I got my i3 about a month ago. I have 200 miles on it. While driving last night, I blew out a tire on the freeway when I hit a pothole. BMW wants to charge me $200 plus $40 installation for the tire. I'm thinking I probably should have gotten tire warranty protection. Because these tires are so narrow, they can't handle the bumps that a normal tire can... so far not enthused with the lease purchase. I got a really good deal, but BMW service has been poor so far and the maintenance is way overpriced.
Barely driven, already a flat tire
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jadnashuanh
Well-known member
Out of curiosity, do you have the 19 or 20" wheels?
BMW, like many European car companies, is not much different in maintenance prices, and, if in the US, the first 3-years, all normal maintenance is covered. My i3 is over 2-years old...no wheel or tire issues, yet. Like any vehicle, if the 20" wheels, bigger wheels have shorter sidewalls, and are more subject to damage from potholes...it's not just BMW, but all tires/wheels.
BMW, like many European car companies, is not much different in maintenance prices, and, if in the US, the first 3-years, all normal maintenance is covered. My i3 is over 2-years old...no wheel or tire issues, yet. Like any vehicle, if the 20" wheels, bigger wheels have shorter sidewalls, and are more subject to damage from potholes...it's not just BMW, but all tires/wheels.
TheNickGuy
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When I bought two tires the EP500's were around $100 each. So... your stealership is ripping you off, as they are known to do.
Also, $950 for tire protection sounds like a price-gouge as well, unless you think you'll go through two full sets of tires and still need two extras over 30 months.
For reference, I bought my two replacements at America's Tire, called Discount Tire elsewhere in the country.
Also, $950 for tire protection sounds like a price-gouge as well, unless you think you'll go through two full sets of tires and still need two extras over 30 months.
For reference, I bought my two replacements at America's Tire, called Discount Tire elsewhere in the country.
I have the 20" rims.
Here is the disclaimer about the wheels on the BMW website:
" Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces, as well as debris, curbs and other obstacles, can cause serious damage to wheels, tires and suspension parts. This is more likely to occur with low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning between the wheel and the road. Be careful to avoid road hazards and reduce your speed, especially if your vehicle is equipped with low-profile tires."
I guess I won't be jetting around as quickly on the freeway.
Here is the disclaimer about the wheels on the BMW website:
" Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces, as well as debris, curbs and other obstacles, can cause serious damage to wheels, tires and suspension parts. This is more likely to occur with low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning between the wheel and the road. Be careful to avoid road hazards and reduce your speed, especially if your vehicle is equipped with low-profile tires."
I guess I won't be jetting around as quickly on the freeway.
jadnashuanh
Well-known member
The wheels are moderately expensive if you have to pay list price. A note, though, the i3's wheels are reported to be forged verses cast, which means that they are stronger than more typical alloy wheels. When you opt for a larger diameter wheel on any car from any brand, your risk of wheel or tire damage increases. While not on this car, my worst experience was two flats the same day (nails/screws, not impact damage)...haven't had any tire issues on a car in years...some of it is just plain luck, and some of it is close attention to the roadway whenever possible. If you don't follow too closely, you have more opportunity to avoid road issues, something way too many drivers in the USA do not follow.
FWIW, from my living and visiting Germany over the years, I find that their roads are generally VERY well maintained, and a pothole is a very rare thing. That may be one reason why, on their other models, they often specify RFT...those tend to be a little stiffer than an equivalent 'normal' tire, and there is not as much of a compromise when the roads are smooth. And, other than the drag and efficiency issues on the i3, they chose the wheel/tire sizes they did for overall efficiency. So far, I've not had an issue with the i3's wheels or tires...not to say it couldn't happen tomorrow.
Given the nature and capabilities of the i3, I personally see little reason to opt for the 20" wheels.
FWIW, from my living and visiting Germany over the years, I find that their roads are generally VERY well maintained, and a pothole is a very rare thing. That may be one reason why, on their other models, they often specify RFT...those tend to be a little stiffer than an equivalent 'normal' tire, and there is not as much of a compromise when the roads are smooth. And, other than the drag and efficiency issues on the i3, they chose the wheel/tire sizes they did for overall efficiency. So far, I've not had an issue with the i3's wheels or tires...not to say it couldn't happen tomorrow.
Given the nature and capabilities of the i3, I personally see little reason to opt for the 20" wheels.
I was intrigued by what I found when I did a quick search for tyres online in UK to see what price the Bridgestone OEM tyres were actually selling for.jadnashuanh said:
It wasn't the price that attracted my attention but the rolling resistance (efficiency) score.
Quote from the online site I used.
