Run Flats?
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
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From: NYC
2014 S550
I preempted by telling them the specific tire I wanted.
Lets see.
I had my friend drive me around yesterday and I sat in the back seat. I felt every single bump.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Amazing a simple tire change, could solve this. My God.....what's in these run flats...metal?
By the way, your other thread is misleading.....it went from a picture thread to a tire thread....LOL.....any way you can change the title?
By the way, your other thread is misleading.....it went from a picture thread to a tire thread....LOL.....any way you can change the title?
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
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From: NYC
2014 S550
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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S 550
I did test drive two cars, one with 20" wheels with MBC and one with 20" wheels w/o MBC.
IMO, MBC does make a noticeable difference in smoothing the road height changes (rolls or dips in the road) but doesn't make a difference in small items like pot holes. MBC also works great in cornering for reducing body roll. I like MBC but ended up purchasing a car without MBC.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 283
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From: Toronto, ON
2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC (current) 2006 C280 Elegance 4MATIC (sold)
I don't have any proof but if you were to drive with the RFTs for years wouldn't they wear out suspension components faster with the harsher ride? I remember reading a thread on a BMW forum that a 7 Series owner went from 19 inch rims with RFTs to 21 inch rims with regular tires and the car still had a smoother ride.
I noticed the same thing with a 3 Series. I test drove one with stock 16 inch rims with Bridgestone Turanza RFTs and another with 19 inch VMR rims with Continental DWS tires and the one with the 19s still rode better.
I noticed the same thing with a 3 Series. I test drove one with stock 16 inch rims with Bridgestone Turanza RFTs and another with 19 inch VMR rims with Continental DWS tires and the one with the 19s still rode better.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
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From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
I don't have any proof but if you were to drive with the RFTs for years wouldn't they wear out suspension components faster with the harsher ride? I remember reading a thread on a BMW forum that a 7 Series owner went from 19 inch rims with RFTs to 21 inch rims with regular tires and the car still had a smoother ride.
I noticed the same thing with a 3 Series. I test drove one with stock 16 inch rims with Bridgestone Turanza RFTs and another with 19 inch VMR rims with Continental DWS tires and the one with the 19s still rode better.
I noticed the same thing with a 3 Series. I test drove one with stock 16 inch rims with Bridgestone Turanza RFTs and another with 19 inch VMR rims with Continental DWS tires and the one with the 19s still rode better.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 320
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From: DFW
2 2001 E320s, 2005 E320 4Matic
I drove two cars yesterday. One with the standard wheel/suspension, the other with the 20" wheels and MBC. While I had very distinct impressions about the suspensions, I will limit my comments to the tires. Both cars had loud tire hum, rough ride on concrete roads, and slapping noise when traversing road expansion joints. On one section of road while driving the car with the 20's the slap was so startling over one expansion joint both the salesman and I thought I ran over something. In both cars the ride was something less than one would expect from an S Class. I expressed my displeasure with the tires, and asked if they could be switched out for a traditional tire. The answer was no even if it meant loosing the sale. Obviously, this question has been asked before as he had the answer without checking with his manager. When pressed he said there were liability issues in equipping a car with non approved equipment. I have had many other cars where the OE tires were not great for various reasons, so the S stays at the top of my short list despite the MOE tires.
Last edited by RichM; Mar 6, 2014 at 09:29 AM.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
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From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
I drove two cars yesterday. One with the standard wheel/suspension, the other with the 20" wheels and MBC. While I had very distinct impressions about the suspensions, I will limit my comments to the tires. Both cars had loud tire hum, rough ride on concrete roads, and slapping noise when traversing road expansion joints. On one section of road while driving the car with the 20's the slap was so startling over one expansion joint both the salesman and I thought I ran over something. In both cars the ride was something less than one would expect from an S Class. I expressed my displeasure with the tires, and asked if they could be switched out for a traditional tire. The answer was no even if it meant loosing the sale. Obviously, this question has been asked before as he had the answer without checking with his manager. When pressed he said there were liability issues in equipping a car with non approved equipment. I have had many other cars where the OE tires were not great for various reasons, so the S stays at the top of my short list despite the MOE tires.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Just received an email from MBUSA. Here it is copy and pasted....
