1guitar

After owning a 2017 E300-4matic that felt like riding in a Ford F-150, I had finally had enough and after owning the. E300-4matic for a little over a month I spoke to my service manager and a rep from Michelin they both pretty much said the same thing. If I really wanted my E300 to ride more like a luxury sedan, something akin to an S550, they both said the same thing, I should seriously consider different tires. My E300-4matic came with 225/55xR17. V97. ET40(offset), Goodyear Eagle Sport MOE Runflat tires. Aside like providing a ride like a dump truck these next generation Runflat tires went a whole month before they picked up a screw that was to close to the sidewall to be repaired, of course that can happen to any tire.
After narrowing my choices down between the Michelin Primacy and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, I went with the ladder and the difference in the ride was like day and night. The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3+ Was as smooth as silk. As almost no cars come with spare tires I had already decided to buy a fifth tire and a fifth factory new wheel so that having a Runflat tire was irrelevant and in the event of a flat I'd have a real spare tire that I could just put on and continue my trip.
After spending about $57,000 spending another $600 on a real spare tire was fine with me.
So, to all those W213 buyers who's cars come with runflat tires, if you want your car to have a luxury Ride do yourself a favor and ditch the Goodyear Runflat tires and get yourself the Michelins I went with or Pirelli has just come out with a new all season touring type radial tire and give yourself a luxury car ride.
An E class car is a high line luxury car and if you want an E class car that you want to take to the track, than buy yourself an AMG E43 and drive the hell out of it. But if you want an E class that rides like a luxury car, spring for another $500 to $1,000 and change out those tires and you'll really enjoy your E.

Sunrose305

Can anyone tell me if the car I ordered (see below) will automatically come with run-flat tires? And will I not have a spare? Thanks!

1guitar

More than likely your car will have Goodyear Sport Run flat tires and it definitely will not come with a spare tire, if you live in the USA than it absolutely will not have a spare tire.
One thing is beyond argument, the Germans are amongst some of the most pig-headed engineers on the planet. If you wish to have a spare tire and you have the Luxury model as I do than your car came with 17" wheels and tires, since you've already spent a nice chunk of change on your car, spend a few more bucks abd buy a spare tire and wheel. If you have the luxury model than you have 17" wheels, the part number is: 2134011000647X45 and you can buy it from a MB dealer in FL for $394 and than you'll need a tire of your choice, just make sure it's the same size as the tires that are on the car now, that will cost you about $150, so for $550 you've got a real spare tire and when you trade the car you'll always be able to sell the wheel for as much as you paid for it, so it's a win-win. Good luck.

Sunrose305

Thanks 1guitar. Two questions...Wouldn't this mean I would have to buy a whole new set of tires or will the dealer swap them out? And is there a wheel well for a spare?

johnmc1

Thank you.

Mine came w/ Pirelli run flats.

HBerman

There's more required than just an extra wheel and tire. One would have to replace all of the existing tires, order a jack and tire removal tool (not originally supplied with the US E300), have a space under the trunk mat to hold the spare (not sure if it is there). I think a better approach is to order a Tirefit system (compressor and goop) from Mercedes. There's already a location for it in the storage well.

Streamliner

When I ordered my 2015 S550 sedan, I told the dealer that the ONLY way I would order the car, is if they agreed to swap out the RFT for my choice if conventional tires. They agreed. I bought both an unused compact spare and a brand new MB jack & tool kit on eBay. Unfortunately, those PIG HEADED engineers in Germany did not even provide a frigging SPACE under the trunk floor for a compact spare, so mine sits on TOP of the floor, taking up valuable trunk space, but it does provide peace of mind. Question: Is there a space for a compact spare UNDER the trunk floor of the new E300?

mitul316

This is exactly what I did with my 2012 BMW 550ix. They came with the crappiest Goodyear run flats and even had electronically adjustable shocks, but the softest setting was rock hard. I swapped out the run flats for Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 (the + is the new model, I will definitely be getting those). The difference was amazing. I bought a tire inflator kit just in case. It was totally worth the effort.

And places like Discount Tire will give you credit for your tires, I remember getting something like $50 a tire for the Goodyears on the BMW since they were still in good shape.

joshg1001

I guess everything is perspective. I came from a w204 C class which I had replaced with Michelin PS2s on the 18". My E class with 19" Conti MOE tires rides so much better...I have no complaints.

1guitar

From an economically point of view what you say may sound/be correct and I won't argue the merits of it. One thing, what if your flat is a cut in the sidewall, all the goop in the world won't fix that. Besides, I have not personally heard of anybody that used the MB run flat system with any success, have you? Also, I see you live in NC, try getting a Goodyear Sport MOE run flat tire there, I live just outside NYC and I can't get them here, my dealer doesn't even have them, do you really want to lay your car up for a month, even tirerack doesn't have them, check it out.
Everybody should do what they think is best for themselves but I've got a fullsize spare in my trunk, I don't want to play with spare tires, goop, etc.
but if you've already spent $55k whats another $500, not much.

