2003 330 Cic

[MyHarley]

Hello all, have enjoyed the website since I purchased my exactly one month ago. Now I have a major problem......4000 miles in one month and I have castastrophic tire failure.....18 inch wheels (smaller in front, bigger in back)....dealer checking for alignment of car (two rods underneath)....anybody else have this problem........I'm dissapointed, my first BMW and already a problem......thanks

 

[codex57]

err, what exactly is the problem? If it's a blowout, coulda happen to any car. Not BMWs fault. Not sure why you mentioned the staggered setup unless you think that's the cause cuz some e46s do come in staggered sizes (smaller in front, bigger in back). I think the 18 inch combo is staggered.

 

[MyHarley]

No, there was no blow out. The vibration of the car caused me to take the car to the dealership. Something about the car has caused all four tires to be pushed outwards.

 

[Kirby]

Did you buy the car new or used? If you bought it a month ago, it was either used, or a new leftover, because they started making 2004 330cic in late March.

If it's used, I'm wondering about some sort of suspension damage or mods by the PO (Previous Owner). Are you saying that ALL 4 tires are shot? What brand are they? Are they the original tires? If they are replacements, are they the right size?

 

[MyHarley]

The car was new with only 218 miles when I purchased a month ago. The tires are original (Dunlop, I have the premium package and the sports package). I guess I bought a leftover......yes all four tires are trashed.

 

[epj3]

The car was new with only 218 miles when I purchased a month ago. The tires are original (Dunlop, I have the premium package and the sports package). I guess I bought a leftover......yes all four tires are trashed.

Was it certified preowned?

 

[MyHarley]

The car is or was brand spanking new when I purchased a month ago...........no previous owner, no certified pre-owned vehicle. I put the 4000 miles on it in one month, took a road trip and enjoyed.

 

[metallus13]

Run a Carfax check. Could've been a demo and wrecked. whatever you do, raise hell at the dealer so you get everything fixed right the first time.

 

[MyHarley]

Ok, since I'm a newbie, what is a Carfax Check?? On the original bill of sale, there are three boxes; i.e. new, used and demo.......the "new" box is checked.

Phase 2: I looked up Carfax Check.........I see one problem........the bill of sale states "new." If the dealer wrecked the car, then fixed the car at its own dealership, where would a record show up......

Phase 3: I purchased a Carfax Check and the car has no reported problems, previous owners, previous wrecks, etc. I also registered the car for a guarantee offered by Carfax.

 

[Kirby]

Wow! I have no idea as to what could be going on. Sounds like you bought a new car that had been demo driven, no big deal there, unless someone hammered it and the dealer fixed it. I guess they can do that and not report it?

 

[MyHarley]

The dealership must disclose if a vehicle has been salvaged, damaged or rebuilt to the consumer. It is the law in Texas. I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for the problem, which we will all find out sometime this week. I was just hoping until then that someone else has experienced the same problem. I have complete faith and trust in this dealership. They have been in business well over 25 years.

 

[MrElussive]

It's not a big deal if a customer hammered it in the break-in period. It is way too hard to break-in an engine incorrectly these days, and that would have nothing to do with the tires being trashed after 4K miles. You said you have 18" rims and tires, but there was no option for the 2003 3-series models for 18" rims and tires. Are they aftermarket wheels? If so, maybe you were supposed to use special lugnuts for those wheels and you just used the stock ones? A case like that would definitely warrant the tires/wheels being trashed after 4K miles as it is an extreme hazard to try to use the stock lugnuts if the wheels require special ones.

 

[MyHarley]

The 18" wheels came with the car when purchased from dealership. I have the sports package and the premium package, so it must of been in one of those packages or the dealer added them. Being female, the only thing I changed was getting BMW floormats, windows tinted, vehicle tracking device and had it detailed the first week. Oh yeah, the dealership added a rubber seal between the chrome and convertible top to cut down on inside noise.

 

[MyHarley]

OFFICIAL ASSESSMENT

The dealership has stated that strictly the tires have failed. The car passed the line test and no damage has been done to the vehicle. They also feel that the car is safe to drive and only that the tires are showing uneven wearing which is causing the vibration. They also state that it will take two to three weeks for the new tires to come in from the manufacturer (Dunlop). When the tires come in, they will retest the wheels at that time to make sure they are rounded with the new tires.

My question to them was; since the back tires are bigger than the front tires, how does a manufacturer have a bad batch of two different size tires and get all four tires from two different bad batches get put on the same car. A big coincidence!!

The BMWUSA.com website also lists the 18" wheels as a option for the comment earlier that stated they were not an option on the 2003 models.

18.8.0 Front 225/40R-18 Front
18.8.5 Rear 255/35R-18 Rear
Double Spoke Composite Styling 71 Alloy Wheels

Thanks all for the help..............

 

[MrElussive]

MyHarley, don't worry about it, your BMW will be fine. BMW's don't follow the rules of tire rotation (you don't rotate the tires) as the front and rear tires are of different sizes...many performance vehicles are like this. When you get your new tires, everything should be fine. The 18" wheels and tires must have been a dealer-installed option, because I promise you, the 2003 and earlier E46 3-series models did not have an "option" for 18" rims and tires. Only for 2004 did they introduce the 18" wheel and tire package. Your rims and tires were installed after-market by your BMW dealer...it's no reason for the tires to be worn out after 4,000 miles but just something you should know. Your new tires should resolve the vibration problem...if the tires are worn down after another 4,000 miles then you know you have a serious problem on your hands. Otherwise, the early tire wear could have been due to low tire pressure, lugnuts not being securely fastened, or any other minor (yet important) variable.

 

[MyHarley]

Your funny Mr.Ellussive............go to BMWUSA.com, click on 2003 330CI Convertible Model, go to Standards and Options.........and you will see my wheels and tires listed as an option.

 

[kenzopvfl]

The 2003 330 CIC had an 18" wheel option from the factory. You had to order the Sport Package and pay an additional $900. The wheels were M style, larger in rear than front.

I know this because I ordered them on my 2003 330CIC.

I also have Dunlop tires and they handle great but are loud.

 

[MyHarley]

Thank you for the validation. Yes, I have the sport package and the premium package and the 18" wheels are listed on my sticker sheet from the factory.

To further the discussion, my dealership is feeling that the car was tied down improperly in transport and caused the car to be out of alignment when delivered to them and then on to me. I don't really notice the loudness of the tires as much as my whole car shaking to the groove due to improper thread wear. I'll be so glad when the new tires are delivered, the car is realigned, the wheels are checked again for any bends, and you don't have to use both hands when braking to keep the car on the road...............its wearing me out..........

 

[MrElussive]

Sorry, MyHarley, but I'm right. The 2003 3-series Coupes and Convertibles only had the 18" wheels available as an ACCESSORY, never as an OPTION that you can just click on. If you go to bmwusa.com now, it is for 2004 3-series Coupes and Convertibles. The 2004 models now have available 18" wheel OPTION. Never argue with me when I KNOW I'm right.

 

[MyHarley]

You're still funny Mr. Elussive.........[fake]