Notices
S-Class (W222) 2014-2020

Why Mercedes doesn't use Non-Run Flat Michellin 4s Sport in S560

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 12:52 AM
  #1  
artinshak's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
E400 Coupe
Why Mercedes doesn't use Non-Run Flat Michellin 4s Sport in S560

Hi everyone,

I was looking at my friends S63 and noticed that the car comes with Michellin Non-RFT's. I was curious about why S560 doesn't utilize the same tire as original equipment. Obviously, Michelin 4s comes in 20 inches. Any inputs?
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 10:41 AM
  #2  
chassis's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
MBWorld Ambassador

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,663
Likes: 4,567
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Does the S63 come with a spare tire as standard from the factory?
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 11:54 AM
  #3  
artinshak's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
E400 Coupe
Originally Posted by chassis
Does the S63 come with a spare tire as standard from the factory?
No. it comes with one of those repair kits. They could do the same thing for S560!
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 12:00 PM
  #4  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
The AMG 63 models do not use run flat tires. These are high performance models and run flat tires don't chive with that. There's a tire mobility kit in the trunk, which comprises of a can of tire sealant and a compressor, so that you can seal the tire in an emergency and inflate it, but generally you would call roadside assistance if you have a flat. Run flats are used in regular Mercedes-Benz models and the 43 and 53 series AMGs, because those cars are supposed to be more livable on a daily basis and shouldn't leave you stranded. Back in the days, these cars had spare tires. High performance cars never or rarely have spare tires. Nowadays, spare tires have gone the way of the dodo and run flats are being used, but still high performance models continue to use normal high performance tires along with a tire sealant kit. Nobody really wants run flats on their performance cars.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 12:15 PM
  #5  
Streamliner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,120
Likes: 4,351
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by chassis
Does the S63 come with a spare tire as standard from the factory?
Heaven forbid! That would weigh down the car too much, causing it to use more fuel, leading to “Global Warming,” and cause the death of another rubber tree! If the crazies over in Germany were so worried about the planet and trees, they wouldn’t build overpowered AMG gas guzzlers in the first place. Their whole argument is B.S. EVERY car on the planet should come with a jack and a spare in the trunk. They did it for a hundred years and they should still be doing it. Hit a road hazard that shreds your run flat tire and then finding a can of sealant & an air pump in the trunk will be a very bad joke.

Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 12:26 PM
  #6  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
^^ Spare tires have all kinds of problems. They sit in the trunk and slowly degrade, actually faster than one might think due to the unfavorable storage conditions, and most people never check the tire pressure of the spare, so when that rare time comes where they need it, the tire is either too old to be safe and/or most likely flat or severely underinflated. The latter could be mitigated by also including a compressor. Donuts and space savers on the other hand are problematic, because they don't fit over the larger brakes found on performance models. Not to mention that the vast majority of drivers have never changed a wheel and end up calling AAA or other roadside assistance anyway and don't expect women to lift a heavy spare out of the trunk etc.. So for the vast majority a spare tire is dead, decaying weight being lugged around. I've daily driven performance cars for about a decade now and haven't had a spare tire in that time. Has never been an issue. In my 25 years of driving I used a spare tire once or twice.

