Repeated tire failures

obrockmeier · 07-09-2009, 05:04 PM

I have a 2004 325ix wagon with Goodyear eagle rs-a tires (205/55r16). The car was purchased, certified used from a dealer less than two years ago.

I have now had two more or less identical tire failures in less than 2000 miles. The last tire that failed had less than 2000 miles on it, and the previous tire had less than 9k easy miles on it. Both tires were in great shape.

On my right, rear wheel. The sidewall split/crack on the inside of the tire, right above the lip of the rim. The split occurred at two separate locations opposite from each other. Each split is approximately 10 inches long. The tire has virtually no wear and is in otherwise in very good condition.

The car has had a history of mild vibration, starting at 35mph, and has had a 4 wheel alignment at the dealer, w/o resolving the issue.

Now that I am driving around on a donut, the vibration in the car seems to have been reduced, but its not gone.

Anyone have any idea whats going on? did the dealer screw up the alignment? bent rim generating heat in tire? is this normal?

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink
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http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Orient330iNYC · 07-09-2009, 05:12 PM

a) you're in the wrong place, this is an E9x forum. the 2004 3 series wagon was an E46. not an E91. very unlikely you'll have anyone with the same issue here, as the E9x uses different tires, runflats. the eagle RSA was never specc'ed on an E9x.

try the E46 forum on bimmerfest

b) looks like the tires were stored in a poor location, possibly near an electrical motor, or something else that generates ozone. the cracks are the rubber deteriorating. those tires look much older than 2000 miles. those tires look like they're in very poor shape, environmental damage.

rambalu80 · 07-09-2009, 05:23 PM

Wrong forum!

Sunstealer · 07-09-2009, 08:15 PM

Looks like a very old tire to me too. My truck has some that look like that and they are many years old.

drift90 · 07-09-2009, 08:20 PM

old tires.. crack down some abuse to driving
new tires =)

jopa489 · 07-09-2009, 08:49 PM

Welcome to BimmerPost, fellow Bostonian.

Certainly not normal. Considering you've had the alignment checked, I think you would see a huge improvement in just about everything with some new quality tires. Ride quality, noise, and handing would very likely all improve with a tire upgrade at all four corners. While you're getting the new tires mounted and balanced, have them notify you of any bent rims (just in case).

You have tons of choices at that size for tires. My advice would be to read around some E46-specific forums and TireRack reviews to find something that will work for you. Original equipment on your car was the Michelin Energy MXV4 (all season). Make sure you choose a tire that will suit your location. Being from MA, I'm assuming you'll want all seasons (unless you already have a dedicated set of snows, then you could go more performance if you want).

And as others have said, this forum is geared towards the E9x cars (MY 2006+).

07-09-2009, 05:04 PM	#1
obrockmeier Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2004 325ix Wagon Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Repeated tire failures I have a 2004 325ix wagon with Goodyear eagle rs-a tires (205/55r16). The car was purchased, certified used from a dealer less than two years ago. I have now had two more or less identical tire failures in less than 2000 miles. The last tire that failed had less than 2000 miles on it, and the previous tire had less than 9k easy miles on it. Both tires were in great shape. On my right, rear wheel. The sidewall split/crack on the inside of the tire, right above the lip of the rim. The split occurred at two separate locations opposite from each other. Each split is approximately 10 inches long. The tire has virtually no wear and is in otherwise in very good condition. The car has had a history of mild vibration, starting at 35mph, and has had a 4 wheel alignment at the dealer, w/o resolving the issue. Now that I am driving around on a donut, the vibration in the car seems to have been reduced, but its not gone. Anyone have any idea whats going on? did the dealer screw up the alignment? bent rim generating heat in tire? is this normal? http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink
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07-09-2009, 05:12 PM	#2
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1469 Rep 3,552 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	a) you're in the wrong place, this is an E9x forum. the 2004 3 series wagon was an E46. not an E91. very unlikely you'll have anyone with the same issue here, as the E9x uses different tires, runflats. the eagle RSA was never specc'ed on an E9x. try the E46 forum on bimmerfest b) looks like the tires were stored in a poor location, possibly near an electrical motor, or something else that generates ozone. the cracks are the rubber deteriorating. those tires look much older than 2000 miles. those tires look like they're in very poor shape, environmental damage. __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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07-09-2009, 05:23 PM	#3
rambalu80 Major 78 Rep 1,240 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 340i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Katy TX iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Wrong forum!
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07-09-2009, 08:15 PM	#4
Sunstealer Private 3 Rep 59 Posts Drives: '11 S4 / 09 G37 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Looks like a very old tire to me too. My truck has some that look like that and they are many years old. __________________ 2011 S4 / Red / Black / Titanium / DSG 2009 G37 Coupe / Athens Blue / Stone / Auto / Sport /Premium 1966 Mustang GT Fastback / Candyapple Red / Black / 289 / 5-Speed
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07-09-2009, 08:20 PM	#5
drift90 1st gear newbie 31 Rep 130 Posts Drives: Its rather sexy Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brampton iTrader: (0)	old tires.. crack down some abuse to driving new tires =)
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07-09-2009, 08:49 PM	#6
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Welcome to BimmerPost, fellow Bostonian. Certainly not normal. Considering you've had the alignment checked, I think you would see a huge improvement in just about everything with some new quality tires. Ride quality, noise, and handing would very likely all improve with a tire upgrade at all four corners. While you're getting the new tires mounted and balanced, have them notify you of any bent rims (just in case). You have tons of choices at that size for tires. My advice would be to read around some E46-specific forums and TireRack reviews to find something that will work for you. Original equipment on your car was the Michelin Energy MXV4 (all season). Make sure you choose a tire that will suit your location. Being from MA, I'm assuming you'll want all seasons (unless you already have a dedicated set of snows, then you could go more performance if you want). And as others have said, this forum is geared towards the E9x cars (MY 2006+). __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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