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[Echo M3]

So, coming home today, about a mile from my house, I hit a pothole pretty hard (I was not speeding), and immediately thought, "Oh shit." When I got home, I inspected and saw that my front left tire had a massive bubble. There's also a 'rubbing' sound (for lack of a better description) coming from the steering wheel/column when I turn the wheel. No idea if this is related to the tire bubble, my imagination, or something worse.

Question for all of you:

1.) Can I drive the 10 or so miles to my dealer on a bubbled tire?
2.) Any idea what the rubbing sound from the steering column could be?


Thanks folks...incredibly tired after getting back from the hospital and now, incredibly angry too. Especially since I just changed all 4 tires 1k miles ago.

[jeff@autocouture]

U can drive on it, it'll just vibrate probably, not to big of a deal, try and get it replaced since you just got it

[montreal red]

not too sure what the rubbing could be... maybe alignment is off ? or you could have bent something. best way is probably to drive it to the dealer. u should be ok driving the 10 miles to the dealer.

[BostonRocket]

Did the rim bend? If it bent enough on the backside, you could be rubbing the brake caliper as it rotates. It happened to me in the past.

[edcvin]

NYC roads are unbelievable right now. I mean they are normally not good but this is ridiculous. There are craters almost everywhere, its almost impossible not to hit them.


-Vin

[Gkap]

you will be safe to drive on the tire to whatever shop
your going to have replace it. Just do it asap.

[PKL]

I had a bubble in my tire once, drove on it for around 150 miles, no problem. Got it replaced for free because the tire was only something like 5 weeks old.

[Raz335]

+1000000 on NYC roads. Right now, they're about as bad as I've ever seen them. I just don't understand how NYC (one of the biggest cities in the world) can't afford to make decent roads. I don't know if it's a lack of funds or a lack of caring (probably a bit of both). Things are done half assed around here. It really gets me steamed.

Either way, I'll be buying a beater SUV as a daily until they patch (because you know they won't repave) the roads.

[Chowster]

Do you have road hazard warranty?

[IFX]

ahh, one of the many reasons I could never live there again.

[Echo M3]

Thanks for the advice up till now.

I don't have wheel and tire warranty. I will be buying the road hazard package from now on - it's worth the price at this rate!

Anyway, I took the car in, and everything 'seems' ok. Tire was replaced, SA said that the wheel did not appear to be bent and the suspension is fine.

Now the downside - while driving back, there was a fair bit more vibration than before. It's not so noticeable below 30-40 mph, but when I get up to 60 mph (or beyond), the vibration through the steering wheel is quite a bit.

I don't know what to do at this point, since the SA thinks the car is fine, but clearly it is not (unless new tires are supposed to 'wear' this way). Could a slightly bent wheel result in noticeable vibration?

[persian54]

why not use bmw assist?

[BMWBoss]

You should be good to drive on it.

[edcvin]

Have someone else drive it. I know after I hit a bad pothole, I con myself into thinking I'm hearing and feeling all kinds of things that aren't really happening. Good luck.


-Vin

[PKL]

Originally Posted by pman10

Could a slightly bent wheel result in noticeable vibration?

Of course it could, and that is most likely your issue.

Re: NYC - I also HATE it here.

Been here 4 years, and I can't wait to leave. I leave Tuesday June 7th.

Any particular reason you can't leave?

If you can afford an M3 you probably have a decent career and have the ability to relocate.

NYC is no way to live a life. Expensive, crowded, dirty, I don't even want to keep typing.

NYC BLOWS!!!

[Raptor251]

NYC is nuts, I could never imagine driving anything around other than a total beater with big tires!

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by vinnycg

Have someone else drive it. I know after I hit a bad pothole, I con myself into thinking I'm hearing and feeling all kinds of things that aren't really happening. Good luck.


-Vin

This is good advice, and something I was considering. I'll have someone do a 'ride along' to make sure.

[PKL]

its your rim bro and its slightly bent, no question. a stupid mechanic cant tell if the rim is "PERFECT" just by looking at it, he was talking out of his ass. guarantee you its the rim

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by PKL

its your rim bro and its slightly bent, no question. a stupid mechanic cant tell if the rim is "PERFECT" just by looking at it, he was talking out of his ass. guarantee you its the rim

I think you're right. Will go for a test drive once the weather is better, but I know something is wrong - I've never felt vibration of this sort on any car.

You're leaving for Cali, bro? Where to? I did the exact opposite move, haha - born and raised in socal, went to undergrad + grad school on the east coast. I can't leave NYC (due to work), nor do I want to - despite all the freaking potholes, I love this place. I like crowded, busy cities more than quiet, suburban towns. Pretty sure I will live here forever, problems and all. During the summer fall and spring, New York is incredible. But winters suck...a lot.

Good luck with the move!