[Rainbird]

Here's a close-up photo of the right rear tire on my F32 coupe --- note the Phillips-head screw that attacked a few days ago. I will get it fixed (replaced for $50 under tire/wheel warranty) in a few days when I go to the dealer for my scheduled annual service. Meanwhile, the tire is slowly leaking air (1 psi per hour), which is easily corrected with my 12-volt pump --- allowing me to continue driving every day (at reasonable speeds, of course). Because I live and work only 20 miles from my dealer, even if the tire's condition suddenly worsened I still could drive safely to the shop. I love the sense of security provided by my Bridgestone S001 summer tires. BTW, I also love how these tires ride --- still quiet and grippy at 14,000 all-season miles. (I also will replace the left rear - and then will keep both for future use.)

[mike@x-ph.com]

[Vegetable]

Does your dealer really charge you $50 to repair a tire? I had the same tires on my 435i, they lasted only 12K miles.. But I have to say, for run flats they didn't do so bad in the comfort/grip department.

[Agamemnon]

He said he is getting his whole tire replaced for $50.

[Rainbird]

Originally Posted by Vegetable

Does your dealer really charge you $50 to repair a tire? I had the same tires on my 435i, they lasted only 12K miles.. But I have to say, for run flats they didn't do so bad in the comfort/grip department.

$50 deductible for new tire replacement.

[Vegetable]

Originally Posted by Rainbird

$50 deductible for new tire replacement.

How much did you pay for your $50 deductible tire/wheel replacement insurance?

[Rainbird]

5 years BMW wheel/tire = $2200

(Has not paid for itself ...yet)

[Vegetable]

Originally Posted by Rainbird

5 years BMW wheel/tire = $2200

(Has not paid for itself ...yet)

I don't wish you lots of flats or bent wheels, but I do hope that you get your money's worth.. most people don't. If you ever wish to upgrade to PSS go flat tires and forgo the bent rim insurance (which you probably shouldn't worry about since you have 18s), you can cancel at any time and get prorated money back, just in case you didn't already know.

[Rainbird]

Yes --- thanks

[Vegetable]

Originally Posted by Rainbird

Yes --- thanks

--- you're welcome

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Rainbird

5 years BMW wheel/tire = $2200

(Has not paid for itself ...yet)

Note that next time you can haggle the price of Tire and Wheel. For $2200 you got hosed.

You could have saved that money and purchased a tire from Discount Tire or somewhere with their much cheaper tire coverage.

[RM7]

I can't say I've had any different results with non-runflat tires. I've picked up a couple nails/screws over the last 7 years or so (2-3) and survived just fine without runflat tires(or spares), about the same results. You'd have to be leaking a lot more air to rely on the runflat sidewall IMO. Some of it may be the high load-rating of the tires that I've bought for other vehicles. A tire has to be pretty strong to not come apart at 180mph in the first place.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Rainbird

5 years BMW wheel/tire = $2200

(Has not paid for itself ...yet)

How much!

I can get a puncture like that repaired for just £15 ($24)!

in 15 years i've never needed a wheel replaced and only had 2 punctures, so I can't understand why anyone would pay such a massive amount for wheel & tyre insurance!?

Do they cover the roads in california with nails regularly or something??

[Prossx]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

I can't say I've had any different results with non-runflat tires. I've picked up a couple nails/screws over the last 7 years or so (2-3) and survived just fine without runflat tires(or spares), about the same results. You'd have to be leaking a lot more air to rely on the runflat sidewall IMO. Some of it may be the high load-rating of the tires that I've bought for other vehicles. A tire has to be pretty strong to not come apart at 180mph in the first place.

The vast majority of tire issues are this scenario, which is why car companies can ditch the spare tire that most people won't change themselves anyway. With TPM systems you usually have ample warning that something is in your tire, find the culprit, and you can make to a shop ASAP.

