Dunlop stock tires completely worn out at 9100 miles! Is this normal? The dealer thinks so. I'm ticked off and I want to know what I can do to get some relief here. IMO they should prorate the tires and at least give me discount on the tires! Help!

My have 9120 mile on my 2006 JCW mini which I purchased new at Crevier Mini in OC. I ourchased it about a year ago and I don't drive much. About 5000 miles of driving, I noticed that the stock Donlop20S/45R17 84V that came with the are were earing fast. I figured I drive until my scheduled oil change and rotate the tires. So few days ago, I drop my car off for oil change and tire rotation. Crevier Mini asked for $150 for tire rotation and balancing. I thought it was a lot but hell, I don't have a half a day to take it else where. So I told them to do it. Then I get a call from Service tech named Aldo, he says tht my wires are so worn and that threads are showing. To replace it it will cost me $750 plus $1.50 for tire rotation. I told them this is not possible and I will go see it myself before they do anything. I go there and they showed me threads worn out on the inside of the tire. Threads were really showing! I could not believe it. Honestly, I have never hit a curve to knock out the alignment. My 17" Stock web spoke wheels don't evenhave a scratch. Also The car drives perfectly straight so I did not question the alignment. In short, service tech says that I should have rotated the tires sooner and they do not cover wear on tires. I told them I think the wheel alighnmetn was off when I bought the car and that's why it wore out like this when I only dorve it 9100 miles. I'm Kinda pissed at the dealer and I would like to get some helpful ideas how to tactfuly talk to the dealer.

 

Hi spin001,
I've got the factory-installed Dunlop 18" (205/40R18) on my 18" JCW wheels / 2006 MCS. After 4000 miles, my front tires where basically worn close to the wear bars (maybe 1 mm left). Thinking it was the alignment (as I had the steering stops installed with the 18" wheels), I called my dealer and they said they have records that they did an alignment after putting the wheels on. Looking at the tire wear, the dealer said that its even across both tires, so it didn't seem to be an alignment issue. Basically, after getting second-opinions, all who looked at it thought that 1) the alignment was not the cause, 2) the Dunlops are very soft tires and do wear quickly, and 3) my driving habits must have caused excessive wear. To be honest, I do drive a little aggressively, but don't smoke the tires (except for the occasional accidental chirp), and don't do any track/auto-x. Still, 4000 miles for a pair of tires seems really really short... especially when they cost $300+ a pop...

As my tires weren't worn to the extent of yours, I have them rotated now to the back, with my old rears (which look almost new) on the front. Hopefully I can get a couple thousand more miles out of them... but needless to say, I won't be buying Dunlops again (which means no more runflats, as they are the only one making 18" ones in my size).

Good luck, but you may be SOL...

 

Sorry but I doubt the dealer will do anything for you.

If you are going to stick with runflats try the Perelli's (if you want performance RF's). Mine lasted 17K miles & still had plenty of tread left when I took them off. I didn't rotate til 12K miles & the fronts were a bit worn but the rears looked practically new At 17K the 2 that spent most of their time on the rear still look practically new so I really feel that if I had rotated earlier they would have lasted a pretty long while.

 

I have an entire set (4) of Bridgestone RF's in my garage (currently on wheels) - maybe 2000 miles on them or less - they are not a lot of use for me - I gave up the runflats a long time ago.

PM me if you need them I would like to sell them, but have not made any attempts to do so, as I keep them as 'spares'......