Is it the roads or is it me?

Tennberg · 02-24-2009, 02:31 AM

So, about 3 weeks ago, I hit a rather nasty-sounding and nasty-feeling pothole where Route 60 and 2 intersect. I did a visual inspection at the time of the right front and rear wheels and tires and didn't notice anything. However, I took it to BMW Peabody to get it checked out anyway.

As it turns out, I bent the interior facing side of both wheels, with a greater bend on the front wheel. The front wheel has a roughly 2" edge that is bent a fair amount while the rear wheel has a similar 2" edge but is barely noticeably bent. They said the car was safe to drive but that I would probably notice some vibrations. When I wanted to get the wheels straightened (by Rim Pro through BMW Peabody), I would just need to give them a few days' notice.

So, the past week or so (although I did notice a bit of a difference within a few days of hitting the pothole), I've been noticing a somewhat bumpier ride in the car. It feels like it's pulling to the right while driving, and it just doesn't feel like it did when I first got it. I actually have an appointment on Thursday to get the right front wheel straightened and the tire balanced (they said I could do them one at a time, and since money is tight right now, I'm choosing to do that).

Now, my question is, I know the roads around here are complete shit these days, so could most of what I'm feeling just be bad roads? Just how much could a slightly bent wheel and (probably) unbalanced tire affect the steering, the ride, vibrations, etc? (I'm just considering the front wheel, since the back wheel is barely bent.)

*Sorry for the noobish question. I'm as far from a car guy as you can get.*

I also asked them about an alignment, which would run $160 for my car. I'm probably going to see how much the ride improves once both wheels are straightened to see if the alignment needs to be adjusted. Is there a way a place could do an initial alignment check for free to see if it really needs to be adjusted?

Arustik1 · 02-24-2009, 11:13 AM

Well pulling to the right or left could be due to a slightly inclined road. Bumpy ride could be due to poor pavement too, or just a shitty quality, even a run-flat tire

.

In the end, you own a BMW and your ride isn't going to be as smooth as a Lexus lets say. But if you want to get my personal experience then head over to the cars and coffee meet on the 15th and take me for a ride or whatever.

We can figure it out there.

Good luck,
Dave

Arustik1 · 02-24-2009, 11:14 AM

Sorry if I didn't answer all your questions or concerns, I skimmed your post.

TheLegacy · 02-24-2009, 02:41 PM

The words are total shit. I commute into Boston everyday through local roads from Milton and its like a warzone

twocanyan · 02-24-2009, 02:51 PM

[QUOTE= I actually have an appointment on Thursday to get the right front wheel straightened and the tire balanced (they said I could do them one at a time, and since money is tight right now, I'm choosing to do that).
[/QUOTE]

Shouldn't this be under your warranty? Sorry.. I am new.. but I thought everything is covered under the BMW Maintenance program.

Kev · 02-24-2009, 03:43 PM

Warranty does not cover road hazard. Just like warranty does not cover collision. You will have to purchase additional wheels and tires insurance.

twocanyan · 02-24-2009, 04:07 PM

Thanks Kev. Sorry for being a Newb

Tennberg · 02-25-2009, 12:36 AM

Yeah, I didn't purchase tire/wheel insurance when I got the lease. Sort of kicking myself now for not doing so, but oh well.

I'm hoping a lot of it has to do with the bent wheel and (most likely) unbalanced tire, the front bend being much worse than the back. I'll know by Friday afternoon if it's any better. I'm dropping the car off Thursday morning. I'll ask them about how the car's been driving to see if this is mostly the cause.

riceqx2 · 02-25-2009, 05:19 PM

How you could have a bent rim without having bubbles in your tire sidewalls is beyond me...
Usually you go over a bad pothole and ruin your tires, and hope the rim isn't bent.

If you have bent rims you're tires are probably damaged (bubbles in the sidewall) to the point that they will have to be replaced. Hate to sound alarmist, but, wait till you see what replacing RFTs cost.

How good is BMW of Peabody?
They told you the rims are bent , but the tires are fine?
I bet they call you and tell you the tires need to be replaced.
They'll probably fix your bent rims as a courtesy, but tell you that that the tires need to be replaced.
...and they will too, because no tire will survive a pothole collision that causes a bent rim.

ska///235i · 02-25-2009, 08:18 PM

pickup a use set of rims/tires here at the sales section if the $$ damage $$ is too much

this is why I have 2 sets of wheel ...1 for winter and 1 for summer
use the shitty one (or the set thats already beat up) during winter

Tennberg · 02-26-2009, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riceqx2

How you could have a bent rim without having bubbles in your tire sidewalls is beyond me...
Usually you go over a bad pothole and ruin your tires, and hope the rim isn't bent.

If you have bent rims you're tires are probably damaged (bubbles in the sidewall) to the point that they will have to be replaced. Hate to sound alarmist, but, wait till you see what replacing RFTs cost.

How good is BMW of Peabody?
They told you the rims are bent , but the tires are fine?
I bet they call you and tell you the tires need to be replaced.
They'll probably fix your bent rims as a courtesy, but tell you that that the tires need to be replaced.
...and they will too, because no tire will survive a pothole collision that causes a bent rim.

When I brought the car in initially a couple days after hitting the pothole, they had both the right front and right rear tires and wheels inspected. They even brought me into the repair center to show me the damage (both my rep and the technician were present).

I was shown the damage done to the inner facing side of both wheels, and was told that there was no damage done to either tire. I was given the option of either replacing both wheels (at a cost of like $400-500 per wheel) or having both wheels straightened (at a cost of $135 per wheel). I chose to have them straightened, and am taking the car in on Thursday to have the right front wheel fixed (since it's the one that's worse off).

I hit a pothole with my previous BMW and cracked the wheel. It had to be towed to BMW Peabody and they wouldn't let me leave without having it replaced. Since they told me it was safe to drive the car until I chose the day to have the wheels straightened, I would assume there was nothing else wrong with the wheels or tires.

I've never had their service department try to swindle me or tell me something was OK one day to only have them tell me I need to pay $$$ the next day. They've been very professional and up-front every time I've used them since 2006.

riceqx2 · 02-26-2009, 05:11 AM

Well, I'm surprised.
I had a bubble in my sidewall and they said they'd replace it as a courtesy, then called me about the rim being bent. It cost me 150 to have it repaired thyrough the dealer.
I'm happy for you that the tires are good and that your dealer is good too. When I get the car back, I'd make sure you have the correct air pressures and hopefully the car will drive fine.

Tennberg · 02-26-2009, 03:59 PM

Thanks.

I dropped the car off this morning and should have it back by late Friday afternoon. I was also really close to getting a 5er as a loaner. My SA forgot to enter my appointment, which didn't reserve a car for me. They only had a 5er, which they were going to give to some large guy who was stuck with a 3er loaner for a few weeks and needed something bigger.

Luckily, they found a 3er coupe (328i) somewhere on the lot, so that's what I have now. I can certainly tell the difference in power between it and my 335i.

I would assume they'd check the tire pressure on all the tires since one of them is being rebalanced, but I'll double-check.

Tennberg · 02-27-2009, 05:21 PM

So, total cost: $170. That covered the wheel dismounting, sending the wheel to Rim Pro and having them straighten the bend, remounting the wheel, and balancing the tire. They also checked the pressure in all the tires. They didn't find any bubbles anywhere, so I definitely lucked out there.

Car drives *much* better. A lot less vibrating, car handles corners better, and just seems nearly back to normal. I just need to get the right rear wheel fixed at some point and have that tire rebalanced.

riceqx2 · 02-28-2009, 05:54 AM

Good for U.
Sounds like BMW of Peabody took good care of U.
Now, watch out for those damn potholes- this is pothole season...

ToadHollow · 02-28-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennberg

Yeah, I didn't purchase tire/wheel insurance when I got the lease. Sort of kicking myself now for not doing so, but oh well.

I'm hoping a lot of it has to do with the bent wheel and (most likely) unbalanced tire, the front bend being much worse than the back. I'll know by Friday afternoon if it's any better. I'm dropping the car off Thursday morning. I'll ask them about how the car's been driving to see if this is mostly the cause.

Tire and wheel insurance still wouldn't have helped you regarding the damages incurred. The tire/wheel insurance covers tire/wheel replacement ONLY if damage sustained results in a tire being unable to sustain a constant air pressure. If the rim is bent but the tire holds air ........ you're on your own for cost. Been there/done that ......... I actually fought with the dealer as well as the 3rd party insurance company.

LuisBoston · 03-03-2009, 12:05 PM

That's not good to read... I am going in on Friday to have them inspect for my newly thumping-at-high-speeds ride. I have the tire/wheel warranty (which they threw in when I bought my car last March).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToadHollow

Tire and wheel insurance still wouldn't have helped you regarding the damages incurred. The tire/wheel insurance covers tire/wheel replacement ONLY if damage sustained results in a tire being unable to sustain a constant air pressure. If the rim is bent but the tire holds air ........ you're on your own for cost. Been there/done that ......... I actually fought with the dealer as well as the 3rd party insurance company.

sneaks · 03-05-2009, 12:54 AM

Has anyone here experienced any suspension damage after sustaining sidewall and/or minor rim damage?
The reason I ask is I recently nailed a tire killer and am wondering if I need to have any inspection done on the car itself. The car tracks straight for up to a mile (alignment is good) but there is minor vibration after replacing and rebalancing all 4 tires. Could it simply be a bad balancing job?

ToadHollow · 03-05-2009, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lem144

That's not good to read... I am going in on Friday to have them inspect for my newly thumping-at-high-speeds ride. I have the tire/wheel warranty (which they threw in when I bought my car last March).

A reeeaaalllllllyyyy slooooooooooooooow leak justifies tire/wheel replacement too. Doesn't help in your case but still ......

ToadHollow · 03-05-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneaks

Has anyone here experienced any suspension damage after sustaining sidewall and/or minor rim damage?
The reason I ask is I recently nailed a tire killer and am wondering if I need to have any inspection done on the car itself. The car tracks straight for up to a mile (alignment is good) but there is minor vibration after replacing and rebalancing all 4 tires. Could it simply be a bad balancing job?

What I was told by the guys performing the body & suspension repairs to my car is this ..........

BMW are built to "absorb" an impact which is why they are so easily damaged, especially with regard to suspension and a seemingly minor collision. Parts are built to "break away" rather than to hold up to the stress of a collision. Minor frontal suspension damage will "usually" call for the replacement of the steering rack ........ I was surprised by this. I was shown where BMW requires this to be replaced if a driver's side impact occurs resulting in (I think) tie rods snapping. Also, the fact that BMW only allows for 5mm difference from bumper to bumper leaves no room for slightly or otherwise damaged parts to remain on the car. BMW requires parts to be replaced in accordance with other parts that were subjected to high stress collisions whether the part in question shows damage or not.

I would say your damage could be the result of anything from a wheel out of balance (I would check this first ..... at a DIFFERENT shop) to tire damage/wheel bent to ............ then again I don't know how much of an impact you sustained.

- GL

02-24-2009, 02:31 AM	#1
Tennberg Private First Class 20 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i w/ xDrive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i xDrive Sedan [0.00]	Is it the roads or is it me? So, about 3 weeks ago, I hit a rather nasty-sounding and nasty-feeling pothole where Route 60 and 2 intersect. I did a visual inspection at the time of the right front and rear wheels and tires and didn't notice anything. However, I took it to BMW Peabody to get it checked out anyway. As it turns out, I bent the interior facing side of both wheels, with a greater bend on the front wheel. The front wheel has a roughly 2" edge that is bent a fair amount while the rear wheel has a similar 2" edge but is barely noticeably bent. They said the car was safe to drive but that I would probably notice some vibrations. When I wanted to get the wheels straightened (by Rim Pro through BMW Peabody), I would just need to give them a few days' notice. So, the past week or so (although I did notice a bit of a difference within a few days of hitting the pothole), I've been noticing a somewhat bumpier ride in the car. It feels like it's pulling to the right while driving, and it just doesn't feel like it did when I first got it. I actually have an appointment on Thursday to get the right front wheel straightened and the tire balanced (they said I could do them one at a time, and since money is tight right now, I'm choosing to do that). Now, my question is, I know the roads around here are complete shit these days, so could most of what I'm feeling just be bad roads? Just how much could a slightly bent wheel and (probably) unbalanced tire affect the steering, the ride, vibrations, etc? (I'm just considering the front wheel, since the back wheel is barely bent.) Sorry for the noobish question. I'm as far from a car guy as you can get. I also asked them about an alignment, which would run $160 for my car. I'm probably going to see how much the ride improves once both wheels are straightened to see if the alignment needs to be adjusted. Is there a way a place could do an initial alignment check for free to see if it really needs to be adjusted?
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02-24-2009, 11:13 AM	#2
Arustik1 HYEPWR 103 Rep 2,868 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Well pulling to the right or left could be due to a slightly inclined road. Bumpy ride could be due to poor pavement too, or just a shitty quality, even a run-flat tire . In the end, you own a BMW and your ride isn't going to be as smooth as a Lexus lets say. But if you want to get my personal experience then head over to the cars and coffee meet on the 15th and take me for a ride or whatever. We can figure it out there. Good luck, Dave __________________ 2002 330ci Titanium Silver / Gray 2005 X5 3.0i Black Sapphire Metallic / Black 2002 M3 Laguna Seca Blue / Black 2001 M5 Jet Black / Black
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02-24-2009, 11:14 AM	#3
Arustik1 HYEPWR 103 Rep 2,868 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Sorry if I didn't answer all your questions or concerns, I skimmed your post. __________________ 2002 330ci Titanium Silver / Gray 2005 X5 3.0i Black Sapphire Metallic / Black 2002 M3 Laguna Seca Blue / Black 2001 M5 Jet Black / Black
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02-24-2009, 02:41 PM	#4
TheLegacy Gangsta status 79 Rep 973 Posts Drives: 2002 E39 M5, heavily modded Join Date: May 2007 Location: Shibuya Tokyo, Rockland NY, Killeen TX iTrader: (0)	The words are total shit. I commute into Boston everyday through local roads from Milton and its like a warzone __________________ -TheLegacy JDM-EDM-TT-V8-GANGSTA ALL THE WAY Modded "Ready for the Apocalypse"
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02-24-2009, 02:51 PM	#5
twocanyan Private 11 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i Xdrive Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, MA iTrader: (0)	[QUOTE= I actually have an appointment on Thursday to get the right front wheel straightened and the tire balanced (they said I could do them one at a time, and since money is tight right now, I'm choosing to do that). [/QUOTE] Shouldn't this be under your warranty? Sorry.. I am new.. but I thought everything is covered under the BMW Maintenance program.
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02-24-2009, 03:43 PM	#6
Kev Critical Care Anesthesiologist 499 Rep 8,824 Posts Drives: SMB F83 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (24) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 Ca ... [9.50]	Warranty does not cover road hazard. Just like warranty does not cover collision. You will have to purchase additional wheels and tires insurance. __________________ kev { divinum est sedate dolorem } "your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
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02-24-2009, 04:07 PM	#7
twocanyan Private 11 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i Xdrive Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, MA iTrader: (0)	Thanks Kev. Sorry for being a Newb
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02-25-2009, 12:36 AM	#8
