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2011 535i Tires and Rims

48 messages,  Last post on Dec 07, 2011 at 6:15 AM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 5

#20 of 48 Re: Tire and Wheel Protection [gosaints] by busiris

Jun 28, 2011 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: gosaints (Jun 28, 2011 7:53 am)
Yes, I have RFT's, as do all late model BMW's (except M series cars, I believe)...
 
I have a 2010 328i convertible, a 2007 Z4 Coupe, and my wife has a 2005 Mini convertible.... all with RFT's.
 
Both the BMW's are equiped with the Sport package (18 inch wheels).
 
Personally, I have never had a wheel/tire issue, although my wife has replaced 2 RFT's over the years (tire punctures along the sidewall edge).
 
Even then, it was cheaper to replace 2 RFT's out of pocket...
 
Still, I recommend looking at your own driving history and environment before deciding. Do you get many flats? Hit a lot of potholes? Unusually bad roads in your area?
 
Good luck?

#21 of 48 Re: Tire and Wheel Protection [busiris] by gosaints

Jun 28, 2011 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Jun 28, 2011 2:20 pm)
Thanks. I live in a suburb of New Orleans a/k/a the pot hole capital of the world. So I' m thinking I will spring for the protection so I won't have to worry every time I hit one.
 
My 535 will have the exact 19" wheels that are the subject of an apparent class action over undue cracking issues.
 
I priced the tires on Tire Rack and they are $415 each, excluding shipping, tax, installation, etc. so I figure that I will have close to $1k on each wheel/tire combo.
 
I have always come out ahead on extended warranties in the past, so I will roll the dice and enjoy the peace of mind in the meantime. Plus, I got the dealer to knock off $50 (wow) so I'm at $1,200 for the protection.

#22 of 48 Re: Tire and Wheel Protection [gosaints] by busiris

Jun 28, 2011 (4:14 pm)

Replying to: gosaints (Jun 28, 2011 3:38 pm)
Sounds like you may be making the wise choice for your circumstances...
 
Hopefully, you will never need the insurance...
 
Again, may the wheel and tire gods be merciful to you!

#23 of 48 Rim and tire problems 535xi by mkalen1

Oct 16, 2011 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: techman9 (Jun 26, 2011 6:37 am)
I purchased a 535xi with the sport package and 19" rim and low profile, run flat tires. Over a seven month period, I had 3 blown tires and 11 bent rims. All of the problems were a result of normal potholes.
 
Its a known BMW problem that low profile, run flat tires do not have enough sidewalk between the road and the rim. I have this confirmed thru 2 very good BMW mechanics.
 
Buyers beware.
 
Further, BMW will not make good on the problem. Make sure you purchase the third party insurance.

#24 of 48 Re: Rim and tire problems 535xi [mkalen1] by shipo

Oct 17, 2011 (1:33 am)

Replying to: mkalen1 (Oct 16, 2011 7:14 pm)
The issue has nothing to do with BMW per-se and everything to do with folks who want bling looking wheels at the expense of both ride and handling; regardless of manufacturer, if you opt to equip your car with such low profile tires they will be susceptible to damage from "normal" pot holes. Had you checked before buying your car you would have found BMWs disclaimer regarding such a purchase:
 
"Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces, as well as debris can cause serious damage to wheels, tires, and suspension parts. This is more likely to occur with low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning between the wheel and the road. Be careful to avoid road hazards and reduce your speed, especially if your vehicle is equipped with low-profile tires. Run-flat tires do not come equipped with a spare tire and wheel."
 
Said another way, while BMW offers a large wheel and low-profile tire package for those whom insist on having their cars equipped accordingly, they also recommend against buying said package. So, while you may want to blame BMW for the wheels and tires you've damaged, I really don't understand your logic for placing the blame anywhere but squarely on your own shoulders.

#25 of 48 Re: Rim and tire problems 535xi [mkalen1] by techman9

Oct 17, 2011 (4:23 am)

Replying to: mkalen1 (Oct 16, 2011 7:14 pm)
the problem has more to do with poor engineering of the suspension systems on the part of BMW. Many automotive companies offer low profile tires and they do not result in the same issue. Go buy and Audi like I did, its faster, better handeling and well engineered.

#26 of 48 Re: Rim and tire problems 535xi [shipo] by techman9

Oct 17, 2011 (4:30 am)

Replying to: shipo (Oct 17, 2011 1:33 am)
A true BMW fan defending until the end. The problem is not with the buyer of these vehicles it is the automotive company that keeps offering the same cheap product, riding on the coattails of a reputation of days gone by.
 
BMW is no longer the company they were, so they continue to bring cheap china made junk to anyone that will buy it. Its that simple.
 
I have had no problem with the 2012 Audi A6 low profile tires and all. Oh and did I say much more fun to drive.

#27 of 48 Re: Rim and tire problems 535xi [techman9] by shipo

Oct 17, 2011 (5:53 am)

Replying to: techman9 (Oct 17, 2011 4:23 am)
Utter and complete nonsense; any car with a wheel and tire combination which features a sidewall height of less than four inches is highly susceptible to tire and rim damage. Audis with wheel tire combinations with sidewalls as short as those on a 5-Series with 19" wheels (assuming Audi even sells such a creature) will be just as easily damaged as those on the BMW.

#28 of 48 Re: Rim and tire problems 535xi [techman9] by shipo

Oct 17, 2011 (5:51 am)

Replying to: techman9 (Oct 17, 2011 4:30 am)
"A true BMW fan defending until the end."
 
Seriously? You sound like someone who knocks a brand for no other reason than you have nothing better to do.
 
"The problem is not with the buyer of these vehicles it is the automotive company that keeps offering the same cheap product, riding on the coattails of a reputation of days gone by."
 
Incorrect; the problem is the buyers of these vehicles who don't read the fine print and then when they mess something up they want to find someone to blame for their own screw-up.
 
"BMW is no longer the company they were, so they continue to bring cheap china made junk to anyone that will buy it. Its that simple."
 
Where'd you get that little gem? Oh wait, you like make stuff up on the fly.
 
"I have had no problem with the 2012 Audi A6 low profile tires and all. Oh and did I say much more fun to drive."
 
Most likely an irrelevant comparison. Why? BMW offers not one, not two, but three different "low profile" tire and wheel sizes for the 5-Series, and unless your Audi is equipped with a tire and wheel combination that is as low as the 19" setup on the 5-series, then you're comparing apples-to-oranges. Even if your tires have the same sidewall height, the comparison isn't terribly relevant. Why? Because lots of folks 5-Series cars and 19" wheels have (so far at least) no problems as they've been able (so far at least) to avoid road hazards.

#29 of 48 Re: Rim and tire problems 535xi [techman9] by james27

Oct 17, 2011 (1:05 pm)

Replying to: techman9 (Oct 17, 2011 4:23 am)
While you could buy stronger wheels (say a nice forged one), you can still bend it (it may not break), but it would still trash a low profile tire if you hit a pothole or other defect at sufficient speed.
 
Compared to Germany, our typical roads are trash...they tend to build them with MUCH more depth and a foundation designed to last ages. Ours are much thinner, and with the traffice and freeze/thaw cycles common to lots of the country, ours just plain fall apart quicker. Then, the quality of repairs, when required, just aren't always the best. If you want to complain, complain to the local and national government, and get them to actually spend the fuel tax money on road maintenance rather than other things...or, bite the bullet and pay the fuel costs those in Europe tend to pay...the gas costs about the same, the differences are in the taxes...more money to actually make and maintain decent roads. In the meantime, use higher profile tires...or, pay the consequences.

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