GregGebhardt

My 2014 350BT came from the factory with the B&O radio and Pirelli Scorpion Verde 265/45R20 runflats.

I have been very happy with the performance of these tires, I did buy the air compressor and plug set for piece of mind.

But after my dealer rotated my tires at 10K, I am getting tire noise that increases and decreases with the vehical speed. They were quiet before.

I am falling out of love and am considering getting a more conventional Michelin Latitude type tires which have given me great service on my past SUVs.

My question is, would the Mercedes dealer be able to supply me with a compact emergency spare that would fit my vehicle? I know it will not fit under the floor in the cargo area and would just lay on the cargo floor instead?

Does this sound feasible? Any problems with this?

Thanks

another_geek

A quick search of the parts catalog shows that the emergency spare wheel is available for ~ $300 but this does not include the tire itself, which is sold separately.

I don't recall if there are different wheel bolts for the spare (shorter?) - might want to check into that also. I haven't looked in a while...

DUTCH

The donut spare does indeed use different mounting bolts.

350MH83

Having a spare not tied down in the cargo area can be pretty dangerous in case of accident. This thing will go flying and that would definitely break someone's neck!

samaritrey

+1 if you do go that route secure it down. A few years back i was ridding shotgun in a excursion that hit a tree and then rolled atleast twice and was pelted with lugage, handtruck, boxes, vanila coke cans, wine bottles ect... Was very luck to walk away with only cuts and the fear of not being in control.

DUTCH

Since there are four (4) tie down points in the cargo area, securing it should not be a problem.

schorert1

fix-a-flat and AAA.
For me anyway, it's just a matter of days before you take the spare out to load something in the back, and it's out for good.

GregGebhardt

I have not had a flat tire in years!

That is kinda what I am doing now. I do have a can of fix-a-flat, plugs and even a DC air pump. I like the idea of run flats till they rotated them at 10K and I am getting noise that was not there before.

My Michelins were so quiet!

GregGebhardt

Tires making a roaring sound after the dealer rotated the tires. Took it to a trusted tire shop and they re-rotated the tires back to their original position. Sound is gone and all is quiet again. Going to wear the OEMs out and go to my favorite Michelins.

Any ideas why the tires started to make this roaring sound. Is the front end out of alignment?

DUTCH

Did they cross rotate or front to back?

Streamliner

Ah, that's what you get for buying a truck with those silly 20" wheels, load rated tires and that over priced sound system that the magazines all called a "waste of money," and "not as good as the HK." I ordered my 2014 ML350BT with the standard 18" wheels that were delivered with Continentals and a nice, spare wheel & tire in the cavity below the cargo area floor. Very soon thereafter, I swapped out the Contis for the wonderful Michelin Latitude Tour tires. Now I have the best of all worlds. If I were you, I'd put 18's on and have a nice riding truck, but that's just me. One last note: IF MB had wanted to spend the time, I am sure they could have found another suitable place for the B&O electronics. Putting them in the spare tire well was cheap, lazy and poor engineering on their part.

schorert1

Every time I've had SUV tires rotated this has happened. (do they cross rotate anymore??)
If you find a tire you like, you can sometimes go through two sets of fronts for every set of rears.

DUTCH

I cross rotate evry 5,000 miles and never have a problem. I think the OP's problem is that they are run flat tires, which are very prone to being noisy.

GregGebhardt

Front to back and back to front.

No cross rotating.

GregGebhardt

Sheetlicker,

Sorry you do not approve as I am quite happy. Your bland 18" wheels would be BORING! As far as the stereo, I have heard both and the HK sounded "muddy" in comparison. Very happy with my choice and have no regrets except reading your stupid post.





Your 18" wheels! LOL

GregGebhardt

I might agree except the noisey run falts were ONLY noisey AFTER they got rotated, they were very quite until then.

My "trusted" tire people said that they never cross rotate and that todays tires should run in the same direction through out their life. SO all this time you are doing it wrong!

DUTCH

Isn't it funny how well "wrong" works in this case.

GregGebhardt

[IMG]

Kartergreg

I didn't know that the 2014 bluetec came with 18" wheels, or did you have to special order "little" wheels???

AS705

Our 2012 ML BT came with Pirelli Scorpion Verde 255/50/R19 that have just finished their third summer. We use Pirelli Scorpion Verde winters for the winters as well. Neither set are run flat.

When I switched to all seasons this year (their third year for the all season), I also had an alignment done. I found that these tires were extremely noisy this year to the point that there is no noticeable reduction in noise compared to the winter tires. I have made inquiries with several reputable tire stores and they advise that these tires are known for becoming louder as they wear.

This set is at the end of their life and I will be replacing them in the spring. I estimate that they have approximately 45K km on them. I am looking at switching to Michelin Latitudes that are a recommended OEM tire by MB and are the top rated tire by Consumer Reports in this class. My biggest challenge is to find them and at a good price. I have found price range from $299 - $350. Does anyone have experience regarding noise with the Michelins?

GregGebhardt

Thanks for the information and I will be doing the same as you after I get a little more wear out of these tires or I can't stand the noise. I did I rotate them and they are much more quiet than they were but not like I remember my Latitudes.

I always use Tirerack.com for prices. Most tire dealers I use will match their prices or let RireRack ship to them.

shortspark

Has anyone checked tire prices at a MB dealer? I have seen some ads that they are suppose to be "competitive". There is a lot of room for interpretation there so I am wondering if anyone has purchased tires through a dealer.

GregGebhardt

I know my Lexus dealer would price match for "out the door" prices, not so sure about the MB dealers. I am not so happy with mine so I will buy my new tires else where.

shortspark

Yes, I thought I read somewhere that MB dealers (or at least the one closest to me) would charge the same as regular tire stores - but I find that hard to believe. I am happy with this dealer so I think when the time comes I will shop around and then check with them before I make a decision.

I had the Michelin Latitude on a light truck and loved them. They were good riding, quiet and lasted over 50,000 miles when I sold it. These OEM Dunlops I got on my 2012 ML are okay but they wear quickly. I doubt I will get 25,000 miles. That's okay because I can't wait to get back to my Michelin.