E60 run flat tire is flat!!!

[Silver4evr]

Just pulled a 1" dry wall screw out of the left rear tire that has less than 2k miles on it! ghead

Replacement cost is $346 plus installation at dealer. Tire rack has it for $290 (including shipping).

I'll probably go to the dealer (see if I can get a discount) and 'cause I need it now.

[ksz]

Did you notice the flat right away? How did the ride or handling change? According to manufacturer specs you should be able to continue driving at speeds of up to 50-60 mph. When a tire gets nailed (sorry, bad pun) does a warning sign light up on the driver's console?

[Silver4evr]

I noticed a clicking noise coming from the tire when my wife was pulling out of the driveway.

I pulled the drywall screw out and covered the hole with my finger and felt air escaping. Apparently the screw was holding in the air. I didn't check the air pressure so I don't know how "flat" it was. I haven't driven it since I took the screw out of it.

The dealer quoted $110 for installation of one tire. Plus $346 for the tire plus $28.55 sales tax. This totals $484.55 for one tire..mmmm n ? I asked the dealer about installing non-runflat tires and was told that it could be done but wouldn't be safe. Installation price would be the same. Note a four tire installation is $275.

Note: last week another tire was low on air pressure about 5 pounds and the flat tire icon came on the display. I checked the tire and found no punctures so I reinflated it and the icon went away. I took it to the dealer and they confirmed that the tire was fine.

After inflating it, the flat tire monitor system has to be reinitialized. It takes awhile to reset itself because it's based on various tire measurements. The system read "initializing" for while. I gave up watching it. The next day I checked it and it displayed "active".

[safetywork]

Just curious, can you patch a run-flat tire?

[Silver4evr]

Depends on the manufacturer. Bridgestone says you can't. Mine are Bridgestone.

[safetywork]

Thanks.

[ksz]

Ouch ouch... $110 installation fee? $346 for the replacement tire? Bloody ridiculous (and I'm not even British).

I paid America's Tire Company $400 to replace all 4 tires on my 530i. Installation fee? Zippo, nada, nothing.

Come on, seriously... I would just get the jack, lift the car, and replace the bloody tire myself.

My 545i (built-to-order) is expected to arrive next week. I will begin making Plan B (or should I say Plan A) for low-cost tire replacement just to be prepared.

[Torque]

i like my regular tires more.

[BMW530]

I had a flat tyre a few weeks ago. Only did 400 miles in my UK spec 530i SE. Had Dunlops on my 18" wheels. Luckily it was repaired.

I experienced a loud noise while driving on the run flats though.

[Silver4evr]

Final total: Installation $75, Tire, $343, chrome weights $8, grand total $462 (including tax).

I also purchased a 5 year 4 tire road hazzard warranty for $539.

I decided to keep the run flats because my wife drives the car more than I do and I don't want her stuck on the freeway in L.A. with a flat tire.

[530e60]

I too have the Dunlop run flat tires. Upon inquiry the dealer told me that a warning would pop up on the display if a tire was flat. Accordingly to them, the sensor is neither in the tire nor the rim, but in the ABS unit. It measures the diameter of the wheel and as the diameter shrinks during a flat tire, the warning displays accordingly.

If you want to use larger rims (which I was thinking about) or different size tire, they said the sensor needs to be disabled.

[ksz]

Originally posted by 530e60@Apr 13 2004, 01:13 AM
I too have the Dunlop run flat tires. Upon inquiry the dealer told me that a warning would pop up on the display if a tire was flat. Accordingly to them, the sensor is neither in the tire nor the rim, but in the ABS unit. It measures the diameter of the wheel and as the diameter shrinks during a flat tire, the warning displays accordingly.

If you want to use larger rims (which I was thinking about) or different size tire, they said the sensor needs to be disabled.

If you look on pages 79-80 of the owner's manual you'll find a short explanation of how the TPM works (tire pressure monitor). Briefly, the system looks for small changes in the relative speeds of the wheels. It does not measure diameter, but changes in diameter due to pressure loss will translate into small changes in that tire's rotational speed relative to fully inflated tires. If all four tires lose pressure at the same time, there is no "relative" change in tire speeds and the system will not report this condition as a failure.

Run flat tires have reinforced side walls which means that pressure loss is not necessarily visible from the outside. That is, a punctured run-flat tire might not look "squished" as would a non-run-flat tire. Because of this, the TPM cannot (and does not) look for changes in tire diameter.

[Silver4evr]

Good answer. My FTM icon is lit up right now. All tires appear to have the same air pressure. The only difference is a new tire was put on the left rear. Maybe its out of balance? mmmmm?

Will be taking it back to the dealer. BTW, when the tire was changed the paint job on my rim was ruined!

[ksz]

Oops, you're right it's "FTM" (flat tire monitor) not TPM (tire pressure monitor).

Have you reset the FTM from the Service Menu? After putting on the new tire and ensuring that all are properly inflated you only need to reset the FTM using iDrive.

[Silver4evr]

Yes, it was reset by the dealer before I picked it up. At least I thought it was. I'll check and adjust the air pressure in all the tires and then reset the FTM.