[Falafel Combo]

Hi guys.

Our family 328i GT is nearing the end of its lease (7 months away) but desperately needs new tires. Do I have to stick to OEM spec runflat tires or can I replace them with non-run flat tires?

I don’t want to get dinged by BMW when I turn it in for not having run flats. What do you think?

Thanks!!!

PS: it’s been a great car! Far exceeeded our expectations! We would even consider buying it, had it not been under water financially speaking. Buyout is currently $34k while market value is $25k.

[Mamyf30]

Yes, you will need to get OEM spec run flat tires. Minimum treadwear 50% or 4/32nds left on tires. I believe 3 months from lease maturity BMW will send you a lease return packet with a measuring kit and "ding-o-meter."

Here are helpful links from their website:
http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...formation.aspx

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by Mamyf30

Yes, you will need to get OEM spec run flat tires. Minimum treadwear 50% or 4/32nds left on tires. I believe 3 months from lease maturity BMW will send you a lease return packet with a measuring kit and "ding-o-meter."

Here are helpful links from their website:
http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...formation.aspx

Very helpful. Thanks so much!

[Kafkaesque328]

I purchased some used conti sport contacts about 6 mos out from the end of my last lease - 4 summer high performance runflats from a local shop for about $350 installed and turned the car in with those. They just have to have the little star on them and be RFT's and they have to match the size of the original set. So for ex my set up was staggered because of the m sport suspension so you have to return the car that way

[jd_perspective]

bestusedtires.com !!!! So cheap and you can buy what tread you think will work and price goes with it. I just bought run flats (all 4) with 85%+ treadlife for $350!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

If you have a 3 year least odds are 90% you will need new tires before turn in. Best plan based on your expected mileage is to pull the factory tires & get what you want as soon as the replacement tires will cover the overlap.

Store the RFT & enjoy what you really want till they wear or its time for turn-in

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

If you have a 3 year least odds are 90% you will need new tires before turn in. Best plan based on your expected mileage is to pull the factory tires & get what you want as soon as the replacement tires will cover the overlap.

Store the RFT & enjoy what you really want till they wear or its time for turn-in

Some lessees also buy used tires to swap in before lease returns without problem. The CPO/used car buyers of those lease returns are short changed somewhat, but the lessees who swap in used tires do not care.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Some lessees also buy used tires to swap in before lease returns without problem. The CPO/used car buyers of those lease returns are short changed somewhat, but the lessees who swap in used tires do not care.

Agree. But personally I like to pick what tires the car will run on for 3 years.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

If you have a 3 year least odds are 90% you will need new tires before turn in. Best plan based on your expected mileage is to pull the factory tires & get what you want as soon as the replacement tires will cover the overlap.

Store the RFT & enjoy what you really want till they wear or its time for turn-in

Or even better get good tires day 1 - out the OEM runflats back on at turn in.

[LMK5]

BMW told me as long as you put RFTs on you're OK. No need for the star on them or anything. I bought 4 used Bridgestone EL400 RFTs for $180.00 with 60% tread left and paid $15 each for mounting and balance. There's a place here in SoCal that specializes in used RFTs for lease returns.

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by LMK5

BMW told me as long as you put RFTs on you're OK. No need for the star on them or anything. I bought 4 used Bridgestone EL400 RFTs for $180.00 with 60% tread left and paid $15 each for mounting and balance. There's a place here in SoCal that specializes in used RFTs for lease returns.

don't take this risk! I've been told by 2 different dealers and a broker I often use to make sure it has the STAR otherwise it's not approved to be even on the BMW and they will make you replace them when you turn them in.

[Blubaron79]

Buy some used RFT's online. You can find some with decent treadlife.

[xlover]

My lease is due in the next few weeks with another car on order... my tires were borderline when i placed the order and I am trying to get the dealer to just "make it go away." They would have if my turn in was that day....

Moral of the story is, if you are getting a new BMW be sure to bring it up during the buying process...

i may still have to get a pair of used tires but i hate the idea of spending money on a car i am turing in!

Anyone out there been hit with the BMW turn in fee for worn tires? what does that look like?

