21” tires and wheels
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 100
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
21” tires and wheels
This message is for those of you who are buying a new S580 or considering changing their existing 19” or 20” wheels and tire for 21”……don’t.
Several months ago I bought my 2021 S580 from inventory the dealer already had in transit. This one had 21” wheels and Pirelli P Zero tires. (as a side note, I was in the tire business for 31 years
and never liked Pirelli!). I paid the upcharge for the 21” because I wanted the car.
Three things:
1. The ultra low profile tires are a problem. With only a few inches of tire, my wheels come into contact with the curb when I parallel park sometimes, no matter how careful I am, causing abrasions on the wheel flanges. Never happened on my 2020 Tesla with 20” and my 2017 MBZ E300 with 19” wheels and tires
2. The ride in my car is nice and smooth, UNTIL I go over a rough piece of road and get an abnormal jolt and noise. I keep my tire pressure at manufacturers recommendations. It could be the Pirellis with their added “sound deadening “ piece they add to the inside of the tire. Not sure, but, again, never had that problem in any of my other cars.
3. And last. Yesterday I had my second blowout and tire failure since I owned the car. Driving on San Diego’s “third world” streets I hit a pothole - again - and blew the tire. In almost 70 years of driving that has never happened and I’m sure I’ve hit many potholes. My feeling is with so little tire between the rim and the road with super low profile tires, an sudden impact, even at 40 mph, may cause the tire to fail. I don’t blame Pirelli for this. And, at over $500 a tire to replace, I’m not happy!
So that is my opinion and advice. 21” packages may look nice and sexy, but don’t do it.
Several months ago I bought my 2021 S580 from inventory the dealer already had in transit. This one had 21” wheels and Pirelli P Zero tires. (as a side note, I was in the tire business for 31 years
and never liked Pirelli!). I paid the upcharge for the 21” because I wanted the car.
Three things:
1. The ultra low profile tires are a problem. With only a few inches of tire, my wheels come into contact with the curb when I parallel park sometimes, no matter how careful I am, causing abrasions on the wheel flanges. Never happened on my 2020 Tesla with 20” and my 2017 MBZ E300 with 19” wheels and tires
2. The ride in my car is nice and smooth, UNTIL I go over a rough piece of road and get an abnormal jolt and noise. I keep my tire pressure at manufacturers recommendations. It could be the Pirellis with their added “sound deadening “ piece they add to the inside of the tire. Not sure, but, again, never had that problem in any of my other cars.
3. And last. Yesterday I had my second blowout and tire failure since I owned the car. Driving on San Diego’s “third world” streets I hit a pothole - again - and blew the tire. In almost 70 years of driving that has never happened and I’m sure I’ve hit many potholes. My feeling is with so little tire between the rim and the road with super low profile tires, an sudden impact, even at 40 mph, may cause the tire to fail. I don’t blame Pirelli for this. And, at over $500 a tire to replace, I’m not happy!
So that is my opinion and advice. 21” packages may look nice and sexy, but don’t do it.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 32
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From: northeast
2011 e550 -retired; 2016 e63 -retired, 2022 s580 -active, 2020 GLC 63 - active
I ended up getting the 20” wheels with all season rubber, I was surprised to see MB ships Hankook tires as their OEM all seasons. I am also a bit concerned about the runflat low profile tires on the 20s. I’ve never bought hankook before, would have preferred michelins. Seems like MB went with odd choices for tires this generation.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 665
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From: Los Angeles
Panamera, '63 Impala
Pirelli tires tend to have narrow and soft sidewall and often fail in potholes. Had the same situations in my wife's Maserati. Michelin tires have a nice beefy sidewall that's more suited for larger cars with low profile tires
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 100
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
Believe it or not, Hankook is a quality tire, and has been sold in this country for over 30 years. And, I believe, has been an OE tire for at least a decade. My company was the first to import that brand in the late 80s and when it took off, Hankook took over distribution of the name brand and made us a private brand we named Solar. Sold many 100s of thousands of them. I visited the Hankook factory in Korea in the 80s and it was the latest in tech and equipment due to an agreement they had with one of the leading European manufacturers, I forget which one.
So, don’t sweat the quality issue, and like I mentioned, I never had a problem with my Tesla’s 20” low profile. Just 21” LP is an issue, I believe.
