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[xG35c]

What the consensus on rotating the tires (non-sport, of course).
Good idea or just leave'em alone if their wearing OK?

[new2the3]

I have just under 6k on mine and I can feel less tread on my rears. Going to rotate soon.

[hunt55]

I just received a new set of RFTs from Bridgestone to replace the original Bridgestones that feathered on the 06 325i. Birdgestone recommends rotating every 6K miles and uping the tire pressure from the pressure in the door of the car.

[P2]

Originally Posted by hunt55

I just received a new set of RFTs from Bridgestone to replace the original Bridgestones that feathered on the 06 325i. Birdgestone recommends rotating every 6K miles and uping the tire pressure from the pressure in the door of the car.

I rotated also at 6K.

Up tire pressure to what? I use the 29/35, have 8K on the tires and no trouble yet.

P2

[hunt55]

Bridgestone suggests 32 in the front and uping the pressure in the rear so I am trying 38 in the rear. My problem did not occur until around 17-18K miles. I was running the pressure recommended in the door jam 29/35. Then it got worse by the mile. Bridgestone replaced the tires this week at 22K miles. Based on Bridgestone's measurements and inspection all four tires feathered with excellent wear in the middle and extreme wear on the outer edges. I paid for an alignment yesterday at my dealer. The car is running better than ever . Love it for now!

See the tread today "tires are overflated after...."

hunt55

[rotts4u]

Good info Hunt. I am in the same boat with my 325 at 14k and they are roaring like crazy. How did you approach the tire swap? Did you go to the BMW dealer or direct to the Bridgestone dealer?

Thanks

Don

[dmboone25]

Can you get a tire rotation at the dealer before the 15K scheduled service? Or is it going to cost you?

[hunt55]

Originally Posted by rotts4u

Good info Hunt. I am in the same boat with my 325 at 14k and they are roaring like crazy. How did you approach the tire swap? Did you go to the BMW dealer or direct to the Bridgestone dealer?

Thanks

Don

Yes, the tires seem to get noisy around the mid teens. I had the car in for service at 17500 and the dealer said nothing about tire wear. I took the car to the dealer at about 21000 complaining about the tires. The dealer stated the front two were feathered and I needed an alignment. They offered no assistance or replacement tires and referred me to BMW NA ( . BMW NA refused to help and referred me to Bridgestone. BMW’s rational is they do not warrant tires. Now, I have a real problem with paying for defective products especially when I follow your instructions and depend on you for maintenance. BMW does have an arbitration service in certain states. Maryland was not one of those states but check in your service manual for a list of States.

I filed a claim with Bridgestone corporate. They sent me to a local company owned Firestone store for an assessment. The local store managers were extremely helpful and determined the tires had feathered due to low pressure (measurements were 9/32 center and 7/32 outside-fronts and 9/32 center and 5/32 on the outsides-rear). The pressure in the door of the BMW is low according to Bridgestone. I now use 32/38 front/rear.

It took about two weeks of back and forth discussions with Bridgestone but they agreed to replace the tires with me paying a modest amount which was fair since I did get 17-18K miles with limited issues. I then had to get the car aligned so my dealer did the alignment the next day but I had to pay for the alignment-also now my front cup holder isn't working:mad: . I did ask my dealer if BMW would pay for the alignment to which they promptly said no (This is my next issue with BMW). If you get the tires replaced, make sure you get the car aligned and have the dealer print out a before and after alignment of the car.

Sorry, this is long but the more information you have the better when dealing with companies. Bridgestone's number to consumer affairs is 1.800.367.3872.

Hunt55

[hunt55]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Can you get a tire rotation at the dealer before the 15K scheduled service? Or is it going to cost you?

Now that I have a new set, my dealer says they will rotate the tires at my oil changes which I do at around 7500 but I think they were going to charge me. However, Bridgestone will rotate them for free and since BMW does not seem to know what to do in terms of maintaining these tires I plan to stick with Bridgestone from now on.

[LEDZEP]

hunt55 - how did you engage Bridgestone on this? I have 22,000 miles and my tires have been shit from day one. I have had numerous balance problems (still have minor shimmy) and they are feathered terribly and very noisy.

