Wolfman

Not sure why you can't reconcile that. This whole conversation started with my comment early in the thread: "Some people have an affinity for 18” or 19” wheels but 20” work and look great as long as you have good tires" and devolved from there...
I also discussed tire options from the get-go to go to conventional tires for the OP. As for blown tires, our MN streets are pretty crappy as well. Our first blown Pirelli RFT on the W222 happened during the first 2 weeks. Zero afterwards on conventional tires.

Wolfman

I suggest not to get personal...
As for a 19" RFT tire riding better than a 20" conventional is obviously a joke unless you can share your wealth of experience on that subject...

SW20S

Its not personal at all, what you're saying just doesn't make any sense.

Where did I say a 19" RFT rides better than a 20" with conventional tires? I said 19s with conventional tires ride better than 20s with conventional tires, and they do.

SW20S

What devolved the thread is when you told me that my comment about 20s riding worse wasn't accurate. It is accurate. You may be completely happy with the ride quality on 20s, but that doesn't mean that they don't transmit more road imperfections to the cabin, they absolutely do, and most people consider that a reduction in ride quality. Telling people there is no reduction in ride quality isn't giving accurate information.

Its the same as people being satisfied with the ride of run flats. Most people are, that doesnt mean that conventional tires dont ride better.

Donnymac

I would chip a tooth running the T psi you have. You will feel every nickel you drive over.

I carry 33psi in all 4 on new RFT. And I hate the rigid sidewall of a RFT…..but I get it, too.

SW20S

I actually run mine at 32 non run flats, the ride difference is huge.

Sumfuncomet

I ran 19" with Firestone Indy 500 Non RFT. Rode pretty darn good!

Wolfman

You are correct. I actually misread your comment as the opposite...

Wolfman

You will find that all my statements refer to personal preferences. As such I insure not to speak for others and neither should you, as you simply make assumptions that your choice reflects that of S-Class drivers as a whole. Make it your choice and I am all good.
Conventional tires over RFT's have a bigger impact on ride quality than wheel size. It does come with a risk factor in case of a flat tire one maybe stranded. To offset that, tire fix kits or a spare in the trunk maybe needed. Opposite, run flats only work with minor tire damage and one can be stranded as well.

Last but not least, I reiterate my prior statement (now with more details). To me, the ride quality on 20" is not worse than with 19" (both non-RFT) because firmer does not equal worse. It is a similar conversation that others have driving in comfort, curve or sport(+) mode. We all have our preferences.

SW20S

Like I said before, if you can find me a review that says people prefer harder, sharper crashes through the cabin over expansion joints and road imperfections, then I will reevaluate my comment that the ride is "worse" on larger wheels. Until then, I am 100% comfortable calling it worse.

The difference as I said is not positive. If you drive a sporty sedan, that firmness can be positive, but in this car its still a big soft car, just with wheels that make impacts sharper and harsher, more jolting with no improvement in handling or driving feel. The big wheels are not well suited to the car's suspension. I can provide many professional reviews that say the same thing.

I am also 100% confident in saying that most drivers of this specific type of car prefer a softer ride vs a harder ride. There are many reasons to believe that...for one every carmaker in the segment has made their cars softer, not firmer. Lexus tried to make the LS firmer, and their sales collapsed and they turned right around and made it softer at the mid cycle refresh. If you want a firm riding sporty car, you should buy a different kind of car than this.

The decision to go to 20s is all about looks. But, people should understand the car does not ride as well on 20s as it does on 19s or 18s, but it does look better.

Wolfman

I think we are done here.
Just more verbiage to justify your preference.
You must feel bad for the tens of thousands of S-class owners that have 20” wheels. After all, I expect over 30% of all W222’s in the US have that option…

Mitch Alsup

a) 20" wheels do not allow for much sidewall height
b) run flat tires have very stiff sidewalls
a+b = non-compliant ride

c) I keep my tires at 39 PSI F+R so as to trade off a bit of comfort while gaining feel at the steering wheel--this also improves tire life.

d) as to the problem with AirMatic--unlikely

and finally:
e) M P4s have a lot more traction than the suspension was designed to handle, so while the car will respond faster and grip more, the car will lean more in the turns--thus taking longer to go from steering input to car taking a "set" in the turn; probably not something you will like long term.

SW20S

I'm not justifying my preference at all, I'm just trying to give people accurate information when they are deciding what size wheels they want on their S Class. The bottom line is, 20s ride harsher than 19s which ride harsher than 18s. Thats a fact, "harsh" is a negative descriptor. My car has 19s, and I chose it over a car with 18s that would have ridden better because I wanted the AMG package. So...I too chose style over ride comfort, but I'm not pretending my car on 19s rides better than one on 18s, or that somehow I prefer a harsher ride...

