Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Most popular vehicles
Popular New Cars
- New Acura MDX
- New Acura RDX
- New Audi Q5
- New BMW 3 Series
- New BMW X3
- New Buick Enclave
- New Cadillac Escalade
- New Chevrolet Equinox
- New Chrysler 300
- New Dodge Challenger
- New Ford Edge
- New Ford Escape
- New Ford Expedition
- New Ford Explorer
- New Ford F-150
- New Ford Focus
- New Ford Mustang
- New Honda Accord
- New Honda Civic
- New Honda CR-V
- New Honda Fit
- New Honda Odyssey
- New Honda Pilot
- New Hyundai Elantra
- New Hyundai Santa Fe
- New Hyundai Sonata
- New Hyundai Tucson
- New Jeep Compass
- New Jeep Grand Cherokee
- New Jeep Wrangler
- New Mazda 3
- New Mazda 6
- New Mazda CX-5
- New Nissan Altima
- New Nissan Maxima
- New Nissan Rogue
- New Porsche Cayenne
- New Ram 1500
- New Subaru Crosstrek
- New Subaru Forester
- New Subaru Impreza
- New Subaru Outback
- New Tesla Model S
- New Tesla Model X
- New Toyota 4Runner
- New Toyota Camry
- New Toyota Corolla
- New Toyota Highlander
- New Toyota Prius
- New Toyota RAV4
- New Toyota Sienna
- New Toyota Tacoma
- New Volkswagen Jetta
- New Volvo XC60
- New Volvo XC90
Popular Used Sedans
- Used BMW 5 Series
- Used Chevrolet Impala
- Used Chevrolet Malibu
- Used Chrysler 200
- Used Dodge Charger
- Used Ford Fusion
- Used Ford Taurus
- Used Honda Accord
- Used Honda Civic
- Used Hyundai Elantra
- Used Hyundai Sonata
- Used Tesla Model S
- Used Toyota Camry
- Used Toyota Corolla
- Used Volkswagen Jetta
Popular Used SUVs
- Used Acura MDX
- Used Acura RDX
- Used Ford Edge
- Used Ford Explorer
- Used Honda CR-V
- Used Honda Pilot
- Used Hyundai Santa Fe
- Used Jeep Compass
- Used Lincoln Navigator
- Used Mazda CX-5
- Used Nissan Rogue
- Used Subaru Crosstrek
- Used Subaru Forester
- Used Tesla Model X
- Used Volvo XC90
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Listen to me who is riding on a set of Bridgestones on my 09 335xi or ix, whatever.
But I have three take off rft's from my 06 that I got rid of. One of them is going to be riding buddy in the trunk. Just in case.
WOW..what a great ride.. Smooth, quiet and wonderful cornering
Rprice
I've now followed the run flat discussion (for 2 days!) with interest. have a 6-speed 2006 330i with cold weather, premium, and sport packages bought 2 yrs ago. Came with Bridgestone Potenza run flat 225s in front and 255s in the back, all on 18" rims. I have not noticed the tramlining or road noise issues others have griped about. I bought the tire warranty w/the car, so after the initial deflation for that, punctures have stopped puncturing my wallet.
The issue is "winter" driving (30 mi roundtrip-- mainly highway commute) and some kiddie transport when not in the family Subaru. DC has a couple of snows and ice storms a year--storms may be more of wifely origin for driving the kids on tires that ARE worthless in 2 in of snow. I was looking at getting 17" rims and then all season tires- But the service manager said that people w/this car (I shoulda gotten an Xi!) who swapped out for all season tires have not really found it improved handling on snow or ice.
Any SPECIFIC advice on "winter" rubber for Dec to March?? I've heard (here) people suggest the Conti Pro runflats--but if the basic premise is that "go flats" are an inherently better design for winter traction (with more options to choose from), I could tolerate a doughnut, jack and compressor in the trunk. Experience *(good or bad) w/any swaps would be great. I'd consider real snow tires but assume this would mangle the handling.
Thanks-
"Sleipnir"
I can say that LM-22 gets me up a hill outside my office parking lot without fuss where base 325i's on EL42 all seasons struggle. The LM-22s handle wet snow, slush and freezing rain well.
I can't speak for the Michelins or Pirellis, but I would go to a winter tire rather than an all season tire if I planned to switch seasonally. The right winter tire should leave you not regretting your choice of the RWD car over the compromised and heavier 4WD alternative.
http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/bulletin_graphic_temp/B360606g.htm
Hmmm, that's odd, per the Michelin and TireRack web sites, there is no such a thing as a Micheliin Primacy MXV4 RFT. As far as I know, the only versions of that tire currently on the market are GFTs. Do you have a link to a site that is selling an RFT version?
