mikegaan

Looking for recommendation on a spare tire for my 2004 SL55. Got a flat last week, and tried to use the spare (Vredestein 175/55-18 -91P). Owned the car since new. Spare never out of the trunk. Turns out the bead wasn't seated. I couldn't inflate it, 2 men at Dobbs Autotire tried everything for 45 minutes and couldn't inflate it, the Mercedes dealership tried for 25 minutes and couldn't inflate it. MB tech said "maybe it's just old - the bead isn't seated". MB found the part number and estimated $770.00 for the space saver wheel/tire - you can not just buy the tire, it comes as a unit. Found a similar tire (used) on eBay for $230, BUT it was a -95P. Received the tire, inflated it to check it, then found the -95P doesn't fit in the trunk (about an inch+ too large in diameter). Had to return it. Now without a spare.
This is an FYI as well as a request for suggestions; Slime? Fix-A-Flat?

Quadrobenz

My 2009 SL600 has the Vredestein space saver tire and air pump inflator under the trunk floor next to the AGM battery. The size is 175/55-18 95P. I owned a 2005 SL600 at the same time but have since sold it. I do not recall any obvious differences between the two trunks and storage wells but there could be. There was a significant problem with the 2005 spare in that it would not clear the front brakes, it only fit on the rear. Have you verified the 91P will fit on the front? The problem was not diameter, it was inadequate offset from the wheel hub. Might have fit with a 1'' spacer and longer bolts. The 2004/5 SL55 and SL600 used the same brakes. The dealer was quite surprised at the time but verified it was the correct spare.

okbarnett

you can use this one

meadows222

PM me.

I have the never-used ‘space saver spare’ from my 2004 SL55.

mikegaan

Thanks. No, I have not tried my old spare/-91P on the front. It was a rear tire that went flat. As I said, the -95P is a bit too big to go into the trunk well. I'll have to check the front fit before getting another one, assuming I come across one somewhere. Meanwhile...no spare.

meadows222

OK... what I missing? I have since replaced my ‘04 with an ‘05 SL55, but kept the spare.

You are looking for the spare for an ‘04 SL55 and I reply that I have the new one from mine available to you. Your response is “assuming I come across one somewhere...”

I don’t care either way. I just thought it was a no-brainer.

Good luck!

mikegaan

I re-read your post. You didn't say you had a -91P spare??? I understood you to mean you have a -95P spare. I can't use that. I got a -95P through eBay, tried it and it does not fit my trunk. Are you saying you have a -91P for sale. What do you want for it?

meadows222

You now have me second guessing myself since it’s the factory wheel/tire original to the ‘04 SL55 - so, I checked it out.

It’s a 91P. Never put on the car. You are welcome to it for something reasonable plus shipping (unless, of course, you are near Mississippi).

PM me if you like.