Phil916
New Member
I know this is a well discussed topic but I'm certainly not happy with the consequence of this issue and the response form Mercedes. My E43 had Yokohama tyres (20") fitted from new and has experienced tyre skip from day 1. Even in warm weather on full lock the car would judder. In winter things get worse so even pulling out of a T junction would cause tyre skip - no where near full lock.
Mercedes admitted this as an issue and even documented this at the car's first service. They stated Mercedes were looking to replace the tyres with all weather tyres but due to the tyre size at that point no manufacturer produced a tyre for the front. The next option was supplying a set of winter tyres - very costly in that would require an additional set of rims too. Eventually they came back with a statement that the tyre skipping did not affect safety therefore they were doing nothing to rectify this issue.
About 6 weeks ago the car had a recall and the dealer gave the car a safety check whilst it was in. The result of this was that the front tyres were illegal which was a surprise to me as tread was still way above the legal limit, which they confirmed at 3mm minimum. The tyres were worn evenly across the tread however the inner sidewall was worn so badly that not only was the metal banding uncovered but ha been worn so badly that some of the braiding was cut through. The tyres were in a very dangerous state. the dealer checked the tracking and front suspension geometry to report everything was within tolerance.
I had the tyres returned to Yokohama who inspected for faulty manufacture. They have replied and confirmed that the tyres are OK and the cause would be down to either incorrect geometry or tyre pressures.
As the dealer had declined to support me they directed me to Mercedes UK. In turn they passed me on to AMG Germany who could answer the query on the phone - obviously this was not an uncommon question. They stated that they had undertaken tests with the statutory bodies and the issue of tyre skip was not a safety issue.
As the tyre skip unduly loads the sidewalls - on the E43 obviously the inner sidewall, then realising this issue of increased wear is not visible unless you lie down and look under the vehicle. So for the vast majority of drivers of a new car this would not be normal procedure!
As the tyres still has 3 mm of tread and the inner sidewall was completely destroyed the tyres should have been changed a significant time before this, probably with at least 5mm or 6mm of tread i.e. at about 30% of tread wear!
I am now about to take this up with Mercedes again as I do believe this is a significant safety issue and I will also inform the motoring ombudsman.
I know when I searched the web previously I came across a statement from Mercedes (for the GLC) which admitted the design of the suspension/steering had an issue with the Ackerman geometry which was the cause of tyre skip and this also indicated that RHD vehicles suffered this more. I've tried to find this but without success so if anyone can help it would be much appreciated.
Interested in others who have this problem but if you own an E43 please get down on the ground and check your inner sidewalls before suffering a blowout or two!
Mercedes admitted this as an issue and even documented this at the car's first service. They stated Mercedes were looking to replace the tyres with all weather tyres but due to the tyre size at that point no manufacturer produced a tyre for the front. The next option was supplying a set of winter tyres - very costly in that would require an additional set of rims too. Eventually they came back with a statement that the tyre skipping did not affect safety therefore they were doing nothing to rectify this issue.
About 6 weeks ago the car had a recall and the dealer gave the car a safety check whilst it was in. The result of this was that the front tyres were illegal which was a surprise to me as tread was still way above the legal limit, which they confirmed at 3mm minimum. The tyres were worn evenly across the tread however the inner sidewall was worn so badly that not only was the metal banding uncovered but ha been worn so badly that some of the braiding was cut through. The tyres were in a very dangerous state. the dealer checked the tracking and front suspension geometry to report everything was within tolerance.
I had the tyres returned to Yokohama who inspected for faulty manufacture. They have replied and confirmed that the tyres are OK and the cause would be down to either incorrect geometry or tyre pressures.
As the dealer had declined to support me they directed me to Mercedes UK. In turn they passed me on to AMG Germany who could answer the query on the phone - obviously this was not an uncommon question. They stated that they had undertaken tests with the statutory bodies and the issue of tyre skip was not a safety issue.
As the tyre skip unduly loads the sidewalls - on the E43 obviously the inner sidewall, then realising this issue of increased wear is not visible unless you lie down and look under the vehicle. So for the vast majority of drivers of a new car this would not be normal procedure!
As the tyres still has 3 mm of tread and the inner sidewall was completely destroyed the tyres should have been changed a significant time before this, probably with at least 5mm or 6mm of tread i.e. at about 30% of tread wear!
I am now about to take this up with Mercedes again as I do believe this is a significant safety issue and I will also inform the motoring ombudsman.
I know when I searched the web previously I came across a statement from Mercedes (for the GLC) which admitted the design of the suspension/steering had an issue with the Ackerman geometry which was the cause of tyre skip and this also indicated that RHD vehicles suffered this more. I've tried to find this but without success so if anyone can help it would be much appreciated.
Interested in others who have this problem but if you own an E43 please get down on the ground and check your inner sidewalls before suffering a blowout or two!