Last edited by superswiss; Jun 25, 2020 at 12:31 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 01:49 PM
  #7  
places's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,526
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Heaven forbid! That would weigh down the car too much, causing it to use more fuel, leading to “Global Warming,” and cause the death of another rubber tree! If the crazies over in Germany were so worried about the planet and trees, they wouldn’t build overpowered AMG gas guzzlers in the first place. Their whole argument is B.S. EVERY car on the planet should come with a jack and a spare in the trunk. They did it for a hundred years and they should still be doing it. Hit a road hazard that shreds your run flat tire and then finding a can of sealant & an air pump in the trunk will be a very bad joke.
What's ironic is that in an effort to curb fuel consumption and waste, think about all the wasted trips, tows, trashed low mileage tires, money, and time that these RF's have consumed.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 02:02 PM
  #8  
Streamliner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,120
Likes: 4,351
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by superswiss
^^ Spare tires have all kinds of problems. They sit in the trunk and slowly degrade, actually faster than one might think due to the unfavorable storage conditions, and most people never check the tire pressure of the spare, so when that rare time comes where they need it, the tire is either too old to be safe and/or most likely flat or severely underinflated. The latter could be mitigated by also including a compressor. Donuts and space savers on the other hand are problematic, because they don't fit over the larger brakes found on performance models. Not to mention that the vast majority of drivers have never changed a wheel and end up calling AAA or other roadside assistance anyway and don't expect women to lift a heavy spare out of the trunk etc.. So for the vast majority a spare tire is dead, decaying weight being lugged around. I've daily driven performance cars for about a decade now and haven't had a spare tire in that time. Has never been an issue. In my 25 years of driving I used a spare tire once or twice.
Sorry, but I disagree. I have never been in an accident where an airbag deployed, but I will never own another car without a full compliment of them. Just because I may never have a need for them, is no reason not to have them. Same goes for a jack & spare. I was a Boy Scout and taught to “always be prepared.”

As for spares deteriorating over time, that’s the owner’s problem. My spare is checked every time my car is serviced.

And here’s a true story: Around 1997, I was driving home to Orange County from my office in L.A. It was later rush hour on the 405, dark out and traffic was heavy but moving fast. I was in the fast lane, doing about 70mph in my nearly new Lexus LS400 when my right front tire hit something that completely shredded my Michelin tire. I made it over to the right shoulder and called AAA, but before they showed up, a Metro tow truck pulled up behind me, lights flashing. The driver told me to stay in the car and pop the trunk. He swapped out the destroyed wheel & tire and mounted the full size, matching spare (Thank you, Lexus!) and I was home for dinner. I never knew what I had hit, but it was something major. I do not believe any run flat tire would have survived it, let alone the 20’s that so many of you guys run.

Now, let’s say that you take the wife & kids on a little road trip, maybe to Mt. Rushmore. You hit a road hazard that cracks your rim or shreds your run flat tire. You have no spare. You, my friend, are going for a ride in the cab of a tow truck. Hopefully, the wife and kids will be OK, while you arrange a rental car. “Earl” at the fillin’ station says “I ain’t naer seen a tar like dat. I’ll call Omaha in the morning and see if they can send one out.” Even if MB Roadside Assistance services that area, the result would be similar. If you don’t have a spare, you are up the creek, without a paddle. The wife will love spending the night—or three—at the “No-Tell” Motel, the only one in town.

Of course, these things almost never happen, but the number of cracked wheels & destroyed run flat tire stories on this site are numerous. A spare, like I carry in my trunk, saves the day in most every instance. It will get me back to civilization, if not back home. YMMV.







Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 02:48 PM
  #9  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Sorry, but I disagree. I have never been in an accident where an airbag deployed, but I will never own another car without a full compliment of them. Just because I may never have a need for them, is no reason not to have them. Same goes for a jack & spare. I was a Boy Scout and taught to “always be prepared.”

As for spares deteriorating over time, that’s the owner’s problem. My spare is checked every time my car is serviced.

And here’s a true story: Around 1997, I was driving home to Orange County from my office in L.A. It was later rush hour on the 405, dark out and traffic was heavy but moving fast. I was in the fast lane, doing about 70mph in my nearly new Lexus LS400 when my right front tire hit something that completely shredded my Michelin tire. I made it over to the right shoulder and called AAA, but before they showed up, a Metro tow truck pulled up behind me, lights flashing. The driver told me to stay in the car and pop the trunk. He swapped out the destroyed wheel & tire and mounted the full size, matching spare (Thank you, Lexus!) and I was home for dinner. I never knew what I had hit, but it was something major. I do not believe any run flat tire would have survived it, let alone the 20’s that so many of you guys run.

