Run Flats?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Ok, good to know these things. Unless someone can show me a better tire, I think I'm about to pull the trigger on the Potenza's. I wonder if my dealer will go for me requesting the $2500 happy funds....
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Christ.
NO HELP ON SWITCHING TO ANYTHING BUT WHAT IS ON THE CAR NOW IF I KEEP THE 20"
New Option
Robin from MBUSA is looking into switching to 19" AMG... which can come with NON run flat dunlop tires. I don't like the 19s... thats why I got 20s.
They will not purchase, or guarantee any tire I get besides what is on my car right now. I would be entirely on my own if I switched. My warranty which I purchased would be lost too - no refund on that.
WHAT THE FLIPPITY F U C K !
NO HELP ON SWITCHING TO ANYTHING BUT WHAT IS ON THE CAR NOW IF I KEEP THE 20"
New Option
Robin from MBUSA is looking into switching to 19" AMG... which can come with NON run flat dunlop tires. I don't like the 19s... thats why I got 20s.
They will not purchase, or guarantee any tire I get besides what is on my car right now. I would be entirely on my own if I switched. My warranty which I purchased would be lost too - no refund on that.
WHAT THE FLIPPITY F U C K !
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,562
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Chuck, Kratos
Don't expect anything from MB. You will do the same thing every BMW owner wanting to switch deals with...
Order the tires you want, eat the cost and forget about it. Then enjoy the improved ride quality...
Put the runflats into the garage or sell them. The amount of money is simply too small to worry about dealing with MB.
If people would listen to MB, there would be no aftermarket/tuning industry!
Don't expect anything from MB. You will do the same thing every BMW owner wanting to switch deals with...
Order the tires you want, eat the cost and forget about it. Then enjoy the improved ride quality...
Put the runflats into the garage or sell them. The amount of money is simply too small to worry about dealing with MB.
If people would listen to MB, there would be no aftermarket/tuning industry!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 283
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, ON
2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC (current) 2006 C280 Elegance 4MATIC (sold)
I say avoid all the mumbo jumbo with the dealership and MB USA and just going for a set of non run flat tires that will benefit the ride quality of the vehicle. Their hands are tied for legal reasons and yes you should have more say in what they do when you're about to drop $100k on a car but it looks like they will be sticking to their guns on this RFT stuff. The TPS will still work fine and in the event you get a flat with your regular tires any shop will be able to take care of it because RFTs need a special machine which won't be available in remote areas.
Look at it this way. Going the non RFT route will improve the ride quality, quietness, improve your take on the car and make you feel you're getting the most out of your $100k investment.
Look at it this way. Going the non RFT route will improve the ride quality, quietness, improve your take on the car and make you feel you're getting the most out of your $100k investment.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
I dont know.
I already paid for my warranty on the tires. $2500. I'm not going to just switch to different 20" Tires...pay for them on my own, not be covered by the warranty, and lost the $2500 I paid just 2 months ago when i got the car.
It's a lot more than just spending $1000. Potentially, this switch to different 20s would be $1000 from Tire Rack
$2500 Loss of Warranty price
$2000 10 tires over the next 3 years (what I averaged before)
OR
switch to 19" AMG WHEELS. Dealer pays for switch. New Tires. Still Covered.
I already paid for my warranty on the tires. $2500. I'm not going to just switch to different 20" Tires...pay for them on my own, not be covered by the warranty, and lost the $2500 I paid just 2 months ago when i got the car.
