Mike5215

Swapping out the run flats makes for a noticeably smoother, quieter ride. It no longer feels like you notice every variation on the road surface, and as a bonus, rattles and squeaks disappear. I had a mild rattle on the right front door speaker grille I planned on pulling the door panel for and muffling, but it went away on the non run flats. I think generally the less harsh vibrations make their way into the cabin, the less likely things will get loose and start complaining.

MASSC450

I always wondered though Mike just how much Mercedes custom tunes the W205 suspension to the MOE run-flat tires. Just about everyone who makes the switch to regular tires all seem to have the same results of a smoother & quieter ride, but does handling suffer in the curves as a result from the more compliant sidewalls of the regular tires?

For instance, I can remember a while back switching out my stock Summer tires on my 2012 STI for A/S Conti's for the upcoming Winter, and boy were those tires squirrelly when driving the car hard in the twisties...so bad in fact I took them back and got a more performance orientated A/S Michelin tire...which handled MUCH better.

Mike5215

I'm sure the RFT's characteristics were taken into account by MB, but they don't drive my car. There is always a trade off in some degree between comfort and handling. Less compliance in the suspension keeps the body from pitching and rolling. Firmer struts keep more downward force applied to the wheels at all time. I'm looking for my personal balance.

I think if you wanted to keep the stiffness you could do a Plus 1 fitment on conventional tires and get the same feel as the run flats an inch smaller.

I liked the way the car handled on the run flats and if it gave up anything on the conventional tires I can't feel it. It still handles crisply. I don't push the car hard very often...no track days planned ever... so I don't know where the limits are and how much sooner they come on the conventional tires.

While I love the car on those fugly BFGs I just couldn't look at them anymore. Putting a set of Michelin PSS on this weekend.

topsider

I just switched to non-runflats, cornering grip is greatly improved - you can feel the tires hugging the road so to speak, where as before I felt that I was on the edge of adhesion even on exit ramps. Ride is better overall, more befitting of a Mercedes, but not a revelation so far, have only done about 30 miles on them so when I drive to my alma-mater in NY this weekend I'll be able to give a more detailed review. Over small humps in the road, the ride definitely is silkier, less jarring. Looking forward to my road trip so that I can better evaluate them. I came from an E-Class loaner that I put about 500 miles on so I still have that smooth ride in the back of my mind, but I think it was a good move to switch tires. Also, after a mail-in rebate from Tire Rack I got the tires for only $560 - I am on the new Pirello P Zero All-Season Plus.

Mike5215

Yeah I did a couple of long trips on the BFGs last week and yesterday and the car was an absolute pleasure to drive. Both in the feel and how the quieter ride didn't compete with the audio system. I realize that consciously or not I'm trying to capture what I loved about the way my S Classes could cruise so effortlessly. I'm there in my C. My tastes are not universal of course but I can tell you that the W205 Sport can do a really good impression of W221 with a couple of easy tweaks if that's what you're looking for.

MASSC450

As a owner of both a set of stock AMG 19" wheels/tires (Summer) and a set of stock AMG 18" wheels/tires (Winter), I've noticed the handling from the 19" wheels/tires are better, but they are noisier and less compliant over the bumps. The rear end becomes a little more brittle over the bumps too compared to the 18" set.

I was pleasantly surprised just how well the stock 18" A/S tires did in the snow this Winter, and they are definitely quieter at highway speeds, but they are a little on the mushy side in the curves at speed.

kleinebin

I have the same rattle on the front driver side speaker, that same side back door and the back window.

Mike5215

Dealer been any help?

BenzC400

There is a new recall for the W205. This was performed on my C400 today. Unfortunately, I didn't ask exactly what was done. I can't find any info on it on the NHTSA web site yet. From the work order/invoice:

PERFORM 205 TRANS CROSSBAR 2016030009
CAUSE: 029394 CORRECT TORQUE OF TRANSMISSION MOUNT CROSSBAR BOLTS

kleinebin

I literally just dropped off my car for the Diamond Grill installation. Will see what they say this arvo.

kleinebin

My car was at the dealer today.

The ordered acoustic glass, fixed the touch free boot opening, fixed the boot buttons so they only required one press, worked on the speakers including replacing the amp, updated the COMMAND software.

Apparently the creaking is a known issue and MB are working on a global fix.

Rachel Attaway

Had the c class for a year now, done 32,000 miles. Main issues so far have been:
- centre console screen crashing. MB did software update and appears to have solved the problem
- door seals squeeking at low speeds when chassis flexes. Stockton found the cause of the noise but had to wait for MB to approve fix. Grangemouth wouldn't fix it during recent service despite solution being available, they said they couldn't hear it. It's now booked in to Stockton at the end of the month for new seal and door hinges to be moved.
- engine warning light came on. MB Stratford On Avon replaced crank position sensor and O2 sensor. I'm getting the car back this Saturday, so don't don't know if it's fixed

It seems to be spending a lot of time in the garage lately, thankfully on warranty.

mpalsal

For those that have swapped the tires to conventional tires, how do you handle spare tire situation?

Mike5215

Prayer.

And a Slime Fill Kit.

kleinebin

Buy a wheel and chuck on one of the run flats... Cheaper than the MB solution!

benzw205

Hello, no better RFT tires than the Potenza rubbish that was on the car when we bought is ?

The only solution is to change for conventional tires ?

Thank you.

mpalsal

Klienebin, that is a full size tire? MB sells donut size spare?

ManiacGT

That's hysterical...

kleinebin

MB standard Spacesaver spare with kit $1048 but it's only 17"

Want 19" it's a special order and over $2,000

AMG wheel $948 and I have 3 X 6 month old run flats in the garage.

gfmohn

Ouch! And you give up almost all your trunk space. Is the wheel secured? (If you secure it off-center, you will recover a little trunk space.)

kleinebin

I had two run flats blow out within 3 months of each other with no impact as far as I was aware. Switching to non run flats I'm not going to be in a position without a spare.

I bought a tyre bag for it and it's got Velcro that sticks it to the boot material.

You're right, I moved it off centre. I only carry a work and gym bag in the boot so it's not a big deal.

Mike5215

I think those blow outs were a function of the run flats themselves. I've had MPSS on my MBs since 2007, hundreds of thousands of miles, and never had as much as a flat, much less a sidewall rupture like we're seeing on the RFs on an almost daily basis. You never know of course, but if owners don't want to deal with a full sized spare I think a seal and fill kit would do the trick.

kleinebin

My car was in the shop last week. Just noticed that two of the door handle LEDs are out. Shouldn't they have picked this up?

arnold0523

They fix what you asked them to fix.

kleinebin

That's helpful...

Doesn't the diagnostic software pick up these lights not working?