What are the correct tyre specifications for my SUV?
QUESTION
Hello John,
I have a problem that you may be able to help with or at least, give me some advice on.
I have the current model BMW X3 and after only 28,000ks I was up for front tyres, it runs run flat Bridgestone 245x45xR20 103 W on the front. This is at the end of November 2020, because of shipping problems apparently these were not available in Australia, according to Bridgestone.
Kloster BMW in Newcastle claimed that they could acquire a pair so I ordered the tyres from the dealership. My mistake: I guess you should always go to a tyre place; I specifically asked before the tyres were fitted if they were 103 W 245x45x20, the bloke checked the invoice and said yes definitely.
Before driving away I checked the new tyres. Probably most people wouldn’t and to my amazement, they are in fact 99 Y. I asked why were the wrong ones ordered and installed and why the installer didn’t pick up on the different tyres. Who knows?
This now makes the tyres a lower speed rating and a lower load rating than BMW states for my vehicle. I informed the service guy that the tyres are illegal due to them being under BMW’s specifications.
After all the bullshit apologies, I was told to keep them on and we will reorder and install the correct ones at no further cost to me ($780). The fitting date was before early December and since then I have phoned the dealership twice and emailed, to try and find out what’s going on, with no reply.
My concerns are, what happens if I was to have an insurance claim. I’m guessing the insurance company could say the policy is void due to the incorrect tyre compliance, as we know that they find excuses not to pay. And what happens if I get a puncture, do I have to pony up another $390?
John, I would appreciate your input, sorry for the long-winded email.
Garry
My AutoExpert AFFORDABLE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
If you’re sick of paying through the neck for roadside assistance I’ve teamed up with 24/7 to offer AutoExpert readers nationwide roadside assistance from just $69 annually, plus there’s NO JOINING FEE
Full details here >>
ANSWER
Garry,
Seems like the dealership made an honest error.
Get their advice (regarding running the tyres until the replacements arrive) in writing, and send it to your insurer (duty of disclosure there). Wait for the insurer to come back to you.
As for the rating itself, 99 means maximum load not to exceed 775kg per tyre. 103 means 875kg. Take the car to a public weighbridge and weigh each end. Make sure that it’s under 1550kg. (Like, I can’t see it being over - X3s don’t weigh even 2000kg all up.)
So, you’re not overloading the tyres, and the speed rating is irrelevant (Y is 300km/h; W is 270km/h).
I understand the administrative concern, but this really is a storm in a teacup - there’s no way an insurer could prosecute an argument that the tyre spec contributed to a claim, because you are following the advice of an authorised BMW service centre, and also not overloading or overspeeding the tyres you are running. And it’s much safer than operating on worn-out tyres.
Hope this helps mate.
JC
LIVESTREAMS
Don't forget to join me for my 'Ask Me Anything' Q&A livestreams on YouTube (Sydney time).
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the bell icon to get an alert you every time I go live.
More reports
Are you shopping for a stylish, luxuriously equipped and grunty engine for city, suburban and regional driving? Need to take the family? Good news: Mazda has pumped up its brilliant small car. But it’s not perfect.