About one year since I bought my car (and putting over 10,000 miles on it), I started hearing this strange vibrating noise in the cabin.  At first I thought it was just me, until one of my officemates pointed out (while riding the car) that strange noise…citing that it could be a problem with the alignment or even something serious.

This morning I brought the car for service and explained what the problem was.  About an hour later, I got a call from the service agent that the tires were the problem.  Apparently, the stock Bridgestone run-flat tires have a “problem” which prompted BMW to issue a “service bulletin” on January of this year.

BMW is offering replacement for all tires for free (parts and labor) IF you car has under 10,000 miles.   My car is about 13,000 miles so going by that service bulletin, I need to pay for 50% of the parts.

This sucked on so many levels.  First of all, it’s obviously a defect on the tires, but they’re not calling it a “recall” so that they won’t be forced to replace the tires for free under any circumstance.

Second, they issued the service bulletin on the beginning of the year when my car’s mileage is well under 10K; In my mind they should have notified all BMW owners with that set of tires to have it replaced.

Third, I bought extended warranty for my tires, and even with that I was denied for a warranty repair…because technically my tires weren’t damaged.  WTF?

The service agent had a smart response for every argument that I presented.

And, lastly, didn’t I buy “The Ultimate Driving Machine?”  I bought a BMW so I don’t need to deal with this crap.

I called BMW North America main office (1-800-831-1117) to complain about this.  The guy on the other end told me that he will convince my service center to shoulder all expenses, but he won’t guarantee any favorable results.  I just left it at that for the moment.

Hopefully, I will get good news later today. I was given the shaft by both Princeton BMW and BMW of North America.  *Sigh* Time to send out another mail to yet another CEO.

Update 10.11: This discussion I have just read just got me worried.  I’m starting to think that replacing the tires will not get rid of the problem altogether.

Update 10.24: I have my tires replaced with Continental Run-flats and so far I have no problems.  I am still pissed at BMW.  It’s been two weeks since I sent out my letter and I have not received any response from either Germany or US office.  I guess my letter was placed on the “we’re-so-cocky-we-couldn’t-bring-ourselves-to-care” bin.  More updates later.

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Popularity: 15% [?]

I was watching “Jerry Maguire” last weekend and it reminded me how Cuba Gooding, Jr. won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor that year.  Compare that with the barrage of stinkers that he’s involved with in the recent years, one would wonder how his career is thriving.

Of course, he can continue to sell out and ruin his career by doing movies that are almost considered a WMD, or decide to follow a few pointers from an idiot who name wouldn’t be involved with the silver screen even if he tries:

• Just stop for a second and look at your trainwreck of a repertoire in IMDB.  I mean–Jesus H. Christ–what were you smoking when you signed up for “Daddy Day Camp” after doing “Boat Trip?”  Quit doing “sloppy seconds” sequels.
• Fire your agent.  See #1.  Anyone who even thought about giving you those options should be burned alive.
• STOP DOING COMEDIES FOR A WHILE.  Wikipedia states that you vowed not to do another comedy again.  Since then you did the stab-my-eyes-with-a-fork “Norbit” and “Daddy Day Camp.”
• Take guest starring role in any of CSI’s or Law and Orders and play, like, a psychotic character or something.  It worked for Matthew Modine and that Cynthia Nixon.
• Stalk Cameron Crowe to the point of getting a restraining order and ask him to put you in one of his movies again.

Popularity: 12% [?]