Best regards,
Shipo
Please understand that the Primacy HP series tires (RFT and GFT alike) are very different tires than the Primacy MXV4 (you originally posted about and which as I previously stated are only available as a GFT). The most obvious differences are that the HP ZPs are good for maybe 20,000 miles while the MXV4s will last more like 50,000 miles, and if you live in a snowy area, the HP ZPs are almost guaranteed to put you into a guard rail, snow bank or ditch when conditions get slippery.
Best regards,
Shipo
My question relates to my options moving forward. This obviously comes as a big surprise in having to replace the tires for a car that is relatively new with low mileage. Do I have any recourse in going directly to BMW or to Bridgestone in getting at least partial support for the replacement?
Thanks.
Best regards,
Shipo
Regards,
OW
Having driven the base 328i with ContiProContact SSRs and Bridgestone EL42s, I found myself preferring the Bridgestones -- perhaps a slightly harsher ride but more responsive.
Thanks
I have written/replied to many articles regarding the run flats on BMWs. As a matter of fact, I have argued back and forth with BMW North America about the fact that they allow such a poor tire to be installed on such a fine car. Let me define "poor". The original equipment Bridgestones have a wear rating of "1", the lowest possible wear rating. A BMW salesman once told me that the "1" rating allowed for better adhesion to the road. I don't argue that (for lack of knowledge) but I suppose a marshmellow would have better adhesion. Wouldn't last long though.
My original RFTs (Bridgestones) on my 2006 330i (with Sports Package) lasted 24,000+ miles. I have now had the new set (4) for 12 months and have 34,000+ miles. At ten thousand miles, they are showing wear and I would suspect that I will get another 12,000 - 15,000 miles out of them.
Another BMW salesman told me, and I quote, "Anyone who buys the Sports Package is considered one who will drive fast." .....BULLS__ __T. I am 65 and my wife is 60. We do not drive the car hard, This is not our 1st BMW. We know how they drive and their capibilities.
Getting back to what I should be talking about, I carry a spare in the trunk even with the RFTs. Why?
I live in the Springfield / Eugene Oregon area. If I had a flat (no matter what the reason) I could not get the proper RFT here. It would have to come from Portland, Oregon with a MINIMUM wait of a day+. Check your area for availability. You may be surprised. I carry a "donut" type tire eventhough it takes up space in the trunk. Enough said here about my trust in the RFTs.
Recapping: BMW made a cost cutting measure when they installed the RFTs.
1.) They no longer had to supply a spare tire /rim.
2.) They passed along the "extra" cost of RFTs to the client (a normal procedure).
3.) They used Bridgestones (with the 1 wear rating) as that was the lowest bid they received for a tire that met their requirements.
4.) They no longer had to supply a car jack nor related tools.
All cars will probably end up with RFTs in the near future. Perhaps then they will become readily available. (Get cought in a remote highway situation. What then?)
The same BMW salesman's answer........"Get BMW assist on the phone and they will send out a free truck". HUH??????? Over 50 miles? HUH????? in mountainous areas not accessed by cell phones nor BMW assist in the car?
I'm not saying RFTs do not drive nicely. Mine do. But I am saying that when they wear out this time, I will consider a "3 - 4" wear rated tire and not a RFT.
I have 06 325i.
Good article, I am 100% with you.
Best regards, Igor
I was unaware of the "Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)" #10026984 dated 09.01.07. Anyway, on 01.22.09 I took the car in for service with 10,326 miles & a list of items (tire noise still on the list). Long story short: the service advisor told me I need to replace the tires (per service bulletin) & BMW would pay 50%. Why not 100% I asked, ...well you are over 10k miles and that is the policy. Hey I am only over by 326 miles cut me some slack - NO WAY!!! The policy is 10k miles. The dealer said they were doing me a favor since not only were they paying for 1/2 of the tire cost they were paying 100% of labor & installation. Bull crap! Also, as part of this drama my car needs an alignment - cost $150...
Talk about being irritated - cannot describe it! If only I had known about this TSB -certainly I would have taken the car in before it hit 10k miles. Who wouldn't!!! Give me a break....my issue with the dealer, BMW Corp. and Bridgestone: I received NO NOTICE that these tires were under a TSB, defective or whatever. Of course I made several calls, spun my wheels & ended up angry each time! The dope at Bridgestone was the worse yet. So anyway, after going back & forth...bottom line -I paid the $511 for the 2 tires and got 2 for free - so to speak. Same f___g tires though & could not get any other brand. Also, I told them I am not paying for the alignment and they finally agreed after much noise.
