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We have had miserable luck with 06 BMW 530xi with run flats.  Unlike others we did get more miles on them (31k) and they still have 1/2 their tread or more.  We had horrific problems with them going flat - sometimes weekly.  We have taken the car into the shop no less than 10 times trying to find out why they leak air.  No proper answer.

A more recent problem.  My wife found the run flats have very poor traction in snow and ice - to the point of being dangerous to drive.  She attempted to have BMW Santa Fe put new tires on - they refused to put other than run flats on the car. The first service advisor said it was a liability issue. He did not offer the winter runflats. He suggested we have different tires put on at a tire dealer across the street.  So she put the new Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position tires on.  The car handles much better both on drive pavement and in snow/ice.  

Yesterday when I got back in town I stopped by BMW Santa Fe to get a better understanding of their issue with putting on other than run flats.  A different service advisor got very upset when I told him that my wife put other than runflats on the car.  He said it was very unsafe and claimed that any business that put other than run flats on those rims was unethical.  He said the rims were different and the suspension was tuned for run flats and that without changing the rims and retuning the suspension we would be in an unsafe vehicle. I asked him why his colleague would advise my wife to put such tires on if it was unsafe - his only advise is that we should switch to using him as service advisor?????????

I got annoyed enough that I demanded the head mechanic come out and discuss it with us.   He was not so emphatic about the unsafe situation - but said basically what the service advisor said was correct.

Please - does anyone know if putting non-runflat tires on a BMW 530 is an unsafe thing to do?  

Is this "cupping" the same problem as an "air bubble" on the sidewall?  I brought my 2007 328XI with 16,000 miles and run-flat in for service today and was told the left front wheel needs to be replaced because of the above.  The technician sounded puzzled, mentioning the tire was new and the threads were 7 mm (or something like that ;-)).  The service manager then said if I was driving in town it was less of an issue but if I was on the highway it could "blow-out."

Would a run-flat "blow out?" (which sounds dangererous!) or would the tire pressure light go on and you would have to get yourself to the dealer next 50 miles?  BTW, pulled me in today was the tire pressure low light kept on coming on, fourth time I've been to the dealer for this and was told it was just due to the winter weater.  I live in New England and it does happen more when the temp is under 20 degrees.  

Any answers/insight would be appreciated.   Thank you!  

"......Is this "cupping" the same problem as an "air bubble" on the sidewall?....."

No, the bubble on the sidewall is more likely related to the low pressure light.  You need to be sure the air pressure is high enough when it is warm to account for the pressure drop when it is cold.  Tires that are operated without sufficient inflation pressure may develop sidewall issues - and runflat tires are only resistant to this, not immune.

Rule of thumb:  A 10°F drop = 1 psi.  BTW, on every vehicle sold in the US, there is a sticker – commonly called the tire placard - that lists the original tire size and the proper pressure for that size.  The placard is usually located on a doorpost or in the glove box – but sometimes it is located in the trunk or on the fuel filler door.

The "cupping" is related to the alignment.  

Saturday, January 17th, 2009

I have a 2007 BMW 328i sedan.  I started hearing the cupping noise as well as a really loud screech as I was decreasing speed and coming to a complete stop.  I made an appointment over the summer with the BMW dealership to have it inspected.  The day of my appointment I pulled up to the BMW service dept. and the service advisor came over and asked me why I was coming.  I explained to him my concerns and from where we both were standing my car was at least 50 feet away.  Immediately, without test driving my car, getting into my car, or even inspecting the tires, the service advisor simply said you need 4 new tires.  I couldn't believe how pompous he was being since he never even went close enough to my car to even inspect anything.

I was so irritated with him I ended up taking my BMW to another BMW dealership in a different city.  The next dealership was somewhat nicer and more sympathetic.  However, they told me that the Bridgestones were not falling under the bulletin due to the DOT number.  So I ended up paying for 4 new tires, balancing, alignment, etc.
I have to admit my car is running and sounding like it did the first time I drove it.  Truly like a dream!  I just worry how long until the run flats die on me.  This time, I switched to the Continentals.  I know the Bridgestones are supposedly a higer performance tire, but the service adviser told me the Continentals will last longer, wear better, and offer a quieter ride.  

I also called Firestone just to find out about pricing for the tires.  Apparently they only sell Bridgestone so they are somewhat biased.  But the manager at Firestone said that the Continentals have vibration problems and ply wear problems.  So I am going to keep my fingers crossed and say a prayer.

