Better alternate for Run Flats?
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Newport Beach California
2008 C300 4matic
Better alternate for Run Flats?
I test drove the S550 with sports package this past week and there was a noticeable harshness on the ride. While it wasn't that pronounced, it isn't what you'd expect on a flagship model. Had a look at the tire and they were Goodyear Eagle F1 Run Flats. I asked if there were any alternates. I was flat out given a no. Said MB doesn't have any approved alternates other than factory options, but did mention the S600 comes with Pirelli P Zero Run Flats.
So I ask to those who have swapped their tires, what brand/model did you change to? Thanks!
So I ask to those who have swapped their tires, what brand/model did you change to? Thanks!
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Traverse City, Michigan
2023 AMG SL55,2015 S550 4MATIC, 2023 BMW X5
I had my dealership swap out the Goodyear runflats from my 2015 S550 4MATIC w/ SP & 20" wheels for a set of Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2's. Very pleased with the tires. They look good on the rims, they're quiet & handle well.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
I test drove the S550 with sports package this past week and there was a noticeable harshness on the ride. While it wasn't that pronounced, it isn't what you'd expect on a flagship model. Had a look at the tire and they were Goodyear Eagle F1 Run Flats. I asked if there were any alternates. I was flat out given a no. Said MB doesn't have any approved alternates other than factory options, but did mention the S600 comes with Pirelli P Zero Run Flats.
So I ask to those who have swapped their tires, what brand/model did you change to? Thanks!
So I ask to those who have swapped their tires, what brand/model did you change to? Thanks!
The various rim sizes have different tire sizes. Some models have matching front and rear while others are larger in the back. It all depends upon what exact model you have. For instance, with respect to the S600's, the 19 inch wheels are run flats and the 20 inch are conventional.
It's already all in the thread on run flats. What people have switched to is also there.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 19
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From: Newport Beach California
2008 C300 4matic
If you go to the thread on run flats, everything you'd ever want to know is there.
The various rim sizes have different tire sizes. Some models have matching front and rear while others are larger in the back. It all depends upon what exact model you have. For instance, with respect to the S600's, the 19 inch wheels are run flats and the 20 inch are conventional.
It's already all in the thread on run flats. What people have switched to is also there.
The various rim sizes have different tire sizes. Some models have matching front and rear while others are larger in the back. It all depends upon what exact model you have. For instance, with respect to the S600's, the 19 inch wheels are run flats and the 20 inch are conventional.
It's already all in the thread on run flats. What people have switched to is also there.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,604
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Newport Beach California
2008 C300 4matic
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,604
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
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From: Newport Beach California
2008 C300 4matic
That's good news! Only problem is no dealer seems to have any S550s rolling on 18s on their lot...
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Port St. Lucie Florida
2009 SL600, 2015 Lexus RX450h, 2014 S550
After putting over 1,600 miles on my 2014 S550 with 20" Pirelli Run Flats, I can't see what the issue is. Maybe if I was to drive one with conventional tires back to back with mine, maybe I can feel the difference.
I did test ride back to back to back just prior to my purchase, a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost with only 3K miles, then the 2014 S550 (soon to be mine), and then the 2014 Lexus LS 460 down the road. The S550 with these 20" run flats rode smoother than the Roller and the Lexus.
If any of you want to compare a back to back ride against my 20" run flats in the Port St. Lucie Florida area, let me know.
I did test ride back to back to back just prior to my purchase, a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost with only 3K miles, then the 2014 S550 (soon to be mine), and then the 2014 Lexus LS 460 down the road. The S550 with these 20" run flats rode smoother than the Roller and the Lexus.
If any of you want to compare a back to back ride against my 20" run flats in the Port St. Lucie Florida area, let me know.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Huntington NY
S560
I had the dealer swap my rfts for Michelin Pilot A/S. They did it for free, no questions asked. After driving an S with the eagles and now my car I can say there is a huge difference on impacts but road noise is roughly equal. The car floats in comfort mode, I can't see it getting any smoother.
One thing I have noticed is the car occasionally has a slight funky side to side motion when hitting road imperfections. It's not related to the tires, but I was hoping they would have fixed that.
One thing I have noticed is the car occasionally has a slight funky side to side motion when hitting road imperfections. It's not related to the tires, but I was hoping they would have fixed that.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
I had the dealer swap my rfts for Michelin Pilot A/S. They did it for free, no questions asked. After driving an S with the eagles and now my car I can say there is a huge difference on impacts but road noise is roughly equal. The car floats in comfort mode, I can't see it getting any smoother.
One thing I have noticed is the car occasionally has a slight funky side to side motion when hitting road imperfections. It's not related to the tires, but I was hoping they would have fixed that.
One thing I have noticed is the car occasionally has a slight funky side to side motion when hitting road imperfections. It's not related to the tires, but I was hoping they would have fixed that.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 19
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From: Newport Beach California
2008 C300 4matic
I had the dealer swap my rfts for Michelin Pilot A/S. They did it for free, no questions asked. After driving an S with the eagles and now my car I can say there is a huge difference on impacts but road noise is roughly equal. The car floats in comfort mode, I can't see it getting any smoother.
One thing I have noticed is the car occasionally has a slight funky side to side motion when hitting road imperfections. It's not related to the tires, but I was hoping they would have fixed that.
One thing I have noticed is the car occasionally has a slight funky side to side motion when hitting road imperfections. It's not related to the tires, but I was hoping they would have fixed that.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
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From: Huntington NY
S560
Ok cool. I was hoping it was not just me. I really noticed it on 95 south heading from 287 to the split for Throgs neck. The groves are not very straight and the car had some side to side movement like it was trying to find the right line. Also on other roads I'm occasionally moving side to side in the car when I meet a just right road imperfection.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
I don't know if emilner is referring to the same thing I've been posting about on my 2014 model, but I hated how much it rocked side to side on bumps. Like a see-saw effect. I had runflats and conventional tires and it was the same on both. So I concluded that it was the suspensions settings being too soft. So for my 2015 model, I made sure to put in Magic Body Control. I have a feeling that's gonna fix that problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
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From: Huntington NY
S560
You are right. It's a sea saw. It's odd- I've never experienced it in a car before. Like the front and rear suspensions are on a different page. If you have to order a special suspension well, then it would truly suck if a 2015 S550 Mercedes Benz can't drive like a great car...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach California
2008 C300 4matic
I don't know if emilner is referring to the same thing I've been posting about on my 2014 model, but I hated how much it rocked side to side on bumps. Like a see-saw effect. I had runflats and conventional tires and it was the same on both. So I concluded that it was the suspensions settings being too soft. So for my 2015 model, I made sure to put in Magic Body Control. I have a feeling that's gonna fix that problem.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 8
UNIMOG
wow why in the world would you swap for hankooks ? Never mind I don't want to know but that was a great deal for your dealership since you can get all 4 hankook tires for the price of one of your runflats.
Last edited by lsdreem; Sep 21, 2014 at 08:25 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 2
From: McComb MS
2014 Mercedes S550
You are right. It's a sea saw. It's odd- I've never experienced it in a car before. Like the front and rear suspensions are on a different page. If you have to order a special suspension well, then it would truly suck if a 2015 S550 Mercedes Benz can't drive like a great car...
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 187
Likes: 3
From: Traverse City, Michigan
2023 AMG SL55,2015 S550 4MATIC, 2023 BMW X5
That was my primary motivator for taking off the runflats. Why Hankook? In my research I found them to be the highest rated high performance all-season tires that fit my 20 inch rims (according to tirerack.com). Add in a host of other benefits including a 10% reduction in unsprung weight and a 15% reduction in rolling resistance moving away from the run-flats. I've never seen them priced at the level you'd quoted; not sure where you've sourced your data...