Now, let’s say that you take the wife & kids on a little road trip, maybe to Mt. Rushmore. You hit a road hazard that cracks your rim or shreds your run flat tire. You have no spare. You, my friend, are going for a ride in the cab of a tow truck. Hopefully, the wife and kids will be OK, while you arrange a rental car. “Earl” at the fillin’ station says “I ain’t naer seen a tar like dat. I’ll call Omaha in the morning and see if they can send one out.” Even if MB Roadside Assistance services that area, the result would be similar. If you don’t have a spare, you are up the creek, without a paddle. The wife will love spending the night—or three—at the “No-Tell” Motel, the only one in town.

Of course, these things almost never happen, but the number of cracked wheels & destroyed run flat tire stories on this site are numerous. A spare, like I carry in my trunk, saves the day in most every instance. It will get me back to civilization, if not back home. YMMV.

I don't disagree with your anecdotal stories, but I would say equating a spare with an airbag is a bit of a leap. An airbag and other safety systems are about saving lives. Being stranded with a flat is at most a pain in the rear and an inconvenience. The more dangerous part about shredding a tire at speed on the highway is the fact that you could loose control of the car. A spare tire won't help you with that. Don't get me wrong, I hate RF tires with a passion and would never use them. My point is simply that lack of a spare tire is not the end of the world. Yes, it could minimize the inconvenience that might come from a flat, but you can only hope that you only ever destroy a single tire/wheel in an incident. If you hit something bad, there's a good chance it will take out more than one wheel/tire and worst case part of the suspension. I'm also specifically talking from the AMG perspective since OP started this thread based on his observation of the S63. A spare like yours simply wouldn't clear the large front brakes of an AMG. There are no donuts made that clear brakes that won't even fit under a wheel less than 19" with enough offset to not scrape the calipers. So that's where I come from mostly. I daily a C63S now and other performance models before it and I do tons of road trips. Sometimes I'm on the road up to 12 hours a day and driving in remote areas with no cell coverage. I've survived for the last 10 years w/o a spare tire.

Last edited by superswiss; Jun 25, 2020 at 02:53 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 02:58 PM
  #10  
Streamliner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,120
Likes: 4,351
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by superswiss
I don't disagree with your anecdotal stories, but I would say equating a spare with an airbag is a bit of a leap. An airbag and other safety systems are about saving lives. Being stranded with a flat is at most a pain in the rear and an inconvenience. The more dangerous part about shredding a tire at speed on the highway is the fact that you could loose control of the car. A spare tire won't help you with that. Don't get me wrong, I hate RF tires with a passion and would never use them. My point is simply that lack of a spare tire is not the end of the world. Yes, it could minimize the inconvenience that might come from a flat, but you can only hope that you only ever destroy a single tire/wheel in an incident. If you hit something bad, there's a good chance it will take out more than one wheel/tire and worst case part of the suspension. I'm also specifically talking from the AMG perspective since OP started this thread based on his observation of the S63. A spare like yours simply wouldn't clear the large front brakes of an AMG. There are no donuts made that clear brakes that won't even fit under a wheel less than 19" with enough offset to not scrape the calipers. So that's where I come from mostly. I daily a C63S now and other performance models before it and I do tons of road trips. Sometimes I'm on the road up to 12 hours a day and driving in remote areas with no cell coverage. I've survived for the last 10 years w/o a spare tire.
C63S, huh? OK, you win. Now, on to other W222 topics.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 03:04 PM
  #11  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Originally Posted by Streamliner
C63S, huh? OK, you win. Now, on to other W222 topics.
I didn't know we were competing. Not sure what your point is, but this topic is not specific to a W222. It's something that affects all cars.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 03:11 PM
  #12  
places's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,526
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
Originally Posted by superswiss
I don't disagree with your anecdotal stories, but I would say equating a spare with an airbag is a bit of a leap. An airbag and other safety systems are about saving lives. Being stranded with a flat is at most a pain in the rear and an inconvenience. The more dangerous part about shredding a tire at speed on the highway is the fact that you could loose control of the car. A spare tire won't help you with that. Don't get me wrong, I hate RF tires with a passion and would never use them. My point is simply that lack of a spare tire is not the end of the world. Yes, it could minimize the inconvenience that might come from a flat, but you can only hope that you only ever destroy a single tire/wheel in an incident. If you hit something bad, there's a good chance it will take out more than one wheel/tire and worst case part of the suspension. I'm also specifically talking from the AMG perspective since OP started this thread based on his observation of the S63. A spare like yours simply wouldn't clear the large front brakes of an AMG. There are no donuts made that clear brakes that won't even fit under a wheel less than 19" with enough offset to not scrape the calipers. So that's where I come from mostly. I daily a C63S now and other performance models before it and I do tons of road trips. Sometimes I'm on the road up to 12 hours a day and driving in remote areas with no cell coverage. I've survived for the last 10 years w/o a spare tire.
I think this point is obviously approached from two different views, one is performance driven the other luxury. From the performance driver perspective, you are willing to give up certain conveniences for a particular driver experience. If you get stranded, you get stranded and deal with it. The thrill of that C63 is worth it to you, and as you stated this has never been an issue for you. The C43 sub is loaded with stories regarding RF's vs non-RF's and cracked rims, etc.. What a pain.