Will I get another BMW with run flats once my lease ends?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Mercedes here I come!  

In March 07' - I leased a 2007 328i sedan with the RF's Bridgestone Teuranza EL42 and bought the Easy Care Warrant approx. $500...The noise started around 5k miles so I took the car in on March 26, 2008 and of course the dealer said the tires were fine.  NOTE: 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 with a list of items and tire noise still on the list.  Long story short: the service advisor told me I need to replace the tires (per service bulletin) and they 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.  They said they were doing me a favor because not only were they paying for half of the tire cost they were paying 100% of labor & installation.  Bull crap!  Also, I need an alignment - cost $150...

Talk about being irritated just like you because had I known about this TSB -certainly I would have taken the car in before it hit 10k miles.  Who wouldn't!!! Please give me a break.  My issue with the dealer, BMW Corp. and Bridgestone was that I received NO NOTICE! I made several calls and spun my wheels and only ended up angry each time!!! So we went round and round...bottom line I paid the $511 for the  -2- tires and got -2- for free - so to speak. Same f___g tires - 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 and these blogs on autoforum.com, perhaps we have a class action since clearly these RF's from Bridgestone were defective from day one and BMW knew about it and continues to sell them on their vehicles.  I am not letting this go!  

I have a 2007 335I that I purchased new.  I experienced a rhythmic noise from day one that sped up as the car sped up.  It wasn't very loud at first and I just figured it was normal.  It did get louder over time and can be annoying if the radio is off. I have taken the car in to the dealer about 6 times for burnt bulbs and mentioned it every time.  They tell me it is just the tires.  They started telling me that with less then 10k.  Come on.  I said it sounds like a bearing or something, but they were always insistant it was the tires. Around 15k they wanted to sell me new ones.  Unfortunately at 18k I ran over something and needed a new rear costing around $425. At 20k I had a professional allignment performed and it was surprisingly out pretty far even though the car ran straight. Now with 27k I can feel the cupping on the tires, and it is pretty loud.  I agree that there must be a defect in the tire to wear this bad this quick.  At least BMW should offer buy one get 3 free or something.  

first of all i find it a bit funny that NO ONE on this thread actually answers any of the questions anyone has.  now, for the reason i found this site...

i am sitting outside a BMW right now in Palm Springs in my car with the THIRD RUINED TIRE in 4 months.  IT IS THE EXACT SAME TIRE EVERY TIME!!!!  I drive a 2005 645Ci convertible and had my first issue while driving back from Phoenix to Long Beach (i make this commute at least twice a month) had it taken to Chapman BMW in PHX, the tires did have almost 50k on them at that time and i wanted to go ahead and get a full set to try and prevent this from happening to the rest of them...2200.  Well that lasted for about a month, and low and behold i kept getting the 'flat tire' notification seemingly every few days, the rear right would look flat, i'd air it up, and the cycle would continue.  well midway to phoenix (in the middle of nowhere California) the tire busted out and i had to have it towed BACK (closet dealer for roadside assistance - Palm Springs - WRONG DIRECTION!!!) and he says, no refund, no nothing.  replaced the tire, cost around 550 for everything.  i drove my car then from Palm Springs to Long Beach.  I have a really short commute to work everyday so between driving back to LBC and to work everyday, I'd say i put less than 300 miles on the tire before i ventured off yesterday afternoon back to Phoenix.  Tire looked flat before i left (and light indicator) filled up air, looked good...took off.  Almost THE SAME DAMN PLACE where i had my blowout a month ago, it happened AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  it got really ugly..and here's to the "50/50 rule"....so at the point of the flat, i had to turn around and go back to Palm Springs (approx 30+ miles away) driving 50mph down the road.  about 5 miles before the exit my tire practically had melted.  what remains of it now is quite atrocious, and actually did a bit of panel damage when the tow-man was laying it up on the flatbed.  

THE SAME TIRE 3x ...i have yet to see if i can get anything out of this one, when i talk to the advisers tomorrow, but so help me i will be raising hell.  

I think this car is beautiful, it drives incredibly.  BUT if i have to deal with crap like this, on an almost weekly basis now, IT IS NOT WORTH IT!!!!!!  i'm trying to sell this baby, and get rid of the headache and paranoia that i have everytime i get on the interstate now.  

If these guys don't pony up for any of this, can you guys give me a number so i can lay some groundwork on getting reimbursed????  