Tennberg Private First Class 20 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i w/ xDrive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i xDrive Sedan [0.00]	Yeah, I didn't purchase tire/wheel insurance when I got the lease. Sort of kicking myself now for not doing so, but oh well. I'm hoping a lot of it has to do with the bent wheel and (most likely) unbalanced tire, the front bend being much worse than the back. I'll know by Friday afternoon if it's any better. I'm dropping the car off Thursday morning. I'll ask them about how the car's been driving to see if this is mostly the cause.
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02-25-2009, 05:19 PM	#9
riceqx2 Private 1 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 335XIC... Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	How you could have a bent rim without having bubbles in your tire sidewalls is beyond me... Usually you go over a bad pothole and ruin your tires, and hope the rim isn't bent. If you have bent rims you're tires are probably damaged (bubbles in the sidewall) to the point that they will have to be replaced. Hate to sound alarmist, but, wait till you see what replacing RFTs cost. How good is BMW of Peabody? They told you the rims are bent , but the tires are fine? I bet they call you and tell you the tires need to be replaced. They'll probably fix your bent rims as a courtesy, but tell you that that the tires need to be replaced. ...and they will too, because no tire will survive a pothole collision that causes a bent rim.
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02-25-2009, 08:18 PM	#10
ska///235i ***** noob 1460 Rep 10,477 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	pickup a use set of rims/tires here at the sales section if the $$ damage $$ is too much this is why I have 2 sets of wheel ...1 for winter and 1 for summer use the shitty one (or the set thats already beat up) during winter
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02-26-2009, 05:11 AM	#12
riceqx2 Private 1 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 335XIC... Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Well, I'm surprised. I had a bubble in my sidewall and they said they'd replace it as a courtesy, then called me about the rim being bent. It cost me 150 to have it repaired thyrough the dealer. I'm happy for you that the tires are good and that your dealer is good too. When I get the car back, I'd make sure you have the correct air pressures and hopefully the car will drive fine.
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02-26-2009, 03:59 PM	#13
Tennberg Private First Class 20 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i w/ xDrive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i xDrive Sedan [0.00]	Thanks. I dropped the car off this morning and should have it back by late Friday afternoon. I was also really close to getting a 5er as a loaner. My SA forgot to enter my appointment, which didn't reserve a car for me. They only had a 5er, which they were going to give to some large guy who was stuck with a 3er loaner for a few weeks and needed something bigger. Luckily, they found a 3er coupe (328i) somewhere on the lot, so that's what I have now. I can certainly tell the difference in power between it and my 335i. I would assume they'd check the tire pressure on all the tires since one of them is being rebalanced, but I'll double-check.
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02-27-2009, 05:21 PM	#14
Tennberg Private First Class 20 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i w/ xDrive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i xDrive Sedan [0.00]	So, total cost: $170. That covered the wheel dismounting, sending the wheel to Rim Pro and having them straighten the bend, remounting the wheel, and balancing the tire. They also checked the pressure in all the tires. They didn't find any bubbles anywhere, so I definitely lucked out there. Car drives much better. A lot less vibrating, car handles corners better, and just seems nearly back to normal. I just need to get the right rear wheel fixed at some point and have that tire rebalanced.
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02-28-2009, 05:54 AM	#15
riceqx2 Private 1 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 335XIC... Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Good for U. Sounds like BMW of Peabody took good care of U. Now, watch out for those damn potholes- this is pothole season...
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03-05-2009, 12:54 AM	#18
sneaks Lieutenant 17 Rep 431 Posts Drives: '08 335xi Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: 24 Sussex iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	Has anyone here experienced any suspension damage after sustaining sidewall and/or minor rim damage? The reason I ask is I recently nailed a tire killer and am wondering if I need to have any inspection done on the car itself. The car tracks straight for up to a mile (alignment is good) but there is minor vibration after replacing and rebalancing all 4 tires. Could it simply be a bad balancing job?
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