For the luxury consumer, spending six figures and not having the convenience of a true spare or in Stream's case needing to drive around with a donut is ridiculous. Unfortunately this has become the norm. Think about spending 200K or so on a Maybach and all you get is a tire sealant kit. Crazy.

Personally I can't tell you how many tires (along with a couple of cracked rims) my SL550 has experienced. It's exhausting. At the end of the day, we all "survive" w/o the spare, doesn't mean it ok. Cheers.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 03:20 PM
  #13  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Originally Posted by places
I think this point is obviously approached from two different views, one is performance driven the other luxury. From the performance driver perspective, you are willing to give up certain conveniences for a particular driver experience. If you get stranded, you get stranded and deal with it. The thrill of that C63 is worth it to you, and as you stated this has never been an issue for you. The C43 sub is loaded with stories regarding RF's vs non-RF's and cracked rims, etc.. What a pain.

For the luxury consumer, spending six figures and not having the convenience of a true spare or in Stream's case needing to drive around with a donut is ridiculous. Unfortunately this has become the norm. Think about spending 200K or so on a Maybach and all you get is a tire sealant kit. Crazy.

Personally I can't tell you how many tires (along with a couple of cracked rims) my SL550 has experienced. It's exhausting. At the end of the day, we all "survive" w/o the spare, doesn't mean it ok. Cheers.
Agreed and that's why this thread piqued my interest. OP was wondering about it because of the AMG S63. You could argue that RF tires are better, because if you have more than one flat you can still drive the car and you don't have to get out of your car on the side of a dangerous Interstate trying to change the wheel. Not to mention that somebody with a Maybach probably won't get on their knees to change a wheel and get their suit ruined. I would actually argue that RF tires are more luxurious than having to jack the car and get on your knees in order to get back on the road.

