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[eleven]

Hi guys,

I got a warning from the TPM. I get out of the car and saw that I possibly had a "bubble" burst on my front driver side tire and is leaking air fast. I can hear the air coming out from the sidewall, the "burst" caused an "crack" of about 1 inch high. I just got home and there's no tire shops open with the 17" Bridgestone Run-Flats still open. Will I be able to drive the car to the dealer when the morning comes? or should I use BMW assist?

Just wondering, will this be covered by BMW? or do I have to pay for the replacement and labor?

Also, if I have to pay, should I take it to BMW or just a regular tire shop?

Thanks in advance!

[montreal red]

if your sidewall has a hole in it, its very unlikely that the damage is repairable... you can call your dealership to see if its covered under warranty but i highly doubt it... unless of course you purchased wheel and tire insurance.

if it isnt covered under warranty, i suggest you go to your local tire shop to get your tire replaced instead of going back to the dealership... everything would cost a lot more at the dealership.

[Haywire]

You should be fine to drive, just make sure if you do...that you take it straight to the dealership first (and see if they can do anything for you) altho, like the poster above...its highly unlikely, but on the positive side, maybe the tire was defective...so you NEVER know.

Whatever you do, DONT BUY THE TIRE FROM THE DEALERSHIP... just the other day i priced out a tire with them...well over 7oo bucks, I called the tire shop i usually deal with, 45o.

I think you see where im going with this. Best of luck. Sucks... I just had mine patched and when my tires eventually run down, its off to NON RFT's in record time.

[eleven]

Thanks for the quick replies guys...I forgot to mention that I only have 3,000 miles on the car and tires..

Don't know if that will matter though?

[dkvby]

Originally Posted by Haywire

You should be fine to drive, just make sure if you do...that you take it straight to the dealership first (and see if they can do anything for you) altho, like the poster above...its highly unlikely, but on the positive side, maybe the tire was defective...so you NEVER know.

Whatever you do, DONT BUY THE TIRE FROM THE DEALERSHIP...

But then they will not release the car due to unsafely to drive. It happened to my fd, but may be its different in US, who knows.... gl anyway

[Silvr&Blk]

Sorry to hear bro but the dealer will not warrenty the stock RFT's. I had the same problem due to a pothole at 15k miles.

Basically the RFT tires have extra stiff sidewalls as part of their design so they do not absorb impact as well and will bulge when it gets a hard impact as the side wall beads will break. I spoke to the tire rep of my dealership and was straight up with him and asked what were my chances of getting it warrantied. The answer is next to none since the dealer will need to send you out to an authorized Bridgestone dealer who will make the decision on whether they will warranty your tire. He has never heard of a time where anyone has succeeded since a side wall bubble = impact and therefore considered a road hazzard and not a product defect.

Don't waste your time and just replace the tire with non-RFT's. Don't forget, you should replace the non-damaged tire on the corresponding side of the damaged tire as well to enure that the wear and tread patterns are matched for proper handling but since you only got 3k in miles, you might just bite the bullet and get the same replacement Bridgestone RFT to avoid getting 2 new tires. Just save the non-damaged RFT as a spare if you do replace both with non-RFT's...

Always goto a reputable tire shop - don't waste your $$ on paying dealer mark up rates on replacement tires...

Good luck!

[eleven]

Thanks again for the quick replies!

I've heard numerous people on the forum suggesting to go the non-RFT route. I'm sure there's a big difference in ride quality and noise reduction. But the main thing holding me back on going with non-RFTs is the fact that my girlfriend drives to car just as much as I do, and I don't want anything to happen to the tires while she was driving. Especially without a spare, not that she would know how to change it anyway....lol

My concern finally happened tonight. My girlfriend drove to work and on the way back home the TPM alerted that the front driver side tire was losing tire pressure. After she got home safe (knock-on-wood), I took a look at the tire and can't imagine what would've happened if it weren't for the RFTs.

I'm thinking either replacing the one tire or go with a full set of these:

Continental ContiProContact SSR - 225/45HR17
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nSpeedRating=H

Any experience with the Continentals?

Thanks for reading my long rant!

