E55 has unidirectional spare tire???
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Boston
M3 Cab
E55 has unidirectional spare tire???
this past weekend i was victim to a flat-tire. luckily it was a slow drain so i was able to limp to a gas station and fill with air for the drive home, not too far. after i got back to my garage to change to the spare i was surprised to find that the spare was unidirectional. the flat was on the right side of the car but the tire was designed to fit on the left side of the car. so now i have a unidirectional tire pointing the wrong way.
i don't get why mercedes would do this. does anyone else have a unidirectinal tire on there spare? for reference it is a 17-inch spare with good year eagle f1's (i think).
i don't get why mercedes would do this. does anyone else have a unidirectinal tire on there spare? for reference it is a 17-inch spare with good year eagle f1's (i think).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Do you have a silver AMG wheel or black steel wheel for the spare? I have not looked at mine yet. Once upon a time MBZ give real silver alloy wheels which matched the other four. Then a bean counter probably submitted a proposal to save MBZ millions by using those ugly black steel wheels.
There is a 50/50 chance the flat will be on the correct side! There are no tires made in size 245/40/18 which are omni-directional so MBZ could not give you one. The spare is only to get you to a service station or home to repair.
Spare tires are becoming a thing of the last century. The W211 will have no spare just like the M5. The cars have tire pressure monitors. The 2002 C32 has no spare and I speculate that the new R230 SL500 has no spare either.
There is a 50/50 chance the flat will be on the correct side! There are no tires made in size 245/40/18 which are omni-directional so MBZ could not give you one. The spare is only to get you to a service station or home to repair.
Spare tires are becoming a thing of the last century. The W211 will have no spare just like the M5. The cars have tire pressure monitors. The 2002 C32 has no spare and I speculate that the new R230 SL500 has no spare either.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Boston
M3 Cab
Kev,
for reference, the spare i have is the black 17 inch. i'm not sure what the exact aspect ratio of the tire is but it doesn't look like anything exotic, such that there wouldn't be a readily available omnidirectional tire for it.
after i got the spare on i tried to fit the 18 inch wheel (rear) in the spare wheel well. the diameter fits but the 18 is too wide so the trunk liner pops up.
i just thought it was interesting that they would choose to fit a uni vs omni directional tire as a spare. either way, the tire will be fixed this weekend.......saturday 7:30 am at discount tire. crap.
for reference, the spare i have is the black 17 inch. i'm not sure what the exact aspect ratio of the tire is but it doesn't look like anything exotic, such that there wouldn't be a readily available omnidirectional tire for it.
after i got the spare on i tried to fit the 18 inch wheel (rear) in the spare wheel well. the diameter fits but the 18 is too wide so the trunk liner pops up.
i just thought it was interesting that they would choose to fit a uni vs omni directional tire as a spare. either way, the tire will be fixed this weekend.......saturday 7:30 am at discount tire. crap.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
The spare tires should also have not safe for speeds over 55 mph on it. Basically, the spare tire is not designed for long amounts of driving. The sole purpose of the tire is to give you the ability to get the tire that failed fixed/replaced.
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 901
From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
My spare is the 17 inch version and it has a non directional Continental Tire on it so it will work on both sides. I drove 2k miles on it once. Scary as hell when you floor the E55. The Conti just doesnt have the traction/width in the rear to keep the tire planted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Vic55, does your E55 have the black steel wheel also?
17 inch spare - I am surprised! I would have guessed that a 17 would not fit due to the increase in rotor & caliper size for the E55.
17 inch spare - I am surprised! I would have guessed that a 17 would not fit due to the increase in rotor & caliper size for the E55.
Last edited by E55 KEV; Mar 20, 2002 at 10:35 AM.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 204
Likes: 5
From: Ca
96 P993T, 00 E55, 09 SL63
Michelin Pilot
My E55 come with unidirectional 235/45-17 with black alloy wheels. However, when I upgraded my front brake to 14" Brembo I use the stock front AMG monoblock wheel/tire as my spare (so that it can be fitted to the front axle just in case I have a flat on my front). Since I have S03 on the spare then it means that my spare is also directional. But it just for emergency so it is not a big deal.
