So I have a 2022 S580 with the 21 inch wheels which I have been successful in getting mercedes to buyback due to the popping tire issue and my question is does the 2023 580 at the same kind of tire/wheel issues? Thkx in advance

 

as one of the original 21” wheel/Pirelli “victims with many posts, I did two things. I moved from San Diego’s third world roads, one year ago today, to NE Florida and bit the bullet and bought 4 new Michelins for a lot of money. Voila! No problems. Four tire failures(2 of which I had to pay for), stonewalling from Mercedes, filing a complaint with the NHTSA and the hassle of it all was too much.
so, take a guess, I’m getting ready to replace my 21 580. Do you think it’ll be with another Mercedes?

 

Wow! San Diego to Florida!

 

Yes, you will have the same problem, nothing is changed there.

 

Obviously Mercedes’ tires and wheels weren’t the reason I left California 🤪
But, I must say, the roads are infinitely better here.

 

You can no longer order the 21" wheels on the new ordering guide due to these tire issues

 

He asked about MY23.

 

Switch to 19s

 

so let me see….
i think the upgrade to 21” when I bought the car was 2-3k or more(not sure). the 1st 2 failure replacement tires cost me 800. The 4 new Michelins to get the Pirellis off my car cost near 4 k. And to replace my 21” wheels and Michelins for 19” would cost me,what, maybe another 4k?
So now I’d be into my wheels and tires for twelve or thirteen thousand….hmmm, don’t think so. 🤪
Especially, now that I’ve been in Florida exactly a year, the combination of infinitely better roads and Michelins has resulted in zero blowouts
bottom line….should have never replaced the 19s that came with the car originally. Especially dumb since I was in the tire and wheel business for over 30 years

 

Which Michelins did you get that did well?
Mine still has the Pirelli's on it. but will want to put Michelins on when I have to change them out.

And when yall mention buy back, is that buying back the entire car itself? Or are they buying back the wheels and putting 19's etc on it instead?

Thank you for any input
Paul

 

To me, MB blundered when they offered 21” wheels on the big, heavy W233. And, because THEY blundered, I feel it is only fitting that THEY pick up the tab for any owner who wishes to downsize to 20’s or, preferably 19’s. Honestly, I believe a well written letter from an attorney might get them off the dime on this. If nobody puts the screws to them, nothing will change.

The 19’s on my 2022 S580 that is now history:

 

just curious what are you thinking of replacing your 21S580 with?

 

The usual….BMW or Audi, both of which I’ve owned before. Maybe in SUV variety. My wife has a ‘23 E350 and likes it. But, darn it, my S580 is still the best looking car I’ve ever had. I’m just so p…ed off with their treatment of us with the 21”wheel/Pirelli fiasco!

 

Not to state the obvious, but if you love everything else about the car and are unwilling to take the steps necessary to really press the wheel/tire matter, then just bite the bullet, replace the wheels & tires and call it a day. If you feel like it—and with you having been in the business—you must know that there are purveyors of virtually perfect, used OEM wheels out there, which can cut the expense considerably. Or, bite the bullet even harder and just trade the car for one equipped more to your liking, which actually brings up another thought:

If you were to contact MBUSA and tell them of your dilemma, with the idea being that you would like to remedy this mess by buying a NEW S Class, but are having a hard time due to the financial hit you will take, due to MB’s mistake of offering these particularly troublesome wheels & tires, I can almost guarantee that they will cough up some “Customer Retention” money to help slide you into the new car. It takes the right words and the right approach, but this CAN happen. Best of luck to you.

 

I'm at 50k miles on my 2022 S580 and haven't had one issue with my 20s and all season and my separate winter 19 inch wheels after getting rid of the 21s. My car drives perfect and is so great over all the roads here in Michigan.

To put things in perspective, this car is too heavy for the 21s and and tire you put on it... Even Michelin.. my 2021 Audi RS7 does amazing with the 22s OEM wheels and thinner Michelin tires without issues. It's a combo of bad overall tire spec sizing for the 21s on the Mercedes plus the damping system of the car. This car was not designed to be driven on low profiles...

For those complaining just bite the bullet and downsize or move on.

 

I’d be interested in how many failures S580 owners with 21” wheels equipped Michelins have experienced. We know the blowout rate with Pirellis has been huge. My contention is the Pirelli sidewall is too flexible- or thin - for the car weight. As I’ve mentioned, after experiencing 4 blowouts in less than 2 years, I did “bite the bullet” and replaced my PZero Pirellis with 4 Michelins, at significant expense. One year later, now, no problems. Maybe I’m biased, but I never liked Pirelli even when I was in the tire business and went through my “Porsche Period” in the 70s and 80s. Tread life issues! Nine thousand miles on my first 911with Pirelli Cinturados. Specified any OEM tire other than Pirelli on my later 2 cars. Normal 20-25k mile wear.
i do think the S580 looks sleeker with 21” wheels, even though “curb rash” is a problem.
just my two cents……

 

The S580 is a bit of a paradox. It definitely has issues but when it works well it’s truly spectacular!

I am past the 2.5 year mark and will change it next year. Waffling between SUV or another sedan/GT. I think I’m past the sports car phase but boy is it tempting! Until I sit in one and can’t wait to get out of it as things start hurting!

Maybe Lamborghini Urus or Bentayga…time shall tell.

 

Where would you find some 20' ones that someone took off of theirs and wanted to get bigger or different ones?
is there a store or company that sells those?

 

Plenty on eBay

 

Ebay is a great source or someplace like this: https://www.stockwheels.com

 

Will dealerships swap out the 21' inch ones for the 20" ones? They offered a wheel and tire coverage thing when I bought the car. I passed on that because I had not heard about the problems they were having.
Did anyone get that coverage?

 

If you were a long time, very good customer of a dealership, they MIGHT make an accommodation. Short of that, the dealers are simply offering to sell customers new wheels & tires at their regular prices.

 

I only have 10 months left of my lease but I’m on 12 tires I just got towed for the fifth time. I’m thinking about just handing my car back into Mercedes or checking with corporate to see if they’ll replace them. I don’t know how they can ethically resell this car if they’ve known it’s had so many issues.

 

After the 3rd incident I would've swapped for aftermarket wheels or smaller OEM wheels. 12 tires is ridiculous.

 

Originalwheels.com they buy and sell. I am not affiliated, tried to get a set of wheels from them but they did not have the style I wanted.