…still in it.

Had four new run flats put on the Mercedes this morning. I had not run flats on it because several years ago the Costco in White Marsh said they couldn’t get the run flats for my car anymore, and talked me into putting on a normal tire set, which I expected to drive less rough and last longer than the run flats were. They did neither. But I think I understand the problem better now.

My car has the stiffer sport suspension in it, because as I am told, the diesel engine weighs significantly more. So Daimler puts the sports suspension on their diesels. Sports suspensions ride harder and wear tires out faster. And so my experience with not run flats was basically the same as with the run flats.

The only advantage to the not run flats is they’re hundreds cheaper. But the stress of driving around with only a tire plug kit in case I got a flat wasn’t worth it. I’ll keep the plug kit in the trunk of course, but I feel better knowing that I have some leeway to get the car someplace safe and off the road if a puncture happens.

This time I went to the Costco in Owings Mills, which is more like your standard Costco than the one in White Marsh, which I think was a Price Club way back in the day. I could almost imagine myself walking through the Costco in San Luis Obispo the floor plan is so identical, except they can’t sell alcohol here in Maryland so no Kirkland tequila (I joke, you can get the good stuff at the Costco in San Luis). I had no trouble getting run flats from them, and there were lots of places nearby to grab a bite to eat and shop while I was waiting than at the White Marsh one.

So that’s the 210k service and new tires. Now I’m ready for another trip to Oceano. But I’ve no idea when I can get enough vacation time for that. I’m hoping maybe next September. I’ll see if I can negotiate a week or two of work offsite.