RogerL

Walking to the car after work, noticed right front tire a bit soft. Odd, they've only been back on the car a couple weeks, 33psi at the time.
Stopped for air, noticed a bulge in the sidewall, about half-dollar size, sticking out about 1/4 inch. Pretty sure it wasn't there saturday. Cleaned car + tires, would have noticed.
These tires only have about 2K miles on them! 1k last fall, another k this spring.

Questions:
Did I overreact, putting the snows back on the front? Bulge that size kinda scares me.

Snows are same size as stock 17". On the car, they sit maybe a 1/4 inch higher. I assume it's okay to drive a couple hundred miles like this?

What are the odds that the dealer will have a replacement?

Should I insist they replace both? I'm thinking with only 2k miles, that would be silly, right?

Anyone else have this problem? Don't recall any posts, but haven't searched archives. Seems odd with so few miles. Anything special I should have done when I took them off for the winter??

Thanks

2000 180TTQ Blizzak/Borbet front, Potenza/Audi rear

Lone Starr (Ivan)

However, this was after a week of searching for a tire. However again, this was last July/August and I know Tire Rack has these tires all day long.

It all comes down to whether the dealer will do Bridgestone warranty work.

I am in a situation now where I have 1 original tire, 1 replaced at 1200 miles noted above, 1 replaced at 4000 miles due to nail in sidewall and 1 replaced at 8500 miles due to pothole mishap. I am in a position where the original tire only has about 1500 miles left on it max and I will have to replace all 4. I am actually choosing to replace all 4 since I want a less expensive, more readily available tire. I am leaning toward Potenza RE730's right now.

I hope this helps you with your decision. A friend that was in the tire business for years and sold various brands said Bridgestones had the least mfg. defects by far of any brand. The Japanese manufacturers do it again, I suppose.<p>Ivan
<i>Jacksonville, Florida<i>
<img SRC="http://www.geocities.com/y2ktturbo/tinytt.jpg" BORDER=0>
"Zorro" 2000MY, 180hp, Fronttrak, Silver/Ebony
K&N, Garmin EMap GPS, Audi "mask", Cobra R/D

TTTT

Doubt you'll get anything from the dealer on tires -- I was just told that "tires are the only thing Audi won't cover."

One of my rear Potenzas went last Friday. Picked up a nail, but drove the thing for a while before I realized it, it's hard to tell the tire is deflated on the 17" set up -- especially over 50mph. Didn't realize it till I exited a freeway and the car felt squirrely on the exit ramp.

None of the places in town had a RE040 in stock, not at the dealer or any of the tire shops. I ordered one from TireRack and it should be here in a couple of days. Paid $227 plus $10-15 shipping. The tire store wanted $325 plus shipping since they had to order it also.

I have 3k on mine and I'm gonna go with just replacing one -- I think (hope) it should be ok.

I looked in the folder (some "VIP" marketing gimmick) that the delaer supplied at purchase and found a road hazard warranty card, where some company in Flordia will supposedly pay $50 towards the replacement tire when you submit a bunch of paperwork (I'll believe it when I have the check in hand).

CJMaTTa

<p>CJMatta
180 FWD BB,Chip,Borla,K&N,Lltek front and rear covers

Rawhide Rosenwad

a sharp bang to the tire (pot hole or whatever) caused a small pinch-tear in the inner lining. The bulge is air that has leaked into the carcass from this tear. Drive carefully on this tire, it's now a weak link. It may last months like this or longer, but it is a bummer waiting to happen.

I hope this has helped.

-EJS

Stinky J. Sock

It was discovered just before putting on my snow tires last December. Unfortunately this is not a defect but caused by a road hazard.

I was hoping it would be covered by the warranty. In your warranty manuals there is information regarding the tires being covered by the tire manufacturer, not Audi. I called Bridgestone and then had the tire checked out by a Bridgestone dealer. They found the tire not to be defective.

I would be interested in knowing if anyone has had a different experience and had the tire replaced by Bridgestone.

-Brent

RogerL

Got the "It's not our problem" line from the dealer. Taking it to the local Bridgestone dealer after lunch. He'll decide if it's road hazard or defect.
All I can say is, if it's a road hazard, these must be the most fragile tires in the world.