Jun 24, 2015, 07:17 PM
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Changing Run Flats to Conventional Tires
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Mercedes W205 C180 Amg, Mercedes X205 GLC250 4MATIC Exclusive
For me, the run-flats are not the problem, at least not the whole problems. I have a C300 Luxury 4matic with so-called "Luxury" steel suspension. The Pirelli Cinturato 7 tires are 36 psi in front and 38 psi in the rear. Over rough surfaces and tar strips, the run-flats actually ride better than the Michelin Pilot A/S tires of my previous 2007 C280 4matic Luxury (W203). Over manhole covers, my neighbour's 2009 Ford Taurus rides much better.
My biggest complaint (because it is my wife's biggest complaint) is that, in spite of using the word "Luxury" twice (once for the trim level, once for the suspension), the suspension of my C300 is much sportier than my previous W203. In our area, we have a lot of pavement ripples from frost heaves. My previous W203 floated over most them (but didn't wallow or steer inaccurately). The sportier C300 follows the ripples and throws the occupants around. Since most of the ripples are on the edge of the road, my wife is thrown around much more than I am.
So, yeah, I want a granny car! Not everybody wants sporty! My wife is 80 years old, for God's sake! Why didn't I get a Buick, you say? Well, why do you sports car wannabes buy MBs and then complain that they are not as sporty as BMWs?
Anyway, in the suburbs west of Boston, you NEVER see anyone driving "sporty." It's impossible! You might get a quarter of a mile of "spirited" driving, and then you'd be up against someone doing 30 miles an hour in a 35-mile-an-hour zone. (Only the state roads have speed limits higher than 35-miles-an-hour, and that's where the cops are.) The pavement markings on ALL roads indicate no passing, and some towns have signs on all roads into the town saying "No Passing in ____." It's a bad idea anyway. The area is completely built out; there's a driveway every 200 yards, tops. Everybody's got a cell phone camera, and they call in the license number of any hint of aggressive driving. Then a cop calls you up AT HOME and chews you out. It's happened to me.
My biggest complaint (because it is my wife's biggest complaint) is that, in spite of using the word "Luxury" twice (once for the trim level, once for the suspension), the suspension of my C300 is much sportier than my previous W203. In our area, we have a lot of pavement ripples from frost heaves. My previous W203 floated over most them (but didn't wallow or steer inaccurately). The sportier C300 follows the ripples and throws the occupants around. Since most of the ripples are on the edge of the road, my wife is thrown around much more than I am.
So, yeah, I want a granny car! Not everybody wants sporty! My wife is 80 years old, for God's sake! Why didn't I get a Buick, you say? Well, why do you sports car wannabes buy MBs and then complain that they are not as sporty as BMWs?
Anyway, in the suburbs west of Boston, you NEVER see anyone driving "sporty." It's impossible! You might get a quarter of a mile of "spirited" driving, and then you'd be up against someone doing 30 miles an hour in a 35-mile-an-hour zone. (Only the state roads have speed limits higher than 35-miles-an-hour, and that's where the cops are.) The pavement markings on ALL roads indicate no passing, and some towns have signs on all roads into the town saying "No Passing in ____." It's a bad idea anyway. The area is completely built out; there's a driveway every 200 yards, tops. Everybody's got a cell phone camera, and they call in the license number of any hint of aggressive driving. Then a cop calls you up AT HOME and chews you out. It's happened to me.
Your Luxury steel suspension is tuned for Run-flat tires.
Make sure if you change your run flats to standart Michelin tires, you will feel like going on cotton as it was in W203
I have given order for new GLC250 4matic without runflat tires. I am sure it will be very comfortable with 235 60 18 normal tires
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 25
From: S. Ca.
2015 C300, 2015 F-350 Platinum, 1969 Mach 1 428cj, 2007 Roadking
Stopped by our local Americas Tire today to have the tires, rf's, balanced and rotated side to side. For $129.00 they put their full road hazard and mileage warranty on them that includes lifetime rotation and balance every 5,000 miles. Did this with the wifes last car, Lexus, and it paid back in spades.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 337
Likes: 7
From: North San Diego, CA
2015 C300
Stopped by our local Americas Tire today to have the tires, rf's, balanced and rotated side to side. For $129.00 they put their full road hazard and mileage warranty on them that includes lifetime rotation and balance every 5,000 miles. Did this with the wifes last car, Lexus, and it paid back in spades.
though i suppose if one RF tire needs replacement from a road hazard early on during mileage, it might pay off
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 25
From: S. Ca.
2015 C300, 2015 F-350 Platinum, 1969 Mach 1 428cj, 2007 Roadking
A lot of the low mileage reports may be because people don't think they can be rotated even if only side to side. The service tech also stated that because of the extra weight of RF's it was more important than ever to have them balanced every 5,000 miles. Will see if it works out. I've spent more than that on things that made less sense.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 71
Likes: 6
From: Massachusetts
2022 EQS 580 Nautical Blue Macchiato interior.
With the 19" AMG RFs and the AMG suspension, it is a perfect storm for tire failure when you hit potholes or other thumpers. Over time it seems that the tire carcass will fail. I have had two tires do this since my purchase on March 31st of this year. Fortunately, I purchased the wheel/tire insurance from my dealer and they have honored the insurance claims. The bother for those of us who are capable and don't have a problem fixing a flat is the 'no spare" included. In both of my cases, either you flatbed (tow) the car to the dealer or ride on the run late if the dealer is close. Also fortunate for me was they happened within 30 miles or less to the dealer. However, one is aggravated to basically have to spent time on getting the tire replaced at the dealer which can take up to 3 days as most dealers don't carry the summer performance 19" tires. Makes one wonder what it will be like to have this happen in less populated areas. You could expect to be stuck for several days until new tire arrived. You are also right about the tire cost at the dealer... $500 plus out the door... glad I had the insurance.
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 71
Likes: 6
From: Massachusetts
2022 EQS 580 Nautical Blue Macchiato interior.
Understood on the price of $200. My point was the aggravation of run flat failure & the added heaping on of the MB DEALER PRICE.
I would imagine that most of us are savvy consumers to not buy four tires from local MB dealer or for that matter any tires unless we have the insurance! With the tire insurance, I am not motivated to find a $200 tire, but do want to make the point with local dealer of 19" wheels & low profile tires are not in the customer's best interest in the potholed roads of most northern states...especially run flats with not a spare tire in site. A 12.9 cubic trunk is not a viable solution when you have to start carrying around a tire (just in case) you do have a flat. I have said it before. Shame on the manufacturers in offering this RF solution in the real name of better gas mileage!!
I would imagine that most of us are savvy consumers to not buy four tires from local MB dealer or for that matter any tires unless we have the insurance! With the tire insurance, I am not motivated to find a $200 tire, but do want to make the point with local dealer of 19" wheels & low profile tires are not in the customer's best interest in the potholed roads of most northern states...especially run flats with not a spare tire in site. A 12.9 cubic trunk is not a viable solution when you have to start carrying around a tire (just in case) you do have a flat. I have said it before. Shame on the manufacturers in offering this RF solution in the real name of better gas mileage!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 114
From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
In both of my cases, either you flatbed (tow) the car to the dealer or ride on the run late if the dealer is close.
However, one is aggravated to basically have to spent time on getting the tire replaced at the dealer which can take up to 3 days as most dealers don't carry the summer performance 19" tires.
Last edited by MASSC450; Aug 1, 2015 at 08:23 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C180 W205
Tyres
Hello
I have a C 180 W205 without the run flats, in fact it came with the non original 5 spoke AMG rims, the tyre size is 225/40/18 right round.
I'm starting to notice that there is quite a large gap on the rear between the tyre and wheel arch and secondly the notification in the dash that comes up saying tyre pressure sensor inoperative is there a way to disable that?
What is the correct size tyre for the rear and front, or does the suspension need to be lowered?
Thanks
I have a C 180 W205 without the run flats, in fact it came with the non original 5 spoke AMG rims, the tyre size is 225/40/18 right round.
I'm starting to notice that there is quite a large gap on the rear between the tyre and wheel arch and secondly the notification in the dash that comes up saying tyre pressure sensor inoperative is there a way to disable that?
What is the correct size tyre for the rear and front, or does the suspension need to be lowered?
Thanks
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC
2007 Honda Civic
Hi, this might be a bit of a silly question. I was at a Benz dealer recently looking at the new GLC -- I saw the 300 but would wait for the 43 AMG. I asked about RFT seeing I dislike them and he told me that the Benz wheels are special and normal air tires can't be mounted on those rims. I find that hard to believe, but figured I'd ask some of you. Has anyone with a newer 2015+ model tried to switch tires?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Originally Posted by kmarnes
Hi, this might be a bit of a silly question. I was at a Benz dealer recently looking at the new GLC -- I saw the 300 but would wait for the 43 AMG. I asked about RFT seeing I dislike them and he told me that the Benz wheels are special and normal air tires can't be mounted on those rims. I find that hard to believe, but figured I'd ask some of you. Has anyone with a newer 2015+ model tried to switch tires?
I'm swapping out RF this week. When I called my SA to order them, he felt compelled to advise me that the tires I chose had a Z speed rating so they wouldn't last very long. I advised him that the speed rating of a tire is not its tread wear rating. This particular tire has a 400 tread wear rating and a 45,000 mile tread wear warranty.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
2015 C400
Non-runflat Pilot SuperSports on 19" wheels
I have had non-runflat Michelin Pilot SuperSports on 19" factory wheels on my C400 with steel springs for a few thousand miles now. To me, the reduction in impact/ride harshness was MUCH less than I expected, maybe because of the low profile 19s.
