Kratos-TM

Wow, didn't know you had MBC. I was thinking that if I had MBC, it wouldn't do that. Interesting to see I was wrong! Well now I'm don't regret not dropping that 5 grand as much.

Chucky300

But imagine how good Magic Body Control would be with 18 or 19 Wheels and Tires?

Truth be told - these wheels we have now are stunning, and the best looking on the lineup.

Just sucks that are only way to have them is to SERIOUSLY sacrifice ride comfort.

Wolfman

I personally wouldn't change the dimension of tires to fit a brand.

Michelin Super Sports are great tires, but they are performance tires. They need warm weather. Due to the rubber formulation, they are virtually useless (no traction) and VERY bumpy (aka run flats) at 40 degrees or below...

I would go with the Conti Extreme DWS. 50k mile warranty and great all seasons.

Kratos-TM

These Conti's are best for comfort?

Wolfman

They rank very highly on the comfort scale. It's the de facto non-RFT replacement on BMW 7 series owners. Reviews are good as well (check on tire rack) and it's a good all around tire. Not a road carving tire but neither is the S550.

Doesn't hurt to be cheap and long lasting as well

Kratos-TM

Ok, I'll look them up. Thanks.

Chucky300

Attention

Louis De Marco (MY SA)

Gary Mann (MY SALESPERSON)

Hi Lou and Gary,

Hope you had a great weekend!

I wanted to ask you about something that I have been thinking on for a couple of months. I've been driving an S Class since 1999. This is my 4th. The last two came with sports package, and 19" Rims. I put Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires on both of those and enjoyed a very comfortable ride with the occasional flat tire that always comes with these "low profile" style tires. However, performance, road noise, and most important of all ride comfort, were really exemplary.

Since I picked up the new S Class, I have always noticed there was a level of ride comfort just not there. I blamed it at first on my decision to have 20" Rims on the car and left it at that. As you recall, all 4 tires developed bubbles and were replaced under warranty. Currently I have two tires with bubbles but have refrained from making my appointment to come in because the car is still drivable and I don't want to make the appointment until it is absolutely necessary.

However, more important to me than the bubble is the loss of what I consider "The S Class Drive". I feel absolutely EVERY road imperfection, bump, twig, leaf, everything. With the car always in "Comfort" mode, it is no better. In "Sport Suspension" mode, I need a trip to the doctor. The Magic Body Control does its best to scan ahead and compensate but these tires just seem to have no ability to absorb the imperfection and instead translate it to the passenger seats directly.

I went on the Mercedes forums which contains a barrel of knowledge and learned that there were many others who were in the same boat as me. They had selected the sports package plus 1 and were now suffering from the most uncomfortable ride. Included in this are some BMW 7 Series drivers who chimed in on how they suffered as well until they made a tire switch to conventional tires and all the ride comfort has returned and they couldn't be happier.

My conclusion is a request of MB Manhattan / MBUSA to consider switching my tires from these dreadful runflats to conventional Michelin Pilot Super Sports. They are available at substantially less than what the runflats cost, and would insure that this S Class would drive and feel exactly as the factory wanted it to in the first place. I would also ask that my warranty be extended towards these new tires. At the end of the day - it would be less of a financial burden on the dealership and more of a comfortable ride for me. A win - win situation in my book.

If I need to direct this to MBUSA - would you let me know who should this should be addressed to?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

I will CC this message onto the forum so that there is a sense of team work going on, rather than disappointed customers feeling like there are no alternatives.

Sincerely,
Bradley

K-A

Yikes, sad to see the harsh suspension issue M-B has been dealing with for years now plagues the S? I still don't think M-B know how to truly engineer a smooth ride with larger wheels (20's aren't THAT big these days, you get them on many many smaller cars), at least on their Sedans. I credit it to them always designing ultra cushy rides, then in modern times trying to pander to "sportiness" crowds, you get an awkward fumble in terms of now doing neither right. My E Class with just 18's was one of the roughest and most jarring rides I've ever experienced, and the threads I made on the topic on the E Class boards got more hits and agreements than about any other threads on that board.

I'm genuinely curious as to whether this is an RFT problem or just flawed chassis/suspension geometry, especially with even remotely "larger" wheel sizes, as it is with the E Class (who's on just little 18's and not even on RFT's and suffered the same problems).

The CLA and likened (chassis sharing) models a have also been reported to be excessively harsh, even compared to other cars in similar segments.

Chucky300

K-A, again - you fail to read properly. I have not said anything about a suspension issue. No one has. No one has a problem with their struts, springs, airmatic, ABC, or MBC. It is not a suspension issue. It is a tire issue. I drove a friends 550 with regular tires and wheels and the thing is on a cloud. I didn't even feel a speed bump.

