What's pi$$ed me off today.........!!

We didn't realise we knew anyone with a posh car like that. In fact Gareth did wave, he just didn't know who he was waving at, no wonder he makes friends easily.

However, after learning the car is an Aldi, perhaps it's not so posh after all

 

Actually, Leila, that was a pickup line. He was going on to say, "Why don't we ride through Life together?" but his brain sort of scrambled the thought. So it sounded crass. You should pity us blokes: we are so overcome by lust/love/beauty (delete as appropriate) our mouths can't keep up. He's probably telling his mates at the pub right now about that gorgeous woman who turned him down today!

It's a good job we love you and practise saying so in front of the mirror so we get it right!

 

Car tyres

My car is only four month old so to pick up a puncture today was a bit gutting as there is masses of tread with only 5000 miles covered.

Now comes the kick!!

I have a BMW five series. Now BMW for some absurd reason choose to furnish their cars with run flat tyres. This is my first BMW out of the 13 I have owned to have them. I purposely chose to have the 18" wheels for not only ride comfort due to the stiffer sidewall but also tyre cost so when I rung up three local dealers for a replacement tyre I damn near passed out.

I am used to paying out a lot for tyres as my previous four cars included two M3s and an M5, the V10 monster so imagine my horror when the first dealer said that they could get a tyre in stock in three days, that in itself was crap but then they wanted to relieve me of £370. That isn't for a pair but for one bloody 245/45/18 front tyre!!!!!!!!!

So, on to the next dealer. They again didn't have a tyre in stock and actually couldn't get one. Now this is a tyre put on by BMW at the factory, it is a Pirelli so should be easy to get but noooooooooooooo. Arden BMW in Maidstone wanted to make me wait 15 days to get one from the factory. I asked if I should submit two weeks leave to my boss as that was utterly ridiculous. He didn't give me a price but I guess he would want to shaft me on that as well.

So on to the last dealership, the one that supplied my car. Again, they couldn't get a Pirelli tyre. Maybe they are made of unicorn horn with a sprinking of fairy dust as they seem to be very very rare!!!! So their solution was to offer me a Continental tyre. My f@@@@@@ car is four months old and they think it is acceptable to offer me a mismatched tyre for a car they actually supplied brand new to me. They wanted £320 for that privilege!!

So, I done the only sensible thing and rung the local tyre shop who used to sort out my M3s and M5. They are getting one of these elusive tyres tomorrow morning. The tyre dealer was almost apologetic when he stated that he would have to relive me of £245.

I am gutted that this is so damn expensive. My M5s tyres were cheaper and that was a genuine 200+mph car with huge 19" tyres rated to silly speeds, not a 2.0 derv.

So, after 13 years this will possibly be my last BMW unless I go for another M5 next time (M cars don't use s@@@@y run flat tyres) as I am disgusted with the way today has unfolded and the inherent costs of having a car with these RFT tyres.

Just realised what a rant this has been but boy am I p@@@@d off

 

I had two BMWs fitted with these, after 3 punctures said never again. Car rubber generally seems to have shot up in the last few years.

 

I am a poor sap who has just bought (last week) a BMW with run flat tyres, and have just bought some winter tyres for it
now broke!

 

Car is only four months old so I would not want aftermarket wheels on it. Also, as much as it pains me to say it but I would not want regular tyres on it.

Reason being is that to combat the very stiff sidewall (three times stiffer than a regular tyre) the suspension is softened to make the ride acceptable. I have heard that running a regular tyre compromises the handling. This could be eliminated if the car had electronic damping control. I had that on my M5 and it was utterly fabulous, something I would spec every single time if available on any car.

I think I am going to go back to an M5 or maybe an M3 again next time. I know BMWs and their drivers do come in for criticism but I buy the car for the way it drives.

I have driven pretty much every make of car and BMW build a very good drivers car, this is my thirteenth now in as many years, but it is the stupid RFTs that they persist with. It would be nice to be given the option when ordering a BMW of either standard tyres with a spacesaver or RFTs.

Anyway, see what made me smile for a resolution!!

 

There are so many better cars than BMW's now on the road

 

There are, but, I like RWD. I have a big dislike of FWD cars and have no desire to own a 4WD configuration. Lexus bore more, Audi have fabulous interiors but the drive does not excite me, Mercs the same. I like the new passant cc but again, FWD.

The BMW chassis concept is so well developed now. Each time I change I consider other makes, try other makes but always gravitate back to the BMW as it gives me what I want. Just hate these silly RFT's.

Also, I think the latest five series is the best Car I have sat in. Lovely interior, well thought out.

Ah well, that's me speech over with.

 

having a load of cash nicked out of my van today

 

That is bloody terrible. My mate had his van broken in to recently and it is just scum that do this. Any CCTV around?

 

no it was on the drive of a job
only 1 person was seen on site today and the relevant manager and authorities have been informed

 

That's sheer crap Gary, the tossers need stringing up mate!

Paul, I have an Audi and they want £250 plus vat per tyre, I get them through our tyre guy a t work for around £170 and he comes to me! Main dealers are rip off!

 

With regard to run flat tyres, have a word with Black Hornet. He has them on all his bikes

 

Totally mate. I had a tyre lined up at a local garage for £250. Love dealership mark ups. I have an agreement with my dealer, I supply all consumables for servicing as I get discount from a BMW dealer in the Cotswolds of all places (free P&P).