Flat Tire Hell - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

eshlasko · 18th July 2007, 16:38

I probably hold the record for most flat tires amongst M5 drivers ... my old E39 and its rims did not like New York City potholes, nails, or screws. Now however, BMW has found a new way to torture me (and beware all of you beast drivers out there!)

A nail in my left rear tire caused enough damage to need replacement ... uh oh. It seems that Continental has no - not one - 285/35/ZR19 tires in North America. They are back-ordered, and not expected until October 2007.

Of course, for a few thousand dollars one could switch all tires to Michelins - but once again, surely a nice engineer could figure out where to hide a full size spare!

So avoid nails - that must be BMWNA's new service advisory.

Frank · 18th July 2007, 16:53

Difeo BMW in Tenefly NJ just over the Bridge Had 2 the other day.

Barry Lausch · 18th July 2007, 17:30

I got the same story two weeks ago. I said fine, lets just take one off that new M6 on the lot................somehow they found one. Total repair cost was nearly $575. I walked right into that one.

rjp71 · 18th July 2007, 17:38

I have been through flat tire hell as well. If there is one thing that has me hesitating to get another M5 whem my lease is up it is the lack of the spare tire.

There has to be some kind of solution.

m5 deamon · 18th July 2007, 17:43

this is why u buy rim and tire insurance from intire for 1200 bucks and dont worry about it

Barry Lausch · 18th July 2007, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjp71

I have been through flat tire hell as well. If there is one thing that has me hesitating to get another M5 whem my lease is up it is the lack of the spare tire.

There has to be some kind of solution.

I can sum it up in one word, INVENTORY. Either the dealership or distribution centers. I had the same problem with a vanos pump 4 months ago. This car has been in production long enough that these sort of issues should not exist.

Balazs · 18th July 2007, 18:57

I decided to order 2 complete sets and keep them in my own garage - to prevent flat tyre hell...

Kelster · 18th July 2007, 20:21

I had my 2nd flat (a slow leak this time) in 2.5 years last Saturday on the Cross Bronx Expressway when the damn "Tire Defect" warning light came on. Fortunately the screw that punctured my RR tire functioned as a plug and I was able to reinflate it from 20 psi back up to 38 psi. Monday she went into the shop for repair.

My first flat was a week after I bought my CPO '03 M5. Newbie that I was, I believed my salesman when he told me the car had run flats. The tire defect light came on and as I was only 5+ miles from Park Avenue BMW I thought I could make it there. I was able to drive about a mile before the tire shredded and the rim got fu*ked up. Fortunately I bought the tire and rim insurance, which according to my policy language, only covers original tires and rims.

I absolutely will not take my family on any long trips in the M5 because of the lack of a spare tire. My last extended trip with the family, was down through Virginia a year ago last Easter when we were looking a colleges for my daughter. I had just installed four new Goodyear's before starting out and had a heart-stopping "Tire Defect" false alarm outside of Washington, DC. Never again.

Sebring NL · 18th July 2007, 20:51

I can't believe this.

They could have them shipped from mainland.

My co-worker ordered one yesterday, was mounted today @ the dealer

And no, I don't want to arrange shipping. Nothing personal, but it was only to point out how much BS "no stock untill october" actually is.

shchow · 18th July 2007, 22:02

I got a flat tire two days after I picked up my car. Thankfully, I purchased the tire/rim insurance (800 dollars) for the life of my lease (3 years). Brought my car in and got her back the next day. I was hesitant to buy the tire insurance, but boy am I glad that I did. Also received a new bottle of that M repair goo for my trunk.

KevinM · 18th July 2007, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by m5 deamon

this is why u buy rim and tire insurance from intire for 1200 bucks and dont worry about it

Unfortunately, insurance won't matter if the tire cannot be located! The insurance company will fit another brand for the damaged tire in this situation, but then you have one odd tire unless you replace the reciprocal tire on your own dime.

Dylan Thomas · 18th July 2007, 22:12

I bought an extra front tire & wheel when I bought the car. When I swapped out the OE Continentals I kept the front two, they have >50% tread life left. The PS2s are better, not a lot overall, but better.

When I drive out of town, the spare tire/wheel go in the trunk. If I were driving out in the boonies, one of the OEs might be in there too.

shchow · 18th July 2007, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinM

Unfortunately, insurance won't matter if the tire cannot be located! The insurance company will fit another brand for the damaged tire in this situation, but then you have one odd tire unless you replace the reciprocal tire on your own dime.

I can't imagine that your dealer doesn't have some in stock; and if not, obtain the tire from a dealer that does have it in stock.
On a side note, when I had my car in last week for my 1200 mile service, there was an Alpina B7 in the service bay. Was told he had a flat tire, took 5 days to locate the correct tire.
Anyway, good luck in your quest...