icanectc

So I've been hearing people basically say yet rid of the run flats asap. Everyone also seems to agree the Michelin super sports are what I should get.

Tirerack.com says the super sports aren't an option for factory 18 rims.

My sizes are

Front 225/45 R18
Back 245/40 R 18

Per tirerack the only difference in the tires is they are zr18s which I believe are fine. Isn't that just the speed rating differences?

Also, does anyone have thoughts on keeping them staggered? Pros or cons?

Or does anyone suggest an alt tire arrangement on the factory 18 rims.

Thanks!

Mike5215

I'm on MPSS and factory 18" staggered (7.5,8.5) and no issues. On Tirerack, when selecting your vehicle, make sure you choose Sport as an optional configuration.

I do know the fronts are discontinued and Tirerack was the only place I could find them.

icanectc

Well thats a bummer fronts are discontinued.......

Mike5215

Tirerack still has fronts in inventory.

Jdem22

Will be pulling my run flats immediately after reading all the stories of the Conti's going bad under 10,000. I have a 3 year lease and there is no way I am buying 3 sets of tires while I have this car.

OEM Conti's are getting stored and reinstalled the week I return it. I'll run Eagle F1's if I have to.

Mike5215

Yeah, the ride is noticeably smoother and quieter on the MPSS vs the run flats, and they last longer. I've used them exclusively on my previous S Classes and on the C, with AirMatic, the car feels like a little S.

icanectc

So a local tire location has the rears.

Can I install the 245/40s on all four tires? Any downsides to doing this?

Mike5215

Or just order the fronts from Tirerack and have them shipped to the shop that has the rears. Then you have the right tires on all four corners.

Jay_Chicago

I think it may result in some obstruction or rubbing when you do install wider (245/40) tires in the front.

Nero Tenebre

245 may not fit on the front wheel, it may not be in the approved safe range for mounting if it does "fit", and finally it would bulge out the sidewall visually as well. OTOH if you got two more rear wheels and put them on the front with 245's it might work out better. It's not a whole lot wider so I don't think it would rub, but you would have to check clearances and offsets to make sure.

Elicalbenz

So if you guys are not running the run flats anymore, do you guys have anything for use for emergency? Just wondering so I'll know when I change the run flats that I currently have. Thanks.

Jdem22

Good question. I wonder if there are temp spares we can buy that'll fit. I saw one guy a few posts back said something about buying a spare and throwing it in the trunk/boot.

Mikey53

I'm liking the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 (non-runflats) that I had the dealer install in place of the standard run-flats as part of the purchase deal.

You might compare those if they come in your size.

Mine are 19s. I really like them after 10K miles.

gfmohn

One thing is seldom clear to me when owners complain about run-flats: are they talking about "MOE" ("Mercedes Original Extended") run-flats, or not? MOE run-flats have a better ride, but reduced limits on speed and range after loss of air. They also have the M + S rating ("Mud and Snow"). The stock, as-delivered tires will be MOE run-flats, but in their dissatisfaction, some owners may have already swapped the original MOE tires for non-MOE run-flats. Their dealer may even have done it before delivery. (For more information on MOE tires, go to Mercedes-Benz Original Extended Tires (MOExtended or MOE) at TireRack.com.

Jdem22

I cannot speak for the others, but I am talking about the MOE tires you referenced here. There are numerous accounts of these tires either failing or simply running out of tread depth, at or below 10,000 miles. This is unacceptable, if for no other reason than they are too expensive to fail so quickly. Compound that with the fact that my car is a 36,000 mile lease. These tires also happen to be the 2nd lowest rated tires (when you plug the C450 into the configuration tool) on TireRack, just above the Kumho Ecsta, which are the worst rated in this tire range.

I plan to store mine till it is time to return the car. Otherwise I could feasibly need to buy 3 sets (at about $1200 per set) before I return the car. IMO, unless you are driving your car hard, the OEM tires should last the duration of a lease or at least 30,000 miles.

EDIT: According to the TireRack website, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport are the highest rated "summer" tires and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ are the highest rated "all seasons".

gfmohn

Of the three MOE tires available as 17" original equipment on C300 4MATIC Luxury, the Tire Rack consumer survey rates the Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP and Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Run Flat tires substantially better than the Continental ContiProContact SSR tires. The Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP appear to be a step better than Pirelli Cinturato P7s, except for winter use. Tire Rack has tested only the Cinturato P7 All Season Run Flats, so no comparison is possible that way.

Glyn M Ruck

Out of interest. I have always been a Michelin PS2 fan on most Benz chassis. Have just fitted the new Pilot Sport 4's to my CLK & I'm most impressed. Dead quiet, comfortable, excellent turn in etc. Great summer tyre. I can't talk about life yet but that has never been my major consideration. I have yet to find a run flat I could live with.

Mike5215

My first S (06 S500 AMG Sport) had MPSS as OEM, but they were so expensive I kept trying "off" brands...Sumitomo, Continental DW. I'd eat up rears like crazy. Seemed like I'd just bought a set and the next morning they were to the wear bars again. Finally my SA told me to just get the Michelins and bite the bullet. Totally different feel, in the best possible way. I swear by them. And in ten years and three S Class, and a couple hundred thousand miles, I never had so much as a flat, much less a sidewall rupture from a friggin rock or pothole. Roads have rocks and potholes. Your tires should not explode when they encounter them.