Any where is/are these bulletins stated on the tire advisories?
Thanks  

Wow, I'm both relieved and sorry to have found this thread. I have a 2007 328xi with Continental GT run-flat's. I have 28,000 miles on my car, and don't drive in extreme weather as I live in Southern California. I was about to go out tonight when I got the Tire Monitor indicator telling me yet ANOTHER f-ing tire needs to be replaced (hopefully it's just one). I have already replaced FOUR tires in TWO years while driving under 30,000 miles. This is INSANE. I am sick and tired of shelling out my money for an inferior tires on this car.

What I do recommend EVERYONE who is having tire issues like these with their cars, BMW or otherwise, is this. Call local tire shops and see if they have or can get your tire (you may have to wait a few days for it). In almost every circumstance, they will be cheaper than going through your dealer. As well, ask if they can offer a warranty on the tire. In many cases, they will, which will allow you to replace it at a fraction of the cost of a new tire if/when this continues to happen. I'm willing to bet that your local tire shop will be able to give you that tire installed and with the warranty for less than your dealership, and the dealership does NOT offer any warranties on the tires. If you have to wait a few days for the tire shop to get your tire in stock, call your dealership and demand a loaner. If your car is under warranty, you should be able to get one if you make enough of a stink about it. Unfortunately, if its not under warranty, they probably won't accommodate you unless you get the tire replaced through them.

The car is awesome, but like the last guy said, it's just not worth it.  

I have the same problem with my 2003 BMW 325 convertible with sport tires.  

I have the same problem with my 2003 BMW 325 convertible with sport tires.  I have had 4 blow-0uts in 4 years, all on the right rear tire.  

I understand and relate to your problem. First of all, I finally purchaed my first BMW in August 08'. I ordered a new 335i sedan. Since I took possession of the vehicle in Oct of 08', I have had nothing but problems with my run flat tires and I am very unsatisfied with them. I don't even know where to begin on the problems I've had. They seem to pick up nails/other sharp objects much more than all the tires I've ever had on all my other vehicles combined before. And, as we all know, BMW won't repair them. Big surprise there huh. I'm not prone to exaggeration, but I'm honestly so fed up with my various run flat dilemmas since I purchased my car, that I've actually considered getting rid of the vehicle which I love so much overall. I've always wanted a new BMW, finally had the means to purchase one and now this. I'm sure it's obvious by this point in my post, I hate the run flat tires and definitely don't think the added safety of not having an immediate blow out outweighs all the problems that go along with the tires, not to mention the high cost of replacing them. It's not rocket science that the tire road hazard insurance offered by BMW is priced very high for a reason. Maybe because they think there's a high probability that they WILL be replacing them?? Imagine that. It's boiling down to new, non run flats for me asap or no more 335, which would turn me off to ever purchasing another BMW again if it comes to that.  

Four weeks ago, I bought an '08 328i with 650 miles on it and as soon as I left the lot a light with an exclamation mark came on, but since it took eight days to receive my manual, I had no idea what it meant.  Now I know that it's that my tire keeps going flat. WTF!  It's a car with next to no miles on it and I didn't buy the tire insurance.  I guess that's why they pushed it on me so hard.  I've had dozens of cars with no problems and the most expensive car that I purchase has problems already.  I know that the dealer is going to tell me to spend $500 replacing it and that's bs since it's a new car.  I don't trust the "car people".  They're not the most honest people and want to make as much money as possible.  Any suggestions would help..

G  

My tires are Contintental and I think that we need to start a letter writing campaign and class action suite against Continental & Bridgestone tires.  This is BS!
If you want to assist me in this endeavor, email me @ Mirabelle44236@yahoo.com.

We need to create websites and complain to the BBB also.  That's where I've gotten the most as a consumer is with the BBB.  Lower their rating.  

I shouldn't have to fill my tires every fifty miles!!!  

You should be aware that BMW is the one who specifies the runflat tires - not the tire manufacturer.  The tire manufacturers are only supplying what BMW wants.  So suing the tire companies doesn't get you anywhere - not to mention that suing 2 comopanies for the same issue is going to get the lawsuit thrown out.

Besides, if the pressure is leaking out, it could also be the wheel or the valve - you need to determine which!  

I also have a 2006 330i with a sport package running Potenza tires (run flats) w/ 21K
miles, not very good in snow, can you recommend a good cold weather replacement??
Thanks