It's a lot more than just spending $1000. Potentially, this switch to different 20s would be $1000 from Tire Rack
$2500 Loss of Warranty price
$2000 10 tires over the next 3 years (what I averaged before)
OR
switch to 19" AMG WHEELS. Dealer pays for switch. New Tires. Still Covered.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,939
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
Thanks for the info on the TPM with non RFT's Khan. I think both you and Wolfman provide sound advice on this TFT fiasco. In my case, I am going to try out the factory RFT's with my standard wheels just to see how they ride. If I don't like them, I will switch to non RFT's. I'm still puzzled by the fact that when I test drove the S550, I did not detect any appreciable ride harshness. Perhaps, I was SO fascinated and blown away by all the car features that I did not pay much attention to the bumps. And, as I stated on an earlier post, I have no clue whether the vehicle I test drove had 18, 19, or 20 inch wheels although I doubt they were 20 inch.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Thanks for the info on the TPM with non RFT's Khan. I think both you and Wolfman provide sound advice on this TFT fiasco. In my case, I am going to try out the factory RFT's with my standard wheels just to see how they ride. If I don't like them, I will switch to non RFT's. I'm still puzzled by the fact that when I test drove the S550, I did not detect any appreciable ride harshness. Perhaps, I was SO fascinated and blown away by all the car features that I did not pay much attention to the bumps. And, as I stated on an earlier post, I have no clue whether the vehicle I test drove had 18, 19, or 20 inch wheels although I doubt they were 20 inch.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Chuck, Kratos
Don't expect anything from MB. You will do the same thing every BMW owner wanting to switch deals with...
Order the tires you want, eat the cost and forget about it. Then enjoy the improved ride quality...
Put the runflats into the garage or sell them. The amount of money is simply too small to worry about dealing with MB.
If people would listen to MB, there would be no aftermarket/tuning industry!
Don't expect anything from MB. You will do the same thing every BMW owner wanting to switch deals with...
Order the tires you want, eat the cost and forget about it. Then enjoy the improved ride quality...
Put the runflats into the garage or sell them. The amount of money is simply too small to worry about dealing with MB.
If people would listen to MB, there would be no aftermarket/tuning industry!
At least MBUSA is aware of this, thus all of this effort we put in was not in vain...
Last edited by Kratos-TM; Mar 6, 2014 at 05:41 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Hate the 19" look as well. They ruin the car in my opinion. (Too small....too simple....too weak).
I'm actually pretty pissed off. $125,000 car and their answer is tough s h i t.
To offer only ONE tire for this car? Not give customer an option? They didn't tell me when I ordered the car that the ride would be rough. I found out like you did, on my own, when I hit a bump and thought to myself "what the f u c k was that"
They're telling everyone tough luck.
I wonder if they would refund my $2500 warranty.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 3,682
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Im torn.
Hate the 19" look as well. They ruin the car in my opinion. (Too small....too simple....too weak).
I'm actually pretty pissed off. $125,000 car and their answer is tough s h i t.
To offer only ONE tire for this car? Not give customer an option? They didn't tell me when I ordered the car that the ride would be rough. I found out like you did, on my own, when I hit a bump and thought to myself "what the f u c k was that"
They're telling everyone tough luck.
I wonder if they would refund my $2500 warranty.
Hate the 19" look as well. They ruin the car in my opinion. (Too small....too simple....too weak).
I'm actually pretty pissed off. $125,000 car and their answer is tough s h i t.
To offer only ONE tire for this car? Not give customer an option? They didn't tell me when I ordered the car that the ride would be rough. I found out like you did, on my own, when I hit a bump and thought to myself "what the f u c k was that"
They're telling everyone tough luck.
I wonder if they would refund my $2500 warranty.
Good luck!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 353
Likes: 83
From: Bonita Springs, FL
2021 Cirrus Silver S580 AMG, 2020 Polar White GLE350
I also contacted MBUSA about the 2015 S550 I have ordered and expressed my disappointment with the RFT's on the sport plus 1 option with the 20" multi spoke wheels. I referenced all of the reports of harsh ride and Motor Trend mentioning the problem when they nominated the S550 as a contender for 2014 car of the year. I asked for an optiona l tire. MBUSA responded that they have no alternate for the 20" wheel. They said they could respond if I ordered an 18" or 19" wheel. I wanted to let them know that word of the rough ride with RFT's on 20" wheels is spreading...thought that might help you, too.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
I also contacted MBUSA about the 2015 S550 I have ordered and expressed my disappointment with the RFT's on the sport plus 1 option with the 20" multi spoke wheels. I referenced all of the reports of harsh ride and Motor Trend mentioning the problem when they nominated the S550 as a contender for 2014 car of the year. I asked for an optiona l tire. MBUSA responded that they have no alternate for the 20" wheel. They said they could respond if I ordered an 18" or 19" wheel. I wanted to let them know that word of the rough ride with RFT's on 20" wheels is spreading...thought that might help you, too.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 353
Likes: 83
From: Bonita Springs, FL
2021 Cirrus Silver S580 AMG, 2020 Polar White GLE350
I received the same exact response, from the same person, that Kratos received. My dealer also responded they could do nothing about the tires. I noticed Tire Rack has a number of high performance all season tires as alternatives...but you would lose your tire warranty.
