Feel much better with a spare on a long trip where cellphone cignal may not be available? Probably need a jack as well. Wonder why spare is not an option?

How are you guys dealing with this issue?

Thanks.

 

If you want this, it is available as an M-B accessory, plus the related bits and pieces:

A253 400 0300 Emergency spare wheel. Ensures compliance with country-specific statutory requirements. The emergency spare wheel must be secured in place in the load compartment in an emergency spare wheel bag.

A000 585 1000 Emergency spare wheel bag. Designed to secure the emergency spare wheel in place on the floor of the load compartment.

A166 580 0400 Vehicle tool kit. Everything you need to change a wheel. All handily stored in a compact bag.

 

Keep in mind the advantage of extended mobility tires allows one to drive the vehicle with the tire deflated.

I've experienced two punctures in 16 years of driving on extended mobility tires. In both instances, after ensuring nothing more serious was going on, simply continued on to the shop where the tire was repaired.

If extended mobility tires put you out of your comfort zone MartynW's advice is good, but be prepared to spend big quid.

 

Hi Marty:

I clicked through the links in your post, none has any picture and they are not US based sellers?

 

Larry:

How far were you able to drive with the deflated tire?
How about tire replacement availability at the shop?

This car is for my wife and I don't want her to be stuck with no option.

 

mpalsal, This first puncture resulted in a drive of about 15 miles. The second about 35 miles.

Finding a replacement tire is most always a crapshoot. Depends a lot upon where your at and what tire you need. In my area there are several nationwide tire retailers/distributors. Thus if a tire is not repairable a replacement can most always be found the same day or nlt the next day.

My GLC came with Pirelli tires. I know Tire Rack has these in stock but am not aware of availability locally. Further, don't know how common this tire is or how long its been on the market.

For you wife's vehicle, extended mobility tires are the perfect solution. If she experiences a tpms warning she simply drives home and turns the problem over to you. After all isn't that why they keep us around?

 

Thanks Larry, she is afraid to be stuck somewhere without access to a dealer nearby.
Wonder why you did not use mbrace? Will they come with a flatbed if the tire is blown and you can't drive further?

 

I think the browser or forum creates its own hyperlinks somehow - they are not mine - I saw some weird ones when I viewed the thread without being signed in - most odd. The codes are M-B international part numbers, and a dealer ought to be able to quote on them. Of course, there may be slight differences depending on market.

 

Marty:
I called mbusa today and they do not offer any spare tire, they even transferred me to a part department at the dealer close to my house, talked to the part dept., and they said nothing available.

 

Was not driving an M-B. However, mbrace is the place to go if there is need for a rollback, tow truck, jump start, ect.

I've used mbrace once and was very satisfied with the service. My keyless start failed, would not engage the starter. Reached a very competent lady. She instructed me to remove the start button. When it resisted she told me to pull harder, which I did successfully. She then told me to insert the key and attempt a start which worked. The start button has since worked flawlessly.

Since the vehicle and, of course, the tires are brand new its unlikely a blowout will occur. If on the other hand a tire suffers a simple puncture and begins to lose pressure the tpms will signal the decrease in pressure. At such time one can reach out to mbrace for assistance. And even if the tire looses all pressure the vehicle can continue to be driven to the source of help.

Your wife should have the utmost confidence that her extended mobility tires will allow her to drive to the dealer/tire shop without regard to pressure of lack thereof. She will not have to worry about being disabled on the side of the road with a flat tire.

Although she may have a spare tire and the tools required to change a flat tire she may not be able to do so. Changing a tire at the side of the road can be difficult and dangerous. There are men and women who lack the physical strength to break the lug nut torque. Or get on the ground on their back so as to position the jack. Especially if wearing a Brooks Brothers suit. lol

The choice is easy. Drive with extended mobility tires and never get stuck on the hard shoulder or muddy shoulder with a flat tire.

 

Yep, these parts are not listed in the current US catalogue but if one were really determined, I suppose they could be sourced internationally and imported, but it does seem a PITA compared to runflats.
This is the 'official' toolkit, for example, on the German accessories site (assuming I can get the link to work )

http://configurator.mercedes-benz-ac...t_A1665800400#

 

Thanks Larry.

Marty, the link works, it does not say which model this kit is for though.

 

For the same reasons given I purchased a MB emergency wheel. The complete package (19 inch wheel, bag & tools) was delivered by my local Sydney MB dealer for $1900. Whilst it is probably an expensive option at least my insurance cover won't be jeopardized and I have a way of driving in remote areas. Incidentally, the spare comes in gloss black and wouldn't look out of place on the vehicle.

 

Just saw this review for what I believe to be a version for India with a spare tire

 

Looking at a GLC vs an RX (have had 3 RXs) and no spare tire is a concern even with run flats- I recently had 2 flats at once, 1 of which punctured the sidewall. Instead of buying the 'kit' shown, would it be feasible to just buy 1 extra tire and keep it in back? Would the MB service be able to actually change the tire if needed? Just afraid of getting caught and being further than 50 miles to get a new tire, out in the sticks, on a Sunday when everyone is closed, etc.

 

Jerlf55, you would need a complete tire with the rim, not just the tire itself. It would take up quite a bit of space, added weight, defeated the whole purpose of RFT.

This is the first time we own a car with RFT and no spare, my wife was apprehensive but finally willing to give it a try. We won't be taking this SUV on a long road trip.

 

The photo of the spare shows the same tyre bag as for Australia. As most of my driving is on country/ remote roads intend to replace runflats with standard tyres. Incidentally, I didn't realise at time of vehicle purchase as to how difficult it is to purchase runflats outside major cities. MB salesperson solution to a punched run flat in the country is to call MB roadside service and have the vehicle towed to the city for free - she just forgot how many hours/ days this could take.

 

Ian, do you know the cost of the donut tire and the bag, also part numbers?

 

I have had 4 other vehicles with extended mobility tires and there is no reason to throw a tire in the trunk. If your really worried buy a plug kit or sealant & a good inflator that plugs into your 12V outlet. I am not a fan of sealant because it will make a mess of the inside of your rim when you get a replacement tire but it will work. Usually you will get a puncture with a slow leak and by having a kit and inflator you are good to go. I know there is the chance of running over something on the highway that destroys a tire but more than likely you would run over it and take out 2 tires and be SOL anyway

 

Mpalsal, according to my purchase order form - 19inch space saver tyre/ rim A25340003000, bag A0005851000 and tool kit A1665800400. Whilst I downsized the car rims to 19 inch (20 inch standard on 250d), was told the same is used for the 20 inch. Cost AUD 1900.

 

Hi Gfish, I ran over an object on 210 once with my E350C and was lucky enough to be near an offramp, I was able to get off the FWY and the tire was flat and totally damaged. Pretty scary.

Ian, that is US$1,500? Pretty steep for a spare tire! Wonder why so expensive?

 

My year old C200 has had three punctures so far. After the first I went back to the dealer and he recommended an accessory shop which sold a kit with a space saver wheel, jack and wheel brace for over €500 as nothing else was available I bit the bullet. Unfortunately there is nowhere to store it except in the top of the boot or behind the seats so it ends up only being used for long trips. The other night I had a rear wheel puncture and tried the sealant kit supplied, it was a disaster !!. The compressor could not inflate the tyre and the sealant just blew through the hole which was about the size of a screw, so the car was abandoned and a taxi called. This is the last time I buy a car without a spare fitted as standard. My last Merc, a W204, also came without a spare but the dealer was able to supply a full sized tire on a steel rim for a fraction of the cost of the kit I bought. and it fitted under the boot cover.