SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: spare tire

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 21, 2024 | 04:26 PM
  #1  
deanoaz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
From: gold canyon, arizona
sl500
spare tire

my 2005 sl500 has a spare tire that would need to be pumped up, which is fine if the 20 year old tire holds air, isn't dry, and the pump also works.

is there any source for a newer spare tire? Anyone make new ones?

Thanks
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2024 | 04:55 PM
  #2  
Tom Manning's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 185
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
If you mean wheel and tyre, that's a practical impossibility due to the diameter of the wheel recess. It won't fit. There is no option of replacing the factory spare tyre on the rim, AFAIK.

Best option is to test yours first and see if it still holds air and works. Or be stranded at an awkward moment, like, um, someone...
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2025 | 05:41 PM
  #3  
Merciful's Avatar
Junior Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 61
Likes: 4
GLK350 2011 RWD
Sorry that happened to you. Mine GLK is from 2011, and the first time I used my spare tire was a month ago, so actually it is 15 years old and when I took it out it was brand new, ne issues, no seal, nothing odd. I successfully replaced the tire with the factory spare bolts that were in my trunk, and rode about 50 miles before patching and replacing the tire. I actually was often overspending above the allowed spare tire speed 50 mph, and it went fine, so I guess the rubber fatigue is not at all the case and my tire is rather new.

Originally Posted by bmwstephen
And to anyone that says carry mobile tire repair kit or the sealant kits, that does not apply to blow outs
fair point, but i still recommend to have tire plug kit just in case. Last time when I punctured my tire with a screw, I spent 3 days (it was weekend so all the tire shops were closed) and $50 for patching it. Later after watching the videos I realized I could easily plug it myself in 20min, as my puncture was very minor, and could avoid all the hassles of finding the tire shop. Tire plug kit is a must!

Originally Posted by bmwstephen
  • keep spare 1/2" breaker bar w/ star socket for Mercedes specific lug nuts (so you don't strip them using the emergency 17mm hex wrench)
I recommend something more sturdy than the standard emergency wrench. I bought this at TireRack, they also have torque wrench. Both are very solid and proven to be very reliable.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2025 | 07:23 PM
  #4  
Frederick NL's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
Someone said Porsche uses the same product, but don't take my word for it. If you want to be prepared, think about where to put that bigger tire you just replaced with the space saver...
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2025 | 07:28 AM
  #5  
SocksSL500's Avatar
Junior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 41
Likes: 9
2009 SL 550; 2022 GLE 450
The Porsche flat rear tire drill goes like this: move a front tire to the rear, pump up the spare (if the car has one) and put the spare on the front and the flat rear tire in the passenger seat. I tried that with my daughter's C300 Sport - guess what? The front tire would not/not clear the rear strut - and this was with stock tires and wheels! Lesson learned: plug kit is a great idea! Cheers Socks
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:28 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE