[BrettKA7]

I got a CPO M240i about 2 weeks ago. It appeared to be nearly perfect except for one thing - a peeling front bumper with existing rock chips, which means the first owner had the bumper painted prior to lease return. It's been back at BMW for a week as they are taking care of it at no cost. The rest of the body is confirmed original factory paint and the car is overall unbelievably clean inside and out considering the mileage.

My tires are at 5.5mm all around so I was looking into replacing them around 4mm since they are cheap Sumitomos. I noticed from my photos that the rear tires are 255/35R18 instead of the specified 245/35R18. Based off the tread wear, they must have been installed by the previous owner.

This dealership has really been fantastic in every way so far, so I'd hate to bother about this but if I don't do it before I pick the car back up, I'm not driving another 100 mile round trip to this dealership to have tires rectified later. I'm due to pick the car up tomorrow from the front bumper respray.

Is this a big enough deal that you would bring it up? I attached a couple photos showing there is no notable tire bulge on any photos I've taken so far due to the extra 0.4" width and 0.2" diameter. I didn't notice any unpleasant handling characteristics from my car compared to the 230i M Sport loaner I'm driving. Unfortunately no other closeups are available at this time.

[John in VA]

245/35-R18 tires are 0.28 inches (7 mm) smaller in diameter than 255/35-R18 tires and the speedometer difference is 1.1%
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...5r18-255-35r18

The question to the dealer might be why the CPO process allowed the "wrong" sized tired to pass inspection.

[TonM3]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

I got a CPO M240i about 2 weeks ago. It appeared to be nearly perfect except for one thing - a peeling front bumper with existing rock chips, which means the first owner had the bumper painted prior to lease return. It's been back at BMW for a week as they are taking care of it at no cost. The rest of the body is confirmed original factory paint and the car is overall unbelievably clean inside and out considering the mileage.

My tires are at 5.5mm all around so I was looking into replacing them around 4mm since they are cheap Sumitomos. I noticed from my photos that the rear tires are 255/35R18 instead of the specified 245/35R18. Based off the tread wear, they must have been installed by the previous owner.

This dealership has really been fantastic in every way so far, so I'd hate to bother about this but if I don't do it before I pick the car back up, I'm not driving another 100 mile round trip to this dealership to have tires rectified later. I'm due to pick the car up tomorrow from the front bumper respray.

Is this a big enough deal that you would bring it up? I attached a couple photos showing there is no notable tire bulge on any photos I've taken so far due to the extra 0.4" width and 0.2" diameter. I didn't notice any unpleasant handling characteristics from my car compared to the 230i M Sport loaner I'm driving. Unfortunately no other closeups are available at this time.

CPO cars are not supposed to have mods. They absolutely should change the tires to the OEM size.

[BostonM235xi]

Zero issue driving with 255 rear, your speed will be off by 1% or so but no affect on the car.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

I noticed from my photos that the rear tires are 255/35R18 instead of the specified 245/35R18.

Below are the specs for the 245/35-18 Michelin PSS tire that originally came on the car and for the Sumitomo tire. You'll notice that the minimum wheel width for the 255 tire is 8.5". Your wheel is 8" wide. The dealer should put 245 tires on the car for you. Note also that if they put Michelin PSS tires on the car, you'll gain a significant 0.8" in tread width over the Sumitomo tire.

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Below are the specs for the tire that originally came on the car and for the Sumitomo tire. You'll notice that the minimum wheel width for the 255 tire is 8.5". Your wheel is 8" wide. The dealer should put 245 tires on the car for you.

This is awesome!! Thank you! I just sent screenshots, links, and info to my service advisor. Hopefully they won't fight me on this. They've been great so far. It definitely helps seeing official specs from the tire manufacturer.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

Hopefully they won't fight me on this.

I don't think they can. They sold you a car with tires that aren't supposed to be mounted on wheels that narrow. Their inspection process will certainly have raised this issue; I suspect they simply chose to ignore it, hoping you wouldn't notice.

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I don't think they can. They sold you a car with tires that aren't supposed to be mounted on wheels that narrow. Their inspection process will certainly have raised this issue; I suspect they simply chose to ignore it, hoping you wouldn't notice.

The inspection paperwork I had states "255/35R18" and "OEM" is checked "no" so it was definitely glossed over.

[Maynard]

Between them missing this, and the rather gnarly look of that inside wheel, I would be wondering what else they may have neglected to check (I've heard that some places don't do much of a/t for CPO to cut costs). Might want to have a local indie shop give it a quick go-over. And explore w/dealership whether they would be willing to consider options other than replacing with A/S's (give you a refund to buy what you want, put on summer performance tires if you pay the diff, etc). In the end, you are going to want to do wheels/tires anyway...

[BrettKA7]

As an update, the BMW dealership is doing the right thing and replacing both rear tires at no cost. They didn't even fight me on it at all. I'm grateful for my Service Advisor because she has been such a consumer advocate for me this whole time! I wish this dealership was closer to me because despite a couple funky things the first owner did that they are fixing for me, they have been awesome getting everything taken care of.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

As an update, the BMW dealership is doing the right thing and replacing both rear tires at no cost.

Congratulations, and well done for you!

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Between them missing this, and the rather gnarly look of that inside wheel, I would be wondering what else they may have neglected to check (I've heard that some places don't do much of a/t for CPO to cut costs). Might want to have a local indie shop give it a quick go-over. And explore w/dealership whether they would be willing to consider options other than replacing with A/S's (give you a refund to buy what you want, put on summer performance tires if you pay the diff, etc). In the end, you are going to want to do wheels/tires anyway...

I definitely get the concern, but most of what you see there is brake dust with fingerprints all over. Here’s a photo of the same wheel cleaned up.