Ask the Car People.SM


BMW 3-Series Run Flat Tires

3108 messages,  Last post on Apr 21, 2013 at 1:52 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Tires

Messages Page 301 of 312

#2992 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [shipo] by zerg1

Sep 29, 2011 (7:55 am)

Replying to: shipo (Sep 29, 2011 7:40 am)
Very old - 2006. Hmmm... Have you ever seen all four tires lose pressure at the same pace within a year after having the tires installed? Personally, I have never seen that nor can I believe that had happened. Of course, maybe the planets all lined up and the Aztec calendar will be correct too and the earth will end in 2012. Seriously, when you count on the BMW dealership to keep your car in good running order - you don't expect all tires to lose the same amount of air at the same rate of pressure over a period of time.

#2993 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [zerg1] by zerg1

Sep 29, 2011 (8:03 am)

Replying to: zerg1 (Sep 29, 2011 7:55 am)
I should also add that I purchased the car in 2008 (with the new RFT tires installed by the dealer) and I had to replace all four tires one year later because of the damage to the inside wall of all four tires. Oh well - at least they did not blow on the thruway...

#2994 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [zerg1] by shipo

Sep 29, 2011 (8:16 am)

Replying to: zerg1 (Sep 29, 2011 7:55 am)
A 2006 325xi does in fact have the "older" TPMS system which uses the ABS system to calculate if a tire is low.
 
FWIW, I've had several cars which have had tires which lose air at about the same rate; granted I've never waited long enough before checking them for the pressure to get down to sixteen pounds, but I don't think this is at all outside of the realm of possibility. Keep in mind the TPMS system does allow for a several pound variance between tires before it triggers a light or an alarm (otherwise you’d be getting an alarm all of the time; my current cars have a six pound variance), and what might well have happened is that the tires all lost pressure within the tolerance of the system down to sixteen pounds (which I assume is probably the floor for your tire/wheel setup baring an actual puncture).
 
I've never/ever expected my dealership to bear the full responsibility for maintaining my car; I simply don't have the time to be bringing it in every month for a checkup. If you don't either bring your car in that often, or check the pressure yourself that often, then the responsibility for keeping pressure up to snuff is yours and yours alone.

#2995 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [zerg1] by blueroad

Sep 29, 2011 (8:19 am)

Replying to: zerg1 (Sep 29, 2011 8:03 am)
One possible answer to this mystery is that either a dealer or an owner had a broken tire pressure gauge, so 16 looked like 32 across the board. Statistically, the chances of being set wrong is far more likely than four tires bleeding down to 16 in unison.

#2996 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [blueroad] by shipo

Sep 29, 2011 (8:51 am)

Replying to: blueroad (Sep 29, 2011 8:19 am)
My theory is that they did not in fact bleed down in unison, but bled down within the tolerance of the system to the 16psi floor. Given the stiff sidewalls of the RFTs, it wouldn't surprise me in the least that once down to 16psi, the pressure will go no lower unless there is an actual puncture.

#2997 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [zerg1] by johnsam

Sep 29, 2011 (9:23 am)

Replying to: zerg1 (Sep 29, 2011 7:20 am)
Your wear problem is common with RFT's
I ran them 2 times on a 2003 330i & 2 times on a 2006 330i. NEVER AGAIN !!!
After the 2nd set "prematurely" showed metal, I switched to Michelin Sport Plus staying with the larger rears (Sports Package). Not only is the initial price less, but the wear is longer. I have run the conventionals for 10 months now and see NO WEAR at all even though I have approx. 12,000 miles on them. (Of course I carry a "donut" spare and tools and air pump just in case.
I would NEVER return to RFTs. Those who will say that RFTs have improved will not be argued with. I am so much happier with the Michelins.
 
Thanks

#2998 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [shipo] by highlandpete

Sep 29, 2011 (9:37 am)

Replying to: shipo (Sep 29, 2011 7:40 am)
As above, explained by shipo.
 
The wear you describe is typical of running low pressure. Will occur on the 'loaded' camber side of the tire, the load is taken by the sidewall rather than the whole tire.
 
HighlandPete

#2999 of 3108 BMW 335iS Euro Deliv RFTs by rayainsw

Sep 29, 2011 (9:41 am)

I just completed European Delivery of a new 335iS delivered with Michelin Pilots.
 
In just over 1,000 miles of driving on a wide variety of roads, I found the ride [ even with these fairly low profile 18” RFTs ] to be absolutely perfect – at any speed and on every surface we encountered.
 
YMMV.
- Ray
Happy BMW driver . . .

#3000 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [highlandpete] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 29, 2011 (9:41 am)

Replying to: highlandpete (Sep 29, 2011 9:37 am)
I have to say that whoever serviced this car should have spotted the low tire pressure. My service guy checks things like this at every service on my MINI. If his boss sees him breezing through a safety check, he's going to get flak for that, too.

#3001 of 3108 Re: unusual wear with my RFT on a 325XI [shipo] by busiris

Oct 01, 2011 (8:44 am)

Replying to: shipo (Sep 29, 2011 7:40 am)
Long story short, it is the vehicle owner who is reponsible for keeping the tires inflated up to spec.
 
Agreed.
 
Unfortunately, autos have become so "self-reliant and self-reporting" in the last few years, that many (through no fault of their own) have become accustomed to "no messages/warning lights" means "no problems".
 
TPS systems are a great example of systems that are mis-represented as "fail-safe" monitoring systems, when that was never their design. Yet, many car companies/salesmen sell them as exactly that, so its not unreasonable for an owner that isn't familiar with the system's inner workings to make that assumption.
 
The bottom line is this....
 
Read your owner's manual. These systems are explained in detail there, and there is information there that will tell you what a system "will and will not" do for the car/driver.
 
In my experience, probably less that 10% actually take the time to look at the manual. I doubt if most folks would even notice if the car didn't come with one any more....

Messages Page 301 of 312

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement