Miserable
- Thread starter mattstav
- Start date
By the seaside...
mattstav said:
I can heartily recommend one of these - I've found mine gives accurate and consistent readings
mattstav said:
You should be checking them AT LEAST once a week. They are a vital part of your car and as a driver you must ensure that your car is safe before making any journey. So you should be checking the pressure and for any defects regularly. I ensure mines are checked every week even if the cars not going anywhere and I'll do it again before any longish journey.
ruggedscot
Member
I bought a Z4 back in november - its a great car and really like the look of the wheels 19" 296 but those wheels with RFT are not to be recommended !
The stresses of any imperfections are transmitted to the wheel directly with minimal buffering. This leads to stress fractures within the wheel that result in pressure loss. The area that seems to be affected is the inner part of the wheel and generally the rear wheels. Ive had one wheel welded. And now currently waiting to see how it goes - if the pressure holds I will change the tyres to non run flats and see how it goes from there on in.
I also have en looking at changing to 18 wheels and again non run flats.
When I had the tyre removed from the wheel this placed a lot of stress on the side wall as it is so stiff. The tyre has been off twice now and Id not be taking it on the autobhan as have no faith in the side wall at present. The cost of a run flat against the cost of normal tyres and the effect on the handling of the car with such hard side walls. Id recommend changing to normal tyres and taking a chance.
Talking to the tyre guy he reckons that the RFT is pretty much goosed after a few miles driving deflated. The only real benefit being that you dont get the rapid deflation that you get with a normal tyre. Its a lot of money to pay for that and the ability to drive a few extra miles.... The main benefit is to BMW who dont need to give you a spare tyre or a jack.
Also the fact that they have not acknowledged an issue with the 296 wheel and continued to deny this doesnt bode well with me.
Im looking at changing the four tyres to non run flats - either with the existing 19" wheels or else change to 18" wheels with non run flats again. Looking through the internet and weighing up the options and such.
The stresses of any imperfections are transmitted to the wheel directly with minimal buffering. This leads to stress fractures within the wheel that result in pressure loss. The area that seems to be affected is the inner part of the wheel and generally the rear wheels. Ive had one wheel welded. And now currently waiting to see how it goes - if the pressure holds I will change the tyres to non run flats and see how it goes from there on in.
I also have en looking at changing to 18 wheels and again non run flats.
When I had the tyre removed from the wheel this placed a lot of stress on the side wall as it is so stiff. The tyre has been off twice now and Id not be taking it on the autobhan as have no faith in the side wall at present. The cost of a run flat against the cost of normal tyres and the effect on the handling of the car with such hard side walls. Id recommend changing to normal tyres and taking a chance.
Talking to the tyre guy he reckons that the RFT is pretty much goosed after a few miles driving deflated. The only real benefit being that you dont get the rapid deflation that you get with a normal tyre. Its a lot of money to pay for that and the ability to drive a few extra miles.... The main benefit is to BMW who dont need to give you a spare tyre or a jack.
Also the fact that they have not acknowledged an issue with the 296 wheel and continued to deny this doesnt bode well with me.
Im looking at changing the four tyres to non run flats - either with the existing 19" wheels or else change to 18" wheels with non run flats again. Looking through the internet and weighing up the options and such.
The basic concept of the run flat I would have thought is just to get you to a safe spot to stop and call BMW assist.
After hitting a pot hole, I ran two nearside non rft Goodyear Asymmetrics on 17 inch about 8 miles to get me home with the front completely flat until the tyre literally came off the rim at half mile from home, without damage to the rim.
It was a dark and stormy night out in the country with dead phone and I just weighed up the cost of recovery, taxis , replacement wheels etc.
So just drove home.
After hitting a pot hole, I ran two nearside non rft Goodyear Asymmetrics on 17 inch about 8 miles to get me home with the front completely flat until the tyre literally came off the rim at half mile from home, without damage to the rim.
It was a dark and stormy night out in the country with dead phone and I just weighed up the cost of recovery, taxis , replacement wheels etc.
So just drove home.
Tricky Dicky
Member
PerryGunn said:
I also check tyre pressures weekly, first thing i purchased after getting our Z4 was a what car recommended tyre pressure gauge I've got 326 wheels which I think are brill and run flats ,it's a ball ache but at these prices I feel it's worth it ,also I make a point of resetting the tyre pressure warning system when i put air in the tyres .Cars going in for 1st oil/ filter change and gen check at Ryebrook in Warwick ,I'm tempted to get them to check the alloys as well , I'll advise what happens this time next week,
aper:Tricky Dicky said:Cars going in for 1st oil/ filter change and gen check at Ryebrook in Warwick ,I'm tempted to get them to check the alloys as well , I'll advise what happens this time next week,
All BMW garages carry out a full inspection of be car prior to starting work that also involves checking the tyres for any damage or cracks, tread depth and wheels for any damage so you don't need to ask them, they do it anyway
ruggedscot
Member
I had both rear wheels go on me - one I had welded but it went in another place so was a little reluctant to have that repaired. So a new wheel was bought and put on along with two nrf tyres. A few weeks later the other wheel gave in so that was changed - I had this one checked by the local BMW dealer and they said it run within the tolerance so an approach was made to BMW and they refused point blank. Anyways both rears are new and non run flat and two new wheels as well so far so good. just need to wait and see what happens.
ruggedscot
Member
Dealer had said they would make the approach to BMW - and BMW came back and said no. Pretty miffed about it at the time but you know to have gone through this and now aware of the issues with the 19' wheel and the way that BMW have treated this and tried to avoid any redress. I had bought a car through a jaguar dealer and well as it was bought outside the BMW network that counted against me. Ive read that others who had a car from new or had bought within the BMW had suffered the same lack of acceptability regarding the fitment of weak alloys. This is a manufacturing defect or the wheel is not correctly designed for the designated use. Ive had alloys on most of my cars and I have NEVER EVER had a cracked alloy. Two cracked alloys on the Z - come on ! its not rocket science.
Just put it down to experience and in future will internet troll and check as much as I can for any issues or problems with any car I buy. This was my first BMW and it was a 'treat' something different and special. Id be telling fibs if I said it didnt sour the experience somewhat - These things do - leave a nasty taste. But then Ill gt into the car and Ill go for a spin some place and it will put a grin on my face. That you will let it off - it wasnt the car but the alloy. All in all for tyres and two alloys it was over a grand - 1/15th the cost of the car.....
Just put it down to experience and in future will internet troll and check as much as I can for any issues or problems with any car I buy. This was my first BMW and it was a 'treat' something different and special. Id be telling fibs if I said it didnt sour the experience somewhat - These things do - leave a nasty taste. But then Ill gt into the car and Ill go for a spin some place and it will put a grin on my face. That you will let it off - it wasnt the car but the alloy. All in all for tyres and two alloys it was over a grand - 1/15th the cost of the car.....
No offence but BBC Watchdog did a rather big report on BMW 19 inch alloy wheels cracking a few years ago now and I'm sure there is possibly something still on their site about it. BMW said there was no issue with their wheels and blamed the roads, which to an extent is true but there is an issue but it would cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions to replace all effected wheels. It's been known about for ages now but your dealership isn't going to tell you about it when your looking to buy a car and spend money on options. I knew of the risk and still went for the 19s as I like them.
Just like with failing hydro units on 2.0l cars BMW will not admit there is an issue but unlike that issue they don't have any upgraded part, neither have they changed the parts at build to stop it from happening in the future and the only option is to buy a replacement or buy a new, smaller set of wheels.
Just like with failing hydro units on 2.0l cars BMW will not admit there is an issue but unlike that issue they don't have any upgraded part, neither have they changed the parts at build to stop it from happening in the future and the only option is to buy a replacement or buy a new, smaller set of wheels.
ruggedscot
Member
Hi Angie - I saw those after getting the car and realising that there was an issue with the wheels - first bmw so never really took heed of the previous issues. I believe that the new 19' wheel is a different design in regards to the actual alloy and casting, and as you say the wheel is such a good looking wheel. suits the car those 19'...
Angie4m said:
The term 'not fit for purpose' applies to the wheels if they want to use the excuse about the roads.
And it's worth bearing in mind that BMW wheels are expensive. They undoubtably make a big margin so each replacement wheel sold represents a nice bit of profit.
So one might summarise the situation: they provide a poor product. Charge a high price for it. And profit from its failures.
Not a company that I would be inclined to do further business with.