21” tires and wheels
Senior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 309
Likes: 129
S450 4Matic
Yeah, theoretically it is possible and ideal to avoid every pot hole you encounter on the road. But that's not practically doable - you are going to run over one sooner or later, and when you do, the chances of poping a tire (or in my case, two tires) are exponentially larger with those 21s...
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
s589
Paul sawan
I have 4 blown up tires in less than 10,000 miles !
the dealer admitted having serious issue with the the low profile Pirelli on the 21’ wheel!
putting the blame on Pirelli!!!
Law suit had to be the answer!
the dealer admitted having serious issue with the the low profile Pirelli on the 21’ wheel!
putting the blame on Pirelli!!!
Law suit had to be the answer!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
This business with the 21” tire failures is just NUTS! Why do issues always have to escalate to the point where customers lose faith with manufacturers? MB knows they have a problem here, yet they continue to offer the 21’s and are doing nothing to help the folks who are now suffering with their cars. MB should immediately stop offering 21’s on the W223’s and should offer to swap out existing 21’s for 19’s or 20’s. Just think of all the great press they would get. Instead, it’s dig the foxholes and start lobbing grenades. Sheesh!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: Irvine, CA
2022 S500
After two months of ownership and several scrolls of this terrifying thread, it happened to me yesterday! Hit a small metal piece on the freeway and blew both driver’s front and rear tires. Front wheel is gone, awaiting to hear the fate of the rear wheel. Estimate $3600-$5000. So frustrating as to how easily these tires popped. It was a 2 inch metal piece that caused this much damage. I have no idea how Mercedes-Benz engineers in Stuttgart tested and approved these 21 AMG wheels and tires. What a joke! Reminded me of the 94 ford explorer with the Firestone wheels that popped in hot weather and caused roll overs and fatalities. Eventually Ford and Firestone agreed to the defects in the tires. I hope someone from MB is looking at this thread carefully.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 574
Likes: 157
After two months of ownership and several scrolls of this terrifying thread, it happened to me yesterday! Hit a small metal piece on the freeway and blew both driver’s front and rear tires. Front wheel is gone, awaiting to hear the fate of the rear wheel. Estimate $3600-$5000. So frustrating as to how easily these tires popped. It was a 2 inch metal piece that caused this much damage. I have no idea how Mercedes-Benz engineers in Stuttgart tested and approved these 21 AMG wheels and tires. What a joke! Reminded me of the 94 ford explorer with the Firestone wheels that popped in hot weather and caused roll overs and fatalities. Eventually Ford and Firestone agreed to the defects in the tires. I hope someone from MB is looking at this thread carefully.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 1,481
23 S580 Executive
So lets recap: This particular wheel/tire combo sucks, don't buy it. We've also highlighted that fact that even the most robust wheel /tire combos have limits, and can fail. If you go back far enough in the thread, flat tires were well covered.
We were there around post number 50, this is post 260. Just saying...
We were there around post number 50, this is post 260. Just saying...
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
3 prior GLE;3 prior E Class; 5 prior S Class; Lemon Law'd my 2021 S580; 2024 C43 on order for my son
2021 S580 21 inch tire Nightmare
I have had 3 bent wheels and 5 tires replaced either due to complete failure or bubbles. I am looking into pursuing a Lemon Law claim at this point. This is a total design flaw. I have had 5 prior S Class vehicles, including an S63 and I never had these problems. Complete engineering failure.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 100
Likes: 73
From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
Again!
As the person who started the thread (I believe) about 21” wheels and Pirelli failures, I decided I’m done fighting the battle. There have been dozens of failures posted in this forum, including my 3 blowouts. (and just a small % of total S580 owners probably read this forum, so the failures must be in the hundreds).I filed a complaint with the NTSB, I’ve complained to Mercedes, etc. All to no avail. I certainly would participate in a class action suit, but am burned out trying to get something done on my own. This IS a safety situation but Mercedes, and Pirelli, need to be held accountable.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 940
From: Costco
2023 S500
I’m not a lawyer but building a case for a lawsuit over tires that blowout because of potholes will be difficult imo.
Tire blowouts because of potholes are, I presume, a common occurrence, and since every occurrence is unique, it will be difficult to prove that just the simple fact of driving over the pothole was the cause of the blowout versus some material or design defect. I don’t believe there are any design expectations that tires are designed to drive over potholes and not fail, at least to some industry or design standard. I think the only way this will work is if you can somehow get the average failure per mile driven across the entire class, and compare it to industry standards for similar tire sizes, and hope the occurrence is so much more that it merits a closer a look.
Tire blowouts because of potholes are, I presume, a common occurrence, and since every occurrence is unique, it will be difficult to prove that just the simple fact of driving over the pothole was the cause of the blowout versus some material or design defect. I don’t believe there are any design expectations that tires are designed to drive over potholes and not fail, at least to some industry or design standard. I think the only way this will work is if you can somehow get the average failure per mile driven across the entire class, and compare it to industry standards for similar tire sizes, and hope the occurrence is so much more that it merits a closer a look.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 714
Likes: 379
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
2023 S580
I have the 21s and did have a blowout on I-285 in Atlanta late at night. Not something I'd wish on anyone. But with that said, I do like the way my car looks with 21s. I've resigned myself that if I want to drive on Atlanta roads and highways, I have to treat them like obstacle courses and avoid pothoes like the plague.
As for the comment on why didn't the German engineers do more thorough testing, all I can say is US highways and cities have had a pothole problem for years. Our infrastructure is falling apart and apparently no money or willpower to fix them. Atlanta is slowly filling in potholes, but it is a laborious process due to the sheer number of them. Hopefully, they'll continue to make headway and the obstacle course will become less of a challenge.
As for the comment on why didn't the German engineers do more thorough testing, all I can say is US highways and cities have had a pothole problem for years. Our infrastructure is falling apart and apparently no money or willpower to fix them. Atlanta is slowly filling in potholes, but it is a laborious process due to the sheer number of them. Hopefully, they'll continue to make headway and the obstacle course will become less of a challenge.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 1,481
23 S580 Executive
Fun fact: in Seattle they filled 23,000 potholes in 22, despite that the number of potholes encountered is going up.
Urban planning and particularly suburban planning is a bit of a Ponzi scheme; you can read more about that elsewhere if you're interested but the bottom line is not enough taxes are levied to pay for road maintenance over the long term and the deterioration is going to continue until that changes. Not too many clamoring for higher taxes, so I wouldn't be holding my breath.
Urban planning and particularly suburban planning is a bit of a Ponzi scheme; you can read more about that elsewhere if you're interested but the bottom line is not enough taxes are levied to pay for road maintenance over the long term and the deterioration is going to continue until that changes. Not too many clamoring for higher taxes, so I wouldn't be holding my breath.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,062
Likes: 4,565
From: Maryland
2024 S580
I have had 3 bent wheels and 5 tires replaced either due to complete failure or bubbles. I am looking into pursuing a Lemon Law claim at this point. This is a total design flaw. I have had 5 prior S Class vehicles, including an S63 and I never had these problems. Complete engineering failure.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
3 prior GLE;3 prior E Class; 5 prior S Class; Lemon Law'd my 2021 S580; 2024 C43 on order for my son
This week, Mercedes approved my Lemon Law request and they are buying my 2021 S580 back due to the tire/wheel problems. I will be getting about $50,000 back. This has been a total mess and not only the tire/wheel issuel. My 12 volt batter has failed twice and Mercedes so far does not know how to fix it. Major engineering failure for Mercedes. I am moving over to Porsche after having driven Mercedes for the last 20 years. The S580 is fast and good-looking, but it is a car that is just not ready for prime-time. Beware if you are looking at acquiring one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
This week, Mercedes approved my Lemon Law request and they are buying my 2021 S580 back due to the tire/wheel problems. I will be getting about $50,000 back. This has been a total mess and not only the tire/wheel issuel. My 12 volt batter has failed twice and Mercedes so far does not know how to fix it. Major engineering failure for Mercedes. I am moving over to Porsche after having driven Mercedes for the last 20 years. The S580 is fast and good-looking, but it is a car that is just not ready for prime-time. Beware if you are looking at acquiring one.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
3 prior GLE;3 prior E Class; 5 prior S Class; Lemon Law'd my 2021 S580; 2024 C43 on order for my son
I completely agree. My business partner has the same car except with 20 inch wheels. He has not had blow-outs but constant alignment issues. However, he has had a series of electrical snafus as well as other glitches such as the rear window shade needing to be replaced. He is similarly unhappy. Mercedes has slipped in the quality arena lately. My dealer in Santa Monica (service advisor) says that he has never seen such a wide-spread problem and he said the same issue holds true for the EQS. I said I might do something completley different and look at the new SL - he warned me to stay away from that model. So, I am likely going to look at the 2024 Panamera and say goodbye to Mercedes for now. 1st world problems....
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Miami
2007 S550/2010 tail lights smoked/2W010 LED DRL/22' staggered Maya wheels
Happy for you that they are buying your car back. I’ve had many problems with my 2022 S580 and they are buying mine back as well. I’ve had a new MB in my garage pretty much since 1979. I can’t believe that there is not one vehicle that they currently produce that I have any interest in driving. I feel very let down by the brand. Oh well.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
3 prior GLE;3 prior E Class; 5 prior S Class; Lemon Law'd my 2021 S580; 2024 C43 on order for my son
And...as one final (hopefully) middle finger to me from my car, weeks before I expect the buy back to be completed, I drove over a modest pothole here in Los Angeles, on a major street that literally 1,000's of cars a day drive on and my rear tire blew out. The rim sliced open the rear tire and it became flat instantly. No other cars had any trouble that I witnessed and I was not speeding. Just going the normal flow of traffic. I had it taken in (for the 5th time in two years) on a flatbed. Both the front right and rear right tires had to be replaced. Luckily, the wheels were not damaged. I believe this is either 5 or 6 tires replaced and three wheels replaced since I took delivery about two years ago. At this point, I am going to try to avoid as many sideroads as possible and stay on freeways. I also know certain major streets I can't go on at all with this lemon. Can't wait to get the confirmation to turn this thing in. To say I am disappointed with this vehicle is an understatement. This is my 5th S Class in a row (one of which was an S63). And the tires/wheels have not been the only problems. I am putting Mercedes ownership in the rear-view mirror for the foreseeable future. My business partner drives the same vehicle with 20 inch tires vs. my 21 inchers. He has only had two tires that he has had to replace. Plus a lot of electrical problems. Hope I have a better experience with a Porsche Panamera. If you are thinking of getting the S580 in this current iteration - you have been warned. Total disappointment.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 940
From: Costco
2023 S500
The tire issue is strange and I think enough people have reported it that it’s more than a coincidence. Maybe it was a poor design decision by MB choosing that tire size and sidewall ratio. However, one thing I notice on occasion is the suspension in the rear seems to become really stiff during moderate acceleration from a stop while going over even small road bumps and imperfections. I can audibly hear the thud and it surprises me. It’s like the suspension becomes purposely stiff and doesn’t move, forcing the rear of the car to literally hop because of that road imperfection. I can only imagine if that imperfection was a pothole. Maybe I’m just imagining it, but it’s noticeable to me.
I’ve had a few glitches on mine, but they went away, one was the ambient lightning didn’t turn on one time, another was a drive assist inoperable message that popped up once and various phone sync issues, that were fixed with a software update. However, I’ve thankfully had no quality control issues, like rattles and loose panels.
I’ve had a few glitches on mine, but they went away, one was the ambient lightning didn’t turn on one time, another was a drive assist inoperable message that popped up once and various phone sync issues, that were fixed with a software update. However, I’ve thankfully had no quality control issues, like rattles and loose panels.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 100
Likes: 73
From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
5 or 6 tires and 3 wheels….wow. Beats my 3 failures. And between the dozens I’ve read about on this forum, plus the hundreds more we don’t read about from owners who are not on this forum, one would think Mercedes would step up and do something about this huge safety problem with 21” tire and wheel combinations.
And I, too, feel and hear the “thud” when driving over even small road imperfections.
My wife got a 2023 E350 several months ago….rides like a dream for about 1/2 the price of my S580.
And I, too, feel and hear the “thud” when driving over even small road imperfections.
My wife got a 2023 E350 several months ago….rides like a dream for about 1/2 the price of my S580.
Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 203
Likes: 78
From: York, Pa.
2021 S580 4MATIC with Rear Executive Seating Pkg. 4D Entertartainment Rear Screens Pkg.
Porsche Panamera?! Oh you think you got problems now? HANG ON! Your mechanic is going to be ecstatic! “Hold my beer!”
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,062
Likes: 4,565
From: Maryland
2024 S580