Last edited by superswiss; Jun 25, 2020 at 03:27 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 03:39 PM
  #14  
Streamliner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,120
Likes: 4,351
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by superswiss
I didn't know we were competing. Not sure what your point is, but this topic is not specific to a W222. It's something that affects all cars.
No, no, you’re right.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 03:40 PM
  #15  
MBS63AMG's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 493
From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Heaven forbid! That would weigh down the car too much, causing it to use more fuel, leading to “Global Warming,” and cause the death of another rubber tree! If the crazies over in Germany were so worried about the planet and trees, they wouldn’t build overpowered AMG gas guzzlers in the first place. Their whole argument is B.S. EVERY car on the planet should come with a jack and a spare in the trunk. They did it for a hundred years and they should still be doing it. Hit a road hazard that shreds your run flat tire and then finding a can of sealant & an air pump in the trunk will be a very bad joke.
I totally agree!!!!
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 03:41 PM
  #16  
MBS63AMG's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 493
From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
Originally Posted by superswiss
^^ Spare tires have all kinds of problems. They sit in the trunk and slowly degrade, actually faster than one might think due to the unfavorable storage conditions, and most people never check the tire pressure of the spare, so when that rare time comes where they need it, the tire is either too old to be safe and/or most likely flat or severely underinflated. The latter could be mitigated by also including a compressor. Donuts and space savers on the other hand are problematic, because they don't fit over the larger brakes found on performance models. Not to mention that the vast majority of drivers have never changed a wheel and end up calling AAA or other roadside assistance anyway and don't expect women to lift a heavy spare out of the trunk etc.. So for the vast majority a spare tire is dead, decaying weight being lugged around. I've daily driven performance cars for about a decade now and haven't had a spare tire in that time. Has never been an issue. In my 25 years of driving I used a spare tire once or twice.
I totally disagree.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 03:43 PM
  #17  
MBS63AMG's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 493
From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
Originally Posted by superswiss
^^ Spare tires have all kinds of problems. They sit in the trunk and slowly degrade, actually faster than one might think due to the unfavorable storage conditions, and most people never check the tire pressure of the spare, so when that rare time comes where they need it, the tire is either too old to be safe and/or most likely flat or severely underinflated. The latter could be mitigated by also including a compressor. Donuts and space savers on the other hand are problematic, because they don't fit over the larger brakes found on performance models. Not to mention that the vast majority of drivers have never changed a wheel and end up calling AAA or other roadside assistance anyway and don't expect women to lift a heavy spare out of the trunk etc.. So for the vast majority a spare tire is dead, decaying weight being lugged around. I've daily driven performance cars for about a decade now and haven't had a spare tire in that time. Has never been an issue. In my 25 years of driving I used a spare tire once or twice.
At one time, MB had tire pressure monitoring on the SPARE tire! And you would have to have the car for 25 years before it would be too rotted to drive to the next shop!!! It would be worth paying the shipping and handling to have a spare tire in the car.
Reply
Old Jun 25, 2020 | 03:47 PM
  #18  
MBS63AMG's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 493
From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Sorry, but I disagree. I have never been in an accident where an airbag deployed, but I will never own another car without a full compliment of them. Just because I may never have a need for them, is no reason not to have them. Same goes for a jack & spare. I was a Boy Scout and taught to “always be prepared.”

As for spares deteriorating over time, that’s the owner’s problem. My spare is checked every time my car is serviced.

And here’s a true story: Around 1997, I was driving home to Orange County from my office in L.A. It was later rush hour on the 405, dark out and traffic was heavy but moving fast. I was in the fast lane, doing about 70mph in my nearly new Lexus LS400 when my right front tire hit something that completely shredded my Michelin tire. I made it over to the right shoulder and called AAA, but before they showed up, a Metro tow truck pulled up behind me, lights flashing. The driver told me to stay in the car and pop the trunk. He swapped out the destroyed wheel & tire and mounted the full size, matching spare (Thank you, Lexus!) and I was home for dinner. I never knew what I had hit, but it was something major. I do not believe any run flat tire would have survived it, let alone the 20’s that so many of you guys run.

Now, let’s say that you take the wife & kids on a little road trip, maybe to Mt. Rushmore. You hit a road hazard that cracks your rim or shreds your run flat tire. You have no spare. You, my friend, are going for a ride in the cab of a tow truck. Hopefully, the wife and kids will be OK, while you arrange a rental car. “Earl” at the fillin’ station says “I ain’t naer seen a tar like dat. I’ll call Omaha in the morning and see if they can send one out.” Even if MB Roadside Assistance services that area, the result would be similar. If you don’t have a spare, you are up the creek, without a paddle. The wife will love spending the night—or three—at the “No-Tell” Motel, the only one in town.

Of course, these things almost never happen, but the number of cracked wheels & destroyed run flat tire stories on this site are numerous. A spare, like I carry in my trunk, saves the day in most every instance. It will get me back to civilization, if not back home. YMMV.


And there you go! A perfect story for why spare tires are a crucial , valuable necessity.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 10:36 AM
  #19  
Kaloteck's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 123
Likes: 34
From: Long Island, NY
2015 S550
Originally Posted by superswiss
The more dangerous part about shredding a tire at speed on the highway is the fact that you could loose control of the car. A spare tire won't help you with that.
That's exactly right! Better stability after a blowout. Since RFs can support the vehicle for miles without air, therefore:

a sudden deflation = less weight transfer = less tread destabilization

Subsequently, steering and handling will remain near normal.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 11:26 AM
  #20  
Jud Chapin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 86
From: West Plam Beach, FL
'16 S550 Coupe, '11 Lexus LS460, '02 CL500 (SOLD)
Been driving for 61 years and have never used or had a need for a spare. I've picked up a few nails in my life but the affected tire has always been home in the garage when it decided to go either flat or low on air. My daughter's been driving for about 30 years and I recall just 1 flat for her on the road. (My son-in-law is another story as he always seems to have tire problems). I know that a can of Fix-A-Flat will solve a lot of porblems other than blowouts. Actually, some of the more recent Vettes came from the factory with ONLY a can of Fix-A-Flat with no spare or air pump. I have a '16 S550 coupe that I bought last Oct and when the run flats are worn out they'll be replaced with conventional tires and a can of the above. Just my 2 cents.

I'm curious, though, as to why so many are concerned about having a spare as in my travels it seems very rare to see someone on the roadside with a tire problem.

Last edited by Jud Chapin; Jun 26, 2020 at 12:31 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 11:50 AM
  #21  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Originally Posted by Jud Chapin
Been driving for 61 years and have never used or had a need for a spare. I've picked up a few nails in my life but the affected tire has always been home in the garage when it decided to go either flat of low on air. My daughter's been driving for about 30 years and I recall just 1 flat for her on the road. (My son-in-law is another story as he always seems to have tire problems). I know that a can of Fix-A-Flat will solve a lot of porblems other than blowouts. Actually, some of the more recent Vettes came from the factory with ONLY a can of Fix-A-Flat with no spare or air pump. I have a '16 S550 coupe that I bought last Oct and when the run flats are worn out they'll be replaced with conventional tires and a can of the above. Just my 2 cents.

I'm curious, though, as to why so many are concerned about having a spare as in my travels it seems very rare to see someone on the roadside with a tire problem.
I would add to that, that in my experience the ones I see on the side of the road with tire problems are typically the consequence of tire maintenance neglect. Folks driving around with poorly inflated tires or worn tires and eventually they suffer a blowout. At least in my area. I should add that I live in a mild climate and while we do have occasional potholes the roads are fairly good. Also, it's dry about 300 days/year on average so many folks driving around with near bald tires. One time I was driving up from LA and was about to pass this BMW 3-series. Just as I was passing him, his rear left tire exploded as we were going about 85 mph and the tread separated and started to roll towards me. I gunned it as to not get hit by it. A clear result of what I said above. It's amazing how the majority of folks in this country do not regularly check their tire pressures and then go on a long trip and eventually the tires overheat and blow out.

Last edited by superswiss; Jun 26, 2020 at 11:58 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 12:13 PM
  #22  
Streamliner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,120
Likes: 4,351
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Pick any safety or health related subject and there will always be those stories: “Man celebrating 110th birthday, attributes his long life to smoking two packs of unfiltered Camels every day since he was 12.” “I’ve driven 50 million miles and have never had a flat.” Blah, blah, BLAH!

There are many who have driven for decades, having never had a tire blown, a cracked wheel, hit a major road hazard, etc. I’m happy for you, really. But, basing MY safety on YOUR experiences, isn’t something that I am willing to do.

I hate run flat tires, because they offer inferior ride quality, so I don’t use them on my vehicles. However, even if I did use RFT, I would STILL carry a spare in my trunk. That’s me. Others are free to do what they want. For those who want to nit-pick every little detail, I understand that in sports cars, there may be space restrictions, I get it, but this is the W222 forum and we are talking about vehicles with enough space for a spare. Bigger brakes? MB should offer the appropriate spare. The issue, is that MB doesn’t WANT us to carry a spare. They treat us like children. THEY know what’s best for us. I have some choice words for them and I give every MB employee an ear full, every chance I get. All this said, I still drive their cars, so go figure.

