Run Flat
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Run Flat
I was told that most new MB now come with run flat tires. Even if you want to replace all of them with regular tries, it is not a good idea because MB has adjusted their suspensions to work with run flat (stiff side wall).
What is your experience with run flats?
What is your experience with run flats?
#2
Super Moderator
They are crap. Benz has actually had run flats made for them with softer sidewalls that won't run as far flat. The damn things mess up the the ride & don't last. In SA you can order your car without them & an inflation kit or a mini spare that lies in the trunk with a cover. People who get them new usually remove them pretty quickly. I can't stand them.
EDIT: I've just fitted a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4's & I'm delighted.
EDIT: I've just fitted a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4's & I'm delighted.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 02-18-2017 at 11:30 PM.
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
They are crap. Benz has actually had run flats made for them with softer sidewalls that won't run as far flat. The damn things mess up the the ride & don't last. In SA you can order your car without them & an inflation kit or a mini spare that lies in the trunk with a cover. People who get them new usually remove them pretty quickly. I can't stand them.
1. I was told that MB suspensions are tuned for these tires (still have stiffer sidewall than regular tires). If you change all four to regular tires, would this impact the ride quality?
2. Since these are special MB tires, can you still get them from a regular tire store?
#4
MBworld Guru
There is only one reason car manufacturers are going with run-flat tires: To reduce weight by eliminating the spare tire and jack so they can improve MPG and meet the (unobtainable!) 54.5 CAFE standards for 2025. Honestly, I wish they'd just offer free towing and forget the spare tire and run-flats. In my SL, the spare tire has to be inflated before use (it has an air pump included). The skinny little donut in my W209 was scary to drive on. In either case, I'd just rather get towed. Of course then the problem is getting towed somewhere that actually has a tire in the right size in stock!
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
So, this is crap. It will be hard to get replacement tires since they have to be MB specific. What are the chances that the local tire stores have these MOE in stock. Also, run flats are expensive and cannot be repaired!
Are the other car manufacturers going with run flats as well?
Are the other car manufacturers going with run flats as well?
#6
Super Moderator
So, this is crap. It will be hard to get replacement tires since they have to be MB specific. What are the chances that the local tire stores have these MOE in stock. Also, run flats are expensive and cannot be repaired!
Are the other car manufacturers going with run flats as well?
Are the other car manufacturers going with run flats as well?
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#8
Super Moderator
Complete and utter rubbish. Convenient & misleading dealer answer. The car handles & brakes better with conventional tyres. i.e. it is safer. Run flats need a lot more development before they can compete ~ if ever.
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
The dealership told me that since these runflats have thicker and stiffer side wall, MB has to adjust the suspension to work with them. If changed to regular tires, the ride quality will suffer.
I guess they try to persuade Mb customers to buy tires from them.
I guess they try to persuade Mb customers to buy tires from them.
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
On the other hand, to replace all 4 tires at our own expense would be expensive.
Last edited by mis3; 02-19-2017 at 12:28 PM.
#12
MBworld Guru
Forget finding tires in stock - runflat or not. No stores in town stocked all four tires for the CLK (225/45-17 and 245/40-17). Some might have fronts, some might have rears. Tired for the SL (255/35/19 and 285/30-19) are just about non-existent. No store stocks them, and few can even get them. Locally, I have a choice between 3 brands unless I want to go to TireRack.
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
I would definitely ditch the run flats and go with conventional tires once they run down. Run flats ride way too harsh for me and they wear so fast. Besides the money you save in the price difference you can most likely buy a spare rim and tire and you'd cover the cost. Lot of the E92 BMW guys replace theirs and buy the BMW spare wheel kit (the only issue on their models is there is no space for the spare in the trunk). Idk if other issues arise if the car has a staggered setup. I just hate how its so hard to find cars with a full spare anymore.
Last edited by gaazmon; 02-20-2017 at 08:31 PM.
#15
Like Gaazmon said their are a lot of unhappy BMW owners stuck with run flats. My wife hit something with her Z3 and I was in the tire store the other day getting a new tire put on and TWO BMW owners were complaining about the stupid run flats.
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Forget finding tires in stock - runflat or not. No stores in town stocked all four tires for the CLK (225/45-17 and 245/40-17). Some might have fronts, some might have rears. Tired for the SL (255/35/19 and 285/30-19) are just about non-existent. No store stocks them, and few can even get them. Locally, I have a choice between 3 brands unless I want to go to TireRack.
In the winter, I run 16-inch and it is close to impossible to get the rears, 225-50-16.
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
I started to learn about these runflats because of my friend. She bought a new C coupe and had a flat 2 weeks ago. It happened in late evening and she somehow found a tire store which was still opened. They replaced the tire for $160CAN.
When I learned about the price, I found it too cheap. Sure enough, I checked the tire, it was a no brand name non-runflat. The brand is "Horizon" (???).
When I learned about the price, I found it too cheap. Sure enough, I checked the tire, it was a no brand name non-runflat. The brand is "Horizon" (???).
Last edited by mis3; 02-24-2017 at 04:39 PM.
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
My brother has an E92 335i coupe w/ the M sport 19" inch wheels there are only 2 brands for that size in run flat variant: bridgestone and pirelli. I can't even find the pirellis locally stocked (except at the BMW dealers) and tirerack is back ordered till end of March for the front set. At this point I'm trying to convince him to buy the BMW spare wheel and tire kit for $500 bucks and put regular tires on (it'll pay for itself after two tire changes). I seriously think the whole run flat trend is for the car manufacturers to save on weight and extra parts to satisfy fuel economy ratings and pass the burden and cost onto the consumer
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
The consumers are in a bad position with these runflats. Lets say the new car is a lease of 2 years, should we spend an additional $2K for the regular tires and spares? Lets say it is a purchase, what do we do with the runflats?
On the other hand, since these runflats cannot be repaired, one nail in the tire will cost $500!
The tire and wheel warranty is getting more and more appealing now.
Last edited by mis3; 02-25-2017 at 04:33 PM.
#20
MBworld Guru
#21
MBworld Guru
Oh, and speaking of saving weight, did you know that the R171 SLK came with regular tires, but no spare? Just a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk. Well, that and the promise of MB roadside assist. My SL has a deflated spare. So they saved weight on the extra air, but had to add a compressor to inflate it? Nah, not really - it's a space-savings strategy, but it's still funny.
#22
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Below was taken from fixaflat website. If this is correct, who do we do in the winter? Apparently we cannot store this product in the car in winter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Fix-A-Flat® freeze?
Yes, if the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit it will freeze. The product in the can is not damaged and may be used after thawing. If the product is in the tire, and freezing weather is predicted, then immediately take the vehicle to a qualified tire professional for repair.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Fix-A-Flat® freeze?
Yes, if the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit it will freeze. The product in the can is not damaged and may be used after thawing. If the product is in the tire, and freezing weather is predicted, then immediately take the vehicle to a qualified tire professional for repair.
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Last edited by mis3; 02-26-2017 at 01:03 PM.
#23
MBworld Guru
Yet another good reason to live below the Mason-Dixon line Seriously, one thing you should never do is continue to use a tire with Fix-a-Flat in it. It's only meant as an emergency repair until you get to a shop that can properly fix the tire. And of course it does no good for anything more than a simple tread puncture.
I did go through the exercise of inflating and mounting the spare in the SL just so I'd be familiar in case it was needed. Its spare is wider than the usual "donut", but it's still pretty flimsy feeling. Honestly, unless I were just a few easy miles from home, I think I'd just call for a tow.
I did go through the exercise of inflating and mounting the spare in the SL just so I'd be familiar in case it was needed. Its spare is wider than the usual "donut", but it's still pretty flimsy feeling. Honestly, unless I were just a few easy miles from home, I think I'd just call for a tow.
#24
MBWorld Fanatic!
You will have to add $1,200-1,400 for the cost of the 4 regular tires.
The consumers are in a bad position with these runflats. Lets say the new car is a lease of 2 years, should we spend an additional $2K for the regular tires and spares? Lets say it is a purchase, what do we do with the runflats?
The consumers are in a bad position with these runflats. Lets say the new car is a lease of 2 years, should we spend an additional $2K for the regular tires and spares? Lets say it is a purchase, what do we do with the runflats?
#25
Member
Oh, and speaking of saving weight, did you know that the R171 SLK came with regular tires, but no spare? Just a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk. Well, that and the promise of MB roadside assist. My SL has a deflated spare. So they saved weight on the extra air, but had to add a compressor to inflate it? Nah, not really - it's a space-savings strategy, but it's still funny.
On my CLK 500 I bought new tires last year when I got the car. A set of Sumitomos from NTB for just under $600. Great tires, the car rides excellently, and handles well.
Run flat tires are a pain in many ways. Once flat they must be replaced. They are very expensive. Often, if you have much wear on one, when you replace it, you have to replace the other three. Screw that!