Run Flats

[sl500amgsport]

I will soon be picking up an E53 AMG which currently has 20" wheels, Michelin run flat tyres and air suspension.

My research so far shows that run flats on 20" wheels = Harsh ride, pothole punctures and wheel damage (albeit most reports from USA). Does anyone have experience of this and would it be safe to replace the tyres on an AMG with non run flats bearing in mind the air suspension and performance etc?

The car has completed 26k miles and the garage is replacing x2 front tyres as they are worn to the thread and old MOTs seem to show regular tyre issues....

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[s5tuart]

I will soon be picking up an E53 AMG which currently has 20" wheels, Michelin run flat tyres and air suspension.

My research so far shows that run flats on 20" wheels = Harsh ride, pothole punctures and wheel damage (albeit most reports from USA). Does anyone have experience of this and would it be safe to replace the tyres on an AMG with non run flats bearing in mind the air suspension and performance etc?

The car has completed 26k miles and the garage is replacing x2 front tyres as they are worn to the thread and old MOTs seem to show regular tyre issues....

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Your research tells you all you need to know in my opinion.
As it's "free" get the garage to replace with normal tyres and then make a judgement on having the rears changed.

 

[Blobcat]

As long as the load rating is correct you’ll be fine without runflats. Will still be a firm ride though, be careful over speed bumps and avoid all potholes (if you can)

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

You’ll be fine switching to a standard tyre it will be XL rated (strengthened sidewalls etc) with the correct speed rating. I ditched the runflats on my BMW 435i (broke my heart they were nearly new) and fitted standard tyres and it improved the ride and handling appreciably incidentally the BMW M4 doesn’t have runflats as standard - tells you something doesn’t it. FYI I asked my insurance company about the change and they weren’t in the slightest bit interested

 

[Rob7seven]

You’ll be fine switching to a standard tyre it will be XL rated (strengthened sidewalls etc) with the correct speed rating. I ditched the runflats on my BMW 435i (broke my heart they were nearly new) and fitted standard tyres and it improved the ride and handling appreciably incidentally the BMW M4 doesn’t have runflats as standard - tells you something doesn’t it. FYI I asked my insurance company about the change and they weren’t in the slightest bit interested

A friend bought a BMW M4 about three years ago, so maybe not the latest model. His car was delivered on runflats, but he told me the ride was terrible. They seemed to be wearing badly, and he replaced them much less than half worn with non runflat Michelins, which have improved the car in every way, the ride and speedhump behaviour especially.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

A friend bought a BMW M4 about three years ago, so maybe not the latest model. His car was delivered on runflats, but he told me the ride was terrible. They seemed to be wearing badly, and he replaced them much less than half worn with non runflat Michelins, which have improved the car in every way, the ride and speedhump behaviour especially.

Yes things change I’m looking back 6 years unless the M4 I was looking at at the time had already ditched them. My BMW had no compliance with the road at all with them it bounced from one bump to the next it was awful

The W213 chassis actually handles 20in runflats very well my son had one thus equipped but that’s the difference between front wishbone suspension and McPherson Strut suspension

 

[grayb]

I will soon be picking up an E53 AMG which currently has 20" wheels, Michelin run flat tyres and air suspension.

My research so far shows that run flats on 20" wheels = Harsh ride, pothole punctures and wheel damage (albeit most reports from USA). Does anyone have experience of this and would it be safe to replace the tyres on an AMG with non run flats bearing in mind the air suspension and performance etc?

The car has completed 26k miles and the garage is replacing x2 front tyres as they are worn to the thread and old MOTs seem to show regular tyre issues....

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You've not had a chance to test drive it to experience the ride first-hand?

 

[sl500amgsport]

You've not had a chance to test drive it to experience the ride first-hand?

Yes took it for a short 15 min spin, didn't seem too bad at all (coming from a R231 SL without air suspension).