1guitar

Yes

1guitar

If your MB dealer is like most of them they won't help you with the runflat tires, they'll just say, "oh well, that's what the car came with" and than they're out of it.
If money is an issue than perhaps what HBerman described might be best for you, but if you have the extra money, just call tirerack and buy a new set of tires that are not run flat and have them mounted and buy a fifth tire so that at least you'll have a real spare in the trunk and if you get a really bad flat or blowout you already have a real spare tire to put on your vehicle.
My car came with Goodyear Sport Run Flate MOE ties and I felt like I was riding in a truck, so I trashed the tires and bought a great set of Michelin A/S 3+ tires and my E300 rides like sitting in your favorite easy chair, heck for $55,000 I think it should, don't you?

ua549

I have always ordered a compact spare. Rim size doesn't matter as much as maintaining the same overall tire diameter. The compact spare takes much less trunk space. A compressor and tire sealer is simply an additional resource to use as necessary.

Sunrose305

Jeez, I'm buying a $70,000 luxury car and I have to drive it around on truck-like RF tires or fill half my trunk with a spare? Neither option sounds the least bit appealing. I am still not clear: Can someone with an E300 in hand please confirm if there is or is not a spare tire well under the trunk?

Mike26Mercedes

I have a 2017 E300. There is a spare tire well under the trunk carpeting but it will only fit a compact spare.

Sunrose305

Thanks Mike. And did your car come with a compact spare?

Mike26Mercedes

No it did not come with a spare.


UA549, you say you have a 2018 E300 on order and you say you always order a compact spare. I went to the MB website and tried "build my own". NOWHERE was there an option for a compact spare tire.

Sunrose305

Mike, did your car come with run-flat tires? I assume you have the 17" rims that are stock on the Luxury model.

Mike26Mercedes

I have the Luxury model 2017 with 225/55 R17 tires/5 two spoke wheels. I just called my dealer and tried to buy a compact spare tire and wheel for it. He said there are NONE available in the USA but did confirm they are available in Europe since they do not use runflats but the rotor/caliper dimensions could be different in Europe and a European compact spare may not fit a US imported E300. He said he would NOT worry at all about not having a spare and never heard of anyone having trouble driving on a runflat with a blow out to a MB dealer or tire shop for a replacement.


As an alternative you can order a spare full size OEM alloy wheel from a MB dealer. I priced a 17" wheel and it lists for about $510 and discounts at some dealers for around $415. But then add $100 for a low grade tire.


Bottom line, I am not going to worry any more about having no spare.

ua549

I ordered a compact spare from a local auto parts store for an older Benz. That size also fits the E300. It is a Continental T145/60R20 on a 4x20 rim with a 5x112 bolt pattern and a 66.6mm center bore. That size maintains the 26.7" diameter of the 245/45R18 tires. My cost was about $200 a couple of years ago.

You'll need to research the tire diameter for your specific car.
Continental has a full line of these tires called CST 17. specs here

A BMW dealer charges $150 for a compact spare but the wheel doesn't fit Mercedes.

Mike26Mercedes

The wheel offset has to be close to the OEM wheel otherwise the spare could bind against the rotor/calipers I was advised recently.

1guitar

I'd be willing to bet MB makes a donut for the E300 as certain countries require it. I would guess without taking my trunk apart there should be enough room for it to fit in the bottom of the trunk. The best thing to do is call MB and simply ask them what countries require MB to sell the car with a donut and they should tell you. I am friendly with the parts manager at the MB dealer in Halifax, NS, Canada and she has gotten me many parts that were not available in the USA but were available in Canada and other countries. One thing I would say to all those that are against buying a spare tire, unless you have your E300 on a very short lease or low mileage lease at some point between 30 to 50 thousands miles so why not buy yourself some sleep insurance with at the very least a matching real spare tire in your truck.
Good Luck.

ua549

Offset is of utmost importance. That said, the amount of offset required depends on the rim diameter. Larger diameter rims may need less offset in order to clear brake/suspension components. Here is a handy rim & tire size calculator.

IIRC the spare I have for MB has a zero offset. The stock wheels have an et47 value, i.e., a 47 mm offset.

rluciano

ua549, do you have a part number or remember which older Benz the wheel was for. I am having no luck finding a 4 x 20, 5x112 rim.

Thanks in advance for any help

ua549

I checked the wheel. There are no discernable markings.
The older MB was a '13 CL550. It's standard tire size was 255/45R18.
I did a search today and couldn't find a wheel to fit either.
Perhaps Continental Tire can point you to a supplier.