Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[rosh]

Just a few minutes back this is what I noticed (See attached picture)

I am not sure what caused this cos I have not come across any nasty potholes recently. I cleaned my wheels 3 days back and did not notice this bump, so this seemed to have happened just in the last two days.

Questions:
1. How nasty does it look? What can I do about it?
2. Is it covered under warranty in any case (Done 19800 miles)
3. How much would it cost... any ideas would be a great help
4. Can I drive until i get it fixed?

Thanks for you inputs.. This one was a surprise and I am hoping that it doesnt break my wallet.

[BzsBimmer]

Looks like you have a bubble in your sidewall.
I personally think that it's a manufacturers defect but good luck getting BMW to cover it.
I had to buy a new tire when I got mine.
Bubble could either have been caused by a separation of materials in your sidewall from poor manufacturing or hitting a pothole at a high speed. Maybe it wasn't you but someone else who drove the car at some point. You may have had it for a while and just not noticed it.

[rosh]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Looks like you have a bubble in your sidewall.
I personally think that it's a manufacturers defect but good luck getting BMW to cover it.
I had to buy a new tire when I got mine.
Bubble could either have been caused by a separation of materials in your sidewall from poor manufacturing or hitting a pothole at a high speed. Maybe it wasn't you but someone else who drove the car at some point. You may have had it for a while and just not noticed it.

How much did it cost you to replace the tire?

[C.D.335xi]

You may want to check out the following thread. It alleges that Bridgestone and BMW are aware of this problem and have a secret warranty to cover it.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ecret+warranty

[thegeneral101]

i had that happen...cost me $750 to get one f*ckin new tire put on

[shadowcoder]

Originally Posted by rosh

Just a few minutes back this is what I noticed (See attached picture)

I am not sure what caused this cos I have not come across any nasty potholes recently. I cleaned my wheels 3 days back and did not notice this bump, so this seemed to have happened just in the last two days.

Questions:
1. How nasty does it look? What can I do about it?
2. Is it covered under warranty in any case (Done 19800 miles)
3. How much would it cost... any ideas would be a great help
4. Can I drive until i get it fixed?

Thanks for you inputs.. This one was a surprise and I am hoping that it doesnt break my wallet.

1. Looks like a fairly big bubble on the sidewall. Replace the tire.
2. No - unfortunately.
3. Around $600 to replace the 2 front tires with the same brand RFTs.
4. Yes.

BTW are you sure about not hitting a pothole? I see some marking on
the rim right below the tire where the bubble is. It may not have been
you or it may have happened a while ago. Now you probably hit a small
one and the bubble popped.

[thegeneral101]

^^ good observation on the rim, looks like a pothole hit to me

[TiAg335i]

You hit a pothole, whether you remember it or not. You can still drive on it, but it needs to be replaced eventually, and it's not cheap. GL.

[BzsBimmer]

I think it was around 400 to buy a new tire from americas tire. I had them replace it when I turned the car in for lease assumption
I don't know how some of you can pay 600 per tire (if I read it right)

I don't think the secret warranty would apply since he has so many miles on the car. I thought about it too but saw that he had so many miles

[rdsport323]

geez, it costs that much to replace a RFT? wtf?.. might as well pay a little more and get brand new rims...

but then, you have no spare.

[radix]

In the future if you have the option, *always* get the tire insurance. Believe me, it pays for itself.

[rosh]

Thats freakin expensive. For my previous cars I have always had the set of two tires replaced (if something goes wrong with one). That used to cost me like half the price!

I know that it is not preferred to replace just one tire. BUT if I may plan to replace just one of the tires(looking at the cost), what should I expect or face with one brand new tire and the rest at 20-21k?? Anyone?

[Weaselboy]

Someone hit a pothole for sure with your car. Look at the marks on the rim I circled in red. That mark was caused by the tire sidewall getting slammed into the rim by a pothole or something else solid like a curb.

As others said, you need a new tire. Suggest check Tire Rack for far better price than local shops will give you.

[purplewidow]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

You hit a pothole, whether you remember it or not. You can still drive on it, but it needs to be replaced eventually, and it's not cheap. GL.

you cannot drive on it..maybe to the dealer that's it!!!!!

another armchair mechanic comment!!!! now i am no mechanic either but i had bubble on a tire from a loaner...i drove right back after talking to them..bubbles are just as dangerous as nails.. you can drive slow and with extreme caution..if it decides to blow over a bump next to an 18 wheeler on a 2 lane road then what? i would never treat this as an "oh I'll get around to it" fix... this is a "I am going to the dealer now" fix!!!! why take the chance!! at least it only takes an hour or less but it sucks it's gonna cost you around 6-700

[Greeney]

I have been driving on 6 bubbles for over 12 months, he will be fine.

[rosh]

Originally Posted by Greeney

I have been driving on 6 bubbles for over 12 months, he will be fine.

I did too with my civic for more than year and a half. That bubble was much much worse..

[Jobu]

I've had two blisters like that. I bought the tire warranty, so I got it repaired for no additional cost. Each time it was $400 at the dealer. These RFT seem very suseptible to blistering.