BMW Sport package?

I have been hearing some horror stories from a local Atlanta, GA Goodyear tire store manager. He told me to be glad your did not get the sport package option! He went on to say he does not work on 18inch tires, only 17 and below.

He said he cannot ever get the BMW with sport package properly aligned right, and the its tires get low mileage about 15000 yo 25000 miles before needing replacing, and said you have to be a "Die hard" driver to buy this BMW sport package! :banghead:

Then he said about mine your with just the touring premium package should get 50 to 60,000 miles or better before your times need replacing, if you keep them properly inflated, and tire rotate and balancing every 2500 miles. :biggrin:

Question: Is what the Goodyear tire salesmen told me today the truth, or is he full of it?

He also said an oil change with Synthetic oil will coat me $100.00. Is this the average price, or is gouging me on his price (I was thinking 50.00 for the oil and filter, and about 20 in labor cost, but please tell me what do your experience been with Synthetic Oil Changes prices? Does anyone here know how much does BMW dealer charge for oil charge on a 530i?).

Sincerely,
R. Presley = Atlanta GA

I just bought a 2001 530i with M (sport) package, I've only had it for 1 week so I don't know about the tire issue, but I have been monitoring some of the concern about and the sport package and tires. The car happens to have the Turanza LS-Z on it now. Here is a review I saw (note Sport Pkg) on the Tire Rack site:
REVIEW FROM The TIRE RACk
Vehicle: 2002 BMW 530i Sedan Sport Pkg
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Driving Style: Spirited
Miles driven on tires: 20,000
Driving Condition: Combined Highway/City
Reviewer's Overall Ratings: 10.00 out of 10
Review Submitted 2004-03-04

The OEM Michelin tires that came with the car were great at first. But after about 10k miles they became very noisy and established a rough ride. By 20,000 they were worn out and needed to be replaced. After some research I found the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Zs . After 20,000 miles on them they ride and handle as nice as the day I bought them and they still have about 1/2 their tread left. Plus, they are they only sport / touring low profile tire with a 40,000 warranty! Theyre also less expensive than the Michelin tires. Goodbye Michelin, theyre no competition for the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z. Excellent tires!!!!

I put 30,000 to 40,000 miles per year on my car. I get the wheels balanced once every two years, or whenever I replace a tire.
If I balanced them every 2500 miles, I'd be having them balanced over 10 times a year...which is pretty stupid.
Flunky

I put 30,000 to 40,000 miles per year on my car. I get the wheels balanced once every two years, or whenever I replace a tire.
If I balanced them every 2500 miles, I'd be having them balanced over 10 times a year...which is pretty stupid.
Flunky



I do know what you mean about sounding pretty stupid having it done on your car more than 10 times a year...$$$$. I agree it can be a pain and get real BMW dealer expensive at about $70.00 a pop! :loser:

It might not work because it is a BMW, but I am going to try a different approach. Now I realize All Bimmers are fine quality cars that need to been maintain to keep them in perfect running order, but for a simple thing to be done every 2500 miles the time rotation and balancing, I am going to have to give the a local Tire Company in my area a chance and purchase their package for lifetime rotation and balancing for a one time set fee of approx.: $55.00. :iceslolan

The only reason I choose to rotate my tires and keep inflated properly 32front/34 rear, is to keep these tires as long as possible. :smokin:

(I do not have the cash to buy new tires for the lack of balancing and rotation, especially having spent most of my life savings, ((just kidding LOL)) on this 2004 530i for $55,000.00+!)

Sincerely,

Presley348

I just bought a 2001 530i with M (sport) package, I've only had it for 1 week so I don't know about the tire issue, but I have been monitoring some of the concern about and the sport package and tires. The car happens to have the Turanza LS-Z on it now. Here is a review I saw (note Sport Pkg) on the Tire Rack site:
REVIEW FROM The TIRE RACk
Vehicle: 2002 BMW 530i Sedan Sport Pkg
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Driving Style: Spirited
Miles driven on tires: 20,000
Driving Condition: Combined Highway/City
Reviewer's Overall Ratings: 10.00 out of 10
Review Submitted 2004-03-04

The OEM Michelin tires that came with the car were great at first. But after about 10k miles they became very noisy and established a rough ride. By 20,000 they were worn out and needed to be replaced. After some research I found the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Zs . After 20,000 miles on them they ride and handle as nice as the day I bought them and they still have about 1/2 their tread left. Plus, they are they only sport / touring low profile tire with a 40,000 warranty! Theyre also less expensive than the Michelin tires. Goodbye Michelin, theyre no competition for the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z. Excellent tires!!!!

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Hi Lodgistix:

Thanks for your info! When my tires on my 530i need replacing I might try the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z, :smokin: not Michelins for sure! :loser:

(By the way that 03 525i I was looking at before I bought my 2004, ran rough and noisy because of the tires on it being cupped, and by the way they were Michelin run-flats too :loser: ).

Presley348 :banghead:

HI all
Just read your reviews/gripes about tires for Bimmers. I put a nice set of cheap Bridgestones on my 525 touring last year and they are a good set of tires, they run quiet, smooth and wear evenly. Kind of like a match made in heaven..lol I do recommend Firestone/ Bridgestone no matter what hype you/ve heard about them blowing apart on SUVS.

HI all
Just read your reviews/gripes about tires for Bimmers. I put a nice set of cheap Bridgestones on my 525 touring last year and they are a good set of tires, they run quiet, smooth and wear evenly. Kind of like a match made in heaven..lol I do recommend Firestone/ Bridgestone no matter what hype you/ve heard about them blowing apart on SUVS.

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Hi Nokie351:

Does your 525i have the sport package? :confused:

Presley348

Yes Kimosabe, Goodyear dealer speak truth - mostly.

If you check around on various BMW forums, you'll find this tire-wear problem on E39s with Sport suspensions is quite prevalent. I've got a 2002 525i Sport/Premium and I thought I was going to have to start wearing ear plugs until I got my OEM Continental ContiSport Contacts off at 15,000 miles. The problem was not evident at 10,000 miles. I'd read the horror stories and I now know what they were talking about. I changed to the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3 about 10,000 miles ago and so far, so good. The "cupping" that everyone talks about is uneven wear on the horizontal tread blocks - primarily on the insides of the tires - which creates a saw-tooth pattern around the tire. The suspension setup allows you to drive like you're on rails but the compromise appears to sacrifice the tires with a high amount of side-slip in the turns. Something akin to the "cost of doing business."

The Goodyears have very little horizontal tread component so I'm hoping to get better mileage out of these tires. An additional benefit is these are the most awesome rain tires I've ever owned!!

I've read 1 or 2 reports that if you get the alignment "exactly" right, the problem is solved. I'm putting this in the Urban Legends category pending further information.

Tire wear aside, I love the ride to the point it's almost worth the price.

:smokin: