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Car gets a flat tire; it's in a very cold climate up north and the car does not have run flats; you call roadside assistance; 3 hours later you try to start the car and it's 15 below zero; glow plug uses up tremendous amounts of battery reserve and fails to start the engine. With run flats, the diesel can go 50+ miles on the flat tire. Remember, I'm pulling at straws to come up with a rationale because in 99% of the cases, the climate would not be that cold, but who knows?
There must be a rational explanation for this. But, if I was forced to get run flats on my sport E350 sedan, I would not be driving a Mercedes. I would drive a Lexus instead - the new GS sedan! I certainly am not going back to BMW (non-sport model) after all the problems I had with my 2-535i's.
If anyone knows the reason for run flats only on the diesel, we would sure like to hear from you!
2021 Genesis G90
When I finally have to replace my tires in about 18 months (that's when I expect to have 15,000 miles on the car, I am going to get those Michelin's where they get 25,000 to 30,000 miles. Just imagine the cost of run flats though, at least $350+ per tire, of you are lucky.
Still would like to know why run flats are standard on diesels, not on gasoline 350's. Called my friend at Mercedes and he did not know.
2021 Genesis G90
2021 Genesis G90
The reason for needing anything different is that the bluetec fluid tank is where the spare tire would be on the gas cars.....so the car physically has no room for a spare tire.
Also if you are a member of the Mercedes Benz Club of America (MBCA.org) you should be able to save 10% on all your parts orders and services. My dealer does for me!
Also, let me know if you found those Michelins by size of tire.
2021 Genesis G90
2021 Genesis G90
Like I said before, if my new Mercedes E350 sedan came in only run flats I would not have bought one. That is how much I hate driving on run flat tires!
2021 Genesis G90
What's a good deal on a leftover 2011 E550 with a MSRP of 72k?
2021 Genesis G90
As for the tires, I did see them available here in FL and my Benz dealer carries them in stock.
2021 Genesis G90
But I do know you are kidding. I also did the trip in the summer across the northern states (I-10 to I-15 to I-80, etc.). Not much there, but Pennsyslvania is a great state to do some leisure vacationing. Did that northern trip in 2 days, driving straight through in two nights. But I was younger then - could never do that again at my age with my bad back! LOL!
2021 Genesis G90
I have read quite a few posts and you seem to have good knowledge on E350's. I am new here and I am ineterested in buying a used E350? Which year to get? Is 2009 e350 a good year? Should I buy only from MB dealer or other dealers? If I am planning to keep till 100,000 miles where can i get the extended warrenty? If the vehicle is still under warrenty will any MB dealer sell and how much does it cost?
Sorry for asking too many questions.
Thanks
When you are buying a late model Mercedes, I would buy it from a Mercedes dealer Who has CERTIFIED the vehicle through Mercedes Benz. That means the car is fully warranted for up to 100,000 miles for 6 or 7 years. Only a Mercedes dealership can get the car CERTIFIED.
2021 Genesis G90
Many regulars here on this forum took advantage of those incentives and purchased new E350 sedans. They were offering 1.9% financing or less for up to 66 months which only sweetened the deal.
If I could not get those incentives and interest rates, I would not have gotten the 2012. This, I suggest you keep your 2011 until or unless they come out with outstanding incentives and interest rates.
I will add here that I am saving about 5 gallons per tankful on gas, which over a 12 month time period with gasoline at the highest in years with even more increases in prices coming, is SIGNIFICANT!
2021 Genesis G90
2021 Genesis G90
That brings the cost of your car to 35K. I am sure you can find a certified 2009 with low miles (25k -35K) at that price.
I always recommend that you purhcase from a dealership where the car has been certified. There are also some special finance rates available on certified MB cars from dealership through MB Financial.
Good Luck and let me know how you make out!
2021 Genesis G90
The frustration is that he better tires (Michelin Pilot Super Sports) will not be warranted for their usual 30,000 mile tread life because I would not be rotating the tires since they are different sizes, front and rear. So they cut the warranty to 15,000 miles tread wear for the life of the tire. That's about the same mileage I get on my standard tires (Continentals). So why pay $100 more per tire to get Michelins when they don't warrant the tread life for the full 30,000 miles. I wouldn't mind spending the $100 more per tire if I could be guaranteed they would last for 30,000 miles, but they would not!
In summary, I am not going to pay $365 a tire to get Michelins if I can get Continentals for $250 or $260 a tire. The problems of tread wear has to do with the fact that the tires cannot be rotated. If they could, the tread life would be extended significantly. But Michelin is not going to warrant the tread life for 30,000 miles, only 15,000 miles for the reasons mentioned above. They only warrant 30,000 mile tread life if all four tires put on the car are the same exact size!
Hope you understand, Dave.
2021 Genesis G90
I prefer a little quieter ride on the highway. I really haven't had any problems with the Continentals. Remember, I had 4 E350's with them and they all performed great. Bridgestone's and Continental's came with my BMW's, 2005-2008. They also performed well on the BMW, it was the car that I hated.
When I am ready for tires, which won't be for about a year, I'll probably price them around town (Pep Boys, Tire Kingdom, etc.) and then go to my Mercedes Dealership who said he would match or beat any price I got anywhere else. I also have a $500 coupon the General Manager gave me which I will use toward the purchase. Looks like I won't hit 10,000 miles before my year anniversary in October. So, I guess that's when I'll have my first A service.
Hope I haven't confused you, Dave.
2021 Genesis G90
I understand they are working on a new engine with 300+ horsepower which will attain over 35 mpg's on the highway. Another car that looks pretty sharp is that new Lexus GS. The only problem I have with Lexus is that they are made by Toyota. A women who lives a few buildings away from me lost control of her 2004 Camry yesterday while driving in our condo area. Her car unexpectedly accelerated and she lost control of her car. She crashed into a tree along our major drive. Quite a bit of damage to both her car and this huge ficus tree. She was taken to the hospital and is still hospitalized. This all took place in a posted 25 mph zone. I live in a huge condo community with about 2200 units on a 900 acre parcel with golf course. So I am still a little wary of Toyota products.
We'll compare notes when we get replacement tires, which will be sometime next year!
2021 Genesis G90
But I did take note of that new GS that just came out and it is really sharp looking. Something to think about in the future, definitely not now. Quite frankly, I personally feel the Mercedes sport package is just a tad too stiff for me. But, when you're having fun with a car, you tend to overlook some of the imperfections in the ride. I think, from experience, that the Mercedes sport package rides just a harshly as the BMW sport package in the 5 series.
As for those tires, you are correct in assuming you will be getting replacements before I will. Besides, the more stop and go driving you do, the faster these tires will wear out.
Take care!
2021 Genesis G90
The dealership is truly beautiful, but unfortunately the people who work inside are not - what I mean is they are assertive, overly aggressive and very unpleasant. When we pulled up in my car (my neighbor had just sold his car privately) we were met outside the front door (he didn't even let us get inside before starting his pitching). He asked why we were coming into his dealership since he noticed I was driving a new 2012 E350, and we told him my friend was interested in a new car. He then had the nerve to ask me why I didn't take him to my dealership (he saw the name of my dealership on my license plate frame) to get his car - "...were you unhappy with your salesperson?" I could not believe his nasty approach, but I held my tongue, as did my neighbor, and walked into the showroom. The salesperson followed us in and immediately started on my friend - "...are you going to buy or lease your new car today or are you just looking?" It took less than 10 seconds for my friend to ask for a different person to speak with. The salesperson went right for his manager and things got even worse! The manager came over and asked what the problem was, and after my neighbor explained his reason, the manager said if he didn't want to work with the salesperson who waited in him, he could take his business someplace else!
I personally have never had an experience like that in all the years I've been buying cars!
I wonder how long it will be before corporate changes the management of that new dealership?
2021 Genesis G90
This is the reason I buy my cars where I do! I'm treated like a member of the family, not like a member of a herd of livestock!
2021 Genesis G90
You really should post the dealer's name or location here. Part of the benefit of these forums is finding the outstanding dealers and knowing the "not so outstanding" ones.
I'm not as young and spry as I used to be, and my back suffers from hard riding cars. I think I have too much air in the tires even though I have them inflated exactly at the pressure recommended by Mercedes. I just think 36 front and 38 rear are a bit much. What I might do is drop it two pounds which might help. Also, the tires have nitro fill which tend to ride a little stiffer than air.
I tried the luxury model, but I hated the wheels and the style of the front grille and sides of the car. Luckily I don't drive in heavy traffic.
2021 Genesis G90
I went up to my dealership this morning and he said my tires were overinflated by 4 pounds. Fronts had 38 and rears had 40. So he made them 32 and 34 COLD INFLATION so when I got on the road, the pressures were 25 and 37. Much easier on my back. He also took all the nitrogen out fo the tires and redid them 4 times. He said by reinflating them that many times with nitrogen, you reduce the amount of non-nitrogen gases in the tires. So, not only was there about 20% air in the tires, but that's why I was unhappy with the ride.
Now, it's like a different car. He also told me that with these low profile tires, if they get overinflated, they ride like rocks and have the potential for being more easily damaged. So, that's the story.
And as for run-flats, they are even worse. But, they do serve a purpose - no spare!
2021 Genesis G90
Nitrogen in tires has nothing at all to do with the ride. The air we breathe is 78% Nitrogen....so if your tire was just inflated with air, it would have about 20% non nitrogen gasses so I just love the 20% air statement. If your tires were inflated with 80% pure nitrogen and 20% air, then the total nitrogen in your tire would be 96%. Your dealer apparently is selling what he heard and misunderstood.
It sounds like your dealer was trying to justify why you paid for Nitrogen in the first place.
The only place nitrogen helps is that it expands/contracts slightly less than "air" so your pressure doesn't change quite as much when the tire heats up or the outside temperature changes. It's an extremely "high profit" item for dealers so they push it hard on buyers by extolling it's non existent virtues.
As far as your comments, I am no expert in this, so I cannot take exception with any of your comments. All I do know is that nitro-fill adds nitrogen, not air (the hydrogen-oxygen-type). I know that the less oxygen in tires, less oxidation occurs with the rubber (synthetic of course). That's all I know about nitro-fill! And, my car is no longer riding as hard as it did.
Thanks for the info!
2021 Genesis G90
Your best bet is to just wait until your preferred dealer gets in something you like.
New cars are dealer-traded all the time but used cars are not - not even certified used cars. You can't have your cake and eat it too in this case!
2021 Genesis G90
Thanks for mentioning the dealers.