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RFT's ON BMWs = VERY FRUSTRATING - - - EXPENSIVE EXPERIENCE
Since new (2006 330i - all options except sunshades) (now nearing 48/9,000 miles) I have gone through 2 sets of Bridgestones and I will not go through another. This 66 year old does not drive hard (although I may speed a bit ). Love the car and will look at the 2011's when that NEW model 330 series is introduced. Depending on how it looks, I would buy another with the provision that Michelins are installed AT NO COST to me or the warranty. (Tires are not warrantied by BMW anyway).
When new I equipped the car with a "donut" spare / electric jack and tools as I was concerned that the RFT may experience a flat and no larger rear tire be available. I have to admit I have never had to use the spare nor have I experienced a puncture.
I feel that BMW has done an injustice to it's customers. How many are people that have no idea what RFT is and would not even think of asking? Nor would they research RFTs before committing such an expense?
ONLY MY HUMBLE OPINION AND EXPERIENCE with 2 sets of Bridgestone RFTs.
John Griffiths
Springfield, Oregon
Now, if I can find a dealer that will give me a reasonable price without the Bridgestones before the holiday incentive runs out tomorrow.
Just for clarifications, what should I ask them for if I refuse the Bridgestones. A quick internet search actually priced the Continental ProContact SSR RFT to be cheaper than the Bridgestones.
Nissan don't sell the infiniti here anymore (used to) and their best car is called the Maxima, which is very good and cheapest of the three but they want all Nissans serviced every 6 months. A complete ripoff! I do very low mileage and the Beema will go for 18 months to 2 years between services, and the costs are also a ripoff but not as bad as some cars. Hope you work it out. Kev
First set lasted 24,000. At that time they were so worn and noisy that they were replaced with same tires. (Bridestone's) Second set now at 46,000 and should be replaced probably May-June.
As you know the Sports Package tires cannot be rotated so replacement is the rule.
UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED should be stamped on these tires.
Probably wiill look at other car makes this Spring.
66 year old BMW lover but who hired the tire buyer?
Maybe not the car, but you're definitely stressing evidently sub-standard tires for your driving style, to be sure.
If I'm ever in the Pittsburgh area, I'll definitely be on the lookout for an '06 325xi averaging at least 15-20 mph over the speed limit,
Best regards,
Shipo
What I would check before you make such a change is check with the BMW dealer you are contemplating using to make sure you are not compromising your warranty AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED. BMW North America has no problem with it as long as the replacements are of equal or better "quality" as they put it to me in writing. ((One would think that the dealer would always agree with BMW NA, BUT????))
Our present BMW is a 2006 330i loaded except sun shades. Seeing that it is "loaded" one would think that more should go wrong. We are happy with the car (46,000 miles). The last thing that went was the navigation computer. Warranty covered some $1,800.00 in parts and labor. The cylinder head was replaced under a "silent" warranty (ticking when starting cold) Other than that pretty normal. Wears very well. My wife and I were saying that other week that except for one door "parking lot ding" , it looks absolutely NEW in and out.
I feel that you can't go wrong buying a BMW except for the tire problem. I have owned many makes of cars since 1963 including "exotics". I would recommend this car to anyone. Buy new or with warranty (to 50,000 miles including everything even oil changes).(NOT air / gas / tires)
As long as you feel good driving it, go for it. Even us 66 year olds love them.
(neighbor bought the most expensive Lexis. It parks itself (mine takes my help) but his takes so long to park that I can park, do a 1 min. job, then leave and he is still parking.
John
Springfield, OR
I have no idea who you have been talking to. Perhaps those who you spoke to ran extremely poor tires before thay changed to RFTs. I have been following the response of those using RFTs since 2006. VERY LITTLE has been ++++++ while the ---- has been vast.
In my 41 years of driving I have NEVER been so against any product as I am about RFT's The concept is great! But on the cars that I have had them on, they actually have proven UNSAFE after 24,000+ miles. I an 66 and do not drive poorly / off the paved road / at an excessive speed (well maybe a little fast) / nor in snow, Then again we are driving BMWs are we not?