Last edited by TwinCam; Mar 6, 2014 at 07:12 PM.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
You have to purchase 4 tires for $1500 dollars.
You have to pay $200 to install them somewhere.
You have to pay another $1000 to an aftermarket company to warranty them.
Totally ridiculous. Mercedes is telling their top tier customer to go eat it.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Basically you lose the $2500 spent on the Warranty
You have to purchase 4 tires for $1500 dollars.
You have to pay $200 to install them somewhere.
You have to pay another $1000 to an aftermarket company to warranty them.
Totally ridiculous. Mercedes is telling their top tier customer to go eat it.
You have to purchase 4 tires for $1500 dollars.
You have to pay $200 to install them somewhere.
You have to pay another $1000 to an aftermarket company to warranty them.
Totally ridiculous. Mercedes is telling their top tier customer to go eat it.
Really...its fuking ridiculous.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
My only thoughts are that MB took a very big risk by making ALL S-classes have runflats. Even if you get the basic car with 18's, you're getting runflats. They had NO intention of offering any conventional tire options....blows my mind on this decision. How did MB think this would go unnoticed and unchecked?....
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 353
Likes: 83
From: Bonita Springs, FL
2021 Cirrus Silver S580 AMG, 2020 Polar White GLE350
Strange that MBUSA would risk tarnishing the image of the new S-Class over tires. The new world standard for luxury compromised by RFT's. Perhaps the tabloids like Motor Trend, WSJ, Consumers Union, Edmunds and others will hear of the degraded ride of the S-Class caused by MB jumping to a tire that has caused problems for other also ran luxury automobiles. Certainly the complaints are mounting and dissatisfied S550 buyers have the means to be heard if MB won't listen to them. Does MBUSA really want to take that risk? Just a thought!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
Strange that MBUSA would risk tarnishing the image of the new S-Class over tires. The new world standard for luxury compromised by RFT's. Perhaps the tabloids like Motor Trend, WSJ, Consumers Union, Edmunds and others will hear of the degraded ride of the S-Class caused by MB jumping to a tire that has caused problems for other also ran luxury automobiles. Certainly the complaints are mounting and dissatisfied S550 buyers have the means to be heard if MB won't listen to them. Does MBUSA really want to take that risk? Just a thought!
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Strange that MBUSA would risk tarnishing the image of the new S-Class over tires. The new world standard for luxury compromised by RFT's. Perhaps the tabloids like Motor Trend, WSJ, Consumers Union, Edmunds and others will hear of the degraded ride of the S-Class caused by MB jumping to a tire that has caused problems for other also ran luxury automobiles. Certainly the complaints are mounting and dissatisfied S550 buyers have the means to be heard if MB won't listen to them. Does MBUSA really want to take that risk? Just a thought!
If I'm put in a corner, and given no option after I feel like I got duped, so I am going to go to the mattress.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 13
From: NYC
2014 S550
Just found out from another member on this forum (RED MARKO) that his wife had an XF and switched from Runflat to Regular and the car rides like a dream now.
Its the tire. Its a problem, a big one.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
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From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
Remember, if you are leasing a vehicle that originally came with run flats, you have to return the car back in the way it came, that means with run flats. SO don't throw them away!
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.
...