[bimmerbenz65]

My BMW has 18,000 miles and needs all new tires. Quoted 995 for replacements from bmw and that if I don’t replace them I’ll be charged the same or more at lease end in 10 months. Thinking about using bestusedtires.com. Good experiences, anyone???

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by bimmerbenz65

My BMW has 18,000 miles and needs all new tires. Quoted 995 for replacements from bmw and that if I don’t replace them I’ll be charged the same or more at lease end in 10 months. Thinking about using bestusedtires.com. Good experiences, anyone???

i used them, as i commented above. amazing experience. tires were better than shown & arrived so quickly. I paid about $350 for a full set of OEM staggered tires with 85% treadlife.

you should go there and sign up for their newsletter - often they send coupons or deals.

also i paid my local discount tire shop about $120 to mount/balance the tires.

[bimmerbenz65]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

i used them, as i commented above. amazing experience. tires were better than shown & arrived so quickly. I paid about $350 for a full set of OEM staggered tires with 85% treadlife.

you should go there and sign up for their newsletter - often they send coupons or deals.

also i paid my local discount tire shop about $120 to mount/balance the tires.

I just ordered 4 Contiprocontact SSRs for my car, 407 total. Hopefully they are all good, says 90% tread life. Thanks for the suggestions

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by bimmerbenz65

I just ordered 4 Contiprocontact SSRs for my car, 407 total. Hopefully they are all good, says 90% tread life. Thanks for the suggestions

awesome dude! mine arrived in better shape than i thought!
next battle will be finding someone to mount/balance lol maybe won't be as hard as my time... My near by horrible dealer wouldn't do it (they only mount their own that they sell new) then I called like 6+ local shops and took a while to find anyone who had the right equipment for that wide of tire with high rated speed.

[bimmerbenz65]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

awesome dude! mine arrived in better shape than i thought!
next battle will be finding someone to mount/balance lol maybe won't be as hard as my time... My near by horrible dealer wouldn't do it (they only mount their own that they sell new) then I called like 6+ local shops and took a while to find anyone who had the right equipment for that wide of tire with high rated speed.

I got a quote from Mavis discount tire to install all 4 and balance for only $39! If that turns out to be some sort of scam I will take to a local shop who will mount and balance for $20 per tire.

[otay]

I swapped my Conti RFTs for Michelin AS3 within the first 1000 miles, and planned on putting the RFTs back on when lease was up.

I ended up buying the car and selling the RFTs to a member here who was ready to do turn in. Don't forget to check the For Sale section here, and also the regional sub-forums.

[jd_perspective]

Originally Posted by bimmerbenz65

I got a quote from Mavis discount tire to install all 4 and balance for only $39! If that turns out to be some sort of scam I will take to a local shop who will mount and balance for $20 per tire.

dunno about that cheap but you just need to make sure they can balance up to the right speed. I notice you are in Long Island... not sure where but I took my last car to STS Tire on Long Island Ave in Deer Park and they were great.

[Kafkaesque328]

I will likely run these stock continental RFTs down to nothingness and then get a set of used ones from the same shop I did on my 320i and run those to the end. I figure I can get 1.5yrs out of a set. I have about 5/32 left on my current set and am 13 months into my lease so we'll see. Last used set I got were these exact tires and they had 8/32 all around. Ultimately I would find a set of used Pirellis Cinturato P7's, my favorite run flats, but at this point I'll take whatever. early on i was bitching about the ride and now I don't know, maybe the car has just settled in, but I don't mind the tires and will just keep going with these.

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by Kafkaesque328

I will likely run these stock continental RFTs down to nothingness and then get a set of used ones from the same shop I did on my 320i and run those to the end. I figure I can get 1.5yrs out of a set. I have about 5/32 left on my current set and am 13 months into my lease so we'll see. Last used set I got were these exact tires and they had 8/32 all around. Ultimately I would find a set of used Pirellis Cinturato P7's, my favorite run flats, but at this point I'll take whatever. early on i was bitching about the ride and now I don't know, maybe the car has just settled in, but I don't mind the tires and will just keep going with these.

Any thoughts about going with conventional tires and storing your current RFTs for turn-in?