[dkvby]

i think the Z rating one is better than the H in terms of handling and speed.

[StarrDlux]

just don't forget to buy the optional tire protection packaage safeguard. then when your bubble bursts say every year on every tire you'll have to get new tires(free of course). bmw dealers will not patch a Z-rated run-flat.

if the nail hit a belt the tire would no longer be stable at Z-rated speeds. Since they put the speed limiter at 150mph they could be highly liable if you were on your 1/4 mile long driveway and had a blowout at 113mph in 12.8 seconds

plus of course even in a bmw you'd die crashing at that speed i'm guessing. trees and triple digit speeds unless you own a ferrari or something you will just die.

[Legion5]

Originally Posted by eleven

Thanks again for the quick replies!

I've heard numerous people on the forum suggesting to go the non-RFT route. I'm sure there's a big difference in ride quality and noise reduction. But the main thing holding me back on going with non-RFTs is the fact that my girlfriend drives to car just as much as I do, and I don't want anything to happen to the tires while she was driving. Especially without a spare, not that she would know how to change it anyway....lol

My concern finally happened tonight. My girlfriend drove to work and on the way back home the TPM alerted that the front driver side tire was losing tire pressure. After she got home safe (knock-on-wood), I took a look at the tire and can't imagine what would've happened if it weren't for the RFTs.

I'm thinking either replacing the one tire or go with a full set of these:

Continental ContiProContact SSR - 225/45HR17
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nSpeedRating=H

Any experience with the Continentals?

Thanks for reading my long rant!

Why not just buy a spare ($45) and attach it into the trunk with the trunk's attachment points, or get a blown tire sealing kit ($18)? That's what I did when I changed out my dad's RFT's.

Or better yet do not let your GF drive your car.

[riceqx2]

I had those Continentals on my E92 328XI and I loved them compared to my 18" Bridgestones. They were smooth and did'nt tramline, and after 20K miles, showed nearly no wear.

[eleven]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Why not just buy a spare ($45) and attach it into the trunk with the trunk's attachment points, or get a blown tire sealing kit ($18)? That's what I did when I changed out my dad's RFT's.

Or better yet do not let your GF drive your car.

Trust me, I thought about all possible ways to switch to non-RFTs, but to me (us), its just not feasible. My gf wouldn't even know how to use the tire sealing kit anyway..lol

As for not letting her drive the car...nearly impossible! haha..

[bolinp78]

18" bridgestone potenzas, the one that come stock on sport packaged 335i, cost like $350 each from the dealership.

Michelin Pilot Sport cost $300 from Discount Tire, and is an infinitely better tire.

Kinda funny.

[Blue Streak]

Originally Posted by Silvr&Blk

Sorry to hear bro but the dealer will not warrenty the stock RFT's. I had the same problem due to a pothole at 15k miles.

Basically the RFT tires have extra stiff sidewalls as part of their design so they do not absorb impact as well and will bulge when it gets a hard impact as the side wall beads will break. I spoke to the tire rep of my dealership and was straight up with him and asked what were my chances of getting it warrantied. The answer is next to none since the dealer will need to send you out to an authorized Bridgestone dealer who will make the decision on whether they will warranty your tire. He has never heard of a time where anyone has succeeded since a side wall bubble = impact and therefore considered a road hazzard and not a product defect.

Don't waste your time and just replace the tire with non-RFT's. Don't forget, you should replace the non-damaged tire on the corresponding side of the damaged tire as well to enure that the wear and tread patterns are matched for proper handling but since you only got 3k in miles, you might just bite the bullet and get the same replacement Bridgestone RFT to avoid getting 2 new tires. Just save the non-damaged RFT as a spare if you do replace both with non-RFT's...

Always goto a reputable tire shop - don't waste your $$ on paying dealer mark up rates on replacement tires...

Good luck!