Dear Mr. Harrell,
Thank you for your email to Mercedes-Benz USA and congratulations on your purchase!
Mercedes-Benz is able to provide recommendations for 18" and 19" wheels only. There aren't recommended 20" tires that meets our quality requirements for the below-listed vehicle.
We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Sincerely,
Nadia M.
Mercedes-Benz USA
(800) 367-6372
For Beantrader, I'm gonna ask what their recommendations would be for the 18's and 19's. Though they can't help me, at least we can help out another forum member if we can.
...
Dear Mr. Harrell,
Thank you for your email to Mercedes-Benz USA and congratulations on your purchase!
Mercedes-Benz is able to provide recommendations for 18" and 19" wheels only. There aren't recommended 20" tires that meets our quality requirements for the below-listed vehicle.
We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Sincerely,
Nadia M.
Mercedes-Benz USA
(800) 367-6372
For Beantrader, I'm gonna ask what their recommendations would be for the 18's and 19's. Though they can't help me, at least we can help out another forum member if we can.
...
Last edited by Kratos-TM; Mar 6, 2014 at 10:17 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
Your experience is scary. When I test drove the new S550, I did not notice anything like you did. At that time, I had no idea that there might be a problem with RFT's. I also don't know what size wheels it had. But, the ride seemed wonderful to me.
EDIT: This an intended response to Rich and not you Kratos. Sorry
EDIT: This an intended response to Rich and not you Kratos. Sorry
Last edited by AppleFan1; Mar 6, 2014 at 02:33 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 320
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From: DFW
2 2001 E320s, 2005 E320 4Matic
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,939
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
EDIT: Ok, I just read on the other thread that MBUSA does not have a non run flat recommendation for the 20" wheels. However, they do the the 18 and 19 inch ones.
Last edited by AppleFan1; Mar 6, 2014 at 12:02 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 320
Likes: 6
From: DFW
2 2001 E320s, 2005 E320 4Matic
That's not true. My dealer told me that I could go with non RFT's if I wanted to. The only problem would be is that there would be no spare. There may be extra cost involved, but I believe you can change to non RFT's.
EDIT: Ok, I just read on the other thread that MBUSA does not have a non run flat recommendation for the 20" wheels. However, they do the the 18 and 19 inch ones.
EDIT: Ok, I just read on the other thread that MBUSA does not have a non run flat recommendation for the 20" wheels. However, they do the the 18 and 19 inch ones.
Again, according to my dealer, due to liability issues, they can not sell an S550 without MOE tires as there is not an option for a spare. I am not saying this is always the case, and may be a Texas thing. I am just relating what I have been told.
Last edited by RichM; Mar 6, 2014 at 02:33 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Just received an email from MBUSA. Here it is copy and pasted....
Dear Mr. Harrell,
Thank you for your email to Mercedes-Benz USA and congratulations on your purchase!
Mercedes-Benz is able to provide recommendations for 18" and 19" wheels only. There aren't recommended 20" tires that meets our quality requirements for the below-listed vehicle.
We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Sincerely,
Nadia M.
Mercedes-Benz USA
(800) 367-6372
For Beantrader, I'm gonna ask what their recommendations would be for the 18's and 19's. Though they can't help me, at least we can help out another forum member if we can.
...
Dear Mr. Harrell,
Thank you for your email to Mercedes-Benz USA and congratulations on your purchase!
Mercedes-Benz is able to provide recommendations for 18" and 19" wheels only. There aren't recommended 20" tires that meets our quality requirements for the below-listed vehicle.
We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Sincerely,
Nadia M.
Mercedes-Benz USA
(800) 367-6372
For Beantrader, I'm gonna ask what their recommendations would be for the 18's and 19's. Though they can't help me, at least we can help out another forum member if we can.
...
What do we do? At the end of the day, I don't see why I cant put the tires I posted above from tire-rack on these cars.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 320
Likes: 6
From: DFW
2 2001 E320s, 2005 E320 4Matic
I did. The best I can chalk it up to is the road types. In DFW we have lots of different types of road surface ranging from concrete to a combination of asphalt/concrete to straight asphalt. Then you have varying conditions on all of the above. We tend to have fairly large expansion joints due to the clay roadbeds causing heaves in the highways. Then some of the concrete is grooved or textured to help with rain and water evacuation. All of the above can be a challenge for any tire, much less one with ultra stiff sidewalls.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
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From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Us 1st year owners are gonna have to be the BETA testers for new tires. It is by our failures and successes that future MB owners will be setting up their cars...
