I goofed when I tried to replace my tire. Can someone help? (2003 330xi)

Hi,

I have a BMW 330xi and had a flat. I attempted to replace the tire myself despite the fact that I have AAA. In doing so, I was able to succesfully lift the car so the flat located on the driver side rear could come off. When I went to get the spare, the jack slipped and the car fell crushing the round part that holds the tire. I was able to succesfully get the car back up and place the spare on there and drive home.

So now, what do I need to do? The part that holds the tire is no longer round and makes sounds when I drive, (I believe due to the friction). Where can I also get the best tires to replace at the best price? Should I only replace the 2 tires in the back or the entire set? What type of tires should I purchase (no flat?), what brand, and what tire model? Also, should I go to the dealership or should I simply order the parts online and try to do it myself?

I'm obviously looking to do this in the most cost effective and efficient manner. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

round thing holding tire?? the rim?

the rotor?

im confused....

The OEM jack is a piece of crap for sure. Be lucky you didn't rip off a side skirt or crush your leg. You most likely damaged your rotor and will need to replace it. If your other rear tire is getting old then I would replace both rear tires with the same type and brand as your front tires. I would order the parts online, but that's assuming that "the round thing that hole the tire on" is because you just couldn't come up with the english term for rotor. if that's not the case then you should probably leave it to the pros.

the oem jack is indeed a piece of ****. I have had it collapse on me, almost crushing one of my fingers

Originally Posted by justin0o

the oem jack is indeed a piece of ****. I have had it collapse on me, almost crushing one of my fingers

+1, same thing happened to me this weekend. Thank goodness my cousin told me that whenever I'm swapping tires make sure to put the spare under the side skirt in case the jack doesn't hold!! Sure enough, jack snapped but having the spare there saved my ass.

+1 amazing how many ppl have slipped on the e46 jack. It slipped on me when I was tightening the lug nut. I had only 1 on and nothing happened.
OP, you should take a pic of the damage and post it here. Much easier than to explain it in words

Thanks for all the advice! It is in fact the rotor that hit the road and caused the edge to flatten. So I will need to do the following it appears:

1) Purchase a replacement rotor (any idea where to get it from? BMW dealership, online store, etc.?)
2) Replace both rear tires with the same as I have in the front: Goodyear 205/50 R17 93V (Again, any suggestions where to buy it from?)
3) Find a place to replace the rotor and tires. If it is simple enough to do yourself, then I would want to do it. If not, where should I go to do the replacement?

If you get a proper floor jack you can do it yourself. Unfortunately I can't really help you with where to buy from since I live in the states. Hopefully some of our european friends will lend a hand here.

I live in the USA. Close to Chicago...

I'd say replace both rear tires.....use the other tire that didn't blow to go on your spare rim. Go to a local parts house and get a rotor.

To replace the rotor your going to need a basic set of wrenches(for the bracket that holds the caliper) and allen keys(to remove the caliper from the holding bracket).

The rotor replacement shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes

is it the rotor or dust sheild thats damaged?

rotor

Found out I can't replace the tires myself. Have to find a place to replace them at. Anyone know?

wow glad you didnt get hurt. that woulda scared the hell out of me

Originally Posted by indy500

Found out I can't replace the tires myself. Have to find a place to replace them at. Anyone know?

what ever you do, dont take it to the dealer, if you are replacing tires just find a local shop, and to fix your rotor take it to an indy shop or DIY it

good luck

For your future reference, this is how to safely change a tire:

1. Ask all passengers to exit the car.
2. Remove all of your tools and your spare tire BEFORE starting.
3. Before jacking up the car, loosen the lug nuts a little.
4. Jack the car up
4b. Gently nudge the car to make sure the jack will not slip while changing the tire.
5. Immediately take your spare tire and place it halfway under the car next to but not too close to the jack. The point is that if the jack slips, the car falls on the tire and not on the ground
6. Finish removing the tire on the car
7. Swap the spare with the tire you removed. Do not do anything else until you have swapped these and the removed tire is again in a position to catch the car if it falls
8. Put tire on, screw on nuts
9. Tighten the nuts by jumping back and forth across the hub.... Don't tighten them in a circle. You should revisit each nut a few times because they get loose as you tighten the rest
10. Remove the tire under the car and lower back onto the ground
11. Finish torquing the tire if necessary

For your future reference, this is how to safely change a tire:

1. Ask all passengers to exit the car.
2. Remove all of your tools and your spare tire BEFORE starting.
3. Before jacking up the car, loosen the lug nuts a little.
4. Jack the car up
4b. Gently nudge the car to make sure the jack will not slip while changing the tire.
5. Immediately take your spare tire and place it halfway under the car next to but not too close to the jack. The point is that if the jack slips, the car falls on the tire and not on the ground
6. Finish removing the tire on the car
7. Swap the spare with the tire you removed. Do not do anything else until you have swapped these and the removed tire is again in a position to catch the car if it falls
8. Put tire on, screw on nuts
9. Tighten the nuts by jumping back and forth across the hub.... Don't tighten them in a circle. You should revisit each nut a few times because they get loose as you tighten the rest
10. Remove the tire under the car and lower back onto the ground
11. Finish torquing the tire if necessary

While it is likely that you damaged your rotor, you certainly bent the rear dust shield against the rotor causing a metal on metal sound. If so, you can get rid of the sound by simply bending it back; it is only sheet metal about 1/16" thick.

Originally Posted by Sean S

For your future reference, this is how to safely change a tire:

1. Ask all passengers to exit the car.
2. Remove all of your tools and your spare tire BEFORE starting.
3. Before jacking up the car, loosen the lug nuts a little.
4. Jack the car up
4b. Gently nudge the car to make sure the jack will not slip while changing the tire.
5. Immediately take your spare tire and place it halfway under the car next to but not too close to the jack. The point is that if the jack slips, the car falls on the tire and not on the ground
6. Finish removing the tire on the car
7. Swap the spare with the tire you removed. Do not do anything else until you have swapped these and the removed tire is again in a position to catch the car if it falls
8. Put tire on, screw on nuts
9. Tighten the nuts by jumping back and forth across the hub.... Don't tighten them in a circle. You should revisit each nut a few times because they get loose as you tighten the rest
10. Remove the tire under the car and lower back onto the ground
11. Finish torquing the tire if necessary

Sean is right on the money here. The only thing I would add is to carry a small piece of plywood in the trunk to slip under the facory jack before you get started. That jack sucz in so many ways but one of the worst features is its instability on even or soft surfaces. The plywood will help with that.

You have an Xi, which means that all four tires should be the same diameter or you risk damaging one of the differentials. If the tires were not nearly new, you should replace all four tires at once. Also, it sounds like you may have only bent the dust shield covering the rotor, maybe not the rotor itself.