^ ^ ^ Good advice. I am in the same predicament right now. I've got low miles on my stock RE050 run-flat's, but the right front tire may need to be replaced. I already have made up my mind that I'm going to be getting all 4 tires replaced when they need it and I will use non-run flats. Right now, I'll either need to replace that one tire with an OEM run-flat or just replace both front tires with the non-run flats that I was going to buy later anyway. In terms of cost, it will actually be about the same price to buy the 2 new non-run flats than to just buy 1 OEM run flat. Plus it's better for me in the long term to just go ahead and get what I wanted later on anyway.

[eleven]

Hey guys,

I just got it replaced, luckily there's a Firestone Auto Center near my house. Came out to be $260!

Btw, I called up my dealership and ask them to replace all 4 tires from Bridgestone to Continentals with the Service Bulletin. They asked me to go in on Friday to "check" if I meet the bulletin requirements. Wish me luck!

After talking to the tech at Firestone, I'm thinking maybe I didn't get a "bubble", but instead somebody took a knife and cut it.....

Here's a pic of the puncture...

[eleven]

Originally Posted by StarrDlux

just don't forget to buy the optional tire protection packaage safeguard. then when your bubble bursts say every year on every tire you'll have to get new tires(free of course). bmw dealers will not patch a Z-rated run-flat.

Thanks for reminder.

I just bought the tire protection package from TwinKidneyGrill.com yesterday night after I had the flat. Since I'll be sticking to RFTs I guess it'll pay off in the long run, especially I already see a "bubble" on the front passenger side tire.

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by eleven

But the main thing holding me back on going with non-RFTs is the fact that my girlfriend drives to car just as much as I do, and I don't want anything to happen to the tires while she was driving. Especially without a spare, not that she would know how to change it anyway....lol

If she wouldn't know what to do with a spare, what difference does it make? Sounds like she's calling roadside assistance either way; might as well get the tires you want?

[eleven]

Originally Posted by tintivilus

If she wouldn't know what to do with a spare, what difference does it make? Sounds like she's calling roadside assistance either way; might as well get the tires you want?

I get what you're saying, but it's not entirely true. With the RFTs, she can still drive the car home (like what happened last night). Where can you tow it to in the middle of the night anyway?

Once the car is home, I can take care of the rest. Without the RFTs, she'll be stuck somewhere waiting for BMW assist tow truck, and she wouldn't know where to tow it to, neither do I. Besides, I don't know if I'll be paying to keep BMW Assist after the 1 year is up.

[1WickedE90]

Originally Posted by eleven

Besides, I don't know if I'll be paying to keep BMW Assist after the 1 year is up.

BMW Assist is good for 4yrs from the vehicle's in-service date.

From BMW USA's web site:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...BMWAssist.aspx

"To enhance your BMW driving experience, the BMW Assist system offers safety, security and convenience services at the touch of a button. Using advanced technology, BMW Assist connects you with a trained response specialist to help you with almost everything, from an emergency situation to directions and traffic information. The BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth® hands-free calling capability with speech recognition. For 2007 and later models, the BMW Assist Safety Plan is available as part of Ultimate Service at no cost for 4 years from your BMW's in-service date. "

[eleven]

Originally Posted by 1WickedE90

BMW Assist is good for 4yrs from the vehicle's in-service date.

From BMW USA's web site:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...BMWAssist.aspx

"To enhance your BMW driving experience, the BMW Assist system offers safety, security and convenience services at the touch of a button. Using advanced technology, BMW Assist connects you with a trained response specialist to help you with almost everything, from an emergency situation to directions and traffic information. The BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth® hands-free calling capability with speech recognition. For 2007 and later models, the BMW Assist Safety Plan is available as part of Ultimate Service at no cost for 4 years from your BMW's in-service date. "

Woot! Thanks for the heads up!

I wonder if I'll get extra 4 years on top of that if I get the BMW extended warranty?

[1WickedE90]

Originally Posted by eleven

Woot! Thanks for the heads up!

I wonder if I'll get extra 4 years on top of that if I get the BMW extended warranty?

The extended warranty will give you an additional two (2) years on top of the standard 4yr warranty.

[Silvr&Blk]

So I take it you replace the 1 damaged tire with a new Bridgestone RFT?

Also from your pix, the cut/gash does look a bit suspicious and not consistent with hiting a pothole. You might be right and it could of been a slash job by a hater...