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[roscoe]

So I'm driving down the freeway in the rain this morning, and my rear end starts breaking out sporadically. It's happening even when I'm coasting in a straight line. Pretty hair-raising, let's just say.

Thinking it's potentially a suspension issue, I take my 135i into the dealership (I was scheduled to get my HPFP checked out anyway). They tell me that both rear tires are very low on tread – almost at the point of touching the wear bars. Not only that, they further tell me that BOTH rear rims are bent.

The dealer is quoting nearly $3,000 to replace both rear tires and the rims. I've only had the car for 25,000 miles. Sure, I've hit a few potholes and ruts during that time, but nothing major. Not one, but two bent rims? Seriously? (The worn rubber I can believe - I've got a lead foot same as the rest of you ).

Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be calling BS on the dealership?

[Sylon]

Go get a 2nd opinion. Take them to a wheel shop, ask them. If they are bent, $3000 for 2 freaking wheels is a rip off. You are better off going aftermarket.

[roscoe]

Oh, I'm not arguing that $3K is a total joke. I have no intention of paying that. I'm just wondering if bent rims is that common an issue. Even if it isn't, can I still get away with just replacing the rubber at a local tire shop?

[Sylon]

Ic ant see how a bent rim would cause a traction issue, not unless it is horribly out of wack.

Take them to a local tire shop, see what they say. I think you just need new tires.

[Feyd]

I got the same issue when I took my Z4 in for just a "regular service".

Perhaps they have some old inventory they need to move?

$3,000 is robbery.



I needed new tires anyway, so I just used it as an excuse to buy new wheels/tires.

Good luck.

[acivick]

I had the same issue, except they said it was all 4 wheels that were bent. Not too surprising considering the roads in JC. I was going to replace them anyway, so no biggie.

As for just the traction issue, probably just the bald tires. Assuming that the wheels aren't so bent that they let air out, I'd say you're probably ok just putting on new tires.

[eleven11]

In the first few months of owning my 335, I hit a manhole hard. Tire wouldn't hold any pressure, and I agreed it was fubar. They initially told me the price, which included a new tire and install. I get a call after the weekend, and in a bait-and-switch vibe, they said the rim was "bent" and also highly recommended an aligment. I kept the rim, and still have it today - I mean to have it spun by another shop someday.

Oh, and $3000 is out-fishuckingrageous.

[leesat]

$3000 for 2 wheels? That is just ridiculous. You can buy a new set of wheel with $3000.

[BrokenVert]

First off for 1500 a wheel I would get dp-e or hre.

Secondly, wheels bending are an issue with these BMW wheels. I've bent all four wheels, verified by a tire shop that does the alignments on my uncles 9 second chevy, so I trust their opinion.

I have an obnoxious amount of weights on my wheels, but they are backish

[timhatimay]

I've completely destroyed a rim, and possibly damaged two more recently (roads in NY are bad also). I think I'm not the only one to get some bent/broken BMW rims, so it seems it might be a common occurrence. BMW Manhattan (probably one of the most expensive dealerships...that means rip off artists) were charging me over 1000 for 1 rim and tire. They were charging me almost 3-4 hundred dollars over MSRP on the two parts.

Actually, I've been surprised in the past that the parts department is to blame for most of the outlandish costs, and they will actually change on the price. For example, a dealership in Brooklyn told me that the same rim was I think 500. I told them the retail was 430, and they said "OK, how about 435." The same rim cost completely different amounts at each of the dealerships in the NYC area that I called. That's very nice of them to work out a deal, BUT I think the prices for BMW parts and service should be a little bit more consistent across the board. Sorry for the vent, but this is a frustrating issue to me.

Tim

[roscoe]

Yep, $3K is an epic fail. I don't think my tires are letting air out due to the rims being bent. In fact, all four tires' pressure seems just fine. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with bent rims, and also that I'm not the only one who the stealership is trying to fleece (actually, I'm not glad that my fellow 1 owners are getting the runaround, but you know what I mean ).

I'll probably just replace the rear tires. What's this "wear bar" that the dealership is talking about? I want to verify with my own eyes, but I'm not sure what I should be looking for.

[jhuber]

hey thanks for that info on pricing Tim, my car doesnt have to many miles on it but im sure down the line I will dealing with these guys and would generally assume that they would charge the MSRP or less for parts, now I guess ill have to bring in a print out with the MSRP for parts just to be sure!

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by roscoe

I'll probably just replace the rear tires. What's this "wear bar" that the dealership is talking about? I want to verify with my own eyes, but I'm not sure what I should be looking for.