Based upon my research, these blogs on autoforum.com & edmunds, perhaps we have a class action as clearly these RF's tires from Bridgestone were NOT RIGHT from day one; BMW knows about it & continues to put them / sell them on their vehicles. I am not letting this go! If anyone out there has additional input please respond.
The dealer said they were doing me a favor since not only were they paying for 1/2 of the tire cost they were paying 100% of labor & installation.
end quote
I guess they think people can't read..They submit the claim to BMW and it is paid to them per the following on this TSB
All claims submitted in conjunction with this SI will be paid at the following rates:
100% part and labor reimbursement as noted below, up to 10,000 miles on the tire.
50% part and 100% labor reimbursement, from 10,001 to 20,000 miles on the tire.
Defect Code
36 12 93 57 00
I guess I need to subscribe to a service so I can check on and read all TSB's
Thanks for sharing your information with me. I got a 2007 328i with 25k miles. I just got a nail on the sidewall. I took it to Les Swab and they told me to leave it alone. When I called the BMW dealer, they told me that I need new tires. I was shocked to hear that RFT wears so darn fast. I am reading about RFT and I am thinking about changing to non-RFT. Did you find any tires that you would recommend that is not RFT for this car? Anybody else have any experiences. Thanks.
I am astounded that Les Swab would tell you to ingore a nail in the sidewall !!!! I would get that in writing before the accident so I could go after Swab in a court of law. Highway driving would be my concern. However I have heard that there is no way to repair a sidewall "nail" in RFTs. I do not know that for a fact, only heard that.
On the otherhand, depending how many miles are on the present tire, wonder if a can of the COMMERCIAL instant hole patch would be cheaper (the type you insert through the valve stem). So endith my unknowlegable advise.
Now for the research I did on non-RFTs.
First I priced out new RFT (I have Sports package therefore different sized front/rear tires). Because the rears were so expensive vs the front, the installed package came in at about $1,200.00 (Bridgestones) (Lucky no tax here in Oregon). Pricing same quality but not RFs, Bridestones, I could save $500.00+. Sorry, my thoughts as I collected all the data etc. was that I am going to do nothing until they wear out AGAIN, so all the info will be "old" by then.
I found that the cheapest tires no matter weather they were RFs or conventional, were found at local "Mom & Pop" shops rather than Les Swab (now that Les is deceased) OR Tire Rack (or the like) on the Net and have them delivered and installed locally.
KEEP ONE THING IN MIND: LOOK FOR THE "WEAR RATING" NUMBER ON THE SIDEWALL. Most tires BMW blessed the unknowing buyer with are rated "1", the lowest rating possible. The conventional Bridgestones I mention above, were rated "4" (4 x the available wear). As I recall, the "Mom & Pop" shop (been in business for 23 years in Springfield, Oregon) who told me this advised that the RIDE on the "4" rated tires would be better than the softer "1" rated RFTs as the walls on the RFTs are much harder.
My apologies. I have not been much help. The RFTs that are on the car now (only have 10,000+ miles on them) are fine (SO FAR!!!). I carry a "donut" spare even though it takes up trunk space. It's the unavailability of the RFTs (would take 1-2 days to get) that scares me. Get out on the highway, pass through a few smaller towns/Cities, what then? Your dead! Perhaps in the coming years, that will change as more and more cars switch to RFs.
My research will start again as my Daughter in Folsom California drives the same car (330i with Sports Package) and she will require new tires shortly. She got 32,000 miles out of her first set. (I got 24,000+. She wants me to buy them here and ship them to her to save the California Sales & Recycle Taxes.
I wish you well friend. This is a problem to those BMW drivers who have RFTs and a cost cutting measure for BMW.
Stay save and look after that sidewall puncture.
John
I feel like BMW is going the way of the USA - "quality" is a thing of the past. I really feel bad about this because I was on a roll having purchased my last three cars from BMW over the last 10 years.
I just want to know what I need to do at this point. Is there really any help coming from BMW or Bridgestone ? I'm now at 25K and must do something. My front tires are "bald" on the edges.
Can I replace the two fronts with non-RFT's? I've heard different stories from needing to replace all 4 with RFT's only - rims won't work for anything else, to do what ever you want. Can someone give me the straight scoop about replacing these tires. I'll handle replacing BMW!!
1) Replace four tires the same time (unless you're using the same make and model of tires, then you should usually replace them one axle at a time)
2) Your rims work perfectly well with RFTs and GFTs, so no worries, go to TireRack.com, pick a new set of skins and mount'em up.
Best regards,
Shipo
As far a the rims are concerned, I have chrome rims from the "M" series and have been told by seceral tire professionals that I can replace the tires with either RFTs or conventionals.
