Run flat tires - are they worth it?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 484
Likes: 67
From: Schonaich, Germany
19 C43 Coupe, XC 60
FYI...Had my first bad experience with the runflats today. Was attempting to pass a car today as the road went from 50 to 100KPH and the car broke traction and I was sliding and fishtailing for what felt like 250 ft. Luckily, I was able to regain control. There were two other contributing factors to this. First, the temperature dropped from 34-32 at some point along my drive. Also, German roads are pretty well maintained and this one happened to be recently repaved and damp. Even with these factors, I expected more from these tires. I have driven through snow in Colorado on Hankook Ventus V2 with no problem in a 550 HP RS4....I will be swapping in the near future for some PSS's, most likely.
Last edited by MarcusDubya77; Mar 6, 2019 at 02:48 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
C43
Just swapped to Michelin Pilot Sport 3+ A/S. Ride quality improved immensely. Unusual vibrations and droning from rear of car gone. However am in for 2nd cracked rim repair. Hoping new more pliant tires will be better protection.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: So California
2020 C43 coupe
Anyone go to 235/265 set of say the Pilot Sport 4s on stock rims ? To get a bit more meat on the road ?
Yes I understand that wider does not necessarily mean that same 10mm wider unless the rim can handle that.
A little more sidewall, slightly taller, and some extra meat on the road. Any issues with abs/traction control ?
Yes I understand that wider does not necessarily mean that same 10mm wider unless the rim can handle that.
A little more sidewall, slightly taller, and some extra meat on the road. Any issues with abs/traction control ?
Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 119
Likes: 24
From: Barcelona (Spain)
C43 AMG Sedan '19, Saab 9-3ss '03 Stage7, Saab 900 cabrio '92
One question. Those runflats are suppose to have specific label/sign in the tire side, isn't it?
Are the MO tires runflat? or only the MOE as suppose to be?
The dealer has the car and the tires it comes with are MO, Dunlop Sportmaxx RT, 93Y & 96Y XL. "XL" for extra load bu those are not runflat as far as I know. I am confused as everybody says it comes with runflat as standard but I don't see they are.
Regards
Are the MO tires runflat? or only the MOE as suppose to be?
The dealer has the car and the tires it comes with are MO, Dunlop Sportmaxx RT, 93Y & 96Y XL. "XL" for extra load bu those are not runflat as far as I know. I am confused as everybody says it comes with runflat as standard but I don't see they are.
Regards
Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 119
Likes: 24
From: Barcelona (Spain)
C43 AMG Sedan '19, Saab 9-3ss '03 Stage7, Saab 900 cabrio '92
255/35 ZR19 MO 96Y XL Dunlop sport maxx RT
225/40 ZR19 MO 93Y XL same brand.
code in the VIN, 56V Speed/Load Index 93Y XL+96Y XL
R01 Summer Tyres
and comes with Tirefit... I have the feeling mine do not come with runflat, and I am really glad with it if so
regards
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 89
Likes: 12
C43
So I have the 2019 C43 with the 19” factory runflats, Pirelli’s. I don’t know how it feels with non-runflats but I haven’t felt like the ride or traction is bad for whatever reason. Now my wife drives a 2020 GLC with 18” run flats and the ride is a lot smoother, but that is prolly due to the GLC suspension since she’s got run flats as well. Could someone with a 2019 tell
me what the objective difference in ride is?
me what the objective difference in ride is?
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 24
20 E350, 19 E300, 18 C43, 17 E250, 14 ML350 , 13 C300 , 11 C350
One question. Those runflats are suppose to have specific label/sign in the tire side, isn't it?
Are the MO tires runflat? or only the MOE as suppose to be?
The dealer has the car and the tires it comes with are MO, Dunlop Sportmaxx RT, 93Y & 96Y XL. "XL" for extra load bu those are not runflat as far as I know. I am confused as everybody says it comes with runflat as standard but I don't see they are.
Regards
Are the MO tires runflat? or only the MOE as suppose to be?
The dealer has the car and the tires it comes with are MO, Dunlop Sportmaxx RT, 93Y & 96Y XL. "XL" for extra load bu those are not runflat as far as I know. I am confused as everybody says it comes with runflat as standard but I don't see they are.
Regards
XL tires also come as runflats depending on the size and manufacturer.
Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 119
Likes: 24
From: Barcelona (Spain)
C43 AMG Sedan '19, Saab 9-3ss '03 Stage7, Saab 900 cabrio '92
but XL are just extra load. I used plenty of times in my Saab, with no issues and they always where better than standard ones as it's a stronger sidewall allows lower "floating" feeling in the car. But being XL and MO, if they are runflat it should have the label of runflat, but I don't see anything of that.
but well. I will cross fingers.
regards
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 84
C 43
runflats are so the OEM can save a few pounds and a few dollars in spare and jack. They really aren't for YOU.
Imagine a marathon runner, tuned to perfection, forced to run the 26 or so miles in fresh, non broken in Doc Martens.
F run flats. I've 21k on my 2019 and for the first time an actually happy to spend money on new tires for my Daily.
Imagine a marathon runner, tuned to perfection, forced to run the 26 or so miles in fresh, non broken in Doc Martens.
F run flats. I've 21k on my 2019 and for the first time an actually happy to spend money on new tires for my Daily.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 772
Likes: 81
From: Bayarea, California
2003 C320 coupe/c450 in Feb 2016
runflat or nothing.
imagine you have a flat at 2am on dark road, I'm sure it really fun waiting for tow truck for over a hour on a dark road.
imagine you have a flat at 2am on dark road, I'm sure it really fun waiting for tow truck for over a hour on a dark road.
Last edited by netboy; Oct 20, 2019 at 11:04 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 282
From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 47
Likes: 23
From: NC
2020 C43 Coupe
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 84
C 43
Most flats nowadays not related to inflexible sidewalls that split or the rims the eat the forces the tires should have, are the dreaded slow leak from a sheetrock screw left in the roadway. This only becomes a problem for those who ignore things. I just left a race weekend where street tires are required and they were tortured for hours on a variety of cars. A sudden blowout is very, very rare both in the unmaintained 'what's a tire?' world and the "do anything to shave seconds from the lap time" world.
The usual pattern is pick up puncture. Slow leak. Drive on slow leak. Lots of people will do this until failure, but I'd say that everyone *here* would at the least pay attention to the warnings that come up on screen in these cars so what might occur in a less technical car is less likely here, and only with willful ignorance.
Oh, and you can repair the Contis. When I got that screw it was in the middle of the treads, it was fixed with the usual tire patch tool, and has held no issues.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 282
From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
A common misconception worth driving home - you absolutely CAN patch runflats. The rules are no different than conventional tires. Dealers will, more often than not, do everything they can to sell you a new set of tires rather than patching. It's the service departments job to generate income, and they are rarely your friends.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 84
C 43
I did research it. Michelin says one repair is OK, Conti says no repairs with a credit based on tread depth. Mine are worn to wear bars at the usual inside edges of the front so it's off to a set of Conti DWS 06 or Mich A/S 3....and a bottle of fixaflat.
you either have a blow out (in which case you are in the same situation with either tire) or you are negligent with maintenance and ignore TPMS.
