S-Type R Tire Sidewall Bubbles

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Hey Now! - 08 Mar 2004 23:21 GMT

Hi,

Have an 03 S-Type R and have noticed 2 prominent bubbles or bulges in
sidewall of the left rear tire, exactly opposite of each other. The
car only has 3000 miles on the clock. Called the dealer and was told
this is road damage, is quite common and not covered under any
warranty. I was quoted $451 to replace the tire.

Neither my wife or I ever recall hitting any potholes for any then
even close to what should cause tire damage. We've had numerous high
performance cars of the years with these kind of tires.

Is this a common problem with the Continental ContiSport Contact
Tires? Should I replace the tire? Is a blowout or other failure
eminent. Should I switch to Dunlop or Bridgestone? I have always had
execellent performance with Dunlops and Bridgestones.

Tim

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C.R. Krieger - 09 Mar 2004 16:27 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> this is road damage, is quite common and not covered under any
> warranty. I was quoted $451 to replace the tire.

Assuming this is your *Jaguar* dealer and not the tire dealer, he is
an idiot for trying to make a warranty decision for Conti. Tires are
guaranteed by the *tire manufacturer*, not the *vehicle manufacturer*.
Not to mention that he's apparently added some nice 'profit padding'
to replace a tire that ought to cost about half that (Call Tire Rack).

> Neither my wife or I ever recall hitting any potholes for any then
> even close to what should cause tire damage. We've had numerous high
> performance cars of the years with these kind of tires.

Ask your dealer: "If it *is* road damage, why isn't the *front* tire
on the same side damaged?" Another sign of road damage would be if
the wheel is bent at that point. When you see a Conti dealer for the
warranty claim, ask them to spin it up on the balancer to see whether
it is. If so, I'd say it's probably your own fault, regardless of
your recollections.

> Is this a common problem with the Continental ContiSport Contact
> Tires?

Never heard of it, except in cases of belt shifting or ply
separations. Not that those are all that uncommon, but they *do*
occur with virtually all tire brands. The worst I've seen were in
Bridgestones, followed by Pirelli and Dunlop ...

> Should I replace the tire?

If you're uncomfortable with it, yes. If you do any 'brisk' or high
speed driving, or if you can *feel it*, absolutely. I'd first visit a
Conti dealer who can take a close look at it for the possible warranty
claim. I'd never ask your Jaguar dealer for tire advice again.

> Is a blowout or other failure imminent.

Not likely. Even if it fails, it will probably be much more of a
'non-event' than you're imagining. Just be ready to deal with it
quickly so that any pieces that might fly off at higher speeds don't
do any body damage.

> Should I switch to Dunlop or Bridgestone? I have always had
> execellent performance with Dunlops and Bridgestones.

As have I, but I'd rather replace *one* bad Conti than a whole set of
tires.
--
C.R. Krieger
(Been there; done that)

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Hey Now! - 12 Mar 2004 23:54 GMT

Hey CR,

Thanks for the good advice. I went to NTB and had them look at the
tire. Got it replaced today for free. $25.50 for mounting &
balancing. I need to fax the receipt to Continental and they will
reimburse for the M&B. Great service at NTB. I was shocked since I
expected the runaround.

As for the dealer, I was very disappointed. They werent even
interested in looking at the tire or pursuing a claim with Conti. The
told me it was road hazard damage and I had to buy a new tire. The
service manager couldnt even figure out what the tire size was. I had
to tell him. Sad, very sad. The buying experience of the dealer was
second to none. Alas, I think the service may come up a little short.
So sad.

Any way, thanks for the advice.

Tim

>> Hi,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
>As have I, but I'd rather replace *one* bad Conti than a whole set of
>tires.

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