joshg1001

nycebo

Yes.

Do not drive on the tire with a sidewall blowout. Either remove it and take it in for repair, or flatbed. The former is easier and probably cheaper where you live.

churchill1

If you have runflat tires, you can drive them a limited distance to safety or a shop at low speed without damaging the car. I once had to drive mine about 20 miles on side roads. It sounded terrible, but got me there with no issues.

nycebo

With a sidewall blowout? Indeed.

Lanzz

I think sidewall blowout would convince me to have it flat-bedded into dealer. Sidewall structure is part of what enables a runflat tire to operate with zero pressure. Assuming sidewall is significantly damaged, it may not properly support the weight of the car - at least not for long. If the rim is already damaged, maybe it matters less, but especially if the rim is not damaged, I would have it transported to dealer to avoid additional damage.

cetialpha5

Well if you blew out the sidewalk that's quite the pothole.

I believe the Pirelli's are supposed to have a road hazard warranty with their run flats, most other brands don't.

I wouldn't drive the car, either have it towed to the dealer or take the tire off and take it to the dealer/tire shop. I wonder if you can use the $150 off $300 coupon mentioned earlier on the tire if they say it's not covered.

Cao Black

I'm thinking that elimination of the spare tire, which benefits Mercedes in various ways, but, as far as I can tell, does nothing to benefit the customer, they should include wheel and tire coverage as part of the factory warranty. Too radical?

joshg1001

lol I just noticed my auto correct kept putting "sidewalk" instead of side wall. Anyway, yeah it was quite the hole, and I saw it coming and yelled out loud to my passengers to brace. I couldn't do anything to swerve. I also wonder if service coupons that are "spend this amount, save this amount" would work but I think those exclude tires.

cetialpha5

Yeah, I surprised no one else picked up on the sidewalk part. I was also going to suggest not driving on the sidewalk too.

The service coupon is pretty bare just says:

Schedule service for your car from now until December 31st, and you'll enjoy $150 off vehicle maintenance of $300 or more. With our comprehensive service, your Mercedes-Benz will be ready to take on the winter season ahead.

*For vehicle maintenance of $300 or more. One-time use only. Must present at time of purchase to receive offer. Valid at participating Mercedes-Benz dealerships through 12/31/18. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid on previous purchases.

Someone else mentioned that it also worked for a battery. In the past it hasn't worked on a key though because that's just considered parts, not service.

mikephotos

joshg1001

Ouch Mike. That looks much worse than mine. I didn't get any tire damage, and my side wall rip was just along the rim protector portion of the tire.

nycebo

Why do the richest cities have the worst roads?

ua549

It's more like the largest cities have the worst roads and the snow belt towns have bad roads too.

In my city 20 miles west of Tampa, I have not seen a pot hole in years, no, make that decades.

nycebo

I love landing in Tampa and driving across the Howard Frankland (is it still called that) on my way to Longboat. It's literally glass. One never sees that up in NYC...never. Even after the road is repaved, the concrete has horrible seams OR the asphalts feels like rolling waves. It's surreal. Then again, I guess it could be worse. It could be unpaved altogether.

Anyway, sorry for the off topic rant...

ua549

Longboat Key is a great place to escape the rat race. How much time do spend on the key? I'm surprised you don't fly into SRQ.

nycebo

@ua549 It's a spectacular place. I love watching the sunset over the gulf every night...with my bourbon rocks in hand.

I get down there about 4+ time per year to visit my folks.

As for SRQ, yes, it would be easier, but many more flight options to TPA out of LGA. And candidly, what with the 70 mph speed limit and the previously mentioned glass highways, the drive from LBK to TPA takes about the same time as the drive from LGA to my apartment in Manhattan. Go figure.

Dagger9903

I live in Oakland so this kind of thing is pretty close to home. How fast were you going / how deep was the pothole (by your estimate)? I don't drive low-profile tires in the city much so just curious how much force it takes for this to happen (and how common it is). Makes you wonder about that W&T insurance...

rbrylaw

Longboat Beach Club is our favorite get away for a few days spot. We go 3 - 4 times a year for a long weekend. So many great restaurants and shopping options at St. Armand's Circle and the beaches just can't be beat. Of course for us here in Tampa, it's just an hour away, but seems like we're on a Caribbean island! I was hoping we might go for a couple nights between Xmas and New Years, but rates starting at over $900/night put an end to that notion. LOL

jester1

My wife's volvo went thru 4 tires in a years time,all from potholes & sidewall damage.Even small sidewall blebs seem to expand over time.

you can't fix them,only replace them.

many years ago,when I damaged a sidewall,the tire shop would put a tube in.Not any more.

nycebo

I have read a lot of articles about the increased incidence of blowouts owing to run-flat tires. Some quotes:

"The J.D. Power study found that “customers with vehicles equipped with run-flat tires are nearly twice as likely as those with vehicles equipped with standard tires to have to replace a tire due to a flat or blowout."
"The J.D. Power and Associates study shows that customers prefer non-run flat tires and that standard tire designs prove to be more durable that run-flat tires by a significant amount."

mikephotos

joshg1001

So I did have to call Mercedes assistance and got the car flat bedded to Mb of SF. I realize I did not have an appointment, but it was like pulling teeth to get a 15 minute job done the same day. Everyone I dealt with, while not specifically rude, were not really warm or eager to help a guy out. Anyway, $370 later, she's fixed.

Also, While the car was in, I was told there was a recall on the transmission programming, but when I searched for this afterwards on the MB Recall website, I did not locate anything. Anyway, I turned it down since I didn't have time to wait.

hyperion667

OP, you should bill your city.

nycebo

Fixed or replaced? That wheel looked bad.

CaptainE