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Tire-rack is getting calls too. They said Mercedes is absolutely FALSE in saying that they don't have a tire that fits this wheel.
These are the two tires that are selling best for Tire-Rack for the 20" S Class. They do NOT offer Michelin Pilot Sport or Super Sport for this tire. ( I asked to confirm this, and they did).
Tirerack suggests, and is getting more orders for, the Summer max performance (RIGHT)over the AS (Left Tire)
These are the two tires that are selling best for Tire-Rack for the 20" S Class. They do NOT offer Michelin Pilot Sport or Super Sport for this tire. ( I asked to confirm this, and they did).
Tirerack suggests, and is getting more orders for, the Summer max performance (RIGHT)over the AS (Left Tire)
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Just called Robin at MBUSA again.
Left a message.
Asked her for the FINAL response from MB. I wasn't rude or anything but let her know that I'd really appreciate a final answer on whats doing. I told her we were all getting very conflicting reports and I wanted to hear it directly from them.
IDEAL OPTION:
They pay for 4 (or 5?) new tires. Put them on the car at their expense. Apply the warranty from the original RFT to the new tires.
BACKUP OPTION:
We Split the cost 50/50 for the new tires but still put the warranty to the new tires.
UNACCEPTABLE OPTION:
WE pay for the 4 tires in total.
Warranty not extended.
Are we in agreement?
Left a message.
Asked her for the FINAL response from MB. I wasn't rude or anything but let her know that I'd really appreciate a final answer on whats doing. I told her we were all getting very conflicting reports and I wanted to hear it directly from them.
IDEAL OPTION:
They pay for 4 (or 5?) new tires. Put them on the car at their expense. Apply the warranty from the original RFT to the new tires.
BACKUP OPTION:
We Split the cost 50/50 for the new tires but still put the warranty to the new tires.
UNACCEPTABLE OPTION:
WE pay for the 4 tires in total.
Warranty not extended.
Are we in agreement?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Wow....other S class owners are changing. That's extremely useful info right there.
So Potenza is the next choice after Michelin......
For those of us in the South who don't have winters, the summer tire is best I guess...???
So Potenza is the next choice after Michelin......
For those of us in the South who don't have winters, the summer tire is best I guess...???
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Just called Robin at MBUSA again.
Left a message.
Asked her for the FINAL response from MB. I wasn't rude or anything but let her know that I'd really appreciate a final answer on whats doing. I told her we were all getting very conflicting reports and I wanted to hear it directly from them.
IDEAL OPTION:
They pay for 4 (or 5?) new tires. Put them on the car at their expense. Apply the warranty from the original RFT to the new tires.
BACKUP OPTION:
We Split the cost 50/50 for the new tires but still put the warranty to the new tires.
UNACCEPTABLE OPTION:
WE pay for the 4 tires in total.
Warranty not extended.
Are we in agreement?
Left a message.
Asked her for the FINAL response from MB. I wasn't rude or anything but let her know that I'd really appreciate a final answer on whats doing. I told her we were all getting very conflicting reports and I wanted to hear it directly from them.
IDEAL OPTION:
They pay for 4 (or 5?) new tires. Put them on the car at their expense. Apply the warranty from the original RFT to the new tires.
BACKUP OPTION:
We Split the cost 50/50 for the new tires but still put the warranty to the new tires.
UNACCEPTABLE OPTION:
WE pay for the 4 tires in total.
Warranty not extended.
Are we in agreement?
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
They said one of the numbers is off (the middle number)
They said the bridgestone POLE S04 tire is one heck of a tire and they have only heard positive remarks. This is the tire they are switching and don't suggest the all season tire.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
In your case, I see the "ideal option" happening because you already have legitimate reasons to engage them in buying new tires anyway (you got bubbles). But for me, nothing wrong with my RFT's, so I'm banking on just getting the warranty to cover the new tires that "I" buy....
I would imagine this would be your time to employ this option.