"The European Union, under CE 1222/2009, has mandated that all tyres manufactured after the date of July 1 2012 for cars and commercial vehicles include standard EU Tyre Labels classifying them by three performance characteristics:fuel efficiency classified from A to G, wet grip classified from A to G, and noise emission in decibels."
The Bridgestone Ecopia came back with an efficiency score of "C" which isn't desperately good for a tyre supposedly specifically made for an EV to save energy.
What surprised me further was that in comparison, the equivalent sized Nokian winter tyre had a "B" rating, better wet grip and a lower noise rating. Winter tyres are not renowned for their efficiency or quietness due to the requirements of their tread pattern so I found it bewildering that the Bridgestone should be worse on both counts.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to try to run winter tyres all year round but it just felt wrong.
jadnashuanh
Well-known member
Tread compounds are always a compromise between: traction, efficiency, longevity, comfort, and sound qualities. Many of these are in opposition...improve one, decrease the other(s). If the tires spec'ed for the i3 were any more efficient, they probably would not have the same traction or longevity.
I've always had good luck with Nokian tires, and if I have my i3 long enough to need new winter tires, I'll replace the OEM ones with those. I'll probably age them out verses wearing them out, though, but that's okay. I'm hoping the i5 arrives before then, and I'll trade both of my cars for that, assuming it meets my expectations.
I've always had good luck with Nokian tires, and if I have my i3 long enough to need new winter tires, I'll replace the OEM ones with those. I'll probably age them out verses wearing them out, though, but that's okay. I'm hoping the i5 arrives before then, and I'll trade both of my cars for that, assuming it meets my expectations.
Kelvincrunch
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BMW Road Side Assistance SUCKS!
Got a flat and called BMW Road Side Assistance for help. Ended up they left me stranded for 2.5 hrs in a cold rainy evening with no tow truck coming. Read on...
I called the Road Side assistance around 2:40pm on 11/25 last Friday afternoon about the flat tire and the ETA for the tow was 6pm. I made another call to the Road Side Assistance in between suggested leaving the flop inside and had the tow driver called me to unlock the car remotely so I can get home without getting stuck in a cold rainy evening. The assistance rejected my idea and insisted that I need to wait til the truck driver showed up. Then at 5pm Road Side Assistance informed me that there won't be any tow truck coming and encouraged me to drive home with the flat tire.
Yesterday PortlandBMW said that the tire was total even the nail didn't hit the side wall and I was charged $207 for one new tire. BTW, the old tire only had less than 500 miles on it.
1_Why Road Side Assistance would need 2.5 hr to figure out the tow truck situation?
2_The tire wasn't designed for RSC and why Road Side Assistance said it's safe to drive home with 11 psi at 50 miles per hr?
3_I was miss led and now I need to pay for the new tire. Who held accountable for that?
Got a flat and called BMW Road Side Assistance for help. Ended up they left me stranded for 2.5 hrs in a cold rainy evening with no tow truck coming. Read on...
I called the Road Side assistance around 2:40pm on 11/25 last Friday afternoon about the flat tire and the ETA for the tow was 6pm. I made another call to the Road Side Assistance in between suggested leaving the flop inside and had the tow driver called me to unlock the car remotely so I can get home without getting stuck in a cold rainy evening. The assistance rejected my idea and insisted that I need to wait til the truck driver showed up. Then at 5pm Road Side Assistance informed me that there won't be any tow truck coming and encouraged me to drive home with the flat tire.
Yesterday PortlandBMW said that the tire was total even the nail didn't hit the side wall and I was charged $207 for one new tire. BTW, the old tire only had less than 500 miles on it.
1_Why Road Side Assistance would need 2.5 hr to figure out the tow truck situation?
2_The tire wasn't designed for RSC and why Road Side Assistance said it's safe to drive home with 11 psi at 50 miles per hr?
3_I was miss led and now I need to pay for the new tire. Who held accountable for that?
Doesn't your i3 have a can of goop for a leaky flat tyre? Did you use it?
No way anyone should drive at 50mph with a near flat tyre. If you're stuck, you should drive slowly to the closest service station and pump it up and hop between service stations.
Driving at 50mph with a near flat tyre just causes it to overheat and the tyre will be totally stuffed.
No way anyone should drive at 50mph with a near flat tyre. If you're stuck, you should drive slowly to the closest service station and pump it up and hop between service stations.
Driving at 50mph with a near flat tyre just causes it to overheat and the tyre will be totally stuffed.
I don't know why these narrow tires attract sharp objects. I had a nail in the rear tire before I hit 4000 miles. Fortunately, it was a relatively slow leak, and I was able to get home before the pressure dropped under 20 psi. I patched the tire with a Stop-N-Go kit.
