gregorynp

I prefer Michelin - Pilot Sport A/S 3+ and the UTQG 500 AA A rating as tire choices are limited on run flats to summer tires. Your thoughts?

ron104

Dump the run-flats!!!!! When I order a new M-B I have the dealer install Michelin Pilot Sports and include a tire fix-it set in lieu of a spare tire.
1. Run-flats ride like rocks. The ride improves exponentially with regular tires.
2. The claimed "50 mile range" on a flat tire is false. It only applies to a new run-flat. As the tire wears down so does the run-flat range which could be as low as 10 miles.
3. Run-flats CANNOT be repaired. They must be replaced.
4. Auto companies install run-flats as a cost saving measure to save the cost of a spare wheel and tire, ie-M-B 1 million cars=big savings.
Ron

gregorynp

Thanks for the great advice. Going to follow it!!

Rockinrob

Gregorynp:
I also agree with the better ride resulting in eliminating the run-flats. I switched to Pilot Sport 4s on my 2016 S550Coupe. The AS3+ tires should improve the ride as well. I did that on my 2013 SL.
For a backup plan on flats: I have an air compressor , collapsible lug-wrench, and an inflatable bag jack to take on long trips.
I also bought a 19" AMG Spare for a W221 on ebay for under $200 (see snip). It was used,but still had tread left. It gives me a "Peace of mind" when far away from home. The tire is a 155/70 -R19 . I have verified the extra offset will clear the massive front calipers.
I think that being an AMG spare was helpful for the clearance. It doesn't take up as much room in the trunk since it is a "compact" spare. I'm told that the W221 and W222 spares should be similar. Many on this forum can add any extra needed info for this.
Most tire stores will not stock the factory run-flats and they usually recommend you replace them in pairs - due to the 4matic drive wanting similar circumferences....worn vs. new. Just a thought for a little security.

van_rider

Runflats are the biggest pieces of garbage snd longest running scam that’s ever come out of the auto industry. They have the worst ride, loud, and don’t a really RUN FLAT at all!!! No one ever stocks them when your stranded or need them, and they can run up to three times the cost of the same tire in conventional form. Ditch them. Buy a slime kit or a low profile spare.

Jud Chapin

Good info here. When I bought my '16 CPO S coupe, the dealer put new tires on. I actually asked for non-run-flats but they said they had to install them as per MB guidelines with CPO's. Their rough ride is one of the few things I don't like about the car. However, I can't see replacing them until they're worn out. FWIW, brake dust is the other thing I don't like. A similar situation here where the pads were just replaced under the CPO work.

okbarnett

I got the pirelli nero, which is a normal tire, feels good. They are all season. And were cheap. And if you read thru them they say they have runflat technology in them, dont know what that means

gregorynp

Costo has PILOT SPORT A/S 3+ on sale. Just bought 20" F&R for $1,000 installed w tax. 4/15/2020

gregorynp

Can't wait to put them on.

johndog1957

I bought a new S560 Cabriolet almost 2 years ago from a dealer inventory... It came from factory with 20" run flats. I planned ahead and ordered a set of used 19" wheels with tires on E-Bay, plus a factory TireFit compressor and sealant kit, plus a set of MB factory TPMS sensors. Upon delivery, I took the factory wheels off and SOLD them on E-bay, having swapped in the used 19" wheels and tires. My first trip was to Discount Tire for a set of Pirelli P Zero tires. The ride is wonderful, even on bumpy Houston streets. My NET cost for all this was about $1800. In hindsight, the only thing I would have done differently is spend the extra $$$ for FACTORY NEW wheels. The used wheels I bought had been refinished. Refinished well, but still refinished.



2019 S560 Cabriolet with 19" wheels and no run flats.

okbarnett

you can get any size normal tires, you dont have to buy runflat tires.

UnderMyWheels

Hi guys. Any recommendations on tires with a rim guard, all season? Looking to get 285/30/19 and 245/35/19. Hopefully there will be Black Friday deals coming up for the holiday on tires.

okbarnett

almost all thire , for our sizes, have rim guard shape. I have Conti Extreme Contact Sport
and Pirelli P Zero Nero, all season, that have more pronounced rim guard.

fun33

I really want to replace the run flats on my CPO 2017 SL550 with normal tires. This post suggests I might void my CPO by doing so. Can anyone confirm if this is or is not correct?

okbarnett

thats why I got P Zero, brand mb uses. Only if I trade the car in they wont say they have to put new tires on it. But as far as I know, if you have same sizes as stock spec, then they dont criticize. The may want to sell you different tires but they cant make you buy them.
It wouldnt void anything unless the size caused the damage. Maybe too low a profile, or too wide a tire, makes something else break.

johndog1957

Read your CPO document word for word; that is your contract. It is my understanding that if you maintain something incorrectly or make some non-standard change, then you void your warranty as it relates to that component, but the rest of your warranty is valid. Anyone else have better interpretation?

as.thompson

fun33, I don't think that tires are a warrantied item so they shouldn't void the warranty for using different tires as long as they are the same or compatible size.

Jud Chapin

The only thing I can add is that when I bought my '16 CPO they were putting new tires on the rear. I didn't want run flats and asked the dealer to install regular tires. Their response was that they had to install run flats as the car came with them and the CPO designation therefore required it. As far as this affecting the warranty, I can't imagine that they could void it just because the car had regular tires on it. My plan is to replace my run flats when they are worn out with regular tires. But I guess it's best to check with MB on this to put your mind at ease.

fun33

I guess the dealer did not want to mix run-flat with none run-flat. I have found many posts recommending against doing that.

Jud Chapin

I don't believe so. They never offered to sell me 2 for the front or problems running 2 different type tires. Actually, they were very emphatic about preparing a CPO MB per MB guide lines. It was an open and shut discussion.

carnut1

It always amazes me that that the most important part of a car (and the only one that should make contact with the road) is what most drivers know the least about. These are heavy cars, the wheels are not 18lbs lightweight wheels either. If your car came with 20" wheels they are almost twice that weight. Run flats do have tougher sidewalls that non runflats, but for non runflats Bridgestone makes the hardest sidewall. I used RE980's on my 550 sedan and I just ordered them for the coupe I picked up last week. They are a little rough riding until they warm up but unlike tires from Continental and others (which I have hard sidewall blowouts on with heavier cars), I have never had one on a RE980. It is my go to tire for heavy coupes and sedans, and they handle well enough for what those type of cars are capable off. As far as warranty goes unless you bought wheel and tire coverage you are fine. The coupe is MB #62 for me (car #486), and I have been taking apart cars a rebuilding them for over 50 years, so I do know a bit about them. One other thing runflats are known for bending rims. My guess is that almost every car that has them is driving around on a least one bent rim. If you are changing tires have your wheels checked as well.

okbarnett

usually if the dealer gets a car in to resell, it has to have a comparable tire to oem, which may be any brand, all season or summer tire Just so they are a set and correct oem size and good dates. That would be the only conflict the dealer may have. And may say we have to put new tires in the car to resell it
I dont think it will void any part of the warrantee unless they are wrong size and rub the body or suspension or put undue stress on the suspension

HAILERS2

Just a thought: I do not like runflats and htrow in low profile tires at all. That said, I have 20" wheels/rims/tires and hit a pothole. No initial problem. Next day that right rear tire was a bit low on pressure and after airing it up again still showed low the next day.

Went to Discount Tire and had them try to find the leak. Bottom line is they showed me the tire off the rim and inside the tire was cracked and was the cause of the air leak. Got new tire.

So I think about it a bit. Is it better to have a tire failure or have the rim cracked and needing either a new rim or welded up? IF all tires front and rear were the same, I could just carry a Tire without rim in the trunk and if far from home ride the bad tire to the next town and have them put the spare tire (tire, no rim) as a replacement. As it is I carry a donut on trips to the west coast and back.

In the past with a CL550, I'd been driving at night in 18 degree weather with no spare and a leaking tire about 100 miles from Albuquerque on the way to Ft Worth. Left a bad taste in my mouth about low profile tires. They suck, period.

as.thompson

I've been keeping tabs on all of the discussions about run flats vs. non-run flats as my S550 coupe is going to need new tires soon. I currently still have my original Goodyear Eagle F-1 run flats at 21,000 miles.

I came across a new listing on Costco's web site for Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP (i.e. Zero Pressure which is Michelin's nomenclature for run flats). They are not listed on any other major tire retailer so I contacted Michelin and they confirmed those tires are available in my correct sizes (245/45ZR20 and 275/35ZR20). That adds a new tire option to the run flat tire list to consider.