rediesel

Wife got a flat in our E550 and it destroyed the wheel ($965 + core is price gouging Barry). Had to wait a couple days for a replacement wheel. The donut served its purpose over several days of light driving around town. I don't think flat RFT would work well after being parked for a while. When I traded my 335 convertible for my C63 coupe I was pleased to get rid of RFT and get a spare - even a donut is better than nothing.

elmalo

Did you get a reply?

elmalo

Only full size spare makes sense, fully agree. RFT range is only 50 miles, which is nothing. In all my years of driving I've had only one mechanical failure, but quite a few flats.

Streamliner

I just sent it a few days ago. I expect a form letter reply, but am hoping that it will be one more "straw," that will break the camel's back.

LovinMercedes

I would like nothing more than a place for a spare tire. I know MB has certainly heard many people voice their concerns.

What I don't know is what it would take to make this change. When looking at the place a spare would go, there is a lot of "stuff" there. I can imagine finding a new home for this "stuff" would not be an easy task and require a major reworking, something they don't do mid-cycle.

Hope I am wrong.

Jason B

What's interesting also is that a spare tire helps with rear end collisions. I've seen many crash tests where damage is reduced in rear end hits when the spare is in there (it helped absorb some impact). One wonders if someone on billing board decided to uncheck a box for the spare tire and is risking some safety issues.

elmalo

In all my years of driving I've had only one mechanical failure, but quite a few flats, so I would consider a mechanical rather improbable. I'd prefer to change a tire rather than getting stuck on the road for who knows how long.

elmalo

Not only did Mercedes eliminate the spare tire, and the space for that, but they also made the gas tank smaller. What is going on? At least they could have put in a bigger tank so one did not have to swing by the gas station so often.

Jason B

Hmm, you find something new out every day. On the tank, how much smaller is it? The previous S had a 23.8 gallon tank.

BKWard

I'm one of the "run flats suck" crowd. I just picked up my S500 Monday with 20" run flats. Car drives like a dream. So, have I changed my mind....no way. Wait till I get to 8000 miles and the noise starts. Overtime I've taken run flats off a car I have never regretted it. Hard to convey the difference.

The car was so quiet and smooth feeling on Monday.....just think how it would have felt with good old fashioned tires on it!!

Streamliner

Just for comparison purposes, what year, make & model did you have before this new S and what sort of wheels & tires did you have? Just curious.

BKWard

I've had two BMW 7 Series that I have taken the run flats off, one was a 2009, 750li, then I did not like the long wheel base, something just looked off design wise and I bought a 2011 750i, same things...took off the run flats. Last car was a 2013 BMW 650i and when original tires ran out I out on non-run flats. Now, I did wait for a two one weekend. But, all in all I got to say that every tine I have done it I have been surprised by the difference and happy I did it.

Now, who knows, my Mercedes I picked up drives like a dream, but I'm thinking over time as the wear down it will be the same old song and dance. Maybe Mercedes has it figured out????? Time will tell for me.

OH....I always waited till the cars tires needed it before I switched. I don't got money to burn changing tires when the run flats are new. Although, the difference is so striking an argument can be made that its worth taking the hit financially. Anybody else want to chime in.

Streamliner

I took delivery of a new S550 at the first of the year and the dealer swapped out the RFT for Bridgestone Serenity Plus conventional tires at no charge, but that was negotiated up front when I placed the order.

wilassasin

They need to add a compact spare (PERIOD). The option of paying extra for a fullsize spare doesnt appear to be an option that would be considered by the manufacturer (MB) as im sure that would not fit in their plans of eliminating excess weight. Now a compact spare really seams reasonable and elimates any safety issues.

The other issue I have is that MB is making alot of money on their wheel insurance and as a result of this providing RFT tires makes dollars and sense lol. Now maybe offering a rft tire vs a compact spare option that would be great!