In the grooved part of your tread you will see a raised portion of rubber. This extends 2/32" up from the base of the tread. When your tread is flush with this "bar" your tire no longer has enough tread to be safe in a rainstorm and it should be replaced. Take a feel for em and you'll see

[ALUFELGEN]

Your RFT are very harsh on your wheels. Take your vehicle to a local tire shop with a Hunter 9700 Road Force balance machine and tell them you would like to have your wheels looked at, or at least your two rear ones. They have no interest in selling you OEM BMW replacement wheels so their opinion will be less biased. If they noticed a bent wheel they`ll let you know immediately. It could also be bubbles developing on the tires, the tires wearing out unevenly or a balance weight that fell off.

At 25K you probably need new tires. Let us know how it goes.

[Dackelone]

OP, why not ask your insurance company about a comprehensive claim? That should cover pot hole damage to your wheels? No?

[ennislaw]

Originally Posted by timhatimay

... BMW Manhattan (probably one of the most expensive dealerships...that means rip off artists) were charging me over 1000 for 1 rim and tire. They were charging me almost 3-4 hundred dollars over MSRP on the two parts. ...
Tim

Unfortunately, that dealership is not alone. I inquired recently about a part that not only I knew the MSRP but the going "street" price and my local BMW dealer charged $60 over MSRP! I'd rather order the part from Tischer, pay the shipping and installation costs from a performance shop than go to the local BMW dealer! I'm in a college town where apparently a lot of citizens have more money than sense.

pge

[Angry3]

Originally Posted by ennislaw

Unfortunately, that dealership is not alone. I inquired recently about a part that not only I knew the MSRP but the going "street" price and my local BMW dealer charged $60 over MSRP! I'd rather order the part from Tischer, pay the shipping and installation costs from a performance shop than go to the local BMW dealer! I'm in a college town where apparently a lot of citizens have more money than sense.

pge

Rofl, Performance BMW I'm guessing? My experience is they are very proud of everything they sell there. At least you have another dealer within 50 miles, wish I did.

[ennislaw]

Originally Posted by Angry3

Rofl, Performance BMW I'm guessing? My experience is they are very proud of everything they sell there. At least you have another dealer within 50 miles, wish I did.

It indeed was Performance BMW although I only called so I don't know the identify of the person to whom I spoke. Hmm, proud that they can blatantly rip their customers off, no doubt! This was typical of their sales staff too, I swear this town really has a lot of folks with more money than common sense!

pge

[roscoe]

Update:

I opted to replace the rubber only, at least for now. The stealership wanted $500 for each Bridgestone Potenza Run-Flat replacement tire, but I talked them down to $450 each. A tire shop that I've used before was asking about $430 each, but they were located in another city. I went with the dealership to avoid the travel.

Those prices might sound high, but I live in Canada where prices are always higher than in the US. I guess because with 1/10th the population of you guys, we just simply do not have the purchasing power as a nation to get bulk discounts for imported goods, especially car parts. Case in point, my father-in-law was visiting from Pittsburgh in his 2010 Mustang GT and got a flat. Locally, a replacement would have cost him $550, while back home he was looking at more like $250 (this was in early March, mind you, so most tire shops in Canada are only stocking snow tires or all-season tires).

Anyway, it hasn't rained yet so I don't know if the side-slip issue has been resolved or not. My suspension checked out fine, so we're pretty sure it was the lack of tread causing the problem.

PS - The tire shop did mention that they can straighten out bent rims in some cases. Something about heating them up...?

[tgxmike]

My 128i was pretty hair rasing when my tires started going bald. I just replaced them with winters (that time of the year anyway) then bough a new wheel/tire set for summer. It only cost me ~$1600 for two tire sets and a wheel set.

The slip and slide problem is long gone now. GL

[roscoe]

Originally Posted by tgxmike

My 128i was pretty hair rasing when my tires started going bald. I just replaced them with winters (that time of the year anyway) then bough a new wheel/tire set for summer. It only cost me ~$1600 for two tire sets and a wheel set.

The slip and slide problem is long gone now. GL

For sure. There's been a lengthy drought in southern Ontario the past 2 weeks or so, and today was the first rain we've had since I got the new tires on the rear wheels. And I mean torrential rain. Slip and slide is gone, no more white-knuckle driving.

[ErvGotti]

Originally Posted by roscoe

PS - The tire shop did mention that they can straighten out bent rims in some cases. Something about heating them up...?

Some tire shops have the ability to repair slight to moderate damaged rims from dents to curb rash, typically I've seen them go from $80-$100 per rim