Mercedes Issue with Run Flats on 20" Alloys - KEEP BLOWING

Mercedes Issue with Run Flats on 20" Alloys - KEEP BLOWING

Author
Discussion

dabello74

Original Poster:

13 posts

168 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
quotequote all
I have Mercedes E350d Prem Plus with 20" alloys and run flats low profile - I have experienced in a period of 1 year 5 Cracked Alloys and new tyres each time.

I am so frustrated at how the vehicle i had had for PCP 3 years period has always cracked alloys which then shred the run flat tyres. I am so annoyed at how much this car has cost me. Does anyone know if i have a case against MB for the fact that this spec of alloy size and run flat is not fit for purpose. It has cost me almost £2500 over a year and half. MB say it is due to UK roads however 3 year deal and they expect people to just shell out cash like water???? Help any advice or case where anyone has succesffully lodge a complaint at MB??

Krikkit

26,995 posts

188 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
quotequote all
If Merc won't cover it then your best bet is probably to buy a smaller diameter set of stronger wheels and use those until you hand the car back.

Geffg

1,232 posts

112 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
quotequote all
Cant specifically help but Mercedes saying it’s uk roads then surely the car is not fit for purpose with those wheels to be sold in uk.

Sheepshanks

35,018 posts

126 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
quotequote all
Someone here having trouble even with 19's: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I guess ultimately you could try a small claims case against the supplying dealer. Costs little and you could win on merit or even by default if they don't defend.

f1nn

2,693 posts

199 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
quotequote all
This is absolutely nothing new, BMW 18” and 19” wheels fitted with Run fly tyres in the mid 2000’s onwards are notorious, and I’m sure a lot of other manufacturers are affected.

It’s unavoidable…large diameter, often wide wheel meaning a low profile tyre which then has it’s side wall stiffened to act as a run flat…if you are not careful and hit a pot hole are sharp bump, the forces have to go somewhere.


dabello74

Original Poster:

13 posts

168 months

Sunday 20th June 2021
quotequote all
Geffg said:
Cant specifically help but Mercedes saying it’s uk roads then surely the car is not fit for purpose with those wheels to be sold in uk.
This is my thought also. I have learnt a hard lesson by being drawn in to large alloys and the slick look. It has happened so many times and believe me I avoid potholes at all costs. Surely when you purchase a car on 3 yr pcp like a merc you then don’t expect to buy another smaller set to them on?..hence not fit for purpose due to standard of our roads?
The worse thing is I hand my car back in 2 weeks and walk away in this case run away!

bazza white

3,620 posts

135 months

Monday 21st June 2021
quotequote all
Had the same on my mini and it also trashed suspension top mounts. Swapped to non runflats and was a much better drive. Had i kept the car any longer i would have dropped to 16s.


Crusoe

4,078 posts

238 months

Monday 21st June 2021
quotequote all
https://youtu.be/5rN8zQAoJnA

Working on ways to improve it above, see the slow motion around 1min 40 for what happens with low profile tyre hitting even a fairly small sharp edge.

dazzalse

565 posts

186 months

Monday 21st June 2021
quotequote all
We too had a E350d premium plus estate with 20" wheels and I was glad to see the back of it, we got through 3 alloys and 2 tyres in 22,000 miles.

My neighbour had a GLC250d with 20" wheels and had the same problem, she had 2 wheels and 2 tyres replaced at great expense also and ended up selling it back to the dealer to get something more road friendly!

Mercedes and the dealer seem to show little interest and must be raking in a fortune in selling all of these replacement wheels

vikingaero

11,221 posts

176 months

Monday 21st June 2021
quotequote all
20" wheels and runflats are a recipe for disaster. The ride was rock solid on my 17" wheels and runflats on my MINI let alone 20".

People and marketing like huge rimmz but fail to account for the real world.

sxmwht

1,845 posts

66 months

Monday 21st June 2021
quotequote all
Stop fitting run flat tyres

Sheepshanks

35,018 posts

126 months

Monday 21st June 2021
quotequote all
Seems odd that it crops up so much here - other countries have pretty ropey roads too.

Oilchange

8,763 posts

267 months

Monday 21st June 2021
quotequote all
Crusoe said:
https://youtu.be/5rN8zQAoJnA

Working on ways to improve it above, see the slow motion around 1min 40 for what happens with low profile tyre hitting even a fairly small sharp edge.
About as pointless and complicated a solution as I've ever seen.

Smaller diameter wheels, taller sidewall tyres. Done.

Although it will never happen because stupid customers will always want the most mahoosive alloys and skinny tyres on their ride.


Blu3R

2,379 posts

206 months

Monday 21st June 2021
quotequote all
I got so sick of fitting tyres to the 20" wheels on a BMW 640 that I sold the car. Even if you change to non-runflats you still need to be incredibly careful.
I fitted 7 tyres in 18 months, one of which lasted 50 miles.

And to those who say 'just avoid potholes' that's fine when you drive the same stretch of road every day, but when you're driving all over the country to different places often for the first time, it's unavoidable.

I now have a 5 series with 18" wheels and tyres that have a 5% taller sidewall than standard. Ride is brilliant and an added benefit is the speedo is bang on.

dabello74

Original Poster:

13 posts

168 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for all of your valuable responses!

Tommo87

4,713 posts

120 months

Friday 25th June 2021
quotequote all

I would replace all four tyres with non-run flats, but keep the originals so they can be refitted for the hand-back after the PCP has ended.

The ride will be so much better.

Tall_Blk

376 posts

198 months

Saturday 26th June 2021
quotequote all
Reading this thread I’m glad I didn’t opt for the 20” on my E class wagon. As much as I loved the look of it, the head said 19” because of family duties and fingers crossed, no issues in 18months

shopper150

1,576 posts

201 months

Monday 12th July 2021
quotequote all
This is an issue across many brands with large allows and low profile tyres (Merc, BMW, RR etc).

A couple of things that may help (other than getting the need for great looking wheels out of your system)
- Get tyres from a place that sells tyre insurance (Kwik-Fit)
- Ensure your tyre presses are at the maximum of the permitted range)
- Avoid Run Flats (and of course pot holes).

dabello74

Original Poster:

13 posts

168 months

Tuesday 13th July 2021
quotequote all
shopper150 said:
This is an issue across many brands with large allows and low profile tyres (Merc, BMW, RR etc).

A couple of things that may help (other than getting the need for great looking wheels out of your system)
- Get tyres from a place that sells tyre insurance (Kwik-Fit)
- Ensure your tyre presses are at the maximum of the permitted range)
- Avoid Run Flats (and of course pot holes).
Many thanks

Wont be making this costly mistake again!!


Abbeyfeale

3 posts

7 months

Thursday 25th April
quotequote all
dabello74 said:
I have Mercedes E350d Prem Plus with 20" alloys and run flats low profile - I have experienced in a period of 1 year 5 Cracked Alloys and new tyres each time.

I am so frustrated at how the vehicle i had had for PCP 3 years period has always cracked alloys which then shred the run flat tyres. I am so annoyed at how much this car has cost me. Does anyone know if i have a case against MB for the fact that this spec of alloy size and run flat is not fit for purpose. It has cost me almost £2500 over a year and half. MB say it is due to UK roads however 3 year deal and they expect people to just shell out cash like water???? Help any advice or case where anyone has succesffully lodge a complaint at MB??
did you lodge a complaint with Mercedes?

i purchased a E220 and have had a huge problem with run flat tyres and i do all motorway driving, changed the tyres and problem gone away
contacted mercedes and just got fobbed off, but i'm not going to let it drop at the first hurdle