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BMW 5-Series Tires and Wheels

132 messages,  Last post on Dec 12, 2012 at 4:44 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Car Safety, Tires, Wheels, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 8 of 14

#65 of 132 Re: Cracking Alloywheel on BMW 535i with Sport Package [tfe] by ehc0791

Jul 16, 2011 (2:42 pm)

Replying to: tfe (Jul 06, 2011 12:13 pm)
I have CPO 2006 550 with sport package for 4 years, and so far replaced 2 rim and 4 tires. The total cost was about $3000. Luckily, I bought tire insurance, but I dislike the situation at all. The tires are 245/70/18R. Basically the design of rim and tire can not handle the normal road condition. They may be good on a glass surface. I decide to cut my loss and sell the damn thing and forget about it in my life.

#66 of 132 What type of tires 2011 535xi? by gregoryx

Jul 31, 2011 (3:57 am)

I have 2010 and considering 2011 535xi but have been reading horror stories about TFT. I have similar experience with my mb rft They are expensive and really don't deliver incremental value.
 
Can I purchase new vehicle without rft?

#67 of 132 Re: What type of tires 2011 535xi? [gregoryx] by shipo

Jul 31, 2011 (6:39 am)

Replying to: gregoryx (Jul 31, 2011 3:57 am)
A few questions:
 - - You have a 2010 what?
 - - Are you inquiring whether you can buy any new car with GFTs? Yes. Many companies sell their cars with GFTs.
 - - Are you wondering if you can buy a new BMW with GFTs? Yes, and no. As far as I know, all standard model BMWs are now equipped with RFTs while all M-Series BMWs are equipped with GFTs.
 
The thing is, if you don't want a 535xi with RFTs, simply buy the car and change the tires to GFTs; problem solved.

#68 of 132 Re: What type of tires 2011 535xi? [shipo] by gregoryx

Jul 31, 2011 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Jul 31, 2011 6:39 am)
2010 535xi. I'm wondering if I can buy 2011 without rft. In prior years the rft tire has been an option. If I have to spend more $ after purchase to move to standard tires I just want to know rather than be surprised.
 
Has there been precedent with dealer swapping the tires as part of the original purchase?
 
Finally, are there any redeeming qualities to having rft? I read only horror stories

#69 of 132 Re: What type of tires 2011 535xi? [gregoryx] by shipo

Jul 31, 2011 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: gregoryx (Jul 31, 2011 1:13 pm)
All versions of the 535xi come with RFTs.
 
I've yet to hear of a single dealer policy allowing a pre-delivery swap of GFTs for the factory RFTs; no precident.
 
Redeeming qualities of RFTs? Being able to drive out of a bad neighborhood if you get a flat.

#70 of 132 Re: What type of tires 2011 535xi? [gregoryx] by james27

Jul 31, 2011 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: gregoryx (Jul 31, 2011 1:13 pm)
At least on my BMW, there is NO place to store a spare tire (plus, you'd have to buy the jack and wrench, as it doesn't come with them). If you want one cluttering up most of the trunk area, and no easy way to hold it down, go for it. If you figure you'll just call for service...good luck - you may just be out of range on the cellphone and may have to wait hours. The redeeming feature of a RFT is you can safely drive on them and get to a place where you (hopefully) can replace it or repair it. So, without one, your choices are: run without a spare at all, carry around a spare (you'd have to buy a new wheel, or maybe one of the compact spares), or install something like 'Slime' in the tires and hope that would prevent a flat (and doesn't trash the pressure sensors). Expect a tire servicing dealer to charge you extra for getting all that slime on his equipment when you do need to replace the tire.

#71 of 132 Re: What type of tires 2011 535xi? [james27] by shipo

Jul 31, 2011 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: james27 (Jul 31, 2011 2:43 pm)
You paint a pretty bleak picture of relying on a flat-fixer kit, however, the costs of using such a kit are far less than running with nasty RFTs.
 
The kit ($79.00):
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=38
 
Cost of a new TPMS sensor: $53.
 
The cost difference between a set of RFTs and a set of GFTs: $500.
 
I'm thinking I'd much rather pay for a few new TPMS sensors than a set of RFTs.

#72 of 132 Re: What type of tires 2011 535xi? [shipo] by james27

Jul 31, 2011 (4:43 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Jul 31, 2011 3:34 pm)
If it did trash the TPS, and I'm not saying it would (but it could), you'd then have to listen to the car chime at you all the time as I don't think there is a way to turn off that warning, not counting the displayed warning as well. It might even play nanny if it detects you driving too fast for having a flat as well. All that is supposition. If you go that route, let us know your feelings, especially if you end up with a flat. I typically go years without one, then get a couple. On one day, I had two tires with nails/screws in them, now that was a major pain. Luckily, the leak was slow enough, I could pump them up and leap-frog my way to a repair shop, but that assumes you carry a compressor.

#73 of 132 Re: What type of tires 2011 535xi? [james27] by shipo

Jul 31, 2011 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: james27 (Jul 31, 2011 4:43 pm)
The kit I included the link to includes a compressor.

#74 of 132 Re: What type of tires 2011 535xi? [shipo] by gregoryx

Aug 03, 2011 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Jul 31, 2011 5:24 pm)
Thanks - sounds like run flat can be a pain and expensive, as they are with my mb. I'd rather have conventional tires and will try to negotiate with dealer. I'm ordering my vehicle next week

Messages Page 8 of 14

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