HAILERS2

I traded a CL550 for a 2013 SL550 a couple of weeks ago. There is no spare tire nor any tire changing tools or tirefit kit in the boot.

I realize the tires are run flat tires with the MOE stamped on the tires, but.......did the car, when new, come with a tirefit kit and tire changing tools or is the boot empty except for the towing device. Just curious.

I figure if the car came without MOE tires, then it would have the tirefit kit and tire/wheel changing tools.......like a JACK too.

threeMBs

No tire fit, no jack nor any other tire changing tools. MB is moving toward 100% reliance on run flats.

greatkoei

I wondered the same when I bought mine. MB shouldn't have built the slots under the trunk that way, it made buyers think that they were given less than what they should have been.

Wolfman

Run flats are only standard in the US (non-AMG). Non-US & AMG models comes with regular tires and tire-fit kits. Run Flats are available as options for non-AMG.

HAILERS2

Right. Those provisions for the airpump and other tire change items are what got me wondering if there was something lacking in the boot that should be there. I might buy a tirefit kit and use those 'slots'. From what I understand, if you actually drive a 'flat' run flat tire, the sidewalls will be destroyed and you need a new tire. But maybe if you have a flat or see a low tire warning, I can pull over and use the tirefit kit to 'save' the tire. It's just a thought and I'm not sure I'll follow through with it or not.

Thanks for the replys and now I know that My car would not have come with the tirefit kit because it came with run flat tires or MOE tires like a BMW I traded in for the car.

jazporsche

Utopia Texas

On my '2008 the towing eye was in a compartment hidden below what I thought was the lowest point of the trunk behind the rear bumper. In other words, take out the flooring in the trunk and then look even deeper.

1309w

although the manual says the tow hook is in the trunk, its not. and imho run flats do not give as comfortable a ride, wear out more rapidly, and are noisier than Michelin Sport all weather tires. fwiw, there is no room in the trunk for a spare or a donut even if you want to buy one.

Wolfman

Unless somebody took it the tow hook is definitely in the trunk. Utopia Texas is correct, it is hidden well; the trunk floor must be pulled, not just the flat board. I have to look again but as far as I remember, the tow hook is snapped into a great styrofoam piece facing the bumper...

BobBass

These manufacturers are moving to run-flats so they can make the vehicles lighter and therefore more fuel-efficient. BMW has done this, too. Who cares if we all have to put up with a noisier/harsher ride, face more difficulty finding replacements that are higher priced, and lack of a spare to use if you're "in the boondocks." SUX!

larrypmyers

If an extended mobility tire experiences zero inflation pressure it can be safely driven 50 miles at speeds not to exceed 50 mph. Assuming the puncture is in the tread area, following the aforementioned guidance will increase the probability the tire can be repaired.

If your in a remote location, further than 50 miles from help, the tire can be driven beyond 50 miles, however, if this occurs good judgement would mandate the tire be replaced.

In the mid 90s when extended mobility tires first came on the market the drive distance with zero pressure was 200 miles. It quickly became apparent this distance was too great resulting in the tire almost always being unrepairable. And so the distance was reduced to where it is today.

On the Corvette Forum some time ago there was post detailing how a Vette owner with a defective run flat, drove it back and forth to work for a week before replacing the tire. Not something I would recommend but gives one an idea what run flats are capable off.

I do like the idea of carrying an inflator kit. Using it would eliminate the need to drive on zero pressure. Thus when the shop tells you, " OMG you've driven with zero pressure, you need a new $200+ tire," or two or four, your response can be (expletive).

The above said, the issue of run flats vs. conventional tires seems to be an emotional one. No matter what's said on either side, no one is convinced otherwise.

jazporsche

Wolfman

The run flats are the first to come off. Much better than what we had one our 750li but still inferior. My preference are Michelin Pilot tires. have the Super Sports on the SL and PS4's on the E63s

Utopia Texas

I also took off the run flats and had Michelin Pilot Sports put on my 2017 SL. It is a hassle trying to sell the run flats or a shame and waste of money to have them thrown out but I do not like the ride.

gkgeiger

Before I got my SL I was sure I would replace my RF tires with regular all season tires, but my Bridgestone’s are quiet, ride excellent and are wearing very well. I’m happy!

Wolfman

Glad to hear. Original tires were Continental Contisport 5P or something like that...Not bad, but not what a Michelin PSS can deliver. In warm weather, these tires are a delight Smooth with endless grip. But in temps under 40 degrees they are downright dangerous

greatkoei

I have the original continental tires and they are bumpy (though I don't have ABC). I am planning to get all my tires changed soon. So just want to make sure, this is the tire you are referring to. How are the other Michelins comparing to this one?

Utopia Texas

I do not think the tire you have highlighted is listed for the SL.
Try the one to the left of what you have in the red square.

Wolfman

We have SL63/65 AMG forged wheels on the car. That setup has 19" fronts and 20" rears. In the past, the Super Sports were not available on the standard 19" wheels but now they are. Check Tirerack ($250 front, $345 rear). You can also do the PS4s tires but the the rear would be a touch wider at 295 vs 285. Will still work (these are better than the Super Sports)...

Btw, the tire sizes you have listed are wrong: It's a 255/35/19 front but a 285/30/19 rear

SLclass

Making sure I understand you, Wolfman: Should I ever decide, in the future, to replace the run-flats on my '18 SL550, go with the Pilot Sport 4 S tires?

greatkoei

So PS4s are cheaper and better? I checked my tires, they are both 19" front and rear. You are correct on 285/30/19 rear. The website I took the screenshot was wrong.

seascape

For those of you that have replaced your run flats, are you carrying a spare tire in the trunk? If so, any recommendations on which size / brand to buy?

Wolfman

I would. Unless you go for track tires this is about the best tire out there. It was introduced just 6 months ago and the tech has evolved. I remember the Super Sports being much cheaper than the PS2's while being the better and longer lasting tire.
Our Super Sports are about done, so for our 19"/20" combo, they have the exact fitment

Wolfman

I want to make sure that we are talking about the same thing. Since I spoke about tires in plural, there could be a mixup as there are also two different tires. There is a "PS4" and the "PS4 S". I mean the latter...

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...sport-4s-test/

Wolfman

Going back to our SL55 in 2002, that car had conventional performance tires and no spare. It had a tire fix kit only. Then we got a SL600 which actually has a collapsable spare with a pump even though it was the same type SL.

Until we had a flat we found out that it made no difference. The SL55 was the better choice. Why? The broken tire was so large that it couldn't fit in the trunk or anywhere in the car. You couldn't drive with an open trunk either (we didn't have any rubber straps) as the SL has a tall trunk due to the roof folding mechanism.

Tire fix kits can't fix catastrophic damage but run flats can easily blow in a way that they can not be driven anymore even for emergency. The way I look at it, the most important is to safely come to a stop and then to stay safe. If I can fix the tire, cool. If not I'll damage the rim to drive slowly to the nearest exit and get a tow.