sport suspension tire problems
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
sport suspension tire problems
In less than one year I've had 3 tire blowouts after hitting potholes. I recognize that potholes can cause this to happen to all cars ON OCCASION. But three times in less than 12 months. I suspect the problem lies with the combination of the extremely stiff sport suspension on my 2012 E350 AND the low profile Continental tires (245/40R18). Anyone else have this problem? Any other thoughts? Defective tires?
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
I have an E350 sport with no blowout issues. Suspension is a bit stiffer and with the low profile tires the combo can be more prone to potholes obviously. However, I don't find the suspension to be extremely stiff, our observations are obviously subjective.
IMO It's not realistic to tell you there's an issue - too many factors that are not really clear. Very doubtful there were 3 defective tires, I suspect that you hit some pretty good sized and/or sharp edged holes. Wonder if your rim(s) may have taken a hit as well.
IMO It's not realistic to tell you there's an issue - too many factors that are not really clear. Very doubtful there were 3 defective tires, I suspect that you hit some pretty good sized and/or sharp edged holes. Wonder if your rim(s) may have taken a hit as well.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I have an E350 sport with no blowout issues. Suspension is a bit stiffer and with the low profile tires the combo can be more prone to potholes obviously. However, I don't find the suspension to be extremely stiff, our observations are obviously subjective.
IMO It's not realistic to tell you there's an issue - too many factors that are not really clear. Very doubtful there were 3 defective tires, I suspect that you hit some pretty good sized and/or sharp edged holes. Wonder if your rim(s) may have taken a hit as well.
IMO It's not realistic to tell you there's an issue - too many factors that are not really clear. Very doubtful there were 3 defective tires, I suspect that you hit some pretty good sized and/or sharp edged holes. Wonder if your rim(s) may have taken a hit as well.
#4
Super Member
Sorry about your tire experiences. In the few months I've had my (first) sport susp-equipped Merc, my thought is you had a run of bad luck, too low psi and/or ugly potholes. Good luck.
In my experience, Merc's so-called sport susp is far from class-leading stiff or sporty. The S4 and CTS-V that I test drove seemed to have significantly more sporting suspensions without compliance issues.
I cringe to think how soft and/or floaty Merc's std susp must be. Marshmallows come to mind, but I haven't driven a comfort susp E ... I can only imagine given my opinions of the sport susp.
In my experience, Merc's so-called sport susp is far from class-leading stiff or sporty. The S4 and CTS-V that I test drove seemed to have significantly more sporting suspensions without compliance issues.
I cringe to think how soft and/or floaty Merc's std susp must be. Marshmallows come to mind, but I haven't driven a comfort susp E ... I can only imagine given my opinions of the sport susp.
Last edited by Johnny Rad; 02-02-2015 at 12:52 AM.
#5
Member
The w212 sport suspension is no where near stiff. I put some HR springs in an old BMW e36, man that was neck breaking stiff. I didn't have any blowout issues even with it being super stiff.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Sorry about your tire experiences. In the few months I've had my (first) sport susp-equipped Merc, my thought is you had a run of bad luck, too low psi and/or ugly potholes. Good luck.
In my experience, Merc's so-called sport susp is far from class-leading stiff or sporty. The S4 and CTS-V that I test drove seemed to have significantly sporting suspensions without compliance issues.
I cringe to think how soft and/or floaty Merc's std susp must be. Marshmallows come to mind, but I haven't driven a comfort susp E ... I can only imagine given my opinions of the sport susp.
In my experience, Merc's so-called sport susp is far from class-leading stiff or sporty. The S4 and CTS-V that I test drove seemed to have significantly sporting suspensions without compliance issues.
I cringe to think how soft and/or floaty Merc's std susp must be. Marshmallows come to mind, but I haven't driven a comfort susp E ... I can only imagine given my opinions of the sport susp.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
You're driving the same crappy roads as me, Northern Virginia. I need some of your luck.
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#8
In less than one year I've had 3 tire blowouts after hitting potholes. I recognize that potholes can cause this to happen to all cars ON OCCASION. But three times in less than 12 months. I suspect the problem lies with the combination of the extremely stiff sport suspension on my 2012 E350 AND the low profile Continental tires (245/40R18). Anyone else have this problem? Any other thoughts? Defective tires?