I was on the Range Rover “Build” site the other day and saw this. EVERY vehicle should have this, at least as an option:





Last edited by Streamliner; Jun 26, 2020 at 12:15 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 12:32 PM
  #23  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Pick any safety or health related subject and there will always be those stories: “Man celebrating 110th birthday, attributes his long life to smoking two packs of unfiltered Camels every day since he was 12.” “I’ve driven 50 million miles and have never had a flat.” Blah, blah, BLAH!

There are many who have driven for decades, having never had a tire blown, a cracked wheel, hit a major road hazard, etc. I’m happy for you, really. But, basing MY safety on YOUR experiences, isn’t something that I am willing to do.

I hate run flat tires, because they offer inferior ride quality, so I don’t use them on my vehicles. However, even if I did use RFT, I would STILL carry a spare in my trunk. That’s me. Others are free to do what they want. For those who want to nit-pick every little detail, I understand that in sports cars, there may be space restrictions, I get it, but this is the W222 forum and we are talking about vehicles with enough space for a spare. Bigger brakes? MB should offer the appropriate spare. The issue, is that MB doesn’t WANT us to carry a spare. They treat us like children. THEY know what’s best for us. I have some choice words for them and I give every MB employee an ear full, every chance I get. All this said, I still drive their cars, so go figure.

I was on the Range Rover “Build” site the other day and saw this. EVERY vehicle should have this, at least as an option:

I suppose some of us here think a spare is not even remotely a safety equipment as it doesn't actually save you from a blowout and the consequence of potentially crashing the car if a tire blows out at speed. It's something that helps you get back on the road, assuming you and your car is still in one piece after the blowout. Space is actually increasingly an issue, because many cars these days have their batteries in the trunk area for better weight distribution and other reasons where the spare tire used to be. I don't know specifically for the W222, but I'm pretty sure it has the battery in the rear as well. Both my current car and my previous car had the battery in the rear. With future electrification hat's becoming even more challenging as the batteries are growing, sitting in the floor of the car or somewhere in the trunk area in case of hybrid drivetrains, not to mention the power electronics that have to go somewhere.

Last edited by superswiss; Jun 26, 2020 at 12:53 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 12:55 PM
  #24  
Streamliner's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,120
Likes: 4,351
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by superswiss
I suppose some of us here think a spare is not even remotely a safety equipment as it doesn't actually save you from a blowout................
No, it doesn’t. It saves you from being STRANDED at the side of the road. If that road isn’t close to home, if the characters that populate that particular road are a bit sketchy, if your wife & kids are in the car, if you prefer to be self reliant and not at the mercy of a tow truck driver............If you think these are not “safety” issues, then I can’t help you.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 01:00 PM
  #25  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Originally Posted by Streamliner
No, it doesn’t. It saves you from being STRANDED at the side of the road. If that road isn’t close to home, if the characters that populate that particular road are a bit sketchy, if your wife & kids are in the car, if you prefer to be self reliant and not at the mercy of a tow truck driver............If you think these are not “safety” issues, then I can’t help you.
Yes, I get that, but I'd counter that with do you really wanna get out of your car in a sketchy neighborhood and start wrenching on your S Class? Or on the side of a busy interstate where somebody else might crash into you while you are changing the wheel? Or you'd rather continue driving on RF tires until you get to a safer area and can call help? Granted if you have a complete blowout you'll be stranded either way and have to deal with it one way or the other, but I'd stipulate that complete blowouts are rare if tires are maintained properly and one pays attention to where they are driving. Totally get that not everything can be avoided, but I just fail to see how in the majority of situations a spare that requires wrenching on the side of the road is superior to being able to continue driving to safety on RF tires.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:25 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE