OliverU

When I bought my new C in Dec, I also bought a set of winter tires and rims, and I had the dealership mount the winter set for delivery - I've never driven the car with the originals. (AMG 18s)

Well, I was about to switch sets this weekend - it turns out there's a screw embedded in one of the new tires. Through the contact patch area, not the sidewall. I started taking the screw out but stopped when I heard hissing.

This could only have happened before delivery, during PDI.
What's a realistic resolution? Just having it plugged? Is that safe and permanent? Having the dealership pay for a new tire?

Thanks

Ben'sBenz

Plugs are pretty cheap to have done. But since it's a brand new tire, I'd kindly ask the dealership for a new one. Since they mounted the winter tires before you took delivery, they should have record that those tires haven't been used by you....unless you've already mounted them.

jctevere

I would try the dealer, explain the situation, but IMO, prepare to bend over and get raped... Sorry to hear your situation, hope it works out for you.

You can plug it and it will be absolutely fine. But to appease those that will argue with me until their face is blue, they will say it is dangerous and a bad option. To which I would also recommend bringing it to a tire shop and having them unmount the tire from the rim and patch it from the inside. Costco does this - for a fee, but its not much, definitely better than the cost of a new tire, and considering yours is truly new, I would try this route.

But of course, try the dealer first, you never know...

C300Sport

A good dealer should take care of you with this one. It's pretty obvious the screw didn't get shoved in there while sitting in your garage so hopefully common sense and customer service will rult the day!

RedG

A tire that is plugged is not properly inspected for internal damage. The action of plugging the tire further exacerbates the problem of the puncture itself. It can absolutely be considered dangerous and a bad option. But as you say in the next sentence, getting it patched is the proper method. This is approved by the Tire Industry Of America, and The Rubber Manufacturers Association. And even better, it still allows the tire manufacturer to cover the tire should it ever have a warrant-able failure.

ZeroSeVen

Like what others have suggested... Get a hold of your dealer first and maybe they can resolve this by replacing it with a new tire... If not you can always bring it to your local tire shop and have them inspect it thoroughly and patch in inside which would cost you around $15

I am Jeff

Don't PLUG your tires! It's the cheap and lazy way to do things. It's not much more to have your tires inspected and patched at your local tire shop. 20 bucks? No more than 30 dollars. Chances of your dealer giving you a new tires is slim to none. They will most likely patch your tire out of good will.

OliverU

That's what they did - patched from the inside.
Thanks RedG - I was concerned about warranty too.

RLE

A friend who was a long-time Bridgestone employee has said that a plugged tire loses it's speed rating.