[Asiann]

I have always advocated rotating them from side to side. I have 32 on the front and 36 on the rears as the door indicates. I think I will go get me one of those measuring devices and see if there is a difference in the middle or outside.

[tirana]

Don't rotate winter tires between sides since they are often directional. If you want to rotate, only put the backs on the front, and vice versa. Probably a good idea to do this each season. As Asiann says, when you've staggered tires, only exchange them on the same axle (if they aren't directional). That said, if the wear is equal, not point in rotating at all and if there is clearly uneven wear, its a good idea to rebalance.

[Asiann]

The Bridgestone RFT's are non directional and only say outside.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by tirana

Don't rotate winter tires between sides since they are often directional. If you want to rotate, only put the backs on the front, and vice versa. Probably a good idea to do this each season. As Asiann says, when you've staggered tires, only exchange them on the same axle (if they aren't directional). That said, if the wear is equal, not point in rotating at all and if there is clearly uneven wear, its a good idea to rebalance.

If you rebalance, always good to get the alignment checked as well since that will affect tire wear as well. Better to do it all at once.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by P2

I rotated also at 6K.

Up tire pressure to what? I use the 29/35, have 8K on the tires and no trouble yet.

P2

For the 325 the door mentions 29/35 for tire pressure? I'm assuming you don't have RFT's right?

[tirana]

Originally Posted by Asiann

If you rebalance, always good to get the alignment checked as well since that will affect tire wear as well. Better to do it all at once.

Good point - alignment/tracking is a bigger contributor to uneven wear than balance. Only takes one pothole...

[hunt55]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

hunt55 - how did you engage Bridgestone on this? I have 22,000 miles and my tires have been shit from day one. I have had numerous balance problems (still have minor shimmy) and they are feathered terribly and very noisy.

I called the 1800 number (1.800.367.3872) and filed a claim. Make sure you first file a claim with BMW NA and let them go through the worthless explanation of how they are not responsible and will not help with Bridgestone.

The 1800 number for Bridgestone is with their corporate Consumer Affairs. They will then connect you with a local company owned store (usually Firestone). . The local store manager is also key as they work with Bridgestone and make the assessment. From there you will need to go back and forth with Bridgestone but be persistent.

I really feel for you. I have read your threads on the tire issues. It is very frustrating if you have owned several cars over the years and BMW cannot take care of a problem like this. The noise gets worse by the mile. The measurements and alignment printout were very interesting. The car rides great now and really takes off.

We will see how these tires hold up. I plan to rotate on a regular schedule, keep the pressure constant and align often-say every six months. This is really no different than what we old school guys did in the late 60s and 70s in the era of the muscle cars. How about that for progress in automobile technology and free maintenance!

[Asiann]

Great write-up and should be a sticky!

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

hunt55 - how did you engage Bridgestone on this? I have 22,000 miles and my tires have been shit from day one. I have had numerous balance problems (still have minor shimmy) and they are feathered terribly and very noisy.

with 22K miles, if they decide to give you new set of tires, they might pro-rate. Better than having to pay full price.

[hunt55]

Originally Posted by txusa03

with 22K miles, if they decide to give you new set of tires, they might pro-rate. Better than having to pay full price.

Basically Bridgestone offered a proration based on the assessment from the company tire dealer and how many miles were on the tires but they worked with me on that. I think the normal warranty is full replacement for a set period of time like one year and then proration after that. But at least in my car, there was no warranty information about the tires so we just discussed a fair replacement. I just wanted what was fair.

[coolivier]

I would like to know how i can use my handbrake to make some brokesides with my 328i 2007

[rotts4u]

I took my car to the BMW dealer as they seemed very interested and was familiar with the problem. They kept the car today with 14616 on the Odometer and after day in their care they advised that BMW was offering me 50% trade on all 4 tires to their new tire. The dealer ask me to wait a few days so they could talk to their BMW rep and see if the offer could be raised up from 50%.

I called my local Firestone dealer that I have dealt with for years and he knew nothing about an issue with the tires and could only inspect and call corp to see what they would do. I have not tried that route yet as I am waiting on BMW first

Don