Is it ok to drive my Mercedes-Benz SLK280 on a repaired tyre?
On a recent trip to France in my 17,000 mile 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK280, I had the misfortune to get a puncture in the rear nearside tyre. The tyres are Pirelli 225/50 R16 92W. Fortunately, we were still on our campsite and had not ventured onto a main road. I called Mercedes Mobilo Life helpline and they arranged for a local Mercedes dealer to attend. He only took about an hour and was extremely efficient.
The mechanic arrived with his low loader and I was fully expecting them to take the car back to the garage and fit a new tyre if in stock, or to have to order one. However, the mechanic jacked the car up and found the offending item, a one and a half inch piece of metal sticking out. He was able to remove it and plug the hole. I asked if this would see us to the ferry terminal some 200 miles away, some on dual carriageway (limit 110/130km on the Peage) and he said yes, which surprised me. We arrived safely and the tyre pressure was fine.
When home I visited my local Mercedes main dealer, told the story and they too confirmed that they saw no reason to renew the tyre. I would be interested to receive your views, as clearly a new tyre would be quite costly, but my main concern is safety.
The mechanic arrived with his low loader and I was fully expecting them to take the car back to the garage and fit a new tyre if in stock, or to have to order one. However, the mechanic jacked the car up and found the offending item, a one and a half inch piece of metal sticking out. He was able to remove it and plug the hole. I asked if this would see us to the ferry terminal some 200 miles away, some on dual carriageway (limit 110/130km on the Peage) and he said yes, which surprised me. We arrived safely and the tyre pressure was fine.
When home I visited my local Mercedes main dealer, told the story and they too confirmed that they saw no reason to renew the tyre. I would be interested to receive your views, as clearly a new tyre would be quite costly, but my main concern is safety.
Asked on 28 September 2013 by MF, St Clement, Jersey
Answered by
Honest John
Excellent service from Mobilo Life. And you were quite lucky that the puncture was repairable. At 17,000 miles the tyre is not likely to be good for much more than another 3000 miles. So I'd watch it. Check the pressure regularly (every few days). At any sign of a leak, that's the time to replace it and the other back tyre. You are lucky you are on the most sensible wheel and tyre size for ride comfort in the SLK. On 18-inch and 19-inch wheels it's awful.)
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