My 2020 GLE350 came with 19" Bridgestone run flat tires and I can't stand the harsh ride! I hate to drop another $1200 on new tires but why have a $70k luxury car that rides like a Jeep? I've read the suspension is tuned to compensate and MB doesn't recommend switching to standard tires. Has anyone else ditched the run flats for standard tires?

 

I totally agree, luckily I have 21 inch wheels with 3rd row seat so I didn't get the RFT with my car. You can't fix the RFT and within last 2 months I had 2 flat tire which I got repaired free of cost compare to already replacing 2 tires in case of RFT. I got RFT with my BMW car and I changed the tires to regular one, there was day and night difference in the ride.

 

1st - check yourself the front & rear tire size - double confirm what you have now in size - then you can still find Yoko Geolandar G055's - one heck of a tire on a GLE.

Oh - what you "read" - bullsh*t - a Mercedes dealer is "discouraged" by MB on changing out to a non-MB approved tire - it's two things - a question of Liability - and also it's the auto manuf agreement with the OE approved tire makers...

 

I have the AMG exterior package and mine came with 20" Cooper tires (I wasn't happy and tried to change unsuccessfully). I too have noticed a harsh ride. Could the brand of tires make a significant difference on the ride quality?

 

This topic—which is near and dear to me—has been hashed over and over again on other forums. Even though they have been improved since first introduced, run flat tires are the kiss of death to ride quality. The sidewalls are way too stiff and unforgiving. In addition, they wear out quickly, cannot be repaired and are very expensive to replace. In addition to RFT, if we are talking ride quality, one must look at wheel diameter. While many may like the sexy look of large diameter wheels with rubber band depth sidewalls, there is a very simple axiom: the larger the wheel, the shallower the sidewall, the harsher the ride.

There is absolutely NO problem replacing RFT with conventional tires, you just need to be prepared in the event of a flat. When I ordered my 2018 S560 sedan, I went with 18” wheels, the smallest available. When I took delivery, I immediately changed to conventional tires and carry a compact spare, which sits on TOP of my trunk floor, since the idiots at MB did not leave room for it UNDER the trunk floor, where it should be. My S560 now rides like an absolute DREAM, significantly better than with the RFT. When I got my 2019 SL450, I changed from RFT to conventional tires as well. There is no room for a spare in that car, but since I never take it far from home, should I get a flat, I’ll just have it put on a flat bed and taken to a tire shop.

I would absolutely not hesitate to get rid of the RFT, as long as you are prepared.

 

Well at least it's not me! LOL

Oddly enough (and fortunately), even though the car came with RFT's, it also has a compact spare and jack!

 

There are advantages and disadvantage to RFTs.

For me, living and traveling in the Metro NY area, potholes and other tire hazards are common place. I am beyond changing a tire on the side of the road (age and crazy people) and appreciate the ability to drive home and to the dealer. I give up some ride quality but that is just fine with me.

Check your tire pressures. The GLEs run with lower tire pressures than my same size tire BMW X5. Check the back of the gas filler door. Recommended pressures are 32! I run 36 which is more of what I think is reasonable pressure.

 

I was under the impression that GLE350 19" were not the run-flats. Can't say that I care much for them on my '18 GLC300 but as mjsbenz says, we have nasty potholes here. And don't relish a flat in the middle of the night in ice and snow.

 

19" & 20" tires with the 3rd row package are run flats.

 

I don't have the third row but the car has 19" Bridgestone run flat tires.

 

Odd. Did you not get a spare?

 

I wonder if that was a mistake....you can’t order with them. Is your serial number in the 70-90,000? Strange things happening back then when they were short of some components.

 

The car has a compact spare.

 

I saw that already....mistake at the Factory or substitution is my guess.

 

I reposted it without the last part of the VIN redacted because there was a question of where it fell in the sequence.

 

Wow....My build in early April 2019 is in the 70,000’s-I ordered in November 2018. Some of the very early builds had options not available when full production began....might explain the tires.

 

In Euro 19" Extended Mobility" tires are a selectable option - a significant # of Euro owners "prefer" them if for not other reason that to save rubber tree's with no spare.

Here in the US "at the "beginning" they separate orderable option for 19" like Euro and required for 3rd Row Option - later orders after end-May "Extended Mobility Tires" here is the US were changed to orderable only with 3rd-Row Package.

In this case - it would be interesting to see the space under the rear cargo floor - what size/shape cavity is there - whether it's a open US cavity that could take a spare - or if they put in the Euro cavity liner in there which won't take a spare...

Original "Run Flat" tire construction/spec from commercial/truck arena had "inner discs" so technically a tire could go up to 200 miles at reduced speed - think of one rear tire on a dually rear getting - or a semi-front tire a flat - rather the tire getting thrown off you "keep" the tire and can continue at reduced speed until the next truck stop. "Run Flat" tire construction was/is hideously expensive - and for auto/suv notable low tread life tires too boot.

"Run Flat" then became a auto thing with the advent of diesel/suv-auto's where the DEF tank reduced rear cargo space for a spare. Hideously expensive - and notorious low tread life.

"Extended Mobilty" spec with the stiffer sidewalls "technically" can go up to 40 miles at reduced speed - construction cost "ok" - tread-life/handling OK - sport/compact auto/suv's could be designed with smaller trunks - no 5th tire to save rubber tree's - let's you get off the Autobahn at the next exit so no added/emergency German highway crew tow fee, etc... note. I am NOT a fan.. but this is the other side of this coin to be accurate.

 

Tons of space in there!

 

Just to add to your point, in the quest for increased fuel efficiency, not having a spare tire helps in reducing weight, hence improving mileage.

 

Whilst on the subject of tires, could someone who has the 19” wheels tell me what size tires they come with?

Thanks!

 

Interesting! WQe have a 2017 GLC300 4Matic that came with Pirelli run-flats and no spare-UGH! We couldn't wait for them to wear out (19,000 miles!) and replaced them with Michelin Defender tires and several cans of Green Slime. Ride and economy are now MUCH improved!
We've since purchased another Benz, this time a 2020GLE350, which came with Bridgestone run-flats AND a spare. Ride in the GLE with the Bridgestone run-flats is on a par with our GLC with the Michelin Defenders, and the economy is great also (30+mpg highway)!
Perhaps the Bridgestone run-flats are superior to the Pirelli run-flats or maybe tire manufacturers have made improvements in their product after hearing our complaints! Who knows?

 

255/50-19

 

Thanks!

I asked because I’m looking for some smaller wheels than the 22’’ mine came with.

I originally wanted 19” but found out you can’t have them with the AMG exterior package.

However, I then noticed that with the 19” wheels, the tires actually have a smaller circumference than the 20” and above wheels.

I would have thought that although the wheels themselves are smaller, the actual circumference of the tires across all wheels sizes would be the same.

 

The outside diameter of the tire package depends on the tire you choose. There probably is a tire available that would match but getting one for the higher speed rating might be a challenge.

 

There are tyres available, 255/60/19 tyres match the outer circumference of the tyres that come with 20’ and above wheels.

It just seemed odd to me that some GLE’s (the ones with 19’ wheels) have tyres with a smaller circumference to the rest.