Automotive Forums

Just bought a 2006 325xi BMW in early March, 3 weeks later had a flat, and now again! (not the same tire).  Anyone else experiencing problems with run flat tires?  Thankfully the dealership sold an "insurance" at the time of purchase of the vehicle, which for 5 years covers the replacement of the flat tires, however, a claim procedure is in place, whereby the dealership has to photograph the tire, fill in a report and wait for permission to replace the tire.  The tires cannot be repaired, and I wonder what will happen five years down the line.  Not sure if these tires are made as sturdy as regular ones.   After driving for over 32 years only ever had one flat before these two, and that was easily repairable.  

http://forums.automotive.com/community/70/11002/aftermarket-accessories/tires-wheels/bmw-run-flat-tire-problems/index.html

there is another thread about this at the top of our forums.  Under tires and wheels.  I know its a little confusing that we have two tire sections..  Everything is being re arranged and cleaned up soon though.  

Same car, same problem! I am on tire number 2 this year!  

BMW is using run flat tires as OE. If yours are Bridgestone you may as well get rid of them now. I replaced them on a 2006 750 I at 13,000 and they have been noisy for at least 3,000 miles. Tires and alignment are not under your warranty. I had the problem of irregular tread wear on a Lexus 430. Lexus did not warranty against tread wear past 5,000 miles and stated the tires probably would not wear past 10,000. Run flat tires are garbage.  

Run flat tires are pure garbage and I don't like that so many manufacturers are making them standard equipment on cars. Like the previous guy said, dump them as soon as you can for normal tires and then pick up an extra rim and tire to use as a fullsize flat  

Hey, the 750 has a full size spare and wheel just like the other four. That's what sucked me in. The little Lexus convert has no room for a spare so it had run flats. That was four years ago. I got blind sided by BMW. It was about six or seven months before I discovered the run flats on the BMW. Screw me once, shame one you. Screw me twice, shame on me! BMW has a bull by the horns,and they know it.  

I bought a  2006 bmw 325i and currently have 25k miles on it. I just took it to the service dept because the light is comming on. Service guy says to me that my alignment is off (not under warantee) and i need 4 new tires. Since when do $1500 tires only last 25k miles? I agree with all of you that run flats are crap. I've heard talk of class action law suit and i am willing to participate in order to stick it to BMW for selling us cheap tires on the ultimate driving machine (yea right).  

I have a 328xi 2007 from BMW of Mississauga in Ontario Canada. Noise started at 10,000kms and progressively got worse until 17000 km when it sounded like my front end bearings were gone and there was sand in my brakes. BMW dealer said oh you are over 16k kms we will only pay for 2 tires and your cost will be $653 and bonus I got treated like I was an  idiot. Their customer service was awful and totally avoided any responsibility nor did they return my calls to log of the incident report that they were recommending I change the tires. Nothing in writing and they want to install the same crap so I can enjoy the noise again in a few months. Surprise I took the shuttle home and 2 more 3 series customers livid that they were being forced to pay for tires and being blamed for not checking tire pressures every 2 weeks?? all including me have gone out and bought 4 good Michelin tires and bought 2 cans puncture repair in a bottle. I'm in Canada and I can tell you that I called around and I only found I tire dealer anywhere near who deals in Run flats and he was around $100 installed cheaper per tire than the BMW quote and thats retail, so if breakdown someplace in Canada, there is no way I am going to make the 50 miles to a dealer so that safety line is BS. Of course I can get taken to a BMW dealer to have my wallet raped and I might have to sleep there a day while they schedule me in and get it organised.  I have also discovered that most of these dealers will not repair a punctured run flat as they claim it may compromise safety. At least now I can have CAA tow me to the nearest tire place who will definitely repair a Michelin or replace from inventory. I will never buy a BMW again for this reason. There are plenty of good alternatives out there now from Lexus, Infinity and even the new Merc My car now actually sounds and drives like it did 8 months ago when new. If there is a class action I'm in as I don't like being treated like an idiot.  

I hear you. Eveything is 'in the air' with run flat tires (no pun intended). They were supposed to save time and be a convenience but many people have found them to be a nuisance. Things are supposed to get better in the future... supposed to.

This is a good article to read that pretty much sums up things with run flats right now.

http://www.tire-information-world.com/run-flat-tires.html  

Hello Everyone,


I own a Range Rover with the same issue with run flats. I am on the second set of tires not completely at my cost because i bought the tire insurance. But anyhow, there is a law firm putting together a  federal Class action lawsuit against BMW and Bridgestone for the defective tires. My sister owns a BMW and thats the reason why i decided to post on this Forum. The contact for the law firm is Mark Anderson here is his email address, mark@kabolaw.com. His law firm currently has three different federal class action lawsuits against three different defendants, Join up the more support they have the more of a voice we have.  

I'm dealing with the same!  Less than 20K miles on my 2006 325i lease.  Have you heard anything about a class action suit?  

My experience with BMW were much worse than yours. Brand new BMW 325xi was towed twice in less than a month or little over a month. I am very sick to think about my awful experience with BMW. Here was Russel dealer service manager's email to me.

LOANER?
From: Mike Diskin (mldiskin@russelbmw.com)
Sent: Tue 7/11/06 11:12 AM
To:  'MIGKAP@HOTMAIL.COM' (MIGKAP@HOTMAIL.COM)

DEAR MS.CAI, WE NEED TO TALK TO YOU REGARDING YOUR VEHICLE AS WELL AS OURS.I MUST BE CONTACTED TODAY BY 5;00PM OR I WILL FORCED TO ACTIVATE LOJACK.THIS MEANS THE POLICE WILL GET OUR CAR FOR US.YOU CAN CALL ME @ 4109774038MIKE DISKIN.  

My car is 18k+ mileage in 2 years. After service checking, tires are very Choppy on inside. It needs to change 4 tires. I was suggested to use Run Flats - Contintal procontact SSR. After I read above comments, I dodn't want to use Run Flats tires. What tires can you suggest me? thanks.  

Also bought 2006 BMW325i. Run flat tires needed replacement at 16,000.00 miles
and then had a flat tire. Replaced them with Continental runflats (BMW only paid for 2), which got a better rating and are supposed to be better. Although I pay for tire protection, Russel neglected to put me in for the flat tire replacement as it was over Thanksgiving weekend and then they refused to reimburse me. I told Russel that they should be responsible for the cost since it was their error......I can still hear them laughing! I was told by Mike that "They were sorry".  So am I....Do yourself a favor and do not buy from Russel BMW.  

I am having the same problems with my 2007 3 series.  Took it in this week and they said they would work a 'deal' with me because I only had 18,000 miles on my car.  Acted like no one else is having problems.  Said they would give me four tires for the price of 2.  I told them forget it.  I have been complaining for 6 months about the rough driving...poor, poor service.