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BMW 3-Series Run Flat Tires

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#694 of 2421 New Tire Aging Test - NHTSA by circlew Dec 25, 2006 (6:58 am)
Here is an excerpt from an article describing a new aging standard for tires next year:   Tire durability has been a matter of intense scrutiny since the widespread failures of Firestone tires on Ford Explorers that came to light in 2000.   The widely-publicized tire recalls in 2000 and 2001 were sparked by a spate of rollover accidents that killed an estimated 270 people. Ford spent $3 billion replacing Firestone tires.   In February, Ford officials met with NHTSA to discuss the tire aging issuing. Ford collected 2,500 older tires from six cities -- Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, Hartford and Phoenix -- for the study.   Ford said its proposed test simulates six years of driving in a hot climate -- eight weeks at 149 degrees in a tank of 50 percent oxygen and 50 percent nitrogen -- to simulate the effect on long-term exposure of oxygen.   "Tires begin to show a noticeable change after about six years," Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis said.   Still to be determined is whether tires have an expiration date. BMW, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota and Volkswagen AG have backed guidelines that tires should only be in service six years.   Safety advocates have urged NHTSA to set tire expiration dates -- and NHTSA is yet to rule on those. Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies, submitted details Wednesday of 108 accidents linked to tread separation of tires more than 6 years old that resulted in 85 deaths.   I never go past 3 years/30K miles with tires...life is more important. The tire composition breaks down over time and affects the ride and handling dynamics. You loose some time before you actually get the new tires on the car so factor that in. Most tires are also subject to changing pressure/teperature and over time, lead to a varying degree of "aging".   Regards, OW
#695 of 2421 Re: Run Flat Tires - '06 BMW 3-Series - Opinions/Experiences [tturedraider] by utahjake Dec 26, 2006 (8:18 am)
Replying to: tturedraider (Nov 02, 2005 4:44 pm) I bought my third BMW, a 330xi, in Feb 2006. At 15,000 miles, the tires were loud, bumpy, slippery in rain, poor in cornering and a very rough ride. The dealer told me it was an alignment problem and charged me $203 to "fix" the problem. It got worse. I began to research the issue and found the thousands of posts in various car forums on the net from owners with this same problem. I was told by BMW mechanics, service technicians, Firestone dealers and others in the automobile field that they would NEVER have run flats on their car. I replaced the tires with Turanza LS-Z, a non run flat. Car began to handle like my other BMWs. Now, though, no spare and no room for a spare. I contacted CEO of BMW of North America and Board of Management in Munich. Zero response. Through customer service contact at corporate office, dealer was required to pay for my new tires and reimburse me for bogus alignment. Still didn't resolve the issue of no spare and no room for a spare. Last week, I traded it off for a 2007 Audi A4. These cars are definitely not holding a decent resale value but it was worth the financial hit to be in a safe car. The Audi is a fantastic car - handles better than the BMW and better equipped for less money. BMW made a horrendous error in equiping the cars with run flats. Obviously from the lack of response from CEO and Munich, customer service is not important to them either. I will never own another BMW.
#696 of 2421 What will it take? by bryncerdd Dec 26, 2006 (12:32 pm)
Considering all the negative commentary on this and other web- sites concerning RFTs, one wonders what it will take to convince BMW they made a marketing error with these tires. I did not replace my lovely but aging MY 2000 328 with another Bimmer 3 series because of the RFTs. BMW sales seem to be holding strong, but one wonders how much of that is the cache of the name. Disappointing, to say the least.   Bryncerdd
#697 of 2421 Run Flat Tires by colsgabmw Dec 26, 2006 (1:57 pm)
My tires went bad after 15,000 miles. One of the tires actually went flat with no holes, etc. in it. The dealership offered to replace the tire free of charge but never followed through. These tires are awful and the terrible thing is that they are hard to replace...no one sells them. I could not find the tire in stock anywhere...it was even on back order at BMW. I hate that I purchased this car...feels like I am riding in a pick-up truck. Replies to this message: circlew (Dec 26, 2006 3:49 pm)
#698 of 2421 Re: Run Flat Tires [colsgabmw] by circlew Dec 26, 2006 (3:49 pm)
Replying to: colsgabmw (Dec 26, 2006 1:57 pm) Please complain to the dealer and demand replacements, but NOT the EL42 Bridgestones. Tell them that you want the Continental Run Flat tires. Do not accept any BS. Stand firm and tell the dealer you will add your complaint to BMWNA and the Better Business Bureau. Tell them if you have a tire failure you will sue them up the wazu and that you are handing your case over to your lawyer if they decline.   Regards, OW
#699 of 2421 Re: Experience and advice dealing with RFT issues [wzhao68] by wzhao68 Dec 27, 2006 (10:44 am)
Replying to: wzhao68 (Dec 17, 2006 7:54 pm) Here is my experience: I went to my dealer, and told them my left rear tire has been slowly losing air, they told they don't fix tires straight out. but told me I can go to discounted tires to get it fixed, and assured me that it's fixable. So I went to "the discounted tires" store, left the car there, it was fixed (plugged) in the afternoon, no charge.   David
#700 of 2421 Re: Need opion on 2007 328i [shipo] by nkeen Dec 27, 2006 (12:36 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Dec 22, 2006 8:53 pm) re BMWs have been equipped with GFTs for years, including in Europe where speeds of 150 mph and higher are routine. Even still, I've never heard of one suffering a blowout and losing control. Said another way, at the tame speeds that we drive here in North America, losing control from a blowout ain't gonna happen.   I'm not seeing a lot of grumbles about the BMWs RFTs, in articles or in posts, from across the pond.   Having had a front tire blow out on an Olds Toronado at 70 several years ago, I do have a concern. Admittedly a front-heavy beast of a car, but barely controllable as I made my way to the shoulder on an LA freeway. I'm sure that a blow-out in my 325i would not render anything like such severe instability problems, but at interstate speeds, I'd rather not have one. RFTs are no guarantee against high speed disintegration, they're heavy and they do give a stiffer ride. But I think the RE050As are great, and so far so good with the LM22s also. One thing for sure -- they're not going away. Now the EL42s, runflat or no, appear to be a different matter. Replies to this message: circlew (Dec 27, 2006 5:57 pm) nkeen (Dec 28, 2006 8:16 am) circlew (Dec 28, 2006 10:58 am)
#701 of 2421 Re: Need opion on 2007 328i [nkeen] by circlew Dec 27, 2006 (5:57 pm)
Replying to: nkeen (Dec 27, 2006 12:36 pm) The EL42's that have been the issue in the last year are not sold in Europe. I had some issues with one and have it off the rim. It has 5K miles on it when I got a flat that a Goodyear dealer fixed with a plug. The sidewall construction on this tire is very strong. When I had zero pressure in it, I drove it 100 miles before I checked it because when the warning light went off, it looked OK!   The point I am trying to make is that unless a very unusual road hazard is hit, a standard loss of all pressure will not result in a GFT-like "blow-out". I purchased a new tire, but thinking back, the plug would have lasted.   Just a note, BMW recommends replacement after a damaged RFT.   Regards, OW Replies to this message: nkeen (Dec 28, 2006 8:16 am) circlew (Dec 28, 2006 10:58 am)
#702 of 2421 Re: Need opion on 2007 328i [circlew] by nkeen Dec 28, 2006 (8:16 am)
Replying to: circlew (Dec 27, 2006 5:57 pm) Just a note, BMW recommends replacement after a damaged RFT.   My understanding of the replacement issue: Under normal operation, air pressure bears most of the weight of the car. Air pressure, with a little help from the sidewall, takes up any impact resistance.   If the RFT is driven without air, the sidewall is supporting the entire weight of the car and full impact absorption. The tire can quickly be stressed to the point of damage that is not visible due to the rigid sidewall but may later cause structural failure. I would bite the bullet and replace it if one of mine got a "flat". Replies to this message: circlew (Dec 28, 2006 10:58 am)
#703 of 2421 Re: Need opion on 2007 328i [nkeen] by circlew Dec 28, 2006 (10:58 am)
Replying to: nkeen (Dec 28, 2006 8:16 am) "If the RFT is driven without air, the sidewall is supporting the entire weight of the car and full impact absorption. The tire can quickly be stressed to the point of damage that is not visible due to the rigid sidewall but may later cause structural failure. I would bite the bullet and replace it if one of mine got a "flat"."   You are completely correct and the reason I went with new after the flat. Better safe than sorry.   Regards, OW

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