What happens if I drive my BMW on a flat tire?

Driving on a flat or underinflated tire can put extra stress on your wheels and alignment. While it’s sometimes necessary to drive a short distance on a flat tire to get to a safe place, don’t take any other trips in your M3 until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to fix my BMW's flat tire?

A temporary sealant may be able to help you get to a repair location safely. But temporary or emergency sealants could possibly damage TPMS sensors, and in some cases may even void the warranty on your Bridgestone or Firestone tires. If your tire needs extensive repair, sealant can add time and labor costs to the process.

What’s the harm in using my spare tire for a while?

While this sounds great in theory, keep in mind that most spare tires are not designed for distance or speed. The compact spare tire that most likely sits inside your 1997 BMW M3 is intended for only a few days of use, so don’t use it as a substitute for getting your tire repaired.

Who can repair BMW M3 tires?

In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your BMW M3 tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.

What is causing the tires on my M3 to keep losing air?

Your M3 tires might keep losing air due to a leaking valve stem, puncture or hole in the tire tread or sidewall, or damaged wheel.

Do I have to replace all four BMW M3 tires at the same time?

It's important to consider replacing your M3 tires in pairs or all four at once for safety and performance reasons, even if only two of them appear to be worn. If the remaining two tires are significantly newer, they may have different grip than the older tires, which can affect your vehicle’s handling. Always double-check your owner's manual since some vehicles require all four tires to be replaced if there's a tread difference of more than 3/32”.

1997 BMW M3 Flat Tire Repair Service

Get BMW Tire Repair

Quick and Convenient BMW M3 Tire Service

It’s best to introduce yourself to new roads with a firm grip. Find the best tires for your BMW M3 at Firestone Complete Auto Care, and schedule your installation appointment online in minutes.

Shop Tires

Repairing Your BMW M3 Tire

Cities are growing. New roads are being built, and old ones are getting a face lift. There's construction around every corner! Unfortunately, this can mean a higher chance of a flat or damaged tire caused by debris in the road. If the road has been rough on your 1997 BMW M3 tires, Firestone Complete Auto Care can help. In some cases, a tire doesn’t have to be replaced – it can be plugged and patched with a simple repair. Depending on the damage, though, a repair might not be the right move. Our technicians can determine which option is best for your situation. To start, we’ll consider the location of tire damage, the type of issue, the size and scope of the damage, and the amount of wear on your tires.

If a repair on your 1997 BMW M3 tire is feasible and safe, we’ll get to work on the steps to fix it: (1) Separate the tire from the vehicle wheel, (2) use a filler to close up the puncture (this is to keep moisture from getting in), and (3) re-seal the inside lining of your tire so that air won’t escape.

BMW M3 Tire Replacement

Unfortunately, some 1997 BMW M3 tire damage can’t be effectively repaired. Even if your tire damage is minor, if your tires have less than 2/32nd inch of tread remaining, a repair isn’t possible (or safe). Tires with this tread depth or less are no longer safe, so it’s time to replace the damaged tire. Other tire damage that can't be safely repaired includes a tire with a puncture larger than ¼ inch in diameter; a tire with a puncture or damage outside the tread area; a tire with multiple punctures that are less than 16 inches apart; and major cuts or separated treads.

Sometimes, it's in your best interest to buy one, two, or four new tires depending on BMW's recommendation. For vehicles with AWD, manufacturers recommend replacing all four tires simultaneously. This is because the AWD system can only function optimally when all tires are uniform. But, if you’ve recently replaced your tires and they don’t have significant wear, a new set might not be needed. It’s possible that you will only need to replace the tire that’s damaged – just make sure it’s the same size, type, and brand as the rest of your tires. Your tire technician can help you decide how many tires to replace and the kind of tire to purchase.

Tire Inspection Services for Your BMW M3

Some tire issues can cause you to have a flat, but other damage isn't so noticeable right away. Tire damage can also show itself through subtle symptoms, like dents in your wheel rims, excessive noise coming from the exhaust system, bumps or bulges in tire sidewalls, or even leaks underneath the car. Stop tire damage in its tracks. Start with a tire inspection on your 1997 BMW M3.

BMW M3 Tire Repair Questions

What happens if I drive my BMW on a flat tire? Driving on a flat or underinflated tire can put extra stress on your wheels and alignment. While it’s sometimes necessary to drive a short distance on a flat tire to get to a safe place, don’t take any other trips in your M3 until you can have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Can I use an emergency/temporary sealant to fix my BMW's flat tire? A temporary sealant may be able to help you get to a repair location safely. But temporary or emergency sealants could possibly damage TPMS sensors, and in some cases may even void the warranty on your Bridgestone or Firestone tires. If your tire needs extensive repair, sealant can add time and labor costs to the process.
What’s the harm in using my spare tire for a while? While this sounds great in theory, keep in mind that most spare tires are not designed for distance or speed. The compact spare tire that most likely sits inside your 1997 BMW M3 is intended for only a few days of use, so don’t use it as a substitute for getting your tire repaired.
Who can repair BMW M3 tires? In most cases, your nearby Firestone Complete Auto Care can handle your BMW M3 tire repair. Ultimately, the severity of the damage will determine if your tires can be repaired.
What is causing the tires on my M3 to keep losing air? Your M3 tires might keep losing air due to a leaking valve stem, puncture or hole in the tire tread or sidewall, or damaged wheel.
Do I have to replace all four BMW M3 tires at the same time? It's important to consider replacing your M3 tires in pairs or all four at once for safety and performance reasons, even if only two of them appear to be worn. If the remaining two tires are significantly newer, they may have different grip than the older tires, which can affect your vehicle’s handling. Always double-check your owner's manual since some vehicles require all four tires to be replaced if there's a tread difference of more than 3/32”.

Get the Repairs Your 1997 BMW M3 Needs

Your car takes care of you, and we’ll take care of your car. When it’s time for a replacement part or repair for your BMW M3, we’re ready to help. Check out more info below about 1997 BMW M3 repairs.