I don't feel bad for people who have 20s at all, unless they are unhappy with their choice because they didn't realize the negative impact on the ride before they bought. And we see many of those posts and threads. The difference is not that dramatic, but it is a real difference and its there and people should understand that before they decide. Thats all.

If someone came on here and said "RFTs don't ride worse, they just ride different" you would argue with them, and they would be wrong..

Wolfman

Please feel free to start a new thread if you like inform others about your opinions about wheel sizes.
This thread was to provide the OP with feedback on his suspension feel and this thread has been sufficiently derailed with this back and forth.
Sorry that my responses contributed to that and appreciate Mitch for taking it back on topic.

Further off topic posts will be deleted. Thanks

Googsy

Just out of interest have you had all the suspension components checked. I have been advised that these cars are susceptible to wear in the upper arms of the front suspension causing deterioration in ride. If that’s all ok how are your alignment settings ? Might not just be the tyres .

Tom in Austin

I am wondering the same thing, have heard the weight of the car wears out suspension bushings and ball joints, and there are a lot of them in an S-class ... three arms each side in front and what, five in the back?

Googsy

I believe it’s the front in particular , I only know this as the Mercedes Specialist I’m bringing mine too next week said that’s one of the first things he checks. Will find out exactly but he said it was a complete arm that wears usually around 40k miles , some before that. Any wear on these would likely be the cause of the Ops symptoms . Even with an alignment the car still wouldn’t ride correctly.

360 Spyder

There is a happy ending to this story thanks to all the great advice here. I now have Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 (all season) non-run flats and the car rides beautifully. I don't know the difference vs the PS4s someone recommended here but this is what my tire guy recommended.
I am a little concerned hearing that suspension bushing wear can start causing issues by 40,000 miles which is where I am. If so, that is pathetic! You just don't hear of things wearing out so quickly on any brand of car. Being gradual, I'm sure it is something most people never notice.

SW20S

Woo hoo! Thats great news.

This is a really complex car, with a very sophisticated suspension that emphasises performance over longevity. You WILL have things to repair sooner than you would on something with say, a cheap macpherson strut suspension but that wouldn't drive or ride so well. Just be prepared for that, you gotta pay to play. Even Lexus LS sedans with a similar suspension with all their legendary reliability have the same potential issues at similar age.

Tom in Austin

360 Spyder, glad you like the ride with your new tires!

DaveW68

I love my 20" wheels and the ride and quietness I get with my General G-Max AS05 tires, which are every bit as good as the Michelin Pilot Sport AS4's, but quieter and significantly less expensive. The ride quality after switching out of the GY RFT's was like night and day. These tires ride every bit as smooth and actually suck up road imperfections a little better than my Nokian WRG4's that I run in the winters on my 19" wheels.

FWIW, it really doesn't make any sense to waste trunk space with a spare tire when swapping out to regular tires. A can of goo and air pump easily takes care of a flat where the tire isn't completely blown out. This is what MB offers on the S-class AMG models, but you don't need to buck up for the MB brand when you can get a better and less expensive alternative through Slime.

cfmistry

https://www.griotsgarage.com/12v-tir...hoCr4gQAvD_BwE

That is the exact kit the AMGs and many other German cars come with (though unbranded). Pretty reasonable and you can buy refills if needed.

SW20S

Thats the same kit I bought for mine.

Googsy

I just had my car in with specialist good news is my front arms are good . One less thing to worry about.

seamus2154

I also live in Florida and immediatly knew the answer was Michelins. It transformed my car. Took it to the next level and I love it. Many people debate harshness and better or worse based on their roads and daily battle with the roads in their state, cold, ice, snow, potholes. . Here its flat, dry and sunny most of the time. So a tire is either quiet or loud, comfortable or not, good in the rain or not. You got the right tire for here, enjoy. Hearing?? Issues about suspension?? Is your mechanic drumming up work??? Is your car a southern car?? I have 44K on my Florida only S550. I have a lift at the garage and do my own maintenance. I am the one doing the inspection.......................and it is like new under there. Stop looking for issues and enjoy the car. My last S went 120K before I changed one suspension part. Again it was a Florida car. Don't listen to a northern car issue. I used to live up there and it is car torture- destuction every day, every season. Here its sunny, flat, smooth, rain...no potholes or manhole covers, no salt. Nothing beating up the suspension. Enjoy your car!