp of approval or if there is a difference between standard RFT and these?
What does the US spec have?

guido3

My OE Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires are marked MOE on the sidewall and have a service warning referencing "run flat tyres." My guess is that all MOEs are RFTs, but not all RFTs are MOEs.

tron786

Makes sense what you are saying but reading below confuses me.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=234

guido3

Yes, it is confusing. Maybe I should have said: All MOEs are RFTs, but not ISO RFTs (for the reasons pointed out in your link), while not all RFTs are MOEs. It depends on whether one is willing to accept the RFT terminology as generic. Semantics.

sblvro

MB should just use Bridgestone dueler H/L alenzas. They're almost indestructible with a warranty upped to 80k miles! I had it in my escalade hybrid that did not come with a spare and even when we logged 195k miles in the interstate, not a nail or flat was incurred. Replaced it 3x both at 70k miles.

tron786

Those are not runflat. I don't think any runflat shave mileage warranty.

larrypmyers

I've been driving on run-flat tires for the past 16 years.

During that time have had two failures, both of which I was able to drive to the repair shop. And in both instances the tire was repairable.

My view is that run-flats are the best thing since canned beer. Other folks will disagree.

rbrylaw

I have no issue with Run-Flats. They're certainly safer than a tire that loses round in a few seconds.

Mike Kampf

I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion. I got my GLC last May. It has Pirelli 18" All Season RUN FLATS. My car has 11k miles & dealership says they are BALD!! 11K Miles on an SUV!! Told dog tires & being in South Florida is reason. No help!! I can replace 2 now & 2 in future or all 4 now. I have NO desire to replace with same Pirelli run flats that only got me 11K miles & have no treadwear warranty. Continental Run Flat is different speed rating & im told I need to match. I have 26 months left on lease. Do I replace all with NON RUN FLATS & look for a spare & jack...or keep the crappy run flats & keep replacing?

Sigp232

I have the continental MOE in19 inch with 1800 miles on them. if I get the same problem as you I'm switching to Michelin defenders and I'll take my chances with Triple A. No way I'll be getting new tires every year