Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I think I will take the $700., put it in the bank and draw on it as needed.
Regards,
OW
One of the proponents of ethanol is governor of Minnesota - Tim Pawlenty.
Let’s him know how we feel about this issue.
[email protected]
Lehrer
it sucks getting screwed over!!! plain & simple. it is so obvious that no one at bmw researched the tire before accepting a deal with bridgestone.
The last one was a small nail dead center in the tire, I had my mechanic plug it
It lasted about six months now it's loosing pressure slowly
I can't afford four new non runflats right now, I have no choice but
So I wi buy another pieice of crap beudgestone
I'd like to shove these up the you know what of someone at Bmw
Love the car but hate the tires
Now BMW offers a non runflat option on the 135, anyone know
What B.O.H.I.C.A stands for?
Bend over here it comes again
http://www.mwerks.com/artman2/publish/technical/Project_135i-_Part_2.shtml
While the switch to GFTs improved ride quality, note the comments about the handling of the stock performance RFTs.
As for your warranty, some ignorant personnel at some dealers might suggest that you're warranty will be jeopardized if you make the switch, but that simply isn't true.
Best regards,
Shipo
Regards
Kirk
We'll add your name to the ledger.
In my case, the RFT situation was the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of purchasing my first BMW. There were a number of other factors as well.
So, they've lost me as a first customer & you as a return. Something tells me they don't care.
The fraction of people who possess a BMW that actually cares about how the car feels going over bumps around a tight corner under hard acceleration could all gather in a neighbourhood pub. Well, not really, but the BMW corporation has recently (say, over the past 10-15 years) aimed their wares squarely at those who want to possess the car rather than drive it.
It's obviously (so far) a winning approach. The people who built the marque, based on how the car performed, have generally been kicked to the curb, but it doesn't seem to matter.
Correct, because now Bridgestone is advertising it's RFT's using a 5er!!
Regards,
OW
You can add mine too. I was ready for a new car and didn't get a BMW this time.
A few reasons, but the RFT is the main one.
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
My car handled like a dream last winter and I expect the same this winter for both my ride and my wife's 328xi.
Neither of us flings our cars around as 1) we want them to last 2) we don't feel like financing the local police force and 3) there are just too damn many nutjobs behind the wheel in Boston Metro to take the risk.
Having said all this, I was adamant about getting the Conti's on my car. As it turned out, it was pure luck as I had little choice in the matter, according to my salesman.
Neither of us had had a flat and I don't worry about it in spite of frequent trips from Boston to Montreal via Interstate 89 in Vermont. Should it occur in one of the longer isolated stretches in inclement weather at night, you'll hear me cursing for miles. The alternative, however, of being reminded that I'm compromised every time I open the trunk and curse because the spare tire and jack don't leave enough room for groceries is, for me anyway, a less attractive alternative.
As an aside, I have the power foldaway mirrors on my car. The other day as I pulled out of the sardine-can parking spot at my office, I neglected to unfold the mirrors. 30 seconds later, I heard an electric motor noise I didn't expect. Lo and behold, the car automatically unfolded the mirrors!
I know the victims of the RFTs have very strong and valid opinions about the quality of the rubber and the mindset of the BMW engineers. However, when someone in the food chain at BMW thought about unfolding the mirrors to save my skin when I forgot (I know I'm not the only one who has experienced this), I'll just say thank you and pray I don't become one of the next victims.
For now, I'll own and drive my twin-turbocharged hot rod like it's supposed to be driven. Don't think for a second I won't pass your [non-permissible content removed] like it's standing still given the chance!
Safe driving!
xeye
Ive got an 06 330i, lookin for some all seasons that handle the absolute best in dry weather (hopefully better than the TERRIBLE stock bridgestones that are on it now) and are decent in the winter. Dont really care about ride quality THAT much, but i dont want something really harsh. Care most about feel, want crisp steering response and sticky handling. Looking at:
Yokohama ADVAN S.4.
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Any help would be awesome i really need tires asap! Thanks!
My initial concern stemmed from being a passenger in an 06 325 with the stock runflats. They were so noisy at low speeds in city driving I was very concerned about using them. I wound up test driving two 335xi's to double check the noise but they sounded like regular tires to me, no nosier than my wife's car and not as noisy as my M3 with Pilot Sports
That being said, I will likely opt for snow tires as here in Michigan where we live we get enough snow to make good snows a valuable option
I can understand completely the concern on the RFT's. I think that the early versions were terrible.
I do believe BMW (and other manufacturers) made the decision for several reasons. First is cost, eliminating a tire and a wheel saves money. Packaging, if you don't have to find the space for a tire and wheel you get a lot of space back. Another reason is us. We don't like to be inconvenienced at all so stopping and changing a tire is not something we like to do.
I suspect I drive a bit more aggressively than xeye but so far so good. I do not get the same level of handling as my M3 with the Michelin Pilot sports but I don't use that handling very often on the street very often in all honesty.
So far the RFT's have worked very well for me so this short note is just my $.02 worth (and likely less valuable than that :-)
Regards,
Kirk
I am new here but just wanted to add my thoughts.
