Replaced factory run-flats
05-15-2019, 01:42 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Replaced factory run-flats
I am not sure if it's a topic that's discussed a lot already -- our 2016 GLC factory run-flat: Pirelli Scorpion wore out at mere 16,000 miles.
Both my wife and I are gentle drivers, no hard acceleration or brakes, and we don't use it to tow anything.
I felt a bit freaked out at first but quickly settled after reading enough similar stories on various forums.
After some further research, instead of spending $1000 on another 4 run-flats, I put four non-run-flat BridgeStone Ecopias on it --- and it was a heaven and hell difference!
The ride is smoother and much less stiff (unless you like stiff suspension), and the already quiet road noise has gone even better as well.
I am so happy with the switch.
In order not to "swim naked", I visited a local junkyard and picked up a spare tire/jack set from a 2010 C class, amazingly the tire and the jack both found their storage place under the trunk liner nicely. I paid $100 for both. Not sure it's a good price, but I am happy
I hope my experience can help those who are still considering switching the stock tires.....
Both my wife and I are gentle drivers, no hard acceleration or brakes, and we don't use it to tow anything.
I felt a bit freaked out at first but quickly settled after reading enough similar stories on various forums.
After some further research, instead of spending $1000 on another 4 run-flats, I put four non-run-flat BridgeStone Ecopias on it --- and it was a heaven and hell difference!
The ride is smoother and much less stiff (unless you like stiff suspension), and the already quiet road noise has gone even better as well.
I am so happy with the switch.
In order not to "swim naked", I visited a local junkyard and picked up a spare tire/jack set from a 2010 C class, amazingly the tire and the jack both found their storage place under the trunk liner nicely. I paid $100 for both. Not sure it's a good price, but I am happy
I hope my experience can help those who are still considering switching the stock tires.....
05-17-2019, 09:16 AM
#2
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GLC300 4matic
GLC Replacement Tires
The factory run-flats, Pirelli Scorpions wore out at 28K miles on my 17 GLC 4matic, which is disappointing, but I've not been satisfied with the ride or noise, so kind of glad for an excuse to replace them. I'm not going with run flats again, and have always been partial to Michelin. Any suggestions?
05-17-2019, 01:26 PM
#3
Junior Member
The factory run-flats, Pirelli Scorpions wore out at 28K miles on my 17 GLC 4matic, which is disappointing, but I've not been satisfied with the ride or noise, so kind of glad for an excuse to replace them. I'm not going with run flats again, and have always been partial to Michelin. Any suggestions?
@shutterfly How did you know the 2010 C class spare would work? That seems like a great route to go since I'll I'm running with is some fix-a-flat which won't do for a long distance trip...
05-17-2019, 01:39 PM
#4
Senior Member
The factory run-flats, Pirelli Scorpions wore out at 28K miles on my 17 GLC 4matic, which is disappointing, but I've not been satisfied with the ride or noise, so kind of glad for an excuse to replace them. I'm not going with run flats again, and have always been partial to Michelin. Any suggestions?
05-18-2019, 08:10 AM
#5
The factory run-flats, Pirelli Scorpions wore out at 28K miles on my 17 GLC 4matic, which is disappointing, but I've not been satisfied with the ride or noise, so kind of glad for an excuse to replace them. I'm not going with run flats again, and have always been partial to Michelin. Any suggestions?
05-18-2019, 11:38 PM
#6
I put on Michelin PREMIER A/S over 55,000 miles ago and they are doing great. My tire dealer throws in free rotation every 5000 miles and I keep that schedule when I can. Consumer Reports says they should go 80,000 miles plus, and based on my experience there're right, and maybe even conservative.
05-21-2019, 02:30 PM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
First I read on the internet some people used GLK's spare tire and it worked for them.
Then I drove up to a local junkyard and instead of GLK, the guy told me they only have 2010 (or 2014??) C class spare. So I took it out, matched factory rim lug nuts dimension, and tried sitting the tire in the trunk before paying for it. That's it.
Then I drove up to a local junkyard and instead of GLK, the guy told me they only have 2010 (or 2014??) C class spare. So I took it out, matched factory rim lug nuts dimension, and tried sitting the tire in the trunk before paying for it. That's it.
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05-21-2019, 05:29 PM
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
First I read on the internet some people used GLK's spare tire and it worked for them.
Then I drove up to a local junkyard and instead of GLK, the guy told me they only have 2010 (or 2014??) C class spare. So I took it out, matched factory rim lug nuts dimension, and tried sitting the tire in the trunk before paying for it. That's it.
Then I drove up to a local junkyard and instead of GLK, the guy told me they only have 2010 (or 2014??) C class spare. So I took it out, matched factory rim lug nuts dimension, and tried sitting the tire in the trunk before paying for it. That's it.
Last edited by threeMBs; 05-21-2019 at 05:48 PM.
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62bassman (05-22-2019)
05-27-2019, 12:27 PM
#9
Member
Getting ready for a two week road trip, changing the tires was high on my list of prepping the 17 glc.
I have the night package and the AMG front and rear package so it came with the 19inch twin five spoke rim.
I put a set of Nitto NT421Q 255/50 R19's on the car. Almost identical side wall and overall height and bumps
the tire width out to a little over 10 inches.
They look great on the car and the ride is much more like I expected a Mercedes to be, smooth and comfortable.
Only have about four hundred miles on them, rain and dry, freeway and around town, and they are great.
So glad I got rid of the run flats.
There is an online calculator to compare tire sizes. The key to putting a wider tire on the car is to make sure
the overall height remains the same, or very close.
I have the night package and the AMG front and rear package so it came with the 19inch twin five spoke rim.
I put a set of Nitto NT421Q 255/50 R19's on the car. Almost identical side wall and overall height and bumps
the tire width out to a little over 10 inches.
They look great on the car and the ride is much more like I expected a Mercedes to be, smooth and comfortable.
Only have about four hundred miles on them, rain and dry, freeway and around town, and they are great.
So glad I got rid of the run flats.
There is an online calculator to compare tire sizes. The key to putting a wider tire on the car is to make sure
the overall height remains the same, or very close.
06-04-2019, 11:54 PM
#10
Junior Member
GLC300 4Matic 2017 - decided to replace my RFT after 50000 km - they became slicks 
.
Purchased spare tire from junk yard - from 2006 ML - fits well.
Replaced RFT with Michelin Premier LTX at Costco - excellent service, really improved comfort in the car, handling, noise level. Never Pirelly, never RFT.
.Purchased spare tire from junk yard - from 2006 ML - fits well.
Replaced RFT with Michelin Premier LTX at Costco - excellent service, really improved comfort in the car, handling, noise level. Never Pirelly, never RFT.
06-06-2019, 08:27 AM
#11
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
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2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Lots of chat over multiple forums re this issue of RFT and spares.
My only advice is be careful of old spares. Tire casings older than 8 years can become dangerous, with rubber perishing ,both on outside and the inside casing.
Last thing you want is the spare with a blow out when on the car under load. Keep the rim, but consider replacing the casing, then you have a winning combination.
Tires have stamped on one sidewall week and year of manuf, eg ,4208 = week 42 in 2008.
Good luck.
My only advice is be careful of old spares. Tire casings older than 8 years can become dangerous, with rubber perishing ,both on outside and the inside casing.
Last thing you want is the spare with a blow out when on the car under load. Keep the rim, but consider replacing the casing, then you have a winning combination.
Tires have stamped on one sidewall week and year of manuf, eg ,4208 = week 42 in 2008.
Good luck.
06-16-2019, 01:59 PM
#12
If you replace the run flats with non run flats, you better buy a jack as well...
I was told the reason the car didnt come with a jack was because they were run flats, you wont need it.
btw ditto on old tires. they become useless and dangerous after 6-8 years. they can look brand new and will be like having slicks due to rubber hardening.
read Paul Walker.
I was told the reason the car didnt come with a jack was because they were run flats, you wont need it.
btw ditto on old tires. they become useless and dangerous after 6-8 years. they can look brand new and will be like having slicks due to rubber hardening.
read Paul Walker.
Last edited by soobin; 06-16-2019 at 02:01 PM.
07-19-2019, 07:11 PM
#13
Super Member
I see my local deal;er has Goodyear Eagle Sport All Season available
Was thinking of going non RFT but these are RFT with a 50k mileage warranty
anyone have any experience with these?
Was thinking of going non RFT but these are RFT with a 50k mileage warranty
anyone have any experience with these?
07-19-2019, 08:53 PM
#14
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2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Mercedes in Australia have fitted these to GLC suffering tyre crabbing , on right hand rive, when turning right, on cold and wet roads.
It helped a lot. Since then Mercedes have replaced the front steering knuckles on RHD vehicles, this seems to have totally fixed the crabbing characteristic.
Now back to the Goodyear tyres, they have a high treadwear rating, 560 I think, compared to Pirelli of 400.
I have had these fitted for nearly 2 years now, yes still some harshness being RFT, but handling and wear has been excellent. I got around 42k Km from Pirelli, maybe 5-10k left on them. I expect to get a lot more from Goodyears.
Fuel use has not been an issue.
Recently took them up to a winter snow resort, no chains, performed very well, good tracking and rock solid with grip.
Would I buy again, most probably. I am always tempted however to look at quality non runflats, but that means can of goo and air pump, $700 from MB as well as jack, $200 from MB, then the issue of a spare tyre from MB, with bag, $1700; and spare will not fit under floor in boot (trunk).
So I most likely will stick with my Goodyears as they are performing well.
New tech with noise absorbing layers in tyres and self sealing compounds built into tyres (Continental) are appealing, but limited in tyre sizing and load capacity.
Just remember to rotate tyres every 10,000km and get wheel align when new, keep tyre pressure, cold reading around 36-38psi, this sweet spot helps with tyre wear and fuel use.
It helped a lot. Since then Mercedes have replaced the front steering knuckles on RHD vehicles, this seems to have totally fixed the crabbing characteristic.
Now back to the Goodyear tyres, they have a high treadwear rating, 560 I think, compared to Pirelli of 400.
I have had these fitted for nearly 2 years now, yes still some harshness being RFT, but handling and wear has been excellent. I got around 42k Km from Pirelli, maybe 5-10k left on them. I expect to get a lot more from Goodyears.
Fuel use has not been an issue.
Recently took them up to a winter snow resort, no chains, performed very well, good tracking and rock solid with grip.
Would I buy again, most probably. I am always tempted however to look at quality non runflats, but that means can of goo and air pump, $700 from MB as well as jack, $200 from MB, then the issue of a spare tyre from MB, with bag, $1700; and spare will not fit under floor in boot (trunk).
So I most likely will stick with my Goodyears as they are performing well.
New tech with noise absorbing layers in tyres and self sealing compounds built into tyres (Continental) are appealing, but limited in tyre sizing and load capacity.
Just remember to rotate tyres every 10,000km and get wheel align when new, keep tyre pressure, cold reading around 36-38psi, this sweet spot helps with tyre wear and fuel use.
