[minimotion]

Told by my dealer that I needed all four 16" Run Flats and alloy rims replaced due to a problem with the tyre moving on the rim.

I have done 24,000 miles in my Cooper, the problem first came to light when I coulde hear an intermittent rubbing sound coming from the front axle/ front Disk or Pad area. Only audible at very low speed with the stereo switched off!

My rear tyres had 7mm left on them and the fronts had 4mm left (they come with 8mm), because the fronts had that amount of wear on them, my dealer wanted me to pay for the 2 front tyres. I found this unacceptable, eventually we agreed that I would pay for just one fron tyre (£100ish). My dealer was very civilised about it and dealt with the matter politely and promptly, I was happy to pay for one tyre, on the one hand, as the fronts were 3 quarters through their life. And at the end of the day I've now got 4 new tyres and four new alloys (I'd kerbed 2 of them!) for around £100. But, it has to be said that Warranty work, is Warranty work and BMW should put the problem right free of charge. Comments??

[GordonD]

Can you explain a little more on how you knew the tires were moving on the rim?

I also hear rubbing at slow speed as well as the ocassional squeak but never in my wildest dreams would I associate this with the tires moving. Unless the rim was slighly undersized I have only ever heard of this with very low pressure and/or very high torque i.e. drag racers

[minimotion]

Hi Gordon,
I didn't know the tyres was moving on the rim.

When I took my car to the dealer and reported the noise, the engineer who took the car out with me to check it , told me that they have had a problem with 16" run flats on a few cars already and there was a chance that this was the same problem. I have to say also, that the rubbing sound had stopped after about a week and was not doing it when the engineer and I took the car out. My car was then taken into the workshop and one of the front wheels was taken off and checked. (I believe they took the tyre off also). After about an hour the Service Manager informed me that their fears were confirmed and that I needed 4 new alloys and tyres. If you are hearing an intermittant rubbing or squeaking from the front wheel area, I advise you to get it checked out. I'm no expert on these matters Gordon, but it can't hurt and you might get new wheels and tyres!
Please be aware though that the tyre isn't spinning in the rim, it's a problem with the hidden, inner edge of the tyre against the rim.

[GordonD]

Seems like my problem - if I have one - is not likely to be tire related (based on what you are telling me) as I hear the noises on both my 17" summer and 15" winter wheels.

I hadn't really thought about my own situation when i jumped into this thread but it is an unusual problem and kind of intrigued me.

[shenmue]

Hi Minimotion,

Wondering if you can tell me whether or not MINI charged you for the replacements. I think I'm encounter the same issue and I just recently took my car in not too long ago for a few other issues. Was it free under the warrenty?
BTW were you dealing with a US Mini dealer?

Thanks

Shenmue

Quote:

Originally posted by minimotion
Hi Gordon,
I didn't know the tyres was moving on the rim.

When I took my car to the dealer and reported the noise, the engineer who took the car out with me to check it , told me that they have had a problem with 16" run flats on a few cars already and there was a chance that this was the same problem. I have to say also, that the rubbing sound had stopped after about a week and was not doing it when the engineer and I took the car out. My car was then taken into the workshop and one of the front wheels was taken off and checked. (I believe they took the tyre off also). After about an hour the Service Manager informed me that their fears were confirmed and that I needed 4 new alloys and tyres. If you are hearing an intermittant rubbing or squeaking from the front wheel area, I advise you to get it checked out. I'm no expert on these matters Gordon, but it can't hurt and you might get new wheels and tyres!
Please be aware though that the tyre isn't spinning in the rim, it's a problem with the hidden, inner edge of the tyre against the rim.

[minimotion]

Hi Shenmue,

If you read the start of this thread, I explain what payment/warranty payment was agreed on, it's too long winded for me to type again!!!
And no, I'm not dealing with a US Mini dealer, I'm from the UK. You would have to check the small print of your BMW warranty in the US to see how your dealer would deal with the same situation as it might differ from a European one.
If you are experiencing the same problem, I would advise you to get it looked at ASAP. I was told by my dealer that this problem was not dangerous immediately, in fact I had to wait a week for them to be able to look at it, but obviously any faults or problems with wheels and/or tyres, you would want to have sorted quickly.

[GTT 280]

Quote:

Originally posted by minimotion
Hi Gordon,
I didn't know the tyres was moving on the rim.

When I took my car to the dealer and reported the noise, the engineer who took the car out with me to check it , told me that they have had a problem with 16" run flats on a few cars already and there was a chance that this was the same problem. I have to say also, that the rubbing sound had stopped after about a week and was not doing it when the engineer and I took the car out. My car was then taken into the workshop and one of the front wheels was taken off and checked. (I believe they took the tyre off also). After about an hour the Service Manager informed me that their fears were confirmed and that I needed 4 new alloys and tyres. If you are hearing an intermittant rubbing or squeaking from the front wheel area, I advise you to get it checked out. I'm no expert on these matters Gordon, but it can't hurt and you might get new wheels and tyres!
Please be aware though that the tyre isn't spinning in the rim, it's a problem with the hidden, inner edge of the tyre against the rim.

but it turned out to be the clutch...
It has been replaced - the noise has gone.

[mad mini adventurer]

I had this problem at 21000 miles, simalar wear too.I
told my dealer,they said it was the brake discs then i read this thread and i told them it was the wheel/tyre.they then admitted already knowing about this fault on other cars but werent prepared to do anything untill goodyear had seen the tyres.
Goodyear then cut up some tyres and said the tyre wall composition was failing!!!BUT THAT IT WAS NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT!!!
REMEMBER FORD V FIRESTONE ANYONE?
I sold the car on 22nd April 2003 ill let someone else die in it thanks.