BMW "special" tires
02-19-2007, 02:30 PM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Boulder Co
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i Orient Blue, Beige Interior, Sports Pkg, Nav, Steptronic, Sat Radio Prep, Aux Input, Cold Weather Package
Got a quick question.
Today I took my 545i in to get the right front tire replaced. When I washed it this weekend, I noticed it had a gash about 3"s long along the rim. It was big enough that I could put my fingers in it. I thought it was maybe a defect. When I took it in, the service guy looked at it and said that it was either a curb or pothole hit. Well, I know I didn't hit a curb, but the roads around Boulder are really taking a beating with the weather of late and there are many deep nasty potholes around. I also remember hitting one the other night fairly hard. So, I guess that could have caused it.
It's costing me $426 to replace the Bridgestone run flat that is on it. I found the same tire at TireRack for $222 shipped in two days. I also found the same tire locally at Discount tire for about $351. When I asked the service guy about the big differences, he told me that BMW contracts with various manufacturers to produce "special runs" according to BMW specs and that they are only marked by a color star stamp on the tires. He went on to say that they take into account the negative chamber and, particular car, etc. and that if I bought one outside of BMW, that it would most likely wear funny and not perform as well.
Is this correct? Thoughts?
thanks,
Renard
Today I took my 545i in to get the right front tire replaced. When I washed it this weekend, I noticed it had a gash about 3"s long along the rim. It was big enough that I could put my fingers in it. I thought it was maybe a defect. When I took it in, the service guy looked at it and said that it was either a curb or pothole hit. Well, I know I didn't hit a curb, but the roads around Boulder are really taking a beating with the weather of late and there are many deep nasty potholes around. I also remember hitting one the other night fairly hard. So, I guess that could have caused it.
It's costing me $426 to replace the Bridgestone run flat that is on it. I found the same tire at TireRack for $222 shipped in two days. I also found the same tire locally at Discount tire for about $351. When I asked the service guy about the big differences, he told me that BMW contracts with various manufacturers to produce "special runs" according to BMW specs and that they are only marked by a color star stamp on the tires. He went on to say that they take into account the negative chamber and, particular car, etc. and that if I bought one outside of BMW, that it would most likely wear funny and not perform as well.
Is this correct? Thoughts?
thanks,
Renard
02-19-2007, 03:24 PM
#4
Senior Members
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Seattle, WA Metro Area
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The star marking is only an indication that the tire is an OE tire. Just as Ford used to put the little "f" stamp on all the Willy's parts they made under contract during WWII. It has little to do with the reason TireRack charges $222 and he charges $204 more.
02-19-2007, 03:37 PM
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 Mercedes Benz e63 AMG
That is really disappointing to be fed such BS from a dealer.
I'm not a mechanically inclined guy (my gift was my dashing good looks....ha ha ha), so I rely on what my dealer and techs tell me. Of course, I know that I pay a premium for that, but I at least have always trusted them. So far, anyway.
I'm not a mechanically inclined guy (my gift was my dashing good looks....ha ha ha), so I rely on what my dealer and techs tell me. Of course, I know that I pay a premium for that, but I at least have always trusted them. So far, anyway.
02-19-2007, 06:13 PM
#6
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Boulder Co
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i Orient Blue, Beige Interior, Sports Pkg, Nav, Steptronic, Sat Radio Prep, Aux Input, Cold Weather Package
Thanks for the feedback. Your all thinking the same thing I was when I was listening to him.
I guess I know where I WONT be buying my next set of tires from.....
Thanks.
I guess I know where I WONT be buying my next set of tires from.....
Thanks.
02-19-2007, 08:30 PM
#7
Senior Members
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: USA, NJ
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2007 BMW 550, Sport, Navi, PS, CWP, Sirius
Originally Posted by RnrdTheFox' post='393295' date='Feb 19 2007, 06:30 PM
Got a quick question.
Today I took my 545i in to get the right front tire replaced. When I washed it this weekend, I noticed it had a gash about 3"s long along the rim. It was big enough that I could put my fingers in it. I thought it was maybe a defect. When I took it in, the service guy looked at it and said that it was either a curb or pothole hit. Well, I know I didn't hit a curb, but the roads around Boulder are really taking a beating with the weather of late and there are many deep nasty potholes around. I also remember hitting one the other night fairly hard. So, I guess that could have caused it.
It's costing me $426 to replace the Bridgestone run flat that is on it. I found the same tire at TireRack for $222 shipped in two days. I also found the same tire locally at Discount tire for about $351. When I asked the service guy about the big differences, he told me that BMW contracts with various manufacturers to produce "special runs" according to BMW specs and that they are only marked by a color star stamp on the tires. He went on to say that they take into account the negative chamber and, particular car, etc. and that if I bought one outside of BMW, that it would most likely wear funny and not perform as well.
Is this correct? Thoughts?
thanks,
Renard
Today I took my 545i in to get the right front tire replaced. When I washed it this weekend, I noticed it had a gash about 3"s long along the rim. It was big enough that I could put my fingers in it. I thought it was maybe a defect. When I took it in, the service guy looked at it and said that it was either a curb or pothole hit. Well, I know I didn't hit a curb, but the roads around Boulder are really taking a beating with the weather of late and there are many deep nasty potholes around. I also remember hitting one the other night fairly hard. So, I guess that could have caused it.
It's costing me $426 to replace the Bridgestone run flat that is on it. I found the same tire at TireRack for $222 shipped in two days. I also found the same tire locally at Discount tire for about $351. When I asked the service guy about the big differences, he told me that BMW contracts with various manufacturers to produce "special runs" according to BMW specs and that they are only marked by a color star stamp on the tires. He went on to say that they take into account the negative chamber and, particular car, etc. and that if I bought one outside of BMW, that it would most likely wear funny and not perform as well.
Is this correct? Thoughts?
thanks,
Renard
Sorry to say that but it looks like you've been looking at non-RFT tires. Bridgestone RE 050A RFTs are $299 even at tirerack.com. If you want to save some money just get the tire from tirerack and have a local shop install it. That what I did when my 545 got a similar damage. The local shop will likely damage the rim in the process though. I would also ignore the dealer's advice/explanation.
02-20-2007, 04:44 AM
#8
Contributors
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You should send the dealer a link to this site. Once he sees that we all know that he is a BS'er, he will think twice before fooling other BMW owners.
People like this disturb me.
People like this disturb me.
02-20-2007, 08:37 AM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Some salesman! 
But of course the tyre have to be the same as the old one,
and there are tyres that are BMW recommended.
I.e. if you have 275/30 R19 96Y the new tyre should be excatly the same,
also the 96Y part.
But of course the tyre have to be the same as the old one,
and there are tyres that are BMW recommended.
I.e. if you have 275/30 R19 96Y the new tyre should be excatly the same,
also the 96Y part.