They didn't explain that our (my wifes 335xi and my 328 Cabriolet) would have RFT until after we bought the cars and we were talked into insurance at $500 a car.
I would rather have had a choice, I would have gone with regular tires, but my car has about 10,000 miles and my wife's 12000 miles and I can't say I noticed a difference yet. But the next issue, which I didn't think of at the time was snow tires.
I called tire stores first, thinking BMW dealer is going to rip me off once again, but BMW price was actually better....and tire stores weren't that knowledgeable...in fact could be dangerous.
I asked one if I really needed rims and he said not really, it's easier and less expensive to change over each season. This is not true as BMW explained and I'll explain later. This dealer told me snow tires could be under $200 each ($150 U.S.) but then I asked him if they were RFT's. He said no, those would cost $500 each and about $200 for steel rims ($400 U.S. and $150 U.S.).
Then I checked BMW dealer. Special winter package. For $1700 ($1300 U.S.) they would put on 4 Blizzack RFT's, installed ($100) balanced etc., on steel rims, and with 4 covers to carry my other tires, and put 2 in the trunk and two on the back seat to take home. They said RFT's should really be on rims because removing a tire from the rim causes wear on the tire but especially with run flats because of the stronger sidewalls.
What I don't understand is why I can get 4 tires on rims installed etc. for a total of $1700 when the tires were supposed to be almost $500 each when they sold the insurance program, unless they have come down a lot.
By the way Blizzack are good, but Dunlop and Michelin have snow tires made out of similar compounds but they will last twice as long.
Hope that helps someone out there
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I thing either one will do the job.
When I bought my 2006 325xi, I was concerned about not having a spare. This concern proved justified because I had two punctures in the first year. According to the tire shop, this is much more common with run flats. However, I did not anticipate either the harsh run flat ride or the noise problems which began to be really noticeable after 20,000 km. Two BMW dealers absolutely refused to replace them with Continental run flat's or anything else other than the Bridgestone's (with me paying for two). I got nowhere with BMW or Bridgestone.
As I was not willing to take my chances on a second set of Bridgestone's, I replaced them at my own expense with Michelin's and bought an extra (refurbished) rim to use as a spare. The car runs and rides a lot better but I am one of many BMW owners who feel very angry about the way BMW has handled the issue. Not only was my enjoyment of the car seriously compromised but I was expected to pay almost as much for two tires as I ultimately did for four. Instead of waiting until owners had major tire noise problems -- and even then stonewalling -- BMW should have dealt with this proactively. I can't imagine that whatever they saved will offset the loss of many customers in the future.
I am hoping (but not hopeful) that BMW may ultimately decide it is their interest to compensate affected owners. I have kept my four run flats just in case. You seemed to have some success with BMW and there may be many others interested in how your situation was finally resolved.
Then I checked BMW dealer. Special winter package. For $1700 ($1300 U.S.) they would put on 4 Blizzack RFT's, installed ($100) balanced etc., on steel rims, and with 4 covers to carry my other tires, and put 2 in the trunk and two on the back seat to take home. They said RFT's should really be on rims because removing a tire from the rim causes wear on the tire but especially with run flats because of the stronger sidewalls
Snow tires are now on. What was really nice was the dealer has great looking wheel covers with BMW logo...actually looks better than alloy wheels. Cost was less than a tire store which had to hunt for rims. Tire totes are really cool too. First run on the highway was good too. Snow coming tomorrow....see how they do.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I actually like the look of the snow tires better. They fill out the wheel well. And the BMW wheel discs look great....no big gaps where you can see the dirty insides of the wheel.
We have about 3 inches of snow today so I'll see what happens in real life.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I asked BMW flat out....why do I need rims, why don't I just change tires?
The answer was I can do that, but first it will cost $200 ($150 U.S.) each time I change over. All tires get ruined to some degree when they are removed or placed on rims. Run Flats even more so, because of the extra strength in the sidewall, so they highly recommend rims.
I don't blame you for being upset but I wonder if any lives have been saved because of run flats? I think I would prefer regular tires, but the thought of changing a tire, on an icy bridge, at midnight, during a blizzard is not too good either. When i think about that, RFTs sound like a good idea!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The current tires are Continentals.
AND THEY ARE FINE. There is a lot of whining on this thread. I'd ignore most if not all of it.
rprice
Your comments are much appreciated. That was my gut feeling, but it is nice to have it confirmed.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I recently read a tuner article wherein the writer stated that he had replaced the RE050As on a 135i with Yokohama high performance GFT all seasons. The result was a better ride, but handling feel and ultimate grip were degraded. The writer introduced his comments by stating that he had not realized what an effective performance tire the RE050A was before he made the switch.
The handling compromise of any car results from a number of factors working together. The last thing I'd do is discount the statements made by BMW that they designed their suspension specifically to partner with the RFTs.
I have the same car as you and I bought some Continental Conti Sport (not run flats). I love them. The car runs so much smoother. I highly recommend them. I bought them from a local Tires Plus. I paid less than $700 because of a sale they had going on.
Regards,
Kirk
Second, comment: Anyone with enough computer savvy to seek help or offer advice here online should know better than to buy tires from BMW instead of tirerack.com!