The switch to PSSes from the OEM Bridgestone runflats on my '09 e90 335i was much more profound, and worth it. On the C, not so much.
Of course, the SSes handle very well, but, at least for me, the switch wasn't worth it given that there isn't stowage for a spare without eating up up trunk space. YMMV.
The switch to PSSes from the OEM Bridgestone runflats on my '09 e90 335i was much more profound, and worth it. On the C, not so much.
Of course, the SSes handle very well, but, at least for me, the switch wasn't worth it given that there isn't stowage for a spare without eating up up trunk space. YMMV.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 308
Likes: 20
benzw205
Tires change, what is the final decision ?
Hello,
Can you give me a clear short reply as I have not so much time to spend on this please ?
I would like to change my Potenza runflat that are really too stiff.
Do good runflat exist ?
If not runflat which tires should I install ?
If you could give me a link for runflat and another link for no runflat you would be magic
Can you give me a clear short reply as I have not so much time to spend on this please ?
I would like to change my Potenza runflat that are really too stiff.
Do good runflat exist ?
If not runflat which tires should I install ?
If you could give me a link for runflat and another link for no runflat you would be magic
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Run flats by their nature are stiffer than their non run flat counterparts. If you go on Tirerack.com and search by vehicle it will return all the tires that fit the C. You can read reviews from people who own the tires, and see where each tire ranks for stuff like ride, noise, tread life, handling, etc.
For whatever reason, the top performing, best reviewed non run flat for ride and noise was the BF Goodrich Comp TA 2. I'm more a Michelin guy myself, but I ordered a set and I'll post a review once I've had a chance to run them.
For whatever reason, the top performing, best reviewed non run flat for ride and noise was the BF Goodrich Comp TA 2. I'm more a Michelin guy myself, but I ordered a set and I'll post a review once I've had a chance to run them.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 692
Likes: 24
From: Cambridge, MA
2015 C300 Sport 4MATIC
thinking of switching to pzero all season plus non-runflat. would get DWS06 if they were available for 18's.
For me its more of a cost thing as number 1, and comfort 2nd although I would like the comfort of a non-runflat. If I can save 500 bucks by not getting runflats I will do it and then throw my runflats back on at the end of the lease. The fact that runflats cant be patched bothers me, but then again what if I'm driving to go to Vermont to ski in the middle of the night and I get a flat with non-runflats....im pretty much screwed. Very hard decision
For me its more of a cost thing as number 1, and comfort 2nd although I would like the comfort of a non-runflat. If I can save 500 bucks by not getting runflats I will do it and then throw my runflats back on at the end of the lease. The fact that runflats cant be patched bothers me, but then again what if I'm driving to go to Vermont to ski in the middle of the night and I get a flat with non-runflats....im pretty much screwed. Very hard decision
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 692
Likes: 24
From: Cambridge, MA
2015 C300 Sport 4MATIC
Is the slime easy to get off the inside of the while and tire if you use it and then get the tire patched?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 301
Likes: 19
2015 W205
Isn't BFG a Michellin brand since the 80s? Presumably the same factory pumps both out?
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 692
Likes: 24
From: Cambridge, MA
2015 C300 Sport 4MATIC
Run flats by their nature are stiffer than their non run flat counterparts. If you go on Tirerack.com and search by vehicle it will return all the tires that fit the C. You can read reviews from people who own the tires, and see where each tire ranks for stuff like ride, noise, tread life, handling, etc.
For whatever reason, the top performing, best reviewed non run flat for ride and noise was the BF Goodrich Comp TA 2. I'm more a Michelin guy myself, but I ordered a set and I'll post a review once I've had a chance to run them.
For whatever reason, the top performing, best reviewed non run flat for ride and noise was the BF Goodrich Comp TA 2. I'm more a Michelin guy myself, but I ordered a set and I'll post a review once I've had a chance to run them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 9
From: Vancouver, BC
2015 E250 BT 4M
I would suggest that you NOT purchase Pirelli Pzero Nero all seasons. My E250BT4M came with these non-RFTs from the factory. These tires howl like crazy, at speeds of 50-70 mph. I switched over to Conti ProContacts - much quieter and better ride than the Pirellis.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 692
Likes: 24
From: Cambridge, MA
2015 C300 Sport 4MATIC
these are different, Pzero all season plus is a new tire. I had the nero all season on my last car and they were quiet for me funny enough.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 5
2016 C300 W205
I have the C300 (W205) AMG Package, with the 19" rims with stock run flats, and it is really bad. It's like driving in a tank - and the general road noise is very high. I'd like to switch out the run flats for conventional tires, but with the 19" rim, it probably won't make much difference. But either way, when these stock tires need replacement, I won't use get run flats.