You sound like a BMW lover (as I am) (well maybe not in total re the stupidity of BMW's RFT policy). If the rear tires are "good", one thing you may want to consider is replacing all 4 tires with whatever you decide upon, and privately selling the rears. OR look for a good set of used fronts
John keeing the rears.
You should know by now that BMW never concedes that it may be wrong.
This was a cost cutting measure, and nothing else. Who ever heard of putting a tire with a wear rating of ! (the lowest / poorest) on a "quality" car?
John
The RE050A is a performance tire which trades wear for stickiness.
On the + side ro BMW: The additional cost of the RFs was passed on to the vehicle purchaser, not absorbed by BMW.
They also saved on, not having to supply tire changing tools including but not limited to a jack / tire wrench etc. Did you see any price reduction?
Where did the spare tire and rim go? Price reduction? No! A dizzy dealer rep told me that a spare could not be put in the "square" spare tire cavity. If it was made round, the exhaust syetem would have to be altered. DAH. Therefore no spare. Little did he know that some of are privy to (through very close friends) BMW manufacturing costs.
On the - side. What - side? (to BMW). Again the customer pays for their follies.
I should not be knocking them as the BMWs presently owned are not my 1st BMWs and probably will not be my last. I still have them on my 330i but on the 6....well?
Stay safe
John
I have suffered through another 10K miles (always hating the noise and ride quality) and will now replace these crap tires with non RFT like Michelin Primacy MXV4 GFT's. I guess I will just carry a couple cans of good sealant, as there is no room for any spare in the convertible trunk. I'll be turning the car in (leased it) next year, so I hope the non RFT do not cause an issue.
Bottom line: This is my third, and last BMW. Matter of fact, due to BMW's handling of these cars with the Bridgestone RFT's, they lost an opportunity of selling another car last month,as my wife did not want a BMW due to the terrible ride & noise of my car. So she got a new Infinity, and had the dealer replace the OEM Bridgestones with Michelins. Sorry BMW, you have lost another one, or 2 customers. Never again. :mad:
I really feel sad that, especially in today's economy, that BMW does not recognize that there are BMW customers that are leaving for other makes (such as you have and will be doing) because of poor quality (NO quality) RFTs on a quality car. They have simply turned their backs, as you have found out. Where was I when you got your "additional wheel tire protection"? You are probably lucky to have received anything. Guess they figured the bulge was a defect but the other wear was commonplace.
I am surprised that someone has not instituted a class action against BMW. Guess we all bite the bullet when it happens to us not realizing the vast scope of the problem.
Good article "luckyme"..................John
"Run-flat tires do not come equipped with a spire tire. Due to low-profile tires, please note: wheels, tires and suspension part are more susceptible to road hazard and consequential damages. Performance tires not recommended for driving in ice and snow."
Now, I am currently shopping around for the best deal and one dealer which I am in contact through e-mail, basically didn't even have the sport package in the offer after I inquired about the performance tires, In fact I asked him if I could get regular or all-season tires instead, he said I would have to buy spare tires and like I said, he excluded the sports package from the offer. If I could get the sports package with better tires then I would pursue it however I starting to think it will be more trouble then it should be.
Also that is a troubling quote for us who live in the US, our roads are full of pot holes and garbage, BMW should probably reconsider RFT especially if they are rated as low as many on here are reporting.
I have a 2007 328i with Sport package. I must say I love the way it handles. It is my 1st BMW so am really impressed until....I got a nail on my tires.
BMW has RFT. The Bridgestone RFT on terrible. They last about 10-15k. I was shocked. To replace all 4 costs about $900-1000. Another thing is that since it is Sport package, the front and back tires are different size. So you can not rotate them. I decided to go with non RFT. I just got Michelin Sport All Season tires for $900 at Costco. It runs so much better than the Bridgestone. The only thing is that they are not RFT so I have to carry a repair kit with a pump. Oh yeah, the reason I got Michelin is that it warranty to 45k miles. This is way better than having to change it every 15k miles. Hope that helps. I guess if you are wealthy, RFT is the way to go. I can't imagine having to change new tires every 1-1.5 years. Good luck,
I have a 2009 335ix and so far 5000 miles all is ok. The tires are Bridgestone something or other but they are rated 300 and the old ones were rated at 100. But if you need tires get a spear and jack set.
ciao for now
Wish I would have known all this before getting that sport package. I am so dissapointed with this car due to the tire situation.
Folks who've opted to lease BMWs (Sport Package equipped or no) who object to the RFTs, are frequently driving on the factory tires for say 10,000 miles, and then switching to GFTs until just prior to lease end. At that point the put the factory rubber back on and they're good to go for the turn-in of the car.
Best regards,
Shipo
Live and learn.
Luckyme (But not this time)