mikec35

For those considering switching tires I just thought I'd share my experience. My Continental ProContact tires lasted quite a while for run flats but the rears wore on the inside and became quite noisy. The front's wore evenly and I got 42,000 miles out of the set. I decided to try non run flats and got a great deal from Discount Tire online. Just installed them and although I cannot fully evaluate them just yet I can say that they are much smoother and quieter on the highway. I'm looking forward to trying them out in the rain and mountainous roads that I travel. With the discounts I received from the Labor Day sale plus local install at Discount Tire I've spent about $400. Less than half what it would have cost to replace with the factory spec'd tires. Now to find some fix a flat....

Mikey53

What tires did you get for $400? 18s or 19s?

CSVT

Good to hear, Mike! Any concerns in stranding yourself in the event you flatten a tire? Do you carry a spare?

mikec35

I purchased Vogue Signature V all season. They had a good price and good reviews. They have a $75 rebate going on now. I was able to get 2 other rebates from Discount Tire as well. Even with a run flat you have to repair or replace the tire so I figured if I get a flat my 200 mile AAA will kick in. Plus I am going to get one of those slime trunk fix a flat kits. I do a ton of highway driving, my noisy Conti's were driving me crazy. I felt like a Mercedes should have a smoother ride, and now it does!

Greg52

My 19" continental run flats wore out at about 19000 km, I had read in this forum that fitting Michelin pilots would be an improvement on the OE tyres but in my case the ride has not improved much if at all and the tyre noise has increased particularly on certain surfaces.
I think the real gains are to be made on the smaller diameter wheels with a more forgiving profiles. My plan now is to start reducing pressures to try to improve the harsh ride and the alarming suspension crashing noises when driving on Sydneys poorly maintained roads.

Steve71

I have 26,400 km on my 18 in Continental runflats with 5 mm (6/32 in) left on the fronts and 6 mm (8/32 in) on the back. Not great but clearly better than some. I'm looking at buying Michelin Pilot AS 3+s when I reach 4/32 in. I need 3 season tires. Can anyone suggest a better alternativew than the Michelins?

Mikey53

I can't judge if they are better or not but I have 30k miles on my Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 tires and have been very happy with them

mirkee1

So can I just install non-runflats, conventional tires on my existing rims? Is there anything special about the rims that came with my Conti nunflats? I have a 2017 c-300 with 17 rims and runflats now. Want to go to conventional tires for a smoother ride.

kleinebin

Duh. We have been saying this for years.

No thump every time you go over a speed hump or hit a pothole.

Mikey53

mikec35

Yeah, just swap tires as you normally would, nothing different other than the tires.

AverageGuy

I just drove 1k miles on the original tires on a road trip, what a disaster...

My original tires got 26k before needing to be replaced BAD. 2/32nd on 2 of them, and 3/32nd on the rest. I put on some Pirelli PZero A/S tires, and they are much more quiet. Seemed, to me, to be a much smoother ride on my 1k mile drive back home. The snow handling was a night and day difference too, but I guess that would be the case with any bald tires.

-John

KAMCAD

My 18" sport tires are wearing out in front after 30K. A lot of hard cornering Rears have another 7K on them yet.
I’ve decided to buy my car after lease is up in 3 months so I need new tires. Would like wider (no run flats) on my standard 18” AMG wheels. Do you think I could do 235/45/18 F and 255/40/18 R? Would I need spacers? Would love to go 19” but Ohio roads in winter are murder on rims here plus want a little softer ride.

Ronglos

These tires were mounted on my 2017 C300 when I purchased the car new. I could of swapped them out for OEM but decided to give them a try. I'm quit pleased with them.
Vredestein are a Dutch based Tyre company who manufacture tyres for cars, commercial vehicles, tractors and bikes. Vredestein are known particularly for their high performance summer and winter tyres and close cooperation with the famous Giugiaro Design studio.


https://www.rev.com.sg/2013/09/vrede...ugiaro-design/

Tomahawk674

Hello guys, I just got rid of my run flats that had 5,000 miles. WOW!!!!

I literally have only put 15 miles on my new Continental DWS 06 non-runflats. I have a C300 Sport package on 18s. It's AMAZING on the new tires. It smoothes out bumps and even got rid of a console rattle that we had here and there. It makes the car MUCH more enjoyable to be in specially if your roads are not perfect.

I am telling you, if you have a C300 with sport suspension, do not wait for the run flats to wear out, just get some premium non-runflats now and you'll like your car a hole lot more.

Baseball3r99

Tomahawk674

I think it would be persoal preference. I think you're supposed to have 245 in the rear. WIth the C400 and it's turbo V6 I'd want the OEM tire size in the back, I think the AWD system has rear bias.

Pcar98

To answer the original question, I did--sort of. I bought a second set of factory wheels and mounted true winter tires (Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32). As much as run flats are a compromise on basic tire performance and comfort, "all season" tires are a bigger compromise on performance and traction. I guess that makes all season RF the most compromised of all.

Any way, I can feel some difference when I have the Bridgestones mounted, but I have a Wagon which calls for 40+ psi all around so hard to sense much sidewall compliance. When my original RF wear out, I will replace them with 3 season "normal" tires.

As for flats, I carry one of whatever set I do not have mounted on the car, plus an actual jack and tools. I live and travel not only over 200 miles from the nearest dealer, but often enough out of cell coverage.

Curses to MB for not providing at least a space, if not a customer option, for a true spare tire.

Elbandito

Mikey53