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[lovemybmlots]

Hi, got a 2008 135i cab with 30 000k on it with the M package wheels and potenza tires. Had to change 2 tires one at the front one from rear due to bumps on the inside wall of the tire. Anyone else went throught the same ordeal changing fairly new tires? tnx

[ptack]

Did you cause the bubbles or were they already on the tires when you bought the car? Basically, bubbles are a safety risk because they are a weak point on the tire and can bust if pinched again so no one should have sold you a car with them. In any case, if they are small you could chose to ignore them for the remaining life of the tire. It's what you deal with when you have any car with low profile tires and potholed roads.

[BimmerEnthusiast99]

Yes I had to on my old 2007 335i. Road hazard caused enough trauma to both front tires to produce separation "bumps"

[doublevanosrc]

What causes these so called "bubbles"?? I don't have any I'm curious to avoid them.

[BimmerEnthusiast99]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

What causes these so called "bubbles"?? I don't have any I'm curious to avoid them.

Defects, or, most commonly, road hazards such as severe potholes, etc...

[bloomjbmw]

The Bubbles are most likely (as already stated) caused by severe road hazards.


FWIW:

The tire gets pinched between the road and the rim of the wheel. Typically the inner layer of material on the tire is compromized and the air is allowed to penetrate it and create a bubble on the sidewall. This is called Pinch Shock. Also, the cords and materials that hold the sidewall together also move around causing structural issues in the tire.

Unfortunately, it should be replaced when this happens.

[Clovef]

Do people see this more often on the run flats? I have seen pictures and herd of this before but thought of it as uncommon. However, it would make sence to me that the characteristics of the run flats could cause this to happen more often the standard tires.

[alvitdk]

Originally Posted by Clovef

Do people see this more often on the run flats? I have seen pictures and herd of this before but thought of it as uncommon. However, it would make sence to me that the characteristics of the run flats could cause this to happen more often the standard tires.

Not really, my wife's 3i had that just recently for the SECOND time in 3 Years, hit a deep center pot hole and a bubble it is. Damn route 17 in NY!!! And she does not have run flat tires, unfortunately the shock also died from the impact!

[ptack]

I would expect it to be much less likely on runflat tires because they have heavier sidewalls. It's a given risk for any car running low profile tires such as what you have on our 18" wheels. I don't know how you get by on 19s if you use your car as a DD in the northeast in the winter/post winter months.

This is why some people go to 17" wheels for winter.

[BimmerEnthusiast99]

Originally Posted by ptack

I would expect it to be much less likely on runflat tires because they have heavier sidewalls. It's a given risk for any car running low profile tires such as what you have on our 18" wheels. I don't know how you get by on 19s if you use your car as a DD in the northeast in the winter/post winter months.

This is why some people go to 17" wheels for winter.

+1

I've had it happen with normal tires. My guess is you just hear about it more on forums when it happens to RFTs. When it costs $300 a bubble/tire, it's a bigger deal---worth posting/ranting about