Lease Return - same tires required?
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
Lease Return - same tires required?
Just leased a 2020 GLC350e. I've always purchased cars so this is my first lease.
This car came with the Pirelli Scorpion run flat tires. Dealer tells me at the end of the lease (2yr/20k miles), if these tires are worn, I will need to replace them with the same make and model. Is this true? The sticker for this car just says "All Season Tires" (vs my GL450 which actually said "Mercedes Extended Mobility Tires"). Dealer claims there is a "secret list" of tires which will work but he can't tell me which ones -- doesn't make any sense.
From what I've read these tires will not make it to 20k miles even with rotating them every 5k miles.
Thanks in advance for any help! I'm in the Southern California area.
This car came with the Pirelli Scorpion run flat tires. Dealer tells me at the end of the lease (2yr/20k miles), if these tires are worn, I will need to replace them with the same make and model. Is this true? The sticker for this car just says "All Season Tires" (vs my GL450 which actually said "Mercedes Extended Mobility Tires"). Dealer claims there is a "secret list" of tires which will work but he can't tell me which ones -- doesn't make any sense.
From what I've read these tires will not make it to 20k miles even with rotating them every 5k miles.
Thanks in advance for any help! I'm in the Southern California area.
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19 GLC300 4M (lunar blue/black/black ash aluminum),17 GLE350 4M (selenite grey/ espresso/eucalyptus)
What the heck? I do know that you need to replace the tires if they're worn or dead, but I don't think you need to replace it with the same model. I also had learned that the 2020+ models (at least the 300) used Conti CrossContact LX Sport wheels, for the 18s and 19s. Not sure about the others. What is this secret list?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
A list of approved tires is supposedly secret. Its my first (and possibly last) time working with this dealer.
The only advice the sales guy gave me is to look for used tires on eBay or whatever of the same make and model when its time. Based on my research, these tires will not last 20k miles even with regular rotations and my sig other driving it and she is not an aggressive driver at all.
The only advice the sales guy gave me is to look for used tires on eBay or whatever of the same make and model when its time. Based on my research, these tires will not last 20k miles even with regular rotations and my sig other driving it and she is not an aggressive driver at all.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
So either way I'm going to be paying for a 2nd set of tires? I guess the only benefit is that I could potentially run non-runflats and save some money but then I'm letting family drive it around without a spare but they have AAA.
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Joined: May 2018
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GLC
If you're talking about the 20" Pirelli summer performance runflats, then yes they will last about 20k miles. At 15k miles I noticed they were nearly done and actually called MBFS to see if they would accept an alternate tire on return and they said NO. So I removed and stored the pricy Pirellis and purchased a set of reasonably priced and much better riding go flat tires and threw a bottle of leak sealer in the trunk. In your short term lease case, I'd just run the Pirellis and take my chances they pass inspection!
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19 GLC300 4M (lunar blue/black/black ash aluminum),17 GLE350 4M (selenite grey/ espresso/eucalyptus)
I guess you will need the 2nd set of tires. Most people say they barely last 20k miles. Maybe you will drive less due to COVID and all that that you don't need to worry.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: NJ, USA
2020 GLC, 2022 C
I have never heard you had to replace them with the same. You need to return them with acceptable tread left (minimum, really), but I have heard of people putting cheap tires on and getting away with it. Now maybe if the car was delivered with run-flats, you have to return it with run-flats, that would make some sense. From what I know MBFS has a third-party do the return inspections, it's not even MB employees (or the dealership). But maybe this varies from state-to-state?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Boston and SWFlorida
2025 GLC300 white, 2023 Taycan RWD black
I have returned at least four Mercedes lease vehicles. The requirement has been all four tires have to be the same make. On my last GLC, I had to replace one so I let the dealer do it and obviously one costs less than four. Mercedes delivers GLC with different tires, just look at the cars on the lot. These days they probably require four run flats. AutoVin is the third party company they have been using for returns, call them and ask about the tire requirement. Here is a website https://autovinlive.com/About. I have never heard of a "secret list", I think you found a lazy employee.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Suffern, NY
2020 GLC300 & 2009 SL550 (previously had 1999 CLK / 2006 E500 / 2011 GL450)
I don't think they can legally require a specific brand/model, but as noted above, they can require the same model on all 4 wheels. The tires must meet OEM specs, which means they need to be the right size, and speed rating.
Also, if the car had run-flats, I do believe that they are required at lease return as the 2020s don't come with a spare tire (unless specifically optioned that way).
My suggestion: Run the RF tires for about 10k miles. See how they are wearing, and if you think you'll need new tires before lease end, assess at that time. If everything looks good, go another few thousand miles and check again. Just stay above 4MM at the lowest point (not including the treadwear indicator bumps). There is absolutely no point worrying about it now...
If you do have to buy new tires, and decide to get non-RF, store the original tires and put them back on shortly before returning the lease. I did this exact thing with my 2014 BMW, and it worked out fine. I bought a compressor kit with a bottle of fix a flat at Wal-Mart, and never had to use it. Put about 15k on the RF before changing them out, and another 30K on the tires I bought, then swapped them back at 45k for the lease return.
FWIW, this is EXACTLY my plan with my 2020 GLC with the Continental Run Flat tires.
Also, if the car had run-flats, I do believe that they are required at lease return as the 2020s don't come with a spare tire (unless specifically optioned that way).
My suggestion: Run the RF tires for about 10k miles. See how they are wearing, and if you think you'll need new tires before lease end, assess at that time. If everything looks good, go another few thousand miles and check again. Just stay above 4MM at the lowest point (not including the treadwear indicator bumps). There is absolutely no point worrying about it now...
If you do have to buy new tires, and decide to get non-RF, store the original tires and put them back on shortly before returning the lease. I did this exact thing with my 2014 BMW, and it worked out fine. I bought a compressor kit with a bottle of fix a flat at Wal-Mart, and never had to use it. Put about 15k on the RF before changing them out, and another 30K on the tires I bought, then swapped them back at 45k for the lease return.
FWIW, this is EXACTLY my plan with my 2020 GLC with the Continental Run Flat tires.
