small bubble on the tire

choiffer · 04-07-2008, 11:25 PM

I was checking out my wheels today and noticed that there is a slight bubble in the rear right tire. It's really small and you can barely tell its a bubble. Can I drive with this or would I have to replace a tire? I have already replaced 2 dunlop wintersports and this is getting ridiculous. The reason why I still have my Winter tires on are because I am at School in Pittsburgh and my Runflats are at home. Do you guys think it would be ok to drive 300 miles home with a small bubble on the tire ? I was hoping nothing like this happened before the delivery of my M3 coupe. sucks

Ray · 04-08-2008, 01:26 AM

The bubble is on the sidewall I assume?

Replacement is highly recommended, because the bubble can/will increase in size. As conditions worsen, the strength of that area is compromised and will become detrimental upon impact of a road hazard.

If you want to milk the tires for the next 300 miles, you should take it slow and monitor the bubble about every 50-100 miles.

BMW///Motorsport · 04-08-2008, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

The bubble is on the sidewall I assume?

Replacement is highly recommended, because the bubble can/will increase in size. As conditions worsen, the strength of that area is compromised and will become detrimental upon impact of a road hazard.

If you want to milk the tires for the next 300 miles, you should take it slow and monitor the bubble about every 50-100 miles.

+1
I had this same problem, its not that urgent, my large round bubbled sidewall has lasted 500 miles and will do about 500 more before it can get changed by BMW... My SA didnt want to cover it b/c its no a defective tire but a pothole, BS my other dealer realized how new the tire was and that it must have malfunctioned, and that a replacement was in order no charge (or possibly pro-rate the tire) Either way they said that it needs to be changed soon but dont worry too much and think its going to explode and shred apart.

attorneyscott · 04-08-2008, 10:09 AM

Your tire's done, man. Get a new one. Not worth taking chances - if you can afford a 335i and a new M3, you can spring for a tire. I wouldn't drive 300 miles with a bubble in my tire.

Tip - Discount Tire will sell Road Hazard protection for ANY set of tires, whether or not the tires were purchased there. First thing I did after I picked up my 335i was stop in and buy the protection for all 4 tires for about 200 bucks. If I have a bubble, flat, or any other tire issue the requires replacement, the new tire costs less than 50 dollars (the cost of buying the protection for the replacement tire, which itself is free. AND, they don't pro-rate).

E90330iS · 04-08-2008, 11:15 AM

Are bubbles really that bad??

Nikos335i · 04-08-2008, 01:12 PM

General rule of thumb is that it should be replaced. Get it checked by a tire place and they will be able to determine if you can wait a little or not, depending on the size, location of the bubble, etc.

Hope this helps. BTW I ahve matching bubbles on my front ones!!!

Ray · 04-08-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90330iS

Are bubbles really that bad??

Ehh, it's a precautionary measure.

I wouldn't use a condom with a bubble on it

Crimson92 · 04-08-2008, 03:50 PM

id be safe and get a new tire

martieg · 04-08-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by attorneyscott

if you can afford a 335i and a new M3, you can spring for a tire.

That's a classic right there.

BYAW · 04-09-2008, 01:51 AM

bubbles are not a good sign. replace the tire immediately and don't risk driving on it. i had a bubble once and though i could get by with driving for a couple days till my new tires arrived from tirerack and the tire ended up blowing out while on the freeway. very scary and luckily i was able to pull over.

MrSteak · 04-09-2008, 02:06 AM

The bubble could blow any day, or you can ride it out for a year and never have a problem... but the tire certainly won't pass inspection. Best bet is to have it fixed so you can drive hard without worrying about it.

*Also, I'd seriously raise the psi in your tires. Lots of bubbles happen b/c of poorly inflated tires.

Nikos335i · 04-09-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSteak

The bubble could blow any day, or you can ride it out for a year and never have a problem... but the tire certainly won't pass inspection. Best bet is to have it fixed so you can drive hard without worrying about it.

*Also, I'd seriously raise the psi in your tires. Lots of bubbles happen b/c of poorly inflated tires.

Or really bad potholes!!!

Tallest · 04-09-2008, 10:50 AM

replace.

choiffer · 04-11-2008, 03:59 PM

Well my problem is that, I have Dunlop Wintersport 3D's on (which I've replaced 2 times already, not buying them again). Anyway, so Dunlop stopped production for the Winterspot 3D's since the winter is over so I cant just buy a single tire. My runflats are at my parents garage which is about 300 miles away in. What should I do ?

Grizzles · 07-13-2008, 12:01 AM

i still drive with 3 bubble tires. sucks but i cant change tires every 10k mi.
if a run-flat blows out can i still drive at 50mph?

jli801 · 07-13-2008, 06:50 AM

got a bubble or a dollar coin size bubble on the sidewall on my front driver stock RFT back in Jan 08.

have been driving it till today, adding 3000-4000+ miles to it with no problems. its said to be covered under warranty till 8000 miles because of these easy to get bubbles from potholes, at least in CA.

too lazy to bring it in and will probably report it when i bring it in for service in Aug. dont know if its ok to replace one tire at 7500 miles.

04-07-2008, 11:25 PM	#1
choiffer First Lieutenant 19 Rep 375 Posts Drives: 08 E92 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philadelphia, Pa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335i Coupe [0.00] 2006 G35 Coupe [0.00]	small bubble on the tire I was checking out my wheels today and noticed that there is a slight bubble in the rear right tire. It's really small and you can barely tell its a bubble. Can I drive with this or would I have to replace a tire? I have already replaced 2 dunlop wintersports and this is getting ridiculous. The reason why I still have my Winter tires on are because I am at School in Pittsburgh and my Runflats are at home. Do you guys think it would be ok to drive 300 miles home with a small bubble on the tire ? I was hoping nothing like this happened before the delivery of my M3 coupe. sucks __________________ 2008 335i Coupe Alpine White/Black Dakota
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-08-2008, 01:26 AM	#2
Ray Member 313 Rep 22,825 Posts Drives: three series Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: sfCA iTrader: (0)	The bubble is on the sidewall I assume? Replacement is highly recommended, because the bubble can/will increase in size. As conditions worsen, the strength of that area is compromised and will become detrimental upon impact of a road hazard. If you want to milk the tires for the next 300 miles, you should take it slow and monitor the bubble about every 50-100 miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-08-2008, 10:09 AM	#4
attorneyscott Smokin' a Siglo VI... 21 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i, Dinan Stage 3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (3)	Your tire's done, man. Get a new one. Not worth taking chances - if you can afford a 335i and a new M3, you can spring for a tire. I wouldn't drive 300 miles with a bubble in my tire. Tip - Discount Tire will sell Road Hazard protection for ANY set of tires, whether or not the tires were purchased there. First thing I did after I picked up my 335i was stop in and buy the protection for all 4 tires for about 200 bucks. If I have a bubble, flat, or any other tire issue the requires replacement, the new tire costs less than 50 dollars (the cost of buying the protection for the replacement tire, which itself is free. AND, they don't pro-rate). __________________ '08 E92 335i black sapphire/saddle, 6MT, sport/prem., CA, PDC, Sirius, Ipod/usb, HDR, Htd. Sts., Dinan Stage 3 flash/oil cooler/intercooler/exhaust/Stage 3 susp., MORR VS7's, Goodyear Eagle F-1 GS-D3s, BMW Perf. Parts STSK, Dinan/Quaife 3.08 LSD!! '06 Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged; Zambezi Silver/Ivory/Piano Black Wood, SICK NASTY In Car Entertainment - seriously, will make your brain bleed
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-08-2008, 11:15 AM	#5
E90330iS Major General 148 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Are bubbles really that bad?? __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-08-2008, 01:12 PM	#6
Nikos335i Brigadier General 95 Rep 3,822 Posts Drives: 2012 B8 S4 & 2013 F30 328xi Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada iTrader: (13) Garage List 2012 Audi S4 [9.00] 2007 E90 335i [9.00] 2011 Audi A4 Avant [10.00]	General rule of thumb is that it should be replaced. Get it checked by a tire place and they will be able to determine if you can wait a little or not, depending on the size, location of the bubble, etc. Hope this helps. BTW I ahve matching bubbles on my front ones!!! __________________ *'12 B8 S4 Ice Silver on Black/Premium/DSG/Sport Diff/Nav/Carbon Inlays/19' Titanium Wheels/RS4 Grill/AWE exhaust/Alu Kreuz/H&R OE/Pagid RS19* '13 F30 328xi Sapphire Black/Coral Red/Sportline/gloss black with matte red/Style 397 18" wheels gone: '07 E90 335i, Alpine White/Black with aluminum/sport/ steptronic/paddles/premium/Logic7 gone: '06 E61 530xi Sapphire Black/Black with aluminum/premium/panoramic sunroof/Logic7/PDC
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2008, 01:51 AM	#10
BYAW Enlisted Member 0 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 330ci, soon to drive 335i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	bubbles are not a good sign. replace the tire immediately and don't risk driving on it. i had a bubble once and though i could get by with driving for a couple days till my new tires arrived from tirerack and the tire ended up blowing out while on the freeway. very scary and luckily i was able to pull over.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2008, 02:06 AM	#11
MrSteak Captain 84 Rep 634 Posts Drives: 08' 335i Coupe (6-speed) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	The bubble could blow any day, or you can ride it out for a year and never have a problem... but the tire certainly won't pass inspection. Best bet is to have it fixed so you can drive hard without worrying about it. Also, I'd seriously raise the psi in your tires. Lots of bubbles happen b/c of poorly inflated tires. __________________ ED & PCD* = DONE & DONE! 08' AW/Coral 335i coupe 6-speed (Premium Pkg, Sports Pkg, Heated Seats) *European Delivery
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-09-2008, 10:50 AM	#13
Tallest Major General 1541 Rep 6,405 Posts Drives: 911 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 911 [10.00]	replace. __________________ 997.2 F30.F11.E86.E90.E90.E36
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-11-2008, 03:59 PM	#14
choiffer First Lieutenant 19 Rep 375 Posts Drives: 08 E92 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philadelphia, Pa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335i Coupe [0.00] 2006 G35 Coupe [0.00]	Well my problem is that, I have Dunlop Wintersport 3D's on (which I've replaced 2 times already, not buying them again). Anyway, so Dunlop stopped production for the Winterspot 3D's since the winter is over so I cant just buy a single tire. My runflats are at my parents garage which is about 300 miles away in. What should I do ? __________________ 2008 335i Coupe Alpine White/Black Dakota
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-13-2008, 12:01 AM	#15
Grizzles Lieutenant 35 Rep 428 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 M Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NNJ iTrader: (0)	i still drive with 3 bubble tires. sucks but i cant change tires every 10k mi. if a run-flat blows out can i still drive at 50mph?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-13-2008, 06:50 AM	#16
jli801 Nice and Slow... 2 Rep 213 Posts Drives: 07335 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: DC, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	got a bubble or a dollar coin size bubble on the sidewall on my front driver stock RFT back in Jan 08. have been driving it till today, adding 3000-4000+ miles to it with no problems. its said to be covered under warranty till 8000 miles because of these easy to get bubbles from potholes, at least in CA. too lazy to bring it in and will probably report it when i bring it in for service in Aug. dont know if its ok to replace one tire at 7500 miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote