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I guess it really depends on what Regular tires you go with and how good a handling tire they are. I plan on going with the michelin Pilot super sports non run flats next time around. The run flats are heavy, thick non compliant sidewalls and all the rest. I'm done with them after these Michelin Primacy Run flats wear out. The car will ride and handle a lot better with the PSS tires. The only reason I'm not going with the newer 4S tires is because the PSS are very reasonable in my size at only 225 each for the 245/40/19 inch tires.
Take a look at how thick the sidewall of a run flat tire is
On my last 3 BMW's (E60 M5, E90 M3, E82 1M) and now the front tires on my E63 S Wagon I've replaced the run flat tires with non-run flat versions and have never looked back.. IMO, the car rides better and handles/grips better.
Great thread--I'm about to purchase a new build E350 4Matic and looks like the OEM tires are Goodyear Eagle Sport Run Flat. Does anyone have experience with this specific tire? are there quieter run flats?
Without a spare, I guess run flats are the best option, but still wondering about ride quality.
I'm asking the dealer if there are other options because I'm looking for the best, quietest Ride (luxury styling, acoustic comfort, air body).
I find the 18" RFTs in the luxury to be comfortable without any air suspension. But my previous car was an AMG with a stiff, sporty suspension. So almost anything is more comfortable.
I'm going to keep these Goodyear all-season RFTs for now. I don't want to keep a spare.
I switched from the Goodyear sport run flats on my luxury wagon and do get a better ride with the Michelin primacy 3 run flats. Still have the Goodyear sports in my garage with about 10 k miles on them. After the Michelin’s wear out I may end up putting them back on just to get my moneys worth out of them and just grin and bear the harshness of those tires.
I still wonder how everyone rates a "better ride". Every time I've gotten new tires (invariably Michelin, but usually also replacing Michelin), I've felt the tires handled better (new tread after all) and probably rode better, but then I'm comparing them with worn (out) tires, not new ones. The new MBs I've driven (non-AMG) I've been very happy with the ride on, and cannot say "Gee, I wish the ride were softer." If I wanted a softer ride, I'd get a Cadillac or Lincoln or old Citroen. I happen to think that new MB models have great ride, handling, etc. and like them the way they are (with run-flats). As long as I like that ride, I'd be a bit afraid to get non-run-flats, if they're going to ride differently. Softer is not always (or usually) better. Just my $.02
With MOExtended tires (run-flat tires), you can continue to drive your vehicle even if there is a total loss of pressure in one or more tires. However, the tire affected must not show any clearly visible damage. You can recognize MOExtended tires by the MOExtended marking which appears on the side wall of the tire.
Driving distance possible in limp-home mode after the pressure loss warning Load condition Driving distance possible in limp-home mode
Partially laden 50 miles (80 km)
Fully laden 19 miles (30 km)
The driving distance possible in limp-home mode may vary depending on the driving style. Maximum permissible speed 50 mph (80 km/h). If a tire has gone flat and cannot be replaced with an MOExtended tire, a standard tire may be used as a temporary measure.
You can use TIREFIT tire sealant to seal punctures of up to 0.16 in (4 mm), particularly those in the tire contact surface. You can use TIREFIT in outside temperatures down to -4 °F (-20 °C).
I had to replace a run flat on my car after driving it for not even 500 miles. Drove to the dealer and formed over $360 for 1 tire for my 18” sport wheel.
I now purchased a spare tire kit from Road Hero - cost the same as a spare tire and it’s a compact spare which I’ll use to ditch run flats in the future for the next change.
the Goodyear Eagle sport have a treadwear rating of 400 and a 50k mile warranty , I suppose that only applies to non factory equipped tires.
Assuming tires are switched to non-RFTs, you may wish to have a spare tire. Here's a link to a collapsible spare tire. Does anyone in this forum have actual experience with this spare tire option?
Nobody answered a comment I made earlier. I wonder what happens if you go to trade your car in at a benz dealer and have swapped out the run flats for non run flats. I'm willing to wager the dealer would deduct the price of new run flat tires off the trade as I'd think the car would have to have run flat tires as it originally came with especially since no spare? Therefore the dealer would have to change back over the tires to run flats before they could certify the car.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Do not know what happens at trade in. Probably the trade in value will go down somewhat. But if you lease I think you better have RF, or they are gong to charge you for 4 new RF.
On my 2014 E250 Bluetec I switched from RFTs to Pirreli's conventional tires a few months ago. The ride is totally different. Much smoother and overall better feel. No spare is a problem so I keep a tire plug kit in the car along with a mini tire compressor.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by ianlp
On my 2014 E250 Bluetec I switched from RFTs to Pirreli's conventional tires a few months ago. The ride is totally different. Much smoother and overall better feel. No spare is a problem so I keep a tire plug kit in the car along with a mini tire compressor.
If you tire plug kit is the kind that sprays "gook" inside the wheel to plug the leak, keep in mind that you must remove the tire and clean the wheel and the TPS as soon as possible.
If you google tire plug kits you will see that if the gook is not immediately removed it hardens and the cost of labor to remove the gook and replace the TPS is more than a new wheel.
25000 miles on these run-flats and yesterday this is what I see sitting on the concrete! Instead of buying 1, I think I'll buy the whole set, but at $367/ea. from the dealership, this situation has got me searching for alternatives!
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by woodsmr99
25000 miles on these run-flats and yesterday this is what I see sitting on the concrete! Instead of buying 1, I think I'll buy the whole set, but at $367/ea. from the dealership, this situation has got me searching for alternatives!
If that includes mounting, balancing and tax that is a reasonable price. I had to replace both my front tires because of a bubble, MOE Pirelli P7 Centurato RF at my local tire dealer: I was charged $305 per tire including mounting and balancing, plus tire disposal fee ($3.95), NYS tire fee ($2.50), NYS sales tax $26.55 total $338.10. My tires are 245/45X18. The dealer got me MOE (Mercedes original Equipment). At 20,000 miles the front tires still had 8/32" tread depth left - 10/32" tread on the new tires.
You can also check out Tirerack.com to see their prices.
If you tire plug kit is the kind that sprays "gook" inside the wheel to plug the leak, keep in mind that you must remove the tire and clean the wheel and the TPS as soon as possible.
If you google tire plug kits you will see that if the gook is not immediately removed it hardens and the cost of labor to remove the gook and replace the TPS is more than a new wheel.
Thanks for the tip guys. I just went to Amazon and there're dozens of these kits (non-gook) for around $20. I just bought one off those Air compressors last week (around $20) and tried it out yesterday, Works very well. You can set the pressure, turn it on and watch it before it will shut of automatically. I wouldn't get the battery ones btw, as the 12v is right there and the cord is more than long enough. I mean if the car doesn't start, you have other problems.
Last edited by Mac Jones 55; Dec 6, 2021 at 11:38 PM.
Has anyone replaced their run-flats to non run-flat tires?
Originally Posted by JTK44
If that includes mounting, balancing and tax that is a reasonable price. I had to replace both my front tires because of a bubble, MOE Pirelli P7 Centurato RF at my local tire dealer: I was charged $305 per tire including mounting and balancing, plus tire disposal fee ($3.95), NYS tire fee ($2.50), NYS sales tax $26.55 total $338.10. My tires are 245/45X18. The dealer got me MOE (Mercedes original Equipment). At 20,000 miles the front tires still had 8/32" tread depth left - 10/32" tread on the new tires.
You can also check out Tirerack.com to see their prices.
Hope this helps.
Man, thanks for the perspective. This is my first Mercedes and my first time dealing with run-flats. I still thinks this is a lot of hassle for run-flats that I don't think I got the mileage I should have out of and no spare to boot. I'm using tonight to decide if I'm going to keep these RF's or get rid of the whole lot and get some regular tires and so kind of modified spare kit to fit my trunk! Thanks for the help too!
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by woodsmr99
Man, thanks for the perspective. This is my first Mercedes and my first time dealing with run-flats. I still thinks this is a lot of hassle for run-flats that I don't think I got the mileage I should have out of and no spare to boot. I'm using tonight to decide if I'm going to keep these RF's or get rid of the whole lot and get some regular tires and so kind of modified spare kit to fit my trunk! Thanks for the help too!
Several things to consider:
If you go with non RF, you will have to buy a spare wheel and tire and if you do not have a jack that too. RF cost between $30 and $60 more per tire than RF. The cost of the spare wheel, tire and jack may wipe out the savings on the non RF.
The spare wheel will not fit in the trunk well.
The spare will either have to be in trunk, taking up space or in your back seat
If you elect to go with non RF and have a flat will you change the tire yourself of wait for roadside assistance?
With RF, unless there is a catastrophic blowout, you will be able to either "limp home" or to a service station.
All things being equal, a non RF will ride smother than a non RF especially if you not not have the standard 18" wheels. The larger the wheel the harsher RF are.
IMO, the ideal situation would be RF and a spare. BMW offers this for an additional $150 and I wish Mercedes would do the same.
I have to get new tires within the next 2 months and totally on the fence with replacing the run flats with non-run flats., I drove a Chrysler Crossfire convert for 5 years (Crossfire was basically a 2004 MB 320SL with a Crysler body) the tires for the Crossfire with NOT run flats, z rated and expensive. car came with a compressor and some goop. with absolutely NO room for a spare of any kind. Had AAA with the Crossfire and have roadside with the e400 wagon.
Not sure why I'm so hesitant now?
Has anyone replaced their run-flats to non run-flat tires?
Originally Posted by JTK44
Several things to consider:
If you go with non RF, you will have to buy a spare wheel and tire and if you do not have a jack that too. RF cost between $30 and $60 more per tire than RF. The cost of the spare wheel, tire and jack may wipe out the savings on the non RF.
The spare wheel will not fit in the trunk well.
The spare will either have to be in trunk, taking up space or in your back seat
If you elect to go with non RF and have a flat will you change the tire yourself of wait for roadside assistance?
With RF, unless there is a catastrophic blowout, you will be able to either "limp home" or to a service station.
All things being equal, a non RF will ride smother than a non RF especially if you not not have the standard 18" wheels. The larger the wheel the harsher RF are.
IMO, the ideal situation would be RF and a spare. BMW offers this for an additional $150 and I wish Mercedes would do the same.
Well, had my baby towed to the nearest Mercedes dealership, about 20 miles away. Turns out that the rear tire on the same side had a crack in the sidewall as well, though not as bad as the front tire. I'm going all in to purchase a set of four. But seems like the dealership is $300 - $450 more for the same OEM tires than places like Discount tires, or The Tire Rack. Not sure why this is...Anyway, tomorrow I'm pulling the trigger on something. I sure am thinking hard about getting rid of those ROF's though. Pneumatic tires and a small portable electric tire pump with the 'goop' stuff in it and roadside assistance might be a better backup. Thanks again for the info and advice.
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