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








Last edited by superswiss; Jun 25, 2020 at 12:31 PM.
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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.

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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.

Last edited by superswiss; Jun 25, 2020 at 02:53 PM.




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.




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.
Last edited by superswiss; Jun 25, 2020 at 03:27 PM.

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.

a sudden deflation = less weight transfer = less tread destabilization
Subsequently, steering and handling will remain near normal.
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.




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 superswiss; Jun 26, 2020 at 11:58 AM.
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.




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 superswiss; Jun 26, 2020 at 12:53 PM.








