Certified CenterApprehensive About Run-Flats?
I know that many people are skeptical of run-flat tires, but my recent experience might be helpful to all users of these tires. We recently made a 500-mile trip to visit relatives in Knoxville in our 328i, which came equipped with Contenental run-flat tires. About 50 miles until our destination, we ran over a small object in the road, and the low-pressure icon flashed on the dash. We continued at highway speed, arriving at our destination without a problem.
The next day, Friday, I used the yellow pages to find a tire dealer to repair the tire. After calling most of the major dealers, I was convinced that no one would repair it. I then made another round of calls to find a replacement tire; every store I called informed me that they did not carry my tire type in stock, but they could order one and have it by the following Tuesday.
I then called the BMW dealership. The service representative told me that he did not have my tire size in stock, but they were expecting a tire delivery at four o' clock that day. He also noted that they would close at six and if I couldn't make it they were open for business until five on Saturday. I wasn't able to make it until four o' clock on Saturday and they installed my new tire and I was on my way home.
Here is the disturbing part of the story: Had the puncture occured 250 miles from Knoxville, in the mountains,we could have been stranded for five or six days waiting for a replacement tire. The only alternative I could think of would have been the purchase a conventional tire to get to a location that had the proper tire, which would have made for an even more expensive fix!
Sold On Those Run-Flats
We hear a lot of complaining about the run-flat tires. However, a recent accident has made me a believer in these tires.
On Columbus day, I was traveling on one of Knoxville's highways in stop-and-go rush hour traffic. Suddenly, and with a truly sickening grinding sound, an eighteen-wheeler sideswiped me from behind and to my left. I wasn't about to stop on the highway in rush-hour traffic-no shoulder at this point of the road-so I kept driving until the next exit, where I pulled off to look at the damage.
The front lug nuts on the truck ripped some nice gouges on my fender, but most important, ripped up several points on the sidewall of my tire, splitting it from the wheel rim and exposing the belts in several places. After the police work was done, I decided that I wasn't going to spend the rest of my evening waiting for a tow or whatever repair service would normally be done, so I decided to drive the car directly to my dealer, about 25 miles away. That's what the run-flats are for, right?
I drove the car there without noticing anything unusual in the driving or handling. I pulled right into the service bay-I had called ahead, so they were waiting for me-and drove out in a loaner.
If it weren't for the ability to drive away from the accident, I would have been disabled in a moving lane during stop-and-go rush-hour traffic-what a mess that would have been!-and spent hours on a Monday evening chasing around a tow and repairs.
These two stories represent how great BMW run flat tires are, and how in a dangerous situation they can be of great assistance. Here at Grayson BMW in Knoxville, Tennessee we have amazing BMW run flat tire inventory, along with other BMW parts.
If you have any questions, about run flat tires or BMW parts or services, please contact Grayson BMW Parts in Knoxville, Tennessee or visit us at 10671 Parkside Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37922.