My 550 has low miles on it. Took it to the dealer after having vibration issues only to have them tell me that I have bent rims and the tires as a result have bubbles on them. I live in Massachusetts. We have potholes.

Question is, are there tires that can go on the style 124 rims (that came with the car) that still give performance but may offer some more protection against bending rims than the original tires or should I find a new combo of rims and tires that will work?

Thanks for suggestions / comments

 

Others might have a more definitive response to your question. Non-RFT will probably provide more give and less shock to the wheels than do the RFT with their very stiff sidewalls. Standard 18" Style 124 are better for your pothole prone roads than would be 19" wheels and tires with very low profile sidewalls.

 

I live in Waltham, MA and have same issues too. It seems like the roads here are not conducive for our cars. I have brought my car to Rim and Wheel Works in Waltham 3 times in the past year and each time spent 200 per rim to get them repaired....maybe BBS rims are stronger than OEM BMW rims?? Anyone know??

 

I honestly believe that there is something wrong with style 124+RFT combination. Basically every time you hit a pothole or a highway join that makes you really feel it you end up with a bent rim(s). This forced me to buy wheel/tire insurance when I got my 550 last month but I am not sure that putting so easily damageable wheels on $60K+ car is fair for BMW owners. BMW should spend some money and get stronger wheels for it 8cyl 5-series. And the fact that BMW has been putting the same wheels on a car for 4 model years just adds insult to the injury.

 

Hey Jeffs, I'm your next door neighbor. I am over in Lincoln. I've been to Rim and Wheelworks (they used to be in Newton) for a different car. I was thinking TireRack.com or bmwwheels.com (for replacement rims)

I guess I'll try non-runflats given they may be too stiff (given what others have said here)

Still, wouldn't mind some suggestions from forum members.

Thxs

 

Any help? Anybody?

Someone suggested calling BMW headquarters. Do people here know the service number b4 I wade into 50 internet pages?

Thanks