So, don’t sweat the quality issue, and like I mentioned, I never had a problem with my Tesla’s 20” low profile. Just 21” LP is an issue, I believe.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2021
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
Boy, that is an interesting observation on Pirellis. My experience with them years ago when I was in the business was tread life. Maybe a different brand with more sidewall strength would do better hitting potholes?
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
One of my favorite topics, as many here know.
Most any vehicle, with most any tires, will drive & ride great on ribbon smooth roads. However, such roads are few and far between, especially in metro areas. So, if one is looking for a comfortable ride, with wheels & tires that don’t fail at the SIGHT of a pothole, you need to stick to smaller diameter wheels and tires with deeper sidewalls, period. 19’s are probably fine, 18’s would be much better. Ditching the run flats will make a big difference as well. As for tires, being a ride quality nut, my favorite is the Bridgestone QuietTrack. They are cushy, quiet and the best I have found for a big saloon like the S Class. Just my two-cents worth.
Most any vehicle, with most any tires, will drive & ride great on ribbon smooth roads. However, such roads are few and far between, especially in metro areas. So, if one is looking for a comfortable ride, with wheels & tires that don’t fail at the SIGHT of a pothole, you need to stick to smaller diameter wheels and tires with deeper sidewalls, period. 19’s are probably fine, 18’s would be much better. Ditching the run flats will make a big difference as well. As for tires, being a ride quality nut, my favorite is the Bridgestone QuietTrack. They are cushy, quiet and the best I have found for a big saloon like the S Class. Just my two-cents worth.
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
The issue isnt the wheel size, its the thickness of the sidewalls. If you look at a lot of SUVs, on 21s they ride great but they have a beefy sidewall. My Pacifica has 20s and has a beefy sidewall and they ride fine. Those 21s on the S580 just have no sidewall...
The 20s on the W223 have about an inch more sidewall than the 20s on the W222, my choice in this generation would be 20s.
The 20s on the W223 have about an inch more sidewall than the 20s on the W222, my choice in this generation would be 20s.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
The issue isnt the wheel size, its the thickness of the sidewalls. If you look at a lot of SUVs, on 21s they ride great but they have a beefy sidewall. My Pacifica has 20s and has a beefy sidewall and they ride fine. Those 21s on the S580 just have no sidewall...
The 20s on the W223 have about an inch more sidewall than the 20s on the W222, my choice in this generation would be 20s.
The 20s on the W223 have about an inch more sidewall than the 20s on the W222, my choice in this generation would be 20s.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
Originally Posted by Streamliner;[url=tel:8530930
8530930]Well, only so much overall “diameter” will fit in the wheel wells. With current suspensions & tire availability, I think the equation is still smaller diameter wheels + deeper sidewalls - run flats = a more comfortable ride.
My point is it’s not as simple as saying “20s bad”, because it depends. What’s at issue is the thickness of the sidewall, not the size of the wheels.
My Pacifica’s 20s have thicker sidewalls than my S560s 19s.
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Volvo XC90
I have 21” with the Pirellis. I learned something today. I was under the impression since I ordered and purchased the car that I had run flats. I thought the S Class came standard with run flats. Last night I hit a massive pothole in my town at night and in the rain. Blew my front right tire. Thinking I had run flats I slowly drove home 1.5 miles and towed the car to the local dealership last night. Turns out the 21”s do not come with run flats. My dealership that ordered the car for me never knew this. When you build your car on the Mercedes website there is no information about not having run flats available for the 21”s. So, I had a nice surprise this morning. The rear tire also has to be replaced to because it had a bubble in it. I never would have ordered the 21” rims if I knew it did not have run flats so now I might have to order 20” rims and swap. I agree 100% with the OP. Do not get the 21”s!
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2021
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
An exact replica of what happened to me. On my first pothole tire failure - I had my second yesterday - I blew my front tire and the rear behind it had a bubble. Had to replace 2 tires. No run flat tires so I limped home and had the car towed to Mercedes the next morning. Got my car back this morning after my second pothole failure yesterday. These 21” low profile tires WILL NOT survive even small pot hole impacts if hit in a certain way. Now I’m so gun shy, my eyes are glued to the immediate road surface ahead instead of focusing on everything else.
It sure takes away much of the pleasure of driving my new $140,000 + car. And, believe me, this will happen to many more new S580 owners with 21” wheels and tires.
It sure takes away much of the pleasure of driving my new $140,000 + car. And, believe me, this will happen to many more new S580 owners with 21” wheels and tires.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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Michelins any day regardless if 21s or not. They are super smooth, quiet and more durable then the crap Pirellis. I have these Pilot 4S on my RS7 with 22 inch rims and same profile as the S580 rear wheels and never had blow outs, puncture. bubbles etc. Thats why I always ditch the OEM pirellis. They are soft.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 32
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From: northeast
2011 e550 -retired; 2016 e63 -retired, 2022 s580 -active, 2020 GLC 63 - active
You sure the 21s are non run flats (in a car with no spare)? If thats the case I want some of whatever Mercedes is smoking. My car didn’t even come with a jack or tire iron.
Last edited by jay2o01; Mar 18, 2022 at 01:38 PM. Reason: spell check
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2021
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
True, not run flats. I did limp, slowly, to the dealer without being towed, however. The service advisor did confirm they aren’t run flat. And yes, what is Mercedes thinking?
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Joined: Jun 2017
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From: PA
W223 S500 LWB 4-Matic, W222 S450 LWB 4-Matic, A238 E400 Cabriolet 4-Matic
Could be that the 21" wheels are equipped with summer (non-all season) tires for their higher speed rating and as such that vehicle would have a higher governed speed from the factory, say 155 mph max as compared to a vehicle with all season tires and factory governed at 130 mph tops. I'm not sure where run flats max out.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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2022 Mercedes S580
The stock Pzero MO-S version (foam insert for quietness per what i could find) that come from Mercedes are currently back ordered with no approximate delivery date. I went with the non-mercedes Pzeros and do not notice any difference in road noise/feel.
I drove my '14 Audi S8 ~70k miles with 21" wheels/tires (2 sets). I choose the Michelin options and didnt experience any sidewall issues but a few times with screws in the treads. When that happened, the oem jack/donut got me on my way in mins. Not sure why its not an option on the S580.
When the next Pirelli goes, I will be swapping out to Michelin.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2021
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
Just keep your eye out for our famous pot holes here in our lovely pot hole riddled streets of San Diego. Hitting one of those will cause a lot more damage than a slow leak!
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2022 Mercedes S580
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
If one hits a road hazard that shreds a tire or cracks a wheel and it isn’t close to a metro area, without a spare, you are going for a ride in the cab of a tow truck. Knowing that spare is there gives me great peace of mind.
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From: CA
G580, BMW X7, Rivian R1S, BMW iX
The issue isnt the wheel size, its the thickness of the sidewalls. If you look at a lot of SUVs, on 21s they ride great but they have a beefy sidewall. My Pacifica has 20s and has a beefy sidewall and they ride fine. Those 21s on the S580 just have no sidewall... The 20s on the W223 have about an inch more sidewall than the 20s on the W222, my choice in this generation would be 20s.
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
Are you absolutely certain about this? I had to swap out the 20s on my W222 in favor of the AMG 19s to avoid rim and tire damage issues. If the 20s on the W223 generation have an extra inch of sidewall compared to the W222 generation, that would be a huge upgrade. I love the look of the 20s but leaning 19s on my order. Any insights from those who have the 20s on the W223 generation would be very helpful. Thank you!
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 100
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
2021 S 580
Tire sidewall thickness
not sure if that is correct. The aspect ratio measures the HEIGHT of the sidewall, not the thickness, which is what I am concerned about. I’d like to know if different companies have stats on the thickness of their sidewalls , and if they have to conform to minimum standards.
see definition of aspect ratio below
The two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size is the aspect ratio. For example, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be.
see definition of aspect ratio below
The two-digit number after the slash mark in a tire size is the aspect ratio. For example, in a size P215/65 R15 tire, the 65 means that the height is equal to 65% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be.
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From: CA
G580, BMW X7, Rivian R1S, BMW iX
I see what you are saying. The tire width for the 20" wheels is 10mm more in the W223 generation vs W222. The sidewall height will be proportionally greater as well given the same aspect ratio (which remains same for both generations). Thanks!
