[hnijhar]

Btw I'm in Canada so no tire rack here.

Hey guys 435i xdrive, with BMW m sport 19s the staggered setup where the front and back are diff tire sizes.

So I got the car in October and put about : 1800 kms on the tires as city driving and 700 km as highway.
Then switched to winters for 4 months.
And then back on the summers which I put on an additional: 6000km highway driving and then I guess the rest is city driving.

My odometer is at 13k now

So these summers have probably 10,000 kms on them, give or take.

So yesterday I hit a pot hole super hard at 60km/h with the driver side front tire. Didn't even see it at all and I can't describe the sound anymore but it was kinda like a thud and a ringing noise but whatever. The car drove fine the whole time after that and I came home and inspected underneath and it looks fine. I drove it all day today and it drove fine and didn't notice anything. In the evening I wanted to check the tires again and I noticed that my front driver side tire has a bubble on the outside sidewall. This one was the main impact during the pothole hit the pressures are all fine tho, there were around 40psi warmed up
It's a Bridgestone potenza s001 RFT I believe.

I'm gonna take it to a couple shops tomorrow to see what they can do but I believe my options are as follows.

1. Replace this tire with a new one
2. Replace this tire and then shave it down to match the others
3. Try to find the same tire USED but I don't think I've had luck
4. Replace both tires at the front


I'm hoping I can get away with option 1 or 3, because I've read that xdrive allows a 2/32 tread difference between the two tires at the front. Is that true??

What do you guys recommend me to do? I don't wanna replace both cuz they only have like 10k kms mostly highway

Thanks

[beanbaguk]

There's only one sensible solution. Replace both tires.

I ask myself all the time why people skimp on tyres? They, along with brakes are the most important items on the car and probably the ones people try and save on the most.

No idea of costs in Canada but I don't think you're talking any more than $150 extra to keep you safe on the roads.

[beanbaguk]

Just a money-saving tip. Manufacturers are constantly doing sales so keep your eyes peeled for your favourite tyre choice.

I have a full set of brand new tyres in my garage that I've managed to purchase for less than half price in the sales, ready to be fitted when needed.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by hnijhar

Btw I'm in Canada so no tire rack here.

....

What do you guys recommend me to do? I don't wanna replace both cuz they only have like 10k kms mostly highway

Thanks

Has TireRack stopped shipping to Canada ?
I don't know if it's still worth it money wise given unfavorable exchange rate, but they will ship to your door, at least they used to, and what they quote you on checkout is all you'll pay, no additional brokerage or import fees.

Anyway, as for what I think you should do? I'd say ditch the other 3 and move to non-run flat tires, you'll never have to deal with sidewall bubbles and will enjoy a lot more grip, comfort and likely quieter ride. It's expensive I know, but that's exactly what I did, and never looked back.

If you are set on sticking with run flats, then I'd replace them as a pair, as opposed to only one, and keep the one as a spare at home for emergencies. Whatever you do, replace it ASAP, it'll burst soon, I know this from personal experience.

[beanbaguk]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Has TireRack stopped shipping to Canada ?
I don't know if it's still worth it money wise given unfavorable exchange rate, but they will ship to your door, at least they used to, and what they quote you on checkout is all you'll pay, no additional brokerage or import fees.

Anyway, as for what I think you should do? I'd say ditch the other 3 and move to non-run flat tires, you'll never have to deal with sidewall bubbles and will enjoy a lot more grip, comfort and likely quieter ride. It's expensive I know, but that's exactly what I did, and never looked back.

If you are set on sticking with run flats, then I'd replace them as a pair, as opposed to only one, and keep the one as a spare at home for emergencies.

Agree with switching to non-RFT's. I use Goodyear Asymmetric 2's and I haven't looked back. BMW claimed the car was "wobbly" and advised against them but we all know that's a load of bollocks.

One thing to note. None-RFT's need a higher tyre pressure. I tend to find 2.9 bar on the fronts and 3.1 on the rears works well. Once again, BMW claim this was way too high....

[Billfitz]

The difference in diameter between a new tire and one with 10,000 km/6000 miles on it isn't enough to justify buying two or shaving one. I'd replace the one tire, especially if you have a mind to go to non-RFT at the next full change.

[Niart906]

Just went through this myself. I ended up buying a used tire off eBay with the same tread depth as the remaining tire. As soon as this set is near the wear bars I'll be dumping the RFT's for PSS's or 4S's.

[hnijhar]

Thanks for the reply guys! I need to find something local and I'm out of my local town as well so I don't really feel like replacing all 4 yet.
I also found a Pirelli p zero run flat with same tread wear for super cheap. Can I use that just temporary until I get back home? Or is that super bad

Thanks

[Billfitz]

You might get away with mixed tires on a short term basis on the rears, but not on the fronts.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by hnijhar

I also found a Pirelli p zero run flat with same tread wear for super cheap. Can I use that just temporary until I get back home? Or is that super bad

Thanks

To make it home, non issue, I mean it's not ideal, but it'll do just fine.
I just spend almost a week with my winter tire on my right rear while I was getting nail puncture in my summer tire patched up (and cracked rim repaired).

You can definitively feel car being kinda "off balance" given different compound (same size) winter tire, but it's not unsafe temporarily, as long as you're reasonable, and not pushing any limits.

[hnijhar]

Thansk for the help guys. I called around and got two people to check tread depth, first guy checked the middle at 8/32 and second guy checked everywhere and averaged 8.5/32. New tire comes in at 10/32 so that should be fine. I read xdrive is good for 2/32 and that seems believable. Paid $430 including all installation and stuff for potenza s001 rft. It's gonna be at the shop in 2 hours so just waiting for there call!

Also would it be smart to change the pressure on the new tire by a little bit to lower the offset?
If the other tire is at 35 psi then maybe putting this one at 33-34 will make it wear more equilling the offset? Or am I over thinking

[Billfitz]

You've got a difference of 1/8 inch total on a 27 inch or so tire diameter. No worries.

[ksa]

Happened to me in one of my old Benz's. Had to replace two tires something to do with it being better for AWD. Check out quattrotires.com. They are in Canada (Montreal) and prices are usually great if they have what you need.

[rlmesq]

+1 on ditching the run flats. I was trying to nurse my rear Bridgestones to the end of my lease, when they only charge $300 for an over-worn tire, but couldn't make it.

When the new one arrives in about ten days, I'm going to swap to go-flats in a month or so, and just keep the OEM tires for lease return.

[Bimmer North]

The run flats are horrendous for me. Have my car now for 28 months and replaced 5 tires. 4 punctures and one sidewall outer bulge. The reliability is not a good customer experience first and foremost. I do not drive in construction sites; and am very careful of where I take my car. The tires still fail. The Pirelli must have the softest rubber of all manufacturers. I wonder if the Bridgestones RF are any better?

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Bimmer North

The run flats are horrendous for me. Have my car now for 28 months and replaced 5 tires. 4 punctures and one sidewall outer bulge. The reliability is not a good customer experience first and foremost. I do not drive in construction sites; and am very careful of where I take my car. The tires still fail. The Pirelli must have the softest rubber of all manufacturers. I wonder if the Bridgestones RF are any better?

So far haven't had any problems with my tires except they don't last very long, but I knew about this. YMMV