Do you have airmatic? How fast were you going when you hit the potholes? I tagged one going 45 to 50 about a week ago that had me worried i might have a problem.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
In two instances I was going less than 30. In the other I was accelerating to do a merge, and I was probably up to 60 - 65. And "no," I don't have Airmatic.
Last edited by VelaFella; 02-02-2015 at 10:11 AM.
#11
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2008 E320 Bluetec (until 11/14), 2001 SLK 320, 2004 Volvo V70, 1972 MGB, 2013 E350
You might want to consider getting a set of 17 inch rims and all season touring tires to put some more rubber between the rim and the pothole.
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks, that would probably reduce the frequency of blowouts, but it would probably be too expensive ($1,000 per wheel, I would imagine, versus $300 per tire replacement), and would alter the look of the car. Also, since the car is already lower than the regular E350, I might be dragging the ground with smaller rims.
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thanks, that would probably reduce the frequency of blowouts, but it would probably be too expensive ($1,000 per wheel, I would imagine, versus $300 per tire replacement), and would alter the look of the car. Also, since the car is already lower than the regular E350, I might be dragging the ground with smaller rims.
So you have lowered the car? Are you sure your suspension is not bottoming out when you hit the pot holes? That for sure would mean extra impact on the tire.
I just two weeks ago had 17" wheels and tires put on my car. The tires are very close to the same diameter as the original tires so no worries about "dragging" anything.
#14
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#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter
So you have lowered the car? Are you sure your suspension is not bottoming out when you hit the pot holes? That for sure would mean extra impact on the tire.
I just two weeks ago had 17" wheels and tires put on my car. The tires are very close to the same diameter as the original tires so no worries about "dragging" anything.
I just two weeks ago had 17" wheels and tires put on my car. The tires are very close to the same diameter as the original tires so no worries about "dragging" anything.
#18
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
In less than one year I've had 3 tire blowouts after hitting potholes. I recognize that potholes can cause this to happen to all cars ON OCCASION. But three times in less than 12 months. I suspect the problem lies with the combination of the extremely stiff sport suspension on my 2012 E350 AND the low profile Continental tires (245/40R18). Anyone else have this problem? Any other thoughts? Defective tires?
#21
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2014 E350 4matic Designo, 2014 ML350 4matic Sport, 2013 Cls550
In less than one year I've had 3 tire blowouts after hitting potholes. I recognize that potholes can cause this to happen to all cars ON OCCASION. But three times in less than 12 months. I suspect the problem lies with the combination of the extremely stiff sport suspension on my 2012 E350 AND the low profile Continental tires (245/40R18). Anyone else have this problem? Any other
thoughts? Defective tires?
thoughts? Defective tires?
#22
The tire and wheel combo for the 17" and 18" have the virtually the same outside diameter probably within a tenth of an inch. The difference is the height of the sidewall and the tread width. The higher sidewall of the 17" combo saves damage. The tread width doesn't factor in except for snow where the 17" being narrower has the advantage.
#24
Super Member
The other factor with stock rims are that they are very strong but very heavy so really do not give the suspension a chance to react to the pot holes. Two real options if you want to retain the look of the larger wheels then get some lightweight wheels. If the look is not an issue then go to the 17" wheels which I am sure you will find many on ebay as a lot of people will be going to larger rims from 17's.
I went from 18" wheels to 20" and saved almost 10lb on each corner with the wheel and tire combo and at the same time had no ill effect on the ride. So I do agree that larger sidewall tires will improve things however just letting you know that you have other options.
I went from 18" wheels to 20" and saved almost 10lb on each corner with the wheel and tire combo and at the same time had no ill effect on the ride. So I do agree that larger sidewall tires will improve things however just letting you know that you have other options.
#25
Low Profile Tires
In less than one year I've had 3 tire blowouts after hitting potholes. I recognize that potholes can cause this to happen to all cars ON OCCASION. But three times in less than 12 months. I suspect the problem lies with the combination of the extremely stiff sport suspension on my 2012 E350 AND the low profile Continental tires (245/40R18). Anyone else have this problem? Any other thoughts? Defective tires?