[Autoregression]

Bought the car used this last Monday, and now I’ve got a bubble on the driver side front tire. The tires were new.

I don’t recall hitting a pot hole or anything in the last week, so I’m wondering if it was already on the wheel when I bought it.

Anyway, I’ll replace the tire and call it a day. Just wondering if anyone else has experience with a bubble like this?

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Originally Posted by Autoregression

Bought the car used this last Monday, and now I’ve got a bubble on the driver side front tire. The tires were new.

I don’t recall hitting a pot hole or anything in the last week, so I’m wondering if it was already on the wheel when I bought it.

Anyway, I’ll replace the tire and call it a day. Just wondering if anyone else has experience with a bubble like this?

I have definitely bubbled a couple tires over two F90s, but I have always known exactly what I did to get the bubble; whether it was a pothole or otherwise. I won’t say it’s hard to bubble a tire, but it usually takes something somewhat more significant than a slight bump. This is typically not the type of thing that is popping up on its own.

[crypto]

See if you can find the photos from when it was posted or if you took any pics before you drove off. If you can see it in a pic — maybe (they should imo) the place you bought from will replace it. Otherwise your current course of action seems about right. Sucks.

[Autoregression]

Originally Posted by ResIpsaLoquitur

This is typically not the type of thing that is popping up on its own.

Right? I've been driving high performance tires for over 20 years, and never bubbled a tire. I do my best to be the pot hole ninja.

However, these are my first run flats, and by far my heaviest car...

Originally Posted by crypto

See if you can find the photos from when it was posted or if you took any pics before you drove off.

Excellent feedback - I will dig those pics up right now!

[pbonsalb]

[QUOTE=Autoregression;30086286]However, these are my first run flats[QUOTE]

M5 do not have run flat tires unless you or someone else installed them.

[Autoregression]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

M5 do not have run flat tires unless you or someone else installed them.

Originally Posted by Autoregression

Bought the car used this last Monday

The BMW dealer installed them on the used car I purchased.

[pbonsalb]

I was not aware BMW had approved any run flat tires for the F90 M5 and am surprised a dealer would install tires that are not approved.

[Autoregression]

Interesting! Is there a list of BMW approved tires? I could use this to discuss with the dealer.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I was not aware BMW had approved any run flat tires for the F90 M5 and am surprised a dealer would install tires that are not approved.

Most BMW dealerships will sell and install non-OE/non-star marked tires all day long, even ones not purchased from them. I run SottoZero III run flats (but the “performance” version) in the same measurements as star marked PS4S on 706Ms in the winter. I purchased these obviously non-star marked tires from a third party, had them shipped to my dealer, and they mounted them for me.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Originally Posted by Autoregression

Excellent feedback - I will dig those pics up right now!

Interesting that you mention run flats. With my winter run flats, I find them nearly impossible to bubble. I have hit some insane “phantom” potholes where extreme precipitation has filled them up and you can’t see them in unfamiliar areas, that would cause PS4Ss or P Zeros to bubble immediately. I had two so rough I couldn’t believe the tire didn’t bubble. The SottoZero III run flats were surprisingly resilient.

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by Autoregression

Interesting! Is there a list of BMW approved tires? I could use this to discuss with the dealer.

BMW has approved only 2 tire brand/models for the F90 as far as I know, Pirelli PZero and Michelin PS4. No run flats. I am not counting snow tires - BMW sells wheel packages for the F90 with snows, but none are run flats. Someone can pay a dealer to install unapproved parts, but that does not mean BMW approves the parts.

That said, I don’t think run flats are the reason the OP has a bubble. I am just surprised that a BMW dealer, of its own volition, would install parts BMW does not approve.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

BMW has approved only 2 tire brand/models for the F90 as far as I know, Pirelli PZero and Michelin PS4. No run flats. I am not counting snow tires - BMW sells wheel packages for the F90 with snows, but none are run flats. Someone can pay a dealer to install unapproved parts, but that does not mean BMW approves the parts.

That said, I don’t think run flats are the reason the OP has a bubble. I am just surprised that a BMW dealer, of its own volition, would install parts BMW does not approve.

I never suggested BMW approved the tires. In fact, the winter run flats are one load rating and one speed rating below the PS4S’s 104Y ratings. So definitely not “approved” (putting aside for a moment they’re not even star marked). You just said you were surprised that a BMW dealer would install non OE/approved tires, so I was stating that at least some would.

[SenorFunkyPants]

In our market BMW dealers (usually) refuse to fit non * rated tyres to F90 M5 stating that it would invalidate the warranty!

The BMW dealer who fitted your tyre can surely make a claim on the tyre manufacturers warranty on your behalf?

Noting that there are virtually no * rated Michelin tyres available in F90 M5 sizes in the UK.
There is zero stock for retail supply by Michelin UK with no future production dates on the calendar.
This due to a shortage of Carbon Black caused by the war in Ukraine.
Is production in the USA being affected?

[Autoregression]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

The BMW dealer who fitted your tyre can surely make a claim on the tyre manufacturers warranty on your behalf?

Good suggestion. I don't know if the dealer has a road hazard warranty or not - and I will call today and find out.

[Autoregression]

Followup:

1. The FOR SALE photos do not have the resolution to see a small bubble in the tire, so they are inconclusive.

2. The dealer's service department says there is no tire road hazard warranty on used vehicle purchases, unless I specifically purchased one. The dealer is 100 miles away, so it isn't particularly convenient anyway.

3. I bought another tire from TireRack (arrives tomorrow), and will have it installed locally. For the record, the tire size/brand/model is this:

275/35R-20 PIRELLI P ZERO RUN FLAT (PZ4) STAR RSC BMW, RUN FLAT, LUXURY XL

[pbonsalb]

I think the star means it is BMW approved. Interesting. Had not read of these before and BMW has not factory equipped F90 M5 with run flats. Put those on the heavy standard wheels and you would have a really heavy wheel and tire combination.

[pmsteinm]

The star means it meets a BMW specification. I bet that tire is OEM on a different BMW model. I figure most used cars are treated like rentals when it comes to tires...mismatched brands between axles, wrong specs, etc.

[pmsteinm]

Those are the OEM rear tires for the M550.

[Autoregression]

Yeah, not pleased with the heavy tires (38lbs) on top of heavy non-forged rims. Gives me something to look forward to when I wear these down.

[pmsteinm]

I bet you can wear them down pretty fast if you want to

Does anyone know the weight of those wheels? I know the 789M are 27.8lbs front and 29.6 rear.

I still need to weigh them with the Pilot Sport A/S4 and PZeros. I will do that this fall when I swap.

[Autoregression]

Ok - now the punchline: The rears are NOT run flats!

285/35ZR-20 PIRELLI P ZERO (104Y) STAR BMW, LUXURY XL


Wonderful.

[pmsteinm]

At least those are actually the correct tire for the M5.

I ran mixed runflat/non-runflat for my CTS-V "winter" (all-season) set because that was the only way that generation of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S came. I wasn't too worried since it was my winter set. Worked out too since I actually ended up with a puncture in one of the run flats.