I have now found out it has already been fitted with non run flats so all good, just convincing the garage to put decent replacements on the front (they said Michelins too expensive)......

If my negotiations fail I will pay the difference..

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[curious]

You must have screwed them down tight on the price if you're buying an E53 AMG and they can't run to new Michelin's within that.

 

[sl500amgsport]

You must have screwed them down tight on the price if you're buying an E53 AMG and they can't run to new Michelin's within that.

Yep guess so, dropped £1k off the price, replacing 2x tyres & replacing 2x badges, giving full service, new MOT and came up an extra £1k on the px offer, 6 months after market crappy warranty, free loan car while MB main dealership carry out wiring harness recall I spotted on MOT checker...

The car is fully loaded, only thing missing is HUD so quite keen to close the deal as nothing else close at price point in UK, stealership tried to sell me a 300 as they had nothing on their books!

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[malcolm E53 AMG]

Look forward to seeing some photos I’m still torn between an E43 and E53 estate do keep us posted with thoughts on how it performs

 

[sl500amgsport]

Look forward to seeing some photos I’m still torn between an E43 and E53 estate do keep us posted with thoughts on how it performs

Will do, should be picking it up next week, some pics below in meantime.

I think the E53 replaced the E43 moving from V6 3.0 twin turbo to inline 6 with hybrid boost?

Difficult for me as coming from V8 twin turbo 4.7l, oddly although it has less knock you back hang on for dear life grunt, it has better sound from the AMG exhaust and on paper is quicker!

The hybrid side I think gives it a smoother delivery, time will tell.

I will miss the SL but going from 2x to 1x car needed 4x seats.

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[s5tuart]

Will do, should be picking it up next week, some pics below in meantime.

I think the E53 replaced the E43 moving from V6 3.0 twin turbo to inline 6 with hybrid boost?

Difficult for me as coming from V8 twin turbo 4.7l, oddly although it has less knock you back hang on for dear life grunt, it has better sound from the AMG exhaust and on paper is quicker!

The hybrid side I think gives it a smoother delivery, time will tell.

I will miss the SL but going from 2x to 1x car needed 4x seats.

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Sweet!!!!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Nice interior, not a fan of red seat belts but they look good with the red leather inserts.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I won’t be taking the plunge until next year and the E43 will be a bit old by then most up for sale now are on 50k miles so it looks very likely that I’ll be looking at E53 estates - I have only one reservation about the E53 and that’s the 48V Hybrid system so as above I’ll be interested to see how you get on with the car - I’m a big fan of the IL6 pleased to see MB have returned to the fold so as to speak

 

[sl500amgsport]

All AMGs now have red seat belts, it is one of the design attributes rather like the 4x exhaust tips...

I guess it helps plod and the new cameras know if you are wearing it ,-).

I like the hybrid having previously owned a fully fledged Lexus GS450h, the performance delivery is incredibly smooth, in this case it causes you to lose the turbo kick in the back (that could be the 4x wheel drive though).

If it goes wrong could be expensive as only Mercedes understand it being new technology, will keep you posted. The car is barely run in so hopefully will not see too much trouble (famous last words). The recall is worrying as the gearbox wiring will be checked and re-routed, hope they put the connectors back correctly, I do not have much faith in the stealerships....

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[Woodleigh]

All AMGs now have red seat belts,

Not true, my S213 AMG has black seat belts.

 

[sl500amgsport]

Not true, my S213 AMG has black seat belts.
View attachment 87239

I stand corrected, every AMG I looked at and black wasn't in the options list for new on the Cabriolet....

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[malcolm E53 AMG]

I believe only the ‘poorer’ AMG models E43 and E53 etc come with the red seat belts - mind you I have seen one E53 for sale with black seat belts obviously the owner from new disliked them and MB obliged and delivered without

 

[Srdl]

Black was a no cost option on mine. I’ve got red because they found a car in the network and it ticked all the other boxes.