To those in the group...... I am "red hot" over having to pay for an entire new set of Bridgestone Run Flats for my 2004 530i w/ Sport Package. I had significant noise and vibration coming from my front tires, so I took my car in for a routine balance and rotation. The dealership then calls to inform me that the tread on my two front tires were already separating and the rear tires were already showing problems. The car has only 6,000 miles on it!!!!!!

BMW said that because the tires aren't covered under warranty, they weren't obligated to pay for anything, but agreed to pick up half the price of an entire new set of Bridgestone Run Flats, which still left me with an $800 bill. I find this absolutely unacceptable for a brand new "Ultimate Driving Machine". Just as BMW takes great pride in it's engineering, they should also stand behind all other car components they choose to partner with....... which INCLUDES tires.

Does anyone have a number I can call for a reasonable response to this issue at BMW, as I feel my dealership was NOT being very helpful?

My car is great..... but Dunlops SUCK..... and the jury's still out on my dealer! If BMW wants to stock Dunlops on their automobiles, they should assume some liability for a product that actually REDUCES the performance of their automobiles and more importantly, take measures to correct it!!!!!

Any help or contact information is appreciated!

Mack

 

I'd go after Dunlop as well. More noise may get you results from one or both!

 

Mack, i am in the same boat, almost.. dealer ordered replacement bridgestones, but at no cost to me...(less than 1000 miles on car).. questions are:

1. what bridgestones did they give you? and are they the proper sizing for sports package? you should have 275/35-18 in the rears..
2. where are you and what dealer?

i was told they ordered me RE050, but bridgestone told me they don't make those in the size for the rear of the car?

 

I've had the same problem with the Dunlops. They drove me nuts and I got in a big fight with the dealer to replace them (if you do a search you will find it).

In the end they gave me a new set of bridgestone (and telling me I was lucky because they are excluded from the warranty). The bridgestones don't have the balance problem so that's very good. Downside is that these tires are very noisy too and very uncomfortable..

 

So what tires are members recommending?

 

Did you keep the old tires...or at least one of them?
I would contact Dunlop directly and get warranty coverage.
The dealer should have recommended that. Or at least mentioned it.

 

I think as soon as my tires wear I will switch to the Michelin pilot sports that others have made a lot of good comments about (less noise, better handling, more comfortable ride and BMW Assist for a flat.)

 

Yep i am also using michelin sport for my 20" wheels. They look great though.

 

I talked to BMW Customer Relations and my dealer yesterday with regard to the noisy Dunlop runflats. The dealer said they have another customer complaining about the same thing and he's checking to see if anything can be done or if BMW will be stepping up to help resolve this issue. In the meantime, he said to email Dunlop and lodge a complaint.

The Customer Relations guy I talked to said it was the first he'd heard of this problem but explained that runflats are harder, blah, blah, blah. I told him I realize that they are stiffer and was willing to accept that but my compliant is that the car sounds like a truck. I asked if maybe this was a sign of something bigger as more and more cars put more miles on these tires. He said they've had experience with Dunlop runflats on the Mini for years now and they don't have problems.

It was clear that there was nothing he was going to do for me at this point. His final recommendation -- call Dunlop and ask them about it.

Like the sat/nav issue, I think we need to organize something to collectively show our displeasure with this problem. So far I don't think BMW is hearing enough of a noise about this to feel as if they have a problem.

 

Rudy, start a campaign with BMWUSA at 1-800-831-1117. The people that answer the phone don't know much, but they do have access to those who do, and if properly presented, the folks like Kerry can be very helpful. While I do not have a problem with the Dunlop run flats, there has been enuf written in this forum to indicate that a problem exists with a certain percentage of the owners. Enough noise to BMWUSA should leak through to Dunlop which is where I think the final solution should rest -- maybe a mileage adjustment or something -- plus rethinking of the tread design. I've played the activist role enough on civil rights issues to know that loud squeaking wheels (noisy tires, too) get heard -- finally. It will take a concerted effort from a number of people. I don't think one complaint or even four or five would do it -- 10-15 should guarantee results.

PS: We need to get Europe and Asia involved too. You too, OZ, Mexico, Canada, NZ, et al