Now if you are road tripping in BFE, might be a good idea to carry some kind of spare. I geared up with a full size inexpensive wheel/asymmetric tire combo, hydraulic floor jack, jack pad and torque wrench JIC. As others have noted it would suck to lose hours waiting on BMW SOS to get your car to a shop that probably doesn't have a tire for your car. But even that scenario is probably exceedingly rare.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by teaston

I can get a puncture like that repaired for just £15 ($24)!
in 15 years i've never needed a wheel replaced and only had 2 punctures, so I can't understand why anyone would pay such a massive amount for wheel & tyre insurance!?

+1. Contrary to what many sources say, mainly BMW dealers, you can fix run flats, so long as they haven't actually been run while flat for an extended period, which would cause sidewall damage. You can even fix them yourself with a $15 tool. If worse comes to worse and you have to replace the tire $200 covers it, and usually includes a two year road hazard warranty in the price. Wheel/tire insurance is only worth the cost if you're in the habit of hitting potholes, bending your rims. My CA has a bent rim in his office just for the purpose of trying to sell wheel/tire insurance. But I passed, having researched and found that I could buy reconditioned OEM rims for less than $200 if need be.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Rainbird

5 years BMW wheel/tire = $2200

(Has not paid for itself ...yet)

Mine did with my E90 in and around Manhattan. Best $ I spent on that car.

[rambalu80]

Currently have a set of Michelin MXM4 Run Flats on my 2007 E90 and the left rear ran for a week with a hex head screw in it before it started losing pressure. Took it to Discount Tire and got it fixed for $0.00.

Also like a few others have stated, most manufacturers run flats can be fixed. Check this out: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=226

[P-Bass]

Originally Posted by Vegetable

I don't wish you lots of flats or bent wheels, but I do hope that you get your money's worth.. most people don't. If you ever wish to upgrade to PSS go flat tires and forgo the bent rim insurance (which you probably shouldn't worry about since you have 18s), you can cancel at any time and get prorated money back, just in case you didn't already know.

Mine's paid for itself. 3 Years $1,000. I've gone through 5 tires: 4 bubbles, and a 3 inch tear. First time I ever bought the insurance, I had read (here) the 19's were brittle, and you all were right. I also don't find the RFT obnoxiously harsh. Since my 2008, they have gotten almost exponentially better in ride and road noise.

And BTW, I was able to drive from Long Island City (just outside of Manhattan) home, almost 30 miles, and to the dealer the next day, another 10 miles with that 3 inch tear, good stuff. I'd say it was a good investment and has certainly paid for itself and then some.

[smithf80]

I switched to non RFT for comfort and I'm happy I did, unfortunately I do need to worry about stuff like this now.

[nicknaz]

that kind of puncture right in the middle of the tread can easily be plugged with a $7 kit

I've plugged 2 RFT in my driveway and both were fine for over 20k miles until I returned the car

I've also purchased several sets of RFT and OEM wheels from forum members for a very big discount for lease returns (for example, I got a full set of OEM wheels,full tread RFT , tpms for my Z4 for $1400 shipped)

Something to think about before dropping $2200 on wheel and tire insurance next time...

Agreed though, I like the S001 RFT better than Contisportcontact5 RFT and like having the RFT peace of mind. Just drove M3 with PSS cross country and was always a bit nervous of having a bad puncture that the fix a flat goop couldn't handle in the middle of a no cell phone zone

[Rainbird]

Along with the 12-volt compressor, I've got a kit to plug such punctures --- and would have used it if this had happened while driving way up in the mountains. Meanwhile, as I noted originally, I will get the removed tire patched and then keep it and its twin stored in my garage for future use after the warranty ends. (I'm hoping to keep this coupe for many years.)

I totally get the arguments by some for not having this wheel/tire warranty, but (just like my home and comprehensive auto insurance that have never, so far, been needed) I like knowing that I'm fully covered in case something major happens.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by Vegetable

Does your dealer really charge you $50 to repair a tire? I had the same tires on my 435i, they lasted only 12K miles.. But I have to say, for run flats they didn't do so bad in the comfort/grip department.

That is the deductible under the wheel and tire warranty, which will replace the tire with a new one.