Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[335IAlpine]

Has anyone had a bubble on their run flat tire? I just noticed one on my front driver's side tire. I will be taking it in to BMW since it is still under warranty!

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by 335IAlpine

Has anyone had a bubble on their run flat tire? I just noticed one on my front driver's side tire. I will be taking it in to BMW since it is still under warranty!

If you don't have tire and wheel insurance you will have to pay out of pocket for a new one. Warranty doesn't cover bubbled tires as I have experienced personally. Get ready for a nice hit to the wallet. If I recall correctly, a new RFT goes for around $350-$400.

[chip2058]

I had this 2 weeks ago. i thought it was a defect but noticed a small chip around the same spot on the wheel. I thought it was funny that the O was bigger than the rest of the word bridgestone. Anyway, I would say skip the dealer they mark up the tires.

I went to my local Bridgestone/Firestone dealer they put it on installed for $260. In and out in 45 min (just make sure they know how to reset the tire monitor so they dont go for a joy ride). Then I bought tire insurance for all four tires.

Also, you might want to check tirerack and see if you can get a better deal

[335IAlpine]

I have to tell you about my tire history. I had a Vovlo S60 T5 and my wife somehow managed to get a staple nail in the sidewall after owning it for 2 weeks. $250 later, that Christmas Eve, she ran into a curb and again, another $250. My wife usually drives the 335 and I have no idea how this happened. thankfully, i bought my car through the sales manager that I know very well, and he will take care of it. That's the difference between Volvo (Ford) and BMW. I have to say, I drove to Vegas and back with this bubble and hit speeds over 120MPH.

[halB]

Bubbles are usually caused by hitting potholes. Happened to my 530Xi two weeks ago. I don't think they will cover it unless there is some kind of a road hazard warranty/insurance.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

You need the tire insurance. Ger ready to fork out the $$$ for a new RF tire.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

I've had bubble in 5 RFT already.
Such POS.
Better hope you have tire insurance.
Dealer doesn't cover it even if you are under warrenty

[Silvr&Blk]

This topis has been posted numerous times in the past. RFT tires are crap. Their design makes them prone to sidewall failures or bubbles since they do not absord impact (ie potholes) well. The dealer will typically send you to a Bridgestone dealer for any tire warrenty issue and you will be denied (unless you know someone who can take care of you) as a bubble is due to impact and not manufacturing defect.

I had to replace my 2 fronts w/ non-RFT's after my first bubble at 15k miles. I kept the other RFT that wasn't damaged as a spare. My advice is to do the same and replace all to non-RFT's down the road. Good luck!

[R12ax7]

Costco is a great deal too, obviously you need a membership and there arent as many around. I havent bought runflats from them yet, but when I blew both right tires out on a pot hole they replaced both free of charge (like they do for most things) and there was no extra tire insurance that needed to be purchased. I wonder if they would replace a runflat that got a bubble free of charge also.

[darkphantom]

when can you buy the tire insurance? I didn't have the option to buy it as I bought it from someone I knew, but the car has only got 2500 miles on it...can I still get it??

[Gripster]

Originally Posted by 335IAlpine

Has anyone had a bubble on their run flat tire? I just noticed one on my front driver's side tire. I will be taking it in to BMW since it is still under warranty!

I've had one so far in ~20k miles. Standard warranty won't cover it. Just make sure you don't replace it at the dealer. My dealer was asking ~$480, whereas I got under $300 for the exact same tire at a local tire shop.

[RyBMW]

I got 2 bubbles already. Both times on the driver front.

[StarrDlux]

i guarantee if you hit potholes with non-RFT 35 series 255mm wide tires you are going to bubble/damage them. probably even bend the rim.

which the safeguard tire protection covers too. bends due to road hazards. not curb rash cause thats purposefully done but bends/break to wheel and of course new tires.

bmw tires are useless at about 10K miles treadwear 140 lol. thats almost like a drag radial

[FastLane]

another bubble in my passanger front, 3rd bubble, 6500 mi...and a either a linkshaft or swaybay is loose too....honestly not really likin my BMW-POS right now

[m-technik]

There is a very simple solution to your guys problem: Buy non-runflats then buy a portable air compressor/tire sealant kit. Done and done.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by xPaulBaiLeyx

I've had bubble in 5 RFT already.
Such POS.
Better hope you have tire insurance.
Dealer doesn't cover it even if you are under warrenty

wow, you might want to consider a different type of tire.

As many mentioned, bubbles are a wear and tear issue and not covered under warranty.

[Silvr&Blk]

Originally Posted by FastLane

another bubble in my passanger front, 3rd bubble, 6500 mi...and a either a linkshaft or swaybay is loose too....honestly not really likin my BMW-POS right now

Dayam, you got some rough roads out there in da windy city!

[Silvr&Blk]

Originally Posted by R12ax7

Costco is a great deal too, obviously you need a membership and there arent as many around. I havent bought runflats from them yet, but when I blew both right tires out on a pot hole they replaced both free of charge (like they do for most things) and there was no extra tire insurance that needed to be purchased. I wonder if they would replace a runflat that got a bubble free of charge also.

That's cuz Costco has a road hazzard warrenty that comes with all tires purchased and installed by them. They honor it with no questions asked. But the real issue is if your going to replace ur tires, get non-RFT's and you won't have the bubble problem anymore!

[Nikos335i]

Originally Posted by Silvr&Blk

That's cuz Costco has a road hazzard warrenty that comes with all tires purchased and installed by them. They honor it with no questions asked. But the real issue is if your going to replace ur tires, get non-RFT's and you won't have the bubble problem anymore!

RFT or not bubble will occur when you hit a pothole or a blunt/sharp edge at a certain speed/velocity.

Here is sample of my winter tire non RFT with more rubber compared to the stock 18's 225-45-17).

[AgsWin]

Make sure you read the fine print on the wheel protection. I got the dealer wheel protectiion on my M35 and thought I was covered when I hit a pothole and bent my wheel. It was obvious the wheel was bent, but the "fine print" stated that it will not be covered unles the tire fails to seal with the wheel, so even thought it was bent, the tire stil lsealed with them rim, so it wasnt covered.

[FastLane]

Rough roads indeed! you cant go anywhere in chicago without hitting (or manuevering around) a pot hole, unless you are on the train that is!

Story: Pulled behind an IDIOT in a lambo (gallardo pehaps) driving on this road that was being re-paved, ya know, where they put the big steel slabs over the road to cover the potholes?? Well lets just say they didnt cover them all and if this guy cared about his car at all, he was sure going to be pissed when he got home (if he had a home and didnt spend on the money on his vehicle).

Update: Spoke with dealer, they covered the tire. I take back what I said about my BMW being a POS, they just have shitty drivers!

[Silvr&Blk]

Originally Posted by FastLane

Rough roads indeed! you cant go anywhere in chicago without hitting (or manuevering around) a pot hole, unless you are on the train that is!

Story: Pulled behind an IDIOT in a lambo (gallardo pehaps) driving on this road that was being re-paved, ya know, where they put the big steel slabs over the road to cover the potholes?? Well lets just say they didnt cover them all and if this guy cared about his car at all, he was sure going to be pissed when he got home (if he had a home and didnt spend on the money on his vehicle).

Update: Spoke with dealer, they covered the tire. I take back what I said about my BMW being a POS, they just have shitty drivers!

Wow, you must got charm cuz my dealer told me they never warrenty bubble damage since they treat that as road hazzard and not a manufacturing defect! Nice job!