John
Springfield OR
If you read back in this thread for at least four or five years you'll see that I am very much against the use of RFTs, pretty much for the same reasons you are. The flip side is that I am just as strong of a proponent of good old fashioned GFTs (Get Flat Tires), which is what I said (or at least meant to say) in my recent postings. :confuse:
So after all this talk, is the general consensus here that the only fully satisfying solution is to replace with GFTs?
Best regards,
Shipo
Since then I have traded that car on my last ever car (wife says it will be) which is the latest 3 series diesel, brand new still wrapped in plastic straight from the 'Fatherland' and I insisted that they get a car which had CONTINENTAL tyres (runflats) on it and let me test it for a day. I did, and am very pleasantly surprised at the ride and handling. I'm not even considering changing them, and the car handles as well as one fitted with conventional tyres. The Bridgestones are downright dangerous in heavy rain and on undulating, potholey roads. They 'tramline' and bang and crash and make the car dart all over the place. If you ever buy another one, try the Continentals, but why don't you fit the normal tyres to the car you have? You've got a spare. You should have enough sense to work this out at your age! I worked it out when I was only 65! (took me 2 years though).
I don't know where I mislead you re the comments that I made on the RFTs. I do have the "sense" to change to a better tire. That is what I have been preaching in this column for years.
Tried a 335D a few weeks back. Local fealer allows me to take a car for a day whenever I care to. Not my bag what with the cost of diesel these days. Still smells like a diesel. Went to visit a friend in hospital that day. He asked me if I had been working on my pride and joy, a 66 Vette. The small was carried on my clothing even though I noticed nothing. Told the BMW dealer about it and the reaction was, "Well you must expect the diesel smell". Guess he is right as I was loading / unloading the truck with groceries with the engine running.
I think I will wait for the restyled 2011 3 series before I buy again. I bet we will all have to cope with RFTs for a long time to come.
Till then, as I have repeatedly stated, I will run these RFTs till Spring, then consider changing to another make of tire or car.
John
Just received a "prod to order - European pickup" from BMW NA on the upcoming 2011 3 series. NICE INDEED! The "pictures" are merely drawings so a bit difficult to commit for 11 months away. We did that for a 2001 but so little changed from the 2000, there was no guessing involved. I will still have to do the new tire thing as the Bridgestones will not last after July - August.
Hope all is well.
John - Springfield OR (sunny and high 50s today - nice)
The regular tires (I forget the exact type but I did the research) were a small but noticeable improvement in handling and quietness. So far I have had no problems.
Still have BMW wheels? If so........
Still have BMW warranty? If so check with local dealer.re warranty invalidation problems. I did 2 years ago and he nixed conventional tire replacement. Then went to BMW NA and they ok'd. Appears local dealer was not aware of BMW North America's policy. If you do not still have BMW Warranty AND NO EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT "MAY" BE A PROBLEM, then you have no problems whatsoever changing to conventional tires.
One fellow that I was blogging back & forth tha other day recommended Continnentials. I prefer Michelins myself but that is merely my preference.
Be careful to keep your sizing correct especially with the Sports Package being different front and rear.
I have had to change my Bridgestone RFTs twice in 48,000 miles and will go conventional this time around. THEY WILL BE DUE FOR ANOTHER CHANGE BY THIS SPRING AS THEY ARE WEARING POORLY AGAIN. I love the concept (have always carried a donut spare and tools just in case) but the wear problem with tires with a "1" wear rating is not acceptable especially when they cost whet they do. Mine are again getting to the unsafe stage (this set has 23,000 miles) as they track POORLY on "rutty" concrete. Luckily we have no snow here. That would be desasterous. Have driven for 51 years........Love the car..Very concerned about the tires.
John
Springfield OR
I replaced the Bridgestones on my car when it was only 2 months old because I couldn't stand them as I have said before. I fitted Pirelli's and they were much better. The new car I got this year has the Continental runflats and they are so much better than the Bridgestones. I fitted the Pirellis because I couldn't get Michelins the right size and spec for the car at a reasonable price. Here is Australia we pay double for just about everything auto. For example, Lexus IS 300 $68,000. Govt gets 40%.
Just wondering how long this car was parked, and if the inevitable flat spots are the reason for the new tires?
You could also get only 3 replacement tires and make only left turns...