Would you please do me a favor and don't waste anyone's time in this thread? I appreciate it. Nothing personal. I don't want this informative thread to be reduced to a "S H I T Show". Thank you for respecting this.

K-A

If you read my post, I said that due to my experiences with the E Classes, who IS hurt by a fundamentally flawed geometry as with small 18" wheels and no RFT's it rides worse than many cars with larger wheels and RFT's, I was genuinely curious about whether or not the issue is related to only tires or if the suspension and chassis geometry play a role in it (again, 20's and RFT's have attained smooth rides before).

If you've experienced a cloud-like ride with smaller wheels then that answers my question, and that's all I was looking for, so I'll respect what you ask and go on my merry way.

Kratos-TM

Very good letter. I'm anxious to hear their response.

Chucky300

No. You said specifically "Yikes, sad to see the harsh suspension issue M-B has been dealing with for years now plagues the S?"

And I have not, nor has anyone else, said anything remotely close to this.

How you got to this statement is beyond me. It is what you do. Then you retreat and change the topic and then the thread is all over the map. I do NOT want this to happen to this thread. When you buy an S Class - and experience a TIRE problem, please come back and offer your opinion. This is for serious people who need to solve a serious problem.

Thank You.

Chucky300

Thought it was funny. No sooner did I write this last post on the response from the dealer, I got this!


Genuine Mercedes-Benz Accessories tailored to your style.

Dear Bradley,

When you chose your S550, you made a significant decision: you simply wanted the level of elegance, engineering and performance by which all other automotive attempts are judged. So when it comes time to personalize your vehicle - add all the unique options that will make it distinctly yours - don't choose anything less than Genuine Mercedes-Benz Accessories.

Don't just make it yours. Make it all Mercedes-Benz with Genuine Mercedes-Benz Accessories:


All-Season Floor Mats custom-designed and contoured to keep your vehicle's carpeting in top condition.
20" Wheels that can add to your vehicle's poise and performance without compromising on precision.
Rear Spoiler featuring a subtle, lip-type design that adds sporty punctuation to the sleek shape of your S-Class.

Visit Mercedes-Benz Manhattan for these and the ent ire selection of Genuine Mercedes-Benz Accessories.

Sincerely,

Mercedes-Benz Manhattan

K-A

Well, that sounds to me like you're trying to open a discussion.

My first question had an explicit? (as in "?", signifying a question). My followup was stating how M-B has been having problems with cars riding excessively jarringly, some of which I have had myself that have rough rides in a way that has nothing to do with tires or even wheel size (i.e, improper dynamics all around). Therefore my curiosity spurred as to whether the S suffers the same issues due to the same problems.

Very simple. I'm mostly interested in seeing as to whether those who swap their RFT's for better tires on their 20" wheels have the situation completely resolved. You say you rode in a W222 with smaller wheels so that answers part of my question right there, and I'll take your word for it.

Chucky300

Seriously, please stop and respect my request.

Kratos-TM

I'm a little confused. Is this the response to the letter you wrote about changing the tires?

Chucky300

Oops I should have clarified. The Dealership sent their mass mail out to S Class buyers. I thought it was funny I got it right after opening an inquiry about the tire problem.

Bad timing.

I have not yet heard back further on our issue.

Kratos-TM

Oh ok, got it. I'm on the phone with MB of Baton Rouge right now trying to see what they think...

Chucky300

We shall post our findings. I hope they just go with it. At the end of the day - if we have to replace 4 tires every 4 months at $450 a tire... they'd be thrilled to have that be $250 per.

Kratos-TM

MB of Baton Rouge, MB of Jackson, and MB of New Orleans were no help at all....

Now I remember why I didn't buy from any of them....

Kratos-TM

My Houston dealer won't let me down though. She never does. Awaiting her response.....

Chucky300

What did they say? "NO, goodbye"?

Chucky300

Wow

Robin from MB USA called me. The dealer fowarded my email (Im glad I wasn't a d*ckhead) to them!!!!

Her number and extension - 8003676372 x6209

She is working with the dealer to find a solution and they are sorry I am unhappy. Discussions of lowering the wheel size to the 19s and ditching the 20s was raised but i told them how much I loved the 20 inch wheels and would much prefer to switch the tires to Michelins.

Work in Progress - they will return my call. I am really pleased that they called me.

Kratos-TM

Basically...."Sorry sir, but there is no other option at this time, you are stuck with the RFT's, and we don't know much about the S600 in that regard yet."

Kratos-TM

That's awesome. I inboxed Mercedes facebook page. They're good with replies, so we'll see what they say...