BKWard

Maybe off topic a bit.....but this S550 is so quiet from road sounds when in the cabin. Never had a car this insulated from noise. I got to give it an A+ on that score. Now, if I could just figure out the navigation verbal instructions, I can adjust the volume she speaks....problem is the volume of music does not mute enough. It mutes, nut not enough to get the nav instructions clearly. And, I got music at a reasonable volume....not blasting it by any means. Anyone else with this issue? I guess it's back to the owners manual or COMMAND manual. My first Mercedes so I've been spending a lot of time with my nose buried in those manuals. I'm starting to get the hang of it.

The interior is awesome, and the COMMAND system seems like a couple of years ahead of the latest BMW operating system.

AJMB1

Try turning up the volume while the navigation voice is speaking. The music should stay at the same level but the navigation volume will increase.

e55phil

I will hope for the best and plan for the worst.

It seems that the emergency spare for the 221 will fit my 222 car but I am going to try and find a full size rim and tire and put it in my trunk. I know it will take up a lot of space and I am not happy about that but it beats being stuck in the country at night.

I hope I can fine the thinnest possible tire.. The thinnest tire in the manual is a 245. I hope I can find a rim that is thinner and still fits my car.

Some may disagree with this approach but as I look at the poll in this thread many do agree.

If anyone has a suggestion please let me know.

thanks

phil

BenzoBoi

I was actually really surprised that the car didn't come with a small spare. My 221 comes with one, why wouldn't this one? Interesting move on MB.

1guitar

Your point is well taken and I do in fact agree with you, but you're dealing with MB. I've been driving their so-called luxury cars for 20+ years and don't for one minute kid yourself they will give a hoot in hell what the poll shows, they do whatever they damn well please, they build some very good cars and some that I would be ashamed to put my moniker on but at the end of the day they're still stuck with that idiotic German mentality that they're the best automotive engineers in the world so if they are doing something it must be right. Personally after taking delivery of my last three MB's I went on EBay and bought a used MB wheel that fit my car and purchased the correct tire for from Tirerack and have always kept it in the trunk, to hell with loosing trunk space, I've had more than 3 occasions when one of my tires went flat and I was very happy to know that I had the foresight after spending $90k to $100k to spend another $500 or so, so that I didn't have to rely on MB to come and change my spare tire, the one they don't provide you with anymore.

Streamliner

Just a few days left to vote in this poll. Please vote for your preference. Thanks!

MBZFAN55

This week I noticed a sidewall cut on my Continental GX SSR 245/45-19 and literally could not find a replacement tire in Maryland. Tire Rack had limited inventory but didn't show it online. A "phone call" eventually got the tire shipped from Indiana but this is a lot of aggravation just to be allowed to "overpay" for a tire I did not want to begin with when I took the S-Class delivery 3 months ago.

I may not have Tesla "range anxiety" but now I have "no spare tire" anxiety! Northeast roads are filled with potholes this year and my fear is not a nail hole but rather a large gash and a damaged wheel. True, it might never happen, but why should I now have something else to worry about? I know Mercedes needs to meet CAFE standards by reducing weight but at least give me the option of obtaining a donut spare and jack. The dealer says they can't even discuss the earlier model spare fitting the W222 with MBUSA as it was not designed for that model, therefore no guidance. (Off the record I was told it fits, but the offset is slightly different) How difficult would it be to restore the W221 style tire slot in the trunk to accommodate the small tire? I go back to the 560SEL days and this is the first time I will be writing a letter to MBUSA. They need to hear from us - more than even this poll.

Streamliner

I live in Orange County, CA where the roads are in great shape and we pretty much don't know what a pothole is. However, sitting on TOP of my W222 trunk floor, is an unused W221 spare, taking up ridiculous space but providing peace of mind for the driver. The best or nothing???

xrayaz

I expect my new S550 (ruby-black wi beige interior, 4matic) to arrive at the dealer next week about 4-24-15. I wish a spare of any kind was avail. While it has been 4 or 5 years since I have had a flat, the asurance would give me a better piece of mind even if I never have another flat in my life.
Michael in Arizona

hyperion667

they couldn't find the best so we got nothing

Long3494Qut