ATTN: 645 owners... Bridgestone Potenza RE050A issues, Check your tires.

[RE050]

I do not own a BMW, but I have noticed three 645's locally have the same tires stock that came on my truck.

There is a slice/crack forming across the treads.
Does anyone have the same problems on their cars?

You can see pics at this link if you scroll down:
http://customtacos.com/forum/showthread.php?p=676554&posted=1#post676554

[Matt H]

The X-Runner tire is different from the BMW spec tires and since you brought it up it there any sort of product recall from either Toyota or BS? Let me guess it is the right rear?

[RE050]

The Bimmers run the RE050A's though, correct. I did see three 645's with these tires so far. How could the specs be different for the same model tires?

We know of no recalls yet from either company, just a few complaints to the NHTSA.

Yes, the right rear, but I noticed a small, small crack on the front passenger side, but I am not sure yet if it is an actual crack forming after looking at my spare tire and how it was made, so it's really not even worth mentioning at this point.

[Daved]

I edited the URL for you to make it work ;)

[RE050]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[Daved]

No problem. You're doing good with posting this here.

Is Bridgestone replacing these tires for free or something?

[The HACK]

The Bimmers run the RE050A's though, correct. I did see three 645's with these tires so far. How could the specs be different for the same model tires?

6 series RE050As are run-flats. Run-flats have different specifications than none run-flats and the construction differs. Are those run-flats in the pictures you posted?

[RE050]

No problem. You're doing good with posting this here.

Is Bridgestone replacing these tires for free or something?

It seems to depend on the particular shops, and now they are telling guys to basically to go screw themselves.
Some are paying a pro rated tread life price and upgrading to the S03's
I would like to see these "suits" let their family members ride around on them.

Who makes a sport tire that can't go 3,000 miles w/o splitting and doesn't offer to help out.

[RE050]

6 series RE050As are run-flats. Run-flats have different specifications than none run-flats and the construction differs. Are those run-flats in the pictures you posted?

I see, I'll check into that.
I was under the impression that the RE050 was not a run flat while the RE050A is one.

"While the Potenza RE050 is used as Original Equipment on the supercharged Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG sedan, a Potenza RE050A Scuderia version is used on the 12-cylinder Enzo Ferrari supercar, and a Run Flat version is used on the BMW Z4 sports cars and 5-Series sedans. The Potenza RE050A was developed to provide good traction along with responsive and predictable dry and wet road handling. It is not intended to be driven in the snow. "

[Matt H]

The A is asymmetric. There are RE050A RFT and RE050 RFTs. Further every one of the OE tires is made to a different specification. I.e. the RE050A on the X-Runner is not the same tire as the RE050A on a BMW, for example. Each auto manufacturer has their own desires.

[Matt H]

Oh, and from your notes on the X-Runner site it is clear you are woefully undereducated on the topic of tires.

Since it is not worth my time to login there, the recall Toyota is performing right now has to do with their mounting of the tires, not the tire itself. Apparently some where damaged during the mounting process at the factory.

[Jim@tirerack]

The RE050 does have a number of different versions. They are all basically the same but they are tuned to meet a mfg's needs. Bridgestone is here today and I will aks if they have heard anything about the tires. The Truck tire by the way is not the same tire as the BMW tire by the way.

[Jim@tirerack]

Has anyone had any problems with the 6 Series? I have not heard of anything with the BMW tires. In fact the RE050A Pole Position, which is a new tire version has been tested as the best in the wet and comparable to the PS2 in the dry.

[RE050]

Oh, and from your notes on the X-Runner site it is clear you are woefully undereducated on the topic of tires.

Since it is not worth my time to login there, the recall Toyota is performing right now has to do with their mounting of the tires, not the tire itself. Apparently some where damaged during the mounting process at the factory.

That is because since I bought a 2006 model I didn't care much until I had the cracks myself, as I thought they would have had the issue solved by then. I have a few other priorities in life that I need to know about.
I was just trying to find out if the 645's had the same issues since the tires look exactly the same as mine.
There is also the TPMS which came on the '06 and not the '05 models.
We all have to start the learning process somewhere. No harm, no foul.

[RE050]

The RE050 does have a number of different versions. They are all basically the same but they are tuned to meet a mfg's needs. Bridgestone is here today and I will aks if they have heard anything about the tires. The Truck tire by the way is not the same tire as the BMW tire by the way.

Thank you for clearing that up.
I'm curious to know what they say.

[Jim@tirerack]

I just have not heard of any problems on the tires for any of the BMW's.