Run Flat Tyres - Tread wear

[RossP]

The front tyres on my 335 are almost completely bald at the edges with several mm still left in the middle. I suspect that this is due to them being runflats with stiff sidewalls. They are probably still legal, but I don't think it's particularly acceptable that they have worn this way. Most of the miles are motorway and the tyre pressures are kept at the recommended level. They have also started to tramline really badly.

I am considering complaining to Bridgestone. Is this a common issue? If so, has anyone tried complaining to the manufacturer before?

Thanks,

Ross.

[E30M3SE]

That is the way they wear on 335's.

[jr502]

Yes, not with runflats, but I had a similar issue (but complained to tyre fitter), I was told that it was tyre pressures, despite keeping them at the recommended pressure. Essentially I was told to prove that I had kept the right pressure

To top it all off, on the way home after they had fitted new tyres I had to pull over and do the wheel nuts up, as they hadn't!

[The Wookie]

I had Bridgestone runflats on my 123d recently, they wore perfectly evenly front and rear.

Get your tracking checked out by someone who has a clue and uses a hunter alignment tool

[RossP]

The Wookie said:

Get your tracking checked out by someone who has a clue and uses a hunter alignment tool

Thanks for the suggestion, but the tyres are worn on both edges so I think that it's unlikely it's tracking.

[TX1]

Had the same problem on my e92 330i when it had Brdigestone plenty left in the middle but edges totally flattened.
I now have non runflats and I think the same thing will happen when they wear down a bit more, cannot really tell at the moment as plenty thread left all over.

[The Wookie]

RossP said:

Thanks for the suggestion, but the tyres are worn on both edges so I think that it's unlikely it's tracking.

Ahhh, sorry I didn't quite get that from the OP! That is unusual, has it done it on more than one set of tyres?

Sounds like the factory pressure recommendations are too low...

[RossP]

The Wookie said:

RossP said:

Thanks for the suggestion, but the tyres are worn on both edges so I think that it's unlikely it's tracking.

Ahhh, sorry I didn't quite get that from the OP! That is unusual, has it done it on more than one set of tyres?

Sounds like the factory pressure recommendations are too low...

Yes, I guess the recommended pressures could be out. It's still on the first set of fronts since I have had it. The rears wore out and were replaced a while ago but didn't suffer from the same problem.

I think I will take some photos and email Bridgestone customer services.

[andy-xr]

Same thing happened on my E60 5 Series, I had the local F1 Autocentre check it and the main dealer as well on alignment, came back fine both times with a 'guess thats just the way they wear'

Swapped them after another few k, some areas had 4-5mm left but others were down to around 2mm. They were Bridgestone's as well

[Richard Hardie]

I have a 535d with run flats fitted, both rear tyres had worn on the inside rear edges, (where you can't see it) this had virtually gone down to the canvas or whatever it is they have inside them now, when driving to Gatwick airport on the M4 just outside Reading the offside rear blew out, quite a bit later the low pressure warning came up on the dashboard! We had to drive to Reading and get a new pair fitted as both were worn, I doubt whether I would fit these again given the choice as a few of my friends who have BMW's have had the same thing happen. I certainly would not have made it on the tyre after it had blown out so the reason for having them is superfulous and a waste of money! They are rubbish and so is the early warning system fitted by BMW!!

[MattOz]

Had very similar experience. The "remedy" is to run them at maximum recommended pressure (42psi from memory) and that evens out the wear. Ride quality goes from poor to really poor mind you, expecially over rumble strips etc. Best bet is to get some no run flats and run them at max recommended pressure. At least the ride comfort is much improved.

[Ozzie Osmond]

MattOz said:

Had very similar experience. The "remedy" is to run them at maximum recommended pressure (42psi from memory) and that evens out the wear.

I adjust my tyre wear by adjusting the tyre pressures but I've never had to go anything like as high as the 42 lb you suggest. An adjustemt of 10% has always worked fine for me.

[kiethton]

The fronts on my 335i were changed last week, 5 mm across the majority of the tyre barring the inner edge where it had worn through the chords, very dangerously (should have changed them sooner really) now have falkens on and hope they wear ok!

[Ozzie Osmond]

kiethton said:

The fronts on my 335i were changed last week, 5 mm across the majority of the tyre barring the inner edge where it had worn through the chords, very dangerously (should have changed them sooner really) now have falkens on and hope they wear ok!

They will only wear better if you've had your tracking error corrected.

[Frances The Mute]

It's a combination of the power steering sensitivity and stiffer response from the runflats.

Its a common occurrence on BMW's which normally affects the 1er and 3er. You see it a lot on Range Rovers, too.