Run flat tires

[bmwgolfguy]

I have owned 3 Bimmers; a 98 528i, 01 330i and 04 325xi.

I was going to get an 07 335i, but BMW no longer offers any other tires than run-flats.

I have read one horror story after another about these tires (Bridgestone). They are worn out as early as 6,000 miles. Because the sidewalls are so hard (yielding a potentially brutal ride), they made the surface rubber real soft to counter this problem, as a result they tend to wear out quickly.

Bmw says you can't fix a flat, the tire has to be replaced. And you can't replace just one. Because of the suspensions BMW recommends you replace at least two and sometimes all four.

Bmw is aware of the problem and they say it is the tire maker's problem. The tire maker says they built them to bmw specs so its bmw's problem. Some dealers will work with you, but it really depends on the dealer and your relationship with him.

And there is the question of whether you buy new rims and traditional tires if that voids the car's warranty.

So over a 3 year lease, you can expect to replace one set and maybe as many as three sets of tires. At $1,200 a pop, that substantially increases the cost to own a bimmer. Otherwise it is a great car.

And I am reading that there is an issue with 07 3's with faulty oil sensors. BMW is taking care of this as a warrenty problem, but there hasn't been a fix yet as some people have had multiple sensors put in.

[TexasF355F1]

I have an E92 335.

The tires aren't that bad. It doesn't ride that much worse than a normal tire. You're making a mountain out of a mole hill over this. The more I get use to the car, the more I notice what everyone has been talking about, but it's not that big of a deal.

The only way aftermarket tires or wheels will void warranty is if there is an issue and it can be directly linked to the problem. So don't fret about that.

There is no oil sensor issue on the '07s, that was in the '06's. The problem that is occuring is whether there is an issue with the oil coolers. Some of the early auto's had only one, whereas the manuals had two. Apparently now they both have two.

Check out E90post to learn more about this. You're confusing too many issues I think and need to get your facts all in a line.

Go test drive one before you start giving yourself a heart attack.

[bmwgolfguy]

Tex:

Thanks. But I stand by my statements. I have done a lot of research and I have driven many new ones. Great car. The problem is bigger than you know.

[raceit]

Just go easy on it. You won't screw up the warranty.


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[sarahannwebster]

My name is Sarah Webster and I'm an auto writer at the Detroit Free Press who is looking to talk to people about their run-flat tires.

If you are interested in talking to me, feel free to email me or call me directly.

Regards,
Sarah A. Webster
Detroit Free Press
Automotive Reporter
600 W. Fort St.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313)222-5394, office
(313)715-6988, mobile
mailto:[email protected]