BTW, I use the S-class tool tray in my E55 (pic enclosed)
BTW, I use the S-class tool tray in my E55 (pic enclosed)
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
E55MKB, I love that S-Class tool kit! Does the tool kit come as a single part number?
So the front 18X9 wheel with 245/40/18 will fit in the trunk space with no problems? Thanks.
So the front 18X9 wheel with 245/40/18 will fit in the trunk space with no problems? Thanks.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 204
Likes: 5
From: Ca
96 P993T, 00 E55, 09 SL63
S-class tool tray
The tool tray (not the tool kit) come in single part number. You have to use the two piece S-class lug wrench though (two part numbers).
Yes the 245/40-18 tire and AMG monoblock will fit but you cannot use the original black plastic basket that's supposed to hold down the 17"spare
Yes the 245/40-18 tire and AMG monoblock will fit but you cannot use the original black plastic basket that's supposed to hold down the 17"spare
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
on the c36, the spare is a full-size amg monoblock rim, 17x7.5 with the directional expedia s-01. yeah, 50/50 chance u'd get the wrong direction. but then, it's also 50/50 wrong size as the rears are 17x8.5. not a big deal as u'r just trying to get home.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
I believe Mercedes stopped giving the real alloy rims as spares in Model Year 2000. My 98 E430 had same alloy wheel as spare.
Last edited by E55 KEV; Apr 9, 2002 at 04:36 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
E55, F550, S600 Ducati 999
My 1999 E55 has the AMG alloy with a directional 235X45X18 spare. There is a sticker on the rim stating not to exceed 80kmh (50mph). Is there a particular reason for this?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
stephens, do not exceed 50mph with a alloy wheel and full size standard tire? That is crazy! Maybe there is some universal safety law requirement in your country which dictates the sticker on all spare tires. Otherwise, I can not guess why that would be there.
Are you sure about the 18 inch size? Most E55 come with a 235/45/17 spare. There are no tires produce in size 235/45/18.
Are you sure about the 18 inch size? Most E55 come with a 235/45/17 spare. There are no tires produce in size 235/45/18.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
E55, F550, S600 Ducati 999
Sorry 235 X 40 X 18.
This is the standard front tire for the car in Australia. US got the 245X40X18. I'm thinking that as it is a directional tire and may be used on front or rear there may be a safety issue or with ESP going out of wack. The reason I ask is I have scratches on the front two rims and want to get them remachined. I was thinking of swapping the spare with one of these, but was concerned that there may be an issue with the wheel itself.
Regards
This is the standard front tire for the car in Australia. US got the 245X40X18. I'm thinking that as it is a directional tire and may be used on front or rear there may be a safety issue or with ESP going out of wack. The reason I ask is I have scratches on the front two rims and want to get them remachined. I was thinking of swapping the spare with one of these, but was concerned that there may be an issue with the wheel itself.
Regards
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
Originally posted by stephens
My 1999 E55 has the AMG alloy with a directional 235X45X18 spare. There is a sticker on the rim stating not to exceed 80kmh (50mph). Is there a particular reason for this?
My 1999 E55 has the AMG alloy with a directional 235X45X18 spare. There is a sticker on the rim stating not to exceed 80kmh (50mph). Is there a particular reason for this?
my father accidentally hit the curb, and for some reason, a chunk of tire came off. anyway, i replaced it with the spare since it was the same direction...and the spare had big old BRIGHT ORANGE sticker with the do not exceed 50 mph on the amg monoblock with expedia s-01 tires. that was weird, but we ignored it. stupid thing left the trademark "sticker gump" right in the middle of the face of the wheel that took a while to get off.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 212
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
This pisses me off! Why would MBZ give us a smaller spare with 235/45/17 on a cheap-*** black steel rim for 2000+ E55's. Damn Bean Counters!
