superflysocal

I have a 2009 GL450 with appearance package which has Goodyear Eagle LS2 runflats 275/50r20 109H.

The car is at around 24k, and we need to replace the tires. They seem to go for over or around 500 each.

Are there any replacement that anyone can recommend.

What I notcied (and I think others have mentioned also) is that these drove well early on but ride deteriorated quickly after about 15-18k miles.

I am not into speed and fast driving.

I am more concerned about ride comfort, long wear, mileage, and weather handling (in those order).

Any replacement you guys can recommend?

Costco and Discount Tire Co. has Michelin Latitude Sport which has a Z speed rating and are not run flats.

Other options are Continental CrossContact UHP and Dunlop SP Sport Maxx

aeggroup

I changed my original Bridgestone Run Flats to HANKOOK VENTUS ST RH06 285/50R20. Got it from this website with free shipping:

http://www.performanceplustire.com/p...rerID%5B%5D=83

I have them for about 3K miles and can recommend them. They are very smooth and look aggressive. I hate Run Flats for any price ...even for free.

blee911

I have a 2011 GL350 with 26K miles. Since 20K miles, the ride has deteriorated significantly. I can't believe how horrible it is. I actually avoid certain roads now because the thuds felt in the car over the littlest bumps are so irritating. It's also pretty embarrassing with passengers. I always need to explain why the ride is so poor in a 70-80K SUV.

The service department did nothing after saying the tech drove the car and the ride seemed normal so I went and complained a few times to MB USA. They now have me going back to the dealer for a test drive comparison between my GL and a new one. This will happen sometime next week after I make an appt.

When the time comes, I plan to get non-RunFlat tires along with a tire repair kit. No way I'm paying $500-$600 per tire knowing the ride quality is going to suck after 15K or so miles. I can't support this type of false advertising and of course I'm disappointed that MB went this route. Notice they didn't equip the S class with RunFlats!

Ok, I know you were just asking about replacement tires. You can tell I'm really peeved about the whole RunFlat thing. I've havent decided what tires to get yet but I suggest you go to TireRack.com and check out the selection based on 275/50 and 285/50 and read the reviews. If you don't plan on driving in the snow, there are a lot of options. Otherwise, pay close attention to how the consumers rate snow traction. My GL with the RunFlats did ok, not great, during the snowstorms in Tahoe last winter. It's a heavy car with wide tires to begin with so that doesn't help.

Good luck.

superflysocal

I believe their decision to go runflats has to do with no spare tire (S class doesn't have spare tire?)

You did bring up a good point about carrying a fix-a-flat can.

From what I have read about the Continental is that is wears very poorly, going bald sometimes even just before 20k.

The Dunlop apparently can be very noisy.

However this base on reviews of a small sample, and they are reviews of people with different cars than ours, and different size tires.

FastMoneyPlaya

My 2011 ML350 came with Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 runflats which are listed for $257 a piece on Tire Rack. The Goodyear Eagle LS2's are $500 a piece, but I have found Goodyears tend to be overpriced. So far the Bridgestones are fine after 10K miles

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...&filterType=oe

thebishman

I can highly recommend the Hankooks also, although our 320 uses the 19" size.
Bish

jcbutta

I currently have a 2011 GL with 275 50 r20 runflats. Is it possible to change my tires for 285 50 r20?

aeggroup

Yes. This is what I did. Just mount those new tires to your original wheels. You can find my pictures here :

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ough-ride.html

aggst1

Keep in mind that this will result your speedometer to be somewhat slow (like 1-2 %). Search for a tire size calculator to see for yourself. No big deal, the speedo will show probably 1-2 mph slower when you are going 60 mph.

aeggroup

I know it. It's not a problem at all.
When speedometer reads 60mph actual speed will be 60.8mph : 1.3% faster

jcbutta

hey aeggroup, are those tires noisy. It seems there are many reviews that state that after a few thousand miles, they get really noisy.

aeggroup

I can't confirm it. Again, I got them only for about 3,500 miles, but have not noticed any extra noise. In fact - they are less noisy than original Bridgestones.

jcbutta

Thanks for your input. I might just go with those. The price difference is incredible.

superflysocal

I really don't want to go with a different sized tire.

Options I see available to me are:
Dunlop SP Sport MAxx (decent reviews, main complaint noisy, ?wear)
Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 (bad reviews, for wear and nondry performance)
Continental CrossContact UHP (reviews say bad wear)
Michelin Latitude Sport (no reviews)
OEM Goodyear runflats

I don't drive in snow in Houston, but it gets very wet and at times icy (but rare)

FastMoneyPlaya

I drove in the snow for the first time yesterday on the runflat Bridestone Handlers and can attest that they are so so in the snow. All seasons tires are a comprimise in the snow and I would recommend buying snow tires for anybody who drives a lot in snowy conditions. After driving the GL350 yesterday, I drove my Audi with Bridgestone Blizzaks and the performance in the snow was night and day. All season tires aren't even close.

CGMKCM

We haven't had them on long, but my wife loves the 19" Toyo versado Cuv tires. They are very quiet and have a more aggressive tread then the Continental or Michelin tires we had.

jprescott

I think run flat tires are the worst thing that ever happened to luxury cars. The noise, vibration and bumpy ride are a real buzz kill.

Would also weigh in that if you are in snow climate going with snow tires is a better option. All seasons on a four wheel drive are worse than winter tires on a rear wheel drive with traction control.

My solution to above is non run flat with snow tires and all seasons for the other 8 months. I use a slime tire inflation kit that cost $20

FastMoneyPlaya

Last February, I drove up to Quebec City in a Land Rover with all season tires (Goodyear Wranglers). We had a week of snow and did a lot of sliding around on the hilly streets. The Canadians we were visiting chuckled and told us, "all seasons don't work up here!"