[theturtle]

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Stupid stupid MD weather (with this weird ass snow) has the roads all messed up.

Unfortunately on my way home today, i ran into a pothole that spanned a whole lane. When I went over it, it felt as if my car just exploded. With it happening just twenty minutes ago, im still in that "mindset" so i think and truly believe something is fucked up with my car.

I checked all four tires, no bubbles, and my rims, no bending. I also checked underneath the car and there doesn't seem to be any damage so the pothole couldnt have been high enough to reach the lowest point of the vehicle (which are those plastic tire guards (?). With that being said, I still believe as if im missing something. The sound was too big for me to escape unscathed.

Im more worried that a serious problem happened that I can't see. Maybe it messed up my engine, or just took 3 years off of its life, my suspension could be shot, etc etc.

Should I go to BMW and ask for them to do a thorough check on my car? (are those free btw?)

[frenchfries]

If your car still runs perfectly normal after the pothole, you should be fine...
I went 50+ over a horrible bump a while ago and it felt like my suspension exploded. I even felt a little scrape underneath. I checked everything and it was fine. This happened a couple of months ago.

[Blubaron79]

I've ran mine over bumps where it felt like the whole wheel broke in half; but no damage and the alignment even seemed fine.

[_torn]

lucky you . was on my way to get my winter tires/rims installed and a pothole chipped my rims.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by theturtle

Stupid stupid MD weather (with this weird ass snow) has the roads all messed up.

Unfortunately on my way home today, i ran into a pothole that spanned a whole lane. When I went over it, it felt as if my car just exploded. With it happening just twenty minutes ago, im still in that "mindset" so i think and truly believe something is fucked up with my car.

I checked all four tires, no bubbles, and my rims, no bending. I also checked underneath the car and there doesn't seem to be any damage so the pothole couldnt have been high enough to reach the lowest point of the vehicle (which are those plastic tire guards (?). With that being said, I still believe as if im missing something. The sound was too big for me to escape unscathed.

Im more worried that a serious problem happened that I can't see. Maybe it messed up my engine, or just took 3 years off of its life, my suspension could be shot, etc etc.

Should I go to BMW and ask for them to do a thorough check on my car? (are those free btw?)

I agree with everybody here. Let me give you some advice:

1. This season is going to be bad for potholes.
2. If you don't see any bubbles or bent rims: fuhgetaboutit! Why? Because, if you run to the shop every time you hit a pothole, you're gonna drive you and your SO insane!
3. Just schedule a single visit for an alignment in May. Unless you see a bubble, bent rim, or notice deflation.
4. Have you ever seen your infrastructure (tractor) part of your vehicle? The suspension is huge and can handle a lot. This is a BMW.

[SRB]

I suspect you checked both sides of the tires?

but in case you didn't, please do.

I was surprised to find bubbles on 3 of 4 of my tires - 18" - no idea how long they had been there or where it happened.

[ft1330]

Is the alignment covered as part of the warranty?

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by ft1330

Is the alignment covered as part of the warranty?

Nope.

[Infamouz627]

Hit the mother of all potholes today (good ol NYC) impact felt like my wheel should've been mangled and suspension jacked! Got out to inspect front and rear left tires and they were perfectly fine.

On a different note though, I've noticed a low pressure warning for the past 2 days in a row on the rear left. I must have a slow leak somewhere but does anyone know if BMW would diagnose a puncture or something else if it's not a factory tire (bought snow tires on tirerack).

[NewBimmerMD]

I share your pain and agree with all the suggestions made so far. In my experience, the combination of the sporty suspension and run flats tend to exaggerate the perceived impact harshness of potholes. Hitting a pothole will sound and feel teeth shattering but for the most part everything should be fine. This phenomenon was called "pothole explosion" in the E90's. I thought they had improved this with the suspension tuning and better runflats on the F30 but I still think it's there to certain extent.

[fecurtis]

When the weather warms up just get an alignment.

If you notice nothing now, you're ok. The stiff suspension in the F30 makes pothole impacts seem more painful than they actually are. If your car vibrates and/or pulls to one side severely, then get it aligned ASAP. Misaligned cars cause tires to wear unevenly.

[ft1330]

Hit a pothole too yesterday, not sure what an official "pothole explosion" is supposed to sound like but it was pretty bad. As if some panels were rattling underneath the car. Which may very well be what happened, there are a bunch of panels in the wheel well and underneath the car that are clipped, so this is going to be noisy. Wheels and tires look good to me....

[overcoil]

I agree - particularly with brake applied - that impact transmitted throughout a car can seem excessive when it's simply all the parts of the suspension compressed or manipulated in away that there's no dampening effect.

You can visually inspect wheels, underside, shock-tower however, techs at a dealership are pretty sharp, they know how to use pry bars at junctions to feel and visually inspect for excessive movement. As far as the rare chance that a sump pan was damaged when up on a lift a tech can give you assurance.

I'd pay the hourly labor fee and have the car checked, even though these are some of the finest built cars and doubtful any real damage occurred.

[Feanor]

Main thing I'd be concerned about is a hidden crack in your alloys - this was in the news in the UK a few years ago: http://whatconsumer.co.uk/forum/cons...racked-up.html

I have been a bit concerned about this as I hit potholes all the time where I live. I've read tho that all sorts of wheel damage can be repaired but I doubt BMW dealerships would do that, it's surely in their interest to get you to replace them.

[Christos]

As one said in another post, check the inboard side of the tires too. If then you don't see any bubbles and you don't have any alignment issues or wobbles you should be OK

I guess everywhere this year potholes are plaguing us all. It sucks! One has to be super vigilant and on constant look out and even then you can still miss one or two. Takes the pleasure out of driving really. Cant wait for spring!!!!

[Pcprograms]

I had the same problem... I had a nail in my tire... but did not take car to bmw service because they will not patch run-flats they will make you buy a new tire $200. Just go to a local mechanic to check it out will take 10 mins to find problem.

Originally Posted by Infamouz627

Hit the mother of all potholes today (good ol NYC) impact felt like my wheel should've been mangled and suspension jacked! Got out to inspect front and rear left tires and they were perfectly fine.

On a different note though, I've noticed a low pressure warning for the past 2 days in a row on the rear left. I must have a slow leak somewhere but does anyone know if BMW would diagnose a puncture or something else if it's not a factory tire (bought snow tires on tirerack).