Buying new rear tires - some questions

I have a 2011 128i convertable, manual transmission with less than 19k miles on it. Most miles are highway miles.

Dealer is telling me I must replace 1 tire to pass inspection (1/32 left) and the other rear tire is close. So I'm looking at over $850 for the pair before tax installed. These are Goodyear Eagle run flat tires NCT 5.

Seems like they should last more than 19k miles, so first question is whether I this is normal wear?

They also want to do an alignment after they install the new tires. This is another $190. Second question: is it worth doing this alignment?

Originally Posted by jesse@thr

I have a 2011 128i convertable, manual transmission with less than 19k miles on it. Most miles are highway miles.

Dealer is telling me I must replace 1 tire to pass inspection (1/32 left) and the other rear tire is close. So I'm looking at over $850 for the pair before tax installed. These are Goodyear Eagle run flat tires NCT 5.

Seems like they should last more than 19k miles, so first question is whether I this is normal wear?

They also want to do an alignment after they install the new tires. This is another $190. Second question: is it worth doing this alignment?

Wear on rear tires depends a lot on how you drove it......

I own a 135i convertible with M sport package and only got 12,000 miles from the rear Bridgestone RFT tires. 8/32 still left on the front tires.

totally depends on how you drive it. I have ~7k miles on my rears and they'll be up for replacement soon. usually you don't need alignment after changing the tires but you might need it just because you need it.
shop around, you might get it done for $120-130

Originally Posted by jesse@thr

I have a 2011 128i convertable, manual transmission with less than 19k miles on it. Most miles are highway miles.

Dealer is telling me I must replace 1 tire to pass inspection (1/32 left) and the other rear tire is close. So I'm looking at over $850 for the pair before tax installed. These are Goodyear Eagle run flat tires NCT 5.

Seems like they should last more than 19k miles, so first question is whether I this is normal wear?

They also want to do an alignment after they install the new tires. This is another $190. Second question: is it worth doing this alignment?

I faced that problem at 23k on my MT 128i cabrio - the front NCT5s were fine but the rears needed replacing. At the time, two rear tires would have cost $700, so I opted to replace all 4 with Conti DWS tires for $600 - both prices from a reputable local tire shop.

I think you can do better on tire pricing than a dealership. Have you checked out Tire Rack or a good local shop? Also, if you opt for non-RFTs, your dealer will most likely not sell them to you.

And if your tire wear is uneven, I'd opt for the alignment.

Tom

Originally Posted by jesse@thr

They also want to do an alignment after they install the new tires. This is another $190.

In my opinion $190 for an alignment is beyond unreasonably expensive. I just had my 2002 3.0i Z3 aligned at a local large reputable shop. Alignment was $80.00. There is simply no justification for using a dealer for new tires, balancing, alignment, etc. unless one just does not care about spending a lot more than necessary for questionable quality.

I am sure you will find the same tires are much much less expensive if you shop them elsewhere. Check tirerack.com. They will ship tires to local tire shops for balancing and installation and, including shipping are usually the least expensive source for tires. At worst, the total price is equal to what reputable local shops will do.

New tires yes, alignment yes, but neither from the dealer. There are too many great tire shops out there. The dealer is looking to make a buck, just one more set of hands that touch the tires and therefore need to make a profit.
New tires are just a cost of driving one of the best brands of cars out there. I look forward to it, it's like getting a new pair of shoes.

When using a non-dealer shop for performing alignments on BMWs, make sure that they understand the alignment specs relative to a car with the correct ballast. My experience is that North American alignment specialists are oblivious to the fact that many European cars require ballast on the seats and in the trunk for the stock alignment specs to be correct. Use of modified alkignment specs to allow for the fact that ballast is not being used is a valid if not optimal alternative.

Typically the front alignment spec on BMWs is not that sensitive to whether ballast is used or not, but the rear is very sensitive.

If ballast is not used on an E82, then the rear camber will be measured about 0.5 degrees too little and the toe will be measured as on the upper limit of toe-in when it is really in the middle of the spec range. It is also important to know for a specific model what BMW ballast spec is appropriate. The 4-door cars typically require 68kg on each front seat, 68kg in the middle of the rear seat and 21kg in the middle of the trunk with a full fuel tank. The 2-door cars typically require 68kg on each front seat and 14kg in the centre of the trunk and a full fuel tank.

My experience is that when I accidentally used the 4-door ballast weights for the E82 instead of the 2-door values, I ended up with rear toe-in that was at the maximum end of the spec, even though I measured it as right in the middle with the extra ballast in the car.

great. info here learning more each day.

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Get non run-flats. Not only will cost less, but ride will be better.

Originally Posted by HelenfromJersey

Get non run-flats. Not only will cost less, but ride will be better.

this is what ive read can you have this done even if your building one? or would. i have to buy them else where. and put on?

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Dealer will not want to sell you non run-flats. They believe in their run-flats, but many drivers don't. I'm swapping mine on the way home from dealer with a new 128i. And the Michelins will last way more than 19K miles. I'm getting Michelin Super Sports.

Originally Posted by HelenfromJersey

Dealer will not want to sell you non run-flats. They believe in their run-flats, but many drivers don't. I'm swapping mine on the way home from dealer with a new 128i. And the Michelins will last way more than 19K miles. I'm getting Michelin Super Sports.

cool ill remember. this thanks

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