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For base model, as low as $484 ($121 each) --
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=BMW&aut- - - - oYear=2006&autoModel=325i+Sedan&autoModClar=Base+Model&width=205/&ratio=55&diame- - - - ter=16&sortCode=44950&skipOver=true&minSpeedRating=H&minLoadRating=S&tab=All
For Sprot Package, as low as $692 ($149 each front, $197 each rear) --
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=BMW&aut- - - - oYear=2006&autoModel=325i+Sedan&autoModClar=Sport+Package&frontWidth=225/&frontR- - - - atio=45&frontDiameter=17&frontSortCode=49650&rearWidth=255/&rearRatio=40&rearDia- - - - meter=17&rearSortCode=50150&tab=All
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"A NATIONWIDE" settlement has been reached in a class action law suite against BMW of North America, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Bridgestone Corporation....The suite alleges that the defendants should have know that the tires were defective and prone to excessive noise and/or irregular wear, resulting in the tires needing frequent replacement and causing the vehicles to ride roughly."
The good news? I am going to get money back!! If your car had Bridgestones and were replaced with another brand of RFT you may still be eligible as well..
Sweet,
Lawyers=30 million
BMW owners=50 bucks
The settlement is for BMW 2006 or 2007 3 Series vehicles equipped with Bridgestone Turanza EL 42 RFT 205/55R16 or 225/45R17 run-flat tires.
BMW changed to RFT's showing again that it is a forerunner in the auto industry. I personally, owing 2 330i's with RFTs do not agree with the fact and have voiced my displeasure whenever I can. BUT have the RFT's ever caused me any inconvenience? NO except having to replace them every 24-25,000 miles. However, I do carry a spare donut tire / power jack and tools.(never used them). Yes I am a complainer about RFTs but again except for high cost replacement and a wear rating of "1" (Lowest possible) (WalMart sells as low as "4" in our area) I cannot complain.
Don't like them? Change to conventionals. BMW has advised in writing that it will NOT void your new car warranty EXCEPT in the case of damages proven to be the conventional tire's fault.
My present set of RFT's on a 2006 330i (Sports Package) 24,500 miles, is starting to act like my prior set (on a 2001 330i (Sports Package)) and does not track properly. (All front end and suspension has been checked and found in perfect order).
In fact I was in the local BMW dealer today and the Service Manager and Service Advisor both told me on the QT that they both have changes for RFT's to conventionals on their personal cars. The way the Advisor put it to me....."SCARY"
It's your car, do what you feel better with
John...a 66 year old driver and a 24 year BMW owner.
Bridgestones not too highly rated by Consumers Reports Mag. (See November 2009 issue)
ALL-SEASON: Rated 19th out of 23 tested.
PERFORMANCE ALL-SEASON: Did not even rate out of 14 tested. :
WINTER: Rated 7th out of 17 tested. (not bad but I rarely drive in snow,
As far as RFTs tested against RFTs, Bridgestones came in 11th out of 14 also recently tested by Con. Reps.
No other RFT has such a poor wear rating (1)
You speak of the "new generation" Bridgestone. Where did that phrase come from? Perhaps a Bridgestone advert?
I am on my third set now (2001 330i / 2006 330i & 2009 335i all with Sports Packages) Still own 2006 and 2009. Both are experiencing same old problems. Friend and owner of local BMW dealership tells me that RFTs are here to stay, on BMWs on BMWs at least. When all is added (no tire changing tools / jack etc / no spare etc etc / trunk space looks roomier) it is cheaper for BMW to produce a vehicle after collaborating with Bridgestone for "xxx" many tires over "xxx" years..
Again GREAT ARTICLE.
The reason why tire rack has more run flat tire options for sale are because of these third generation tires.
Total B.S.
The ONLY reason why you might want to keep the RFTs is if you leased your car AND you'll be returning it before the next set of tires. Other than that, your car is 100% compatible with conventional Gets Flat Tires (GFTs), so swap away.
Dealer is blowing smoke. I switched the RFTs off my new (used) MINI with another car recently at the dealer's lot, and I am the happiest man alive. Bought a bottle of "Slime", an electric air pump and I'm good to go. I do feel sorry for whoever buys the other MINI, though.