'wrong' tyres = no warranty investigation
Discussion
I've had a few issues with my 320d ED not tracking straight. Feels like driving in a strong cross wind and the wheels are wandering around. Anyway, I took it to the dealer and they did a full wheel alignment. This didn't sort it so I took back again. They now wont carry out any investigation work as three of the tyres are not BMW 'approved' (punture in one front and the two rears were replaced), I believe they should have a star stamped on the sidewall. Originals were Michelin, new ones are Dunlops. The size, speed and load rating are all the same as the original tyres.
Anyone else come across this issue?
Anyone else come across this issue?
blondini said:
The symptoms have the ring of what sometimes happens when mixed tyre brands are fitted to e46 models with sport suspension. Try putting the front tyres on the rear and vice versa, seriously.
Thanks for your response, I hope it is just the tyres, feels really terrible at the moment. It is actually a company car and the lease company/tyre fitter authorised the fitment of the Dunlops. I even questioned at the time if they were suitable, but they were authorised and duly fitted. The dealer, tyre fitter and the lease company are now 'discussing' between them on how they are going to sort it. As is often the case with this type of thing no one will take responsibility. I just want a car that doesn't feel it's wandering all over the place. Will see what happens.Mixed fitment is a primary cause of poor handling and balance so I can understand what BMW are saying. However, they should have advised you of this in the first instance so its a bit of a poor show from them.
There's no implication in having non-star marked tyres on the vehicle. This is simply an OE marking which is primarily a marketing tool.
N designated tyres are specific for Porsche so will invariably have a change of construction/compound mix over a standard tyre which differs from many other OE marked tyres.
They established a directive in the mid-80's that they use to bash owners over the head with if they mix and match tyres.
There's no implication in having non-star marked tyres on the vehicle. This is simply an OE marking which is primarily a marketing tool.
N designated tyres are specific for Porsche so will invariably have a change of construction/compound mix over a standard tyre which differs from many other OE marked tyres.
They established a directive in the mid-80's that they use to bash owners over the head with if they mix and match tyres.
Frances The Mute said:
Mixed fitment is a primary cause of poor handling and balance so I can understand what BMW are saying. However, they should have advised you of this in the first instance so its a bit of a poor show from them.
There's no implication in having non-star marked tyres on the vehicle. This is simply an OE marking which is primarily a marketing tool.
N designated tyres are specific for Porsche so will invariably have a change of construction/compound mix over a standard tyre which differs from many other OE marked tyres.
They established a directive in the mid-80's that they use to bash owners over the head with if they mix and match tyres.
Surely the BMW "*" rating, is exactly the same as the "N" rating on Porsche tyres?There's no implication in having non-star marked tyres on the vehicle. This is simply an OE marking which is primarily a marketing tool.
N designated tyres are specific for Porsche so will invariably have a change of construction/compound mix over a standard tyre which differs from many other OE marked tyres.
They established a directive in the mid-80's that they use to bash owners over the head with if they mix and match tyres.
For instance on my BMW standard fitment is "Bridgestone RE050A *" this tyre is available on various Honda, Mazda and Toyota cars but is labelled "Bridgestone RE050A DZ". DZ being the code for these cars.
Bubba Zanetti said:
Frances The Mute said:
Mixed fitment is a primary cause of poor handling and balance so I can understand what BMW are saying. However, they should have advised you of this in the first instance so its a bit of a poor show from them.
There's no implication in having non-star marked tyres on the vehicle. This is simply an OE marking which is primarily a marketing tool.
N designated tyres are specific for Porsche so will invariably have a change of construction/compound mix over a standard tyre which differs from many other OE marked tyres.
They established a directive in the mid-80's that they use to bash owners over the head with if they mix and match tyres.
Surely the BMW "*" rating, is exactly the same as the "N" rating on Porsche tyres?There's no implication in having non-star marked tyres on the vehicle. This is simply an OE marking which is primarily a marketing tool.
N designated tyres are specific for Porsche so will invariably have a change of construction/compound mix over a standard tyre which differs from many other OE marked tyres.
They established a directive in the mid-80's that they use to bash owners over the head with if they mix and match tyres.
For instance on my BMW standard fitment is "Bridgestone RE050A *" this tyre is available on various Honda, Mazda and Toyota cars but is labelled "Bridgestone RE050A DZ". DZ being the code for these cars.
4x4's are different inasmuch as the transmissions seems exceedingly sensitive to any change. Even matched tyres that have differing tread depths ~3mm+ can give all sorts of grief.
If yours is an E46 Sport, don't mix tyre brands. I went through a few weeks of this on my old 325ti Sport with 18" MV2s, where I ran the original Potenzas on the front and new Dunlop SP9000s on the back. Handling was terrible, where it felt like it wanted to throw me off the road. Brought it into a couple of dealers and they hadn't a clue. Obviously couldn't switch front to rear as different wheel/tyre widths.
Finally found some reference on a US web-site for a 330ci with the same syptoms, put down to the mixed brands. I therefore put new SP9000s on the front and problem was rectified immediately. Mentioned it to a few dealers and they'd never heard of it before
Finally found some reference on a US web-site for a 330ci with the same syptoms, put down to the mixed brands. I therefore put new SP9000s on the front and problem was rectified immediately. Mentioned it to a few dealers and they'd never heard of it before
Edited by Leins on Wednesday 29th February 17:00
Edited by Leins on Wednesday 29th February 17:00
It's a bit rich for the dealer to refuse when I've been to see AUC cars with non-BMW approved (i.e. no 'star') tyres on (Falkens, Vreds, Dunlops), and the salesman insisted it was perfectly acceptable.
The one I finally bought had mixed tyres on, and the dealer claimed not to have noticed. Unfortunately they took off the two PS2s, 1 Conti and 1 Goodyear, and put 4 SportContact M3 tyres on - which aren't the best either, but at least they were 'approved'.
The one I finally bought had mixed tyres on, and the dealer claimed not to have noticed. Unfortunately they took off the two PS2s, 1 Conti and 1 Goodyear, and put 4 SportContact M3 tyres on - which aren't the best either, but at least they were 'approved'.
Are you absolutely sure its a tyre problem?
I think I would be checking those front wishbone rear bushes and replacing them with some urethane replacements before starting swapping tyres around.
These bushes are notorious for causing the exact same problem you are describing and the fault is not obvious to the inexperienced eye.
8Tech.
I think I would be checking those front wishbone rear bushes and replacing them with some urethane replacements before starting swapping tyres around.
These bushes are notorious for causing the exact same problem you are describing and the fault is not obvious to the inexperienced eye.
8Tech.
8Tech said:
Are you absolutely sure its a tyre problem?
I think I would be checking those front wishbone rear bushes and replacing them with some urethane replacements before starting swapping tyres around.
These bushes are notorious for causing the exact same problem you are describing and the fault is not obvious to the inexperienced eye.
8Tech.
It might not be the tyres. The problem is that BMW will not carry out any warranty investigation work until 'approved' tyres are fitted. I think I would be checking those front wishbone rear bushes and replacing them with some urethane replacements before starting swapping tyres around.
These bushes are notorious for causing the exact same problem you are describing and the fault is not obvious to the inexperienced eye.
8Tech.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff