Mb E-350 2008 is equipped with low profile tires contipro contact 245/40 R 18 the tires contact distance from road surface to bottom of rim is app.2 inch. The rim diameter is app.19+ inches. The weight of the vehicle further reduces the contact distance. The momentum of the car at normal speed when comes across a small pot whole or an object the rim of the car itself burst the tire resulting into tire explosion and bending of the rim. This is a serious safety issue and if not corrected in a timely manner may lead to serious accidents including driver and other passers by including road death 2)this happens 2 times. Mbusa road assistance came 2 times and installed dummy tire came with the car. 3) mb usa refused to correct the problem I strongly believe that this is a defective design and must be reviewed as the rim itself may explode the tire and get bent as well. Updated IVOQ 01/21/11

- Floral Park , NY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes E class with 18 inch rims. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph over a pothole, the tire immediately developed a blister on it. The dealer stated that three of the rims needed to be replaced since they were out of round. The dealer replaced one tire, two front rims, one rear rim and performed an alignment. The failure did not persist but the contact was concerned that the failure would recur. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000 and the current mileage was 18,000.

- Peekskill , NY, USA