Sorry about my first post, but something terrible happenned to me this weekend. I bought an used 2005 X5 4.4 with 20's a week ago (60K miles). The rear tires are Dunlop Sportmaxx flat run tires. One of the rear tires exploded while traveling. It exploded inwards (towards the wheel well). The whole sidewall separated from the tires, exposing the steel mesh. The steel mesh cut through the wiring box and spliced some wires (I saw two wires that were cut and were sticking out). The dashboard looked like a Xmas tree (warning lights, abs, self leveling system, brakes, no speedometer or odometer working).

Took the X5 to the BMW dealership to fix the wiring....The repair estimate is $14K since they say they need to replace and run the whole wiring harness in the car.

Has anyone experienced something like this? Is this normal? Isn't a design flaw that the wiring harness is located right there were the tires are (look at the black plastic box inside the wheel well)??? Why have something so critical so close to the wheel well?

I'm so frustrated....I already call the insurance on this...

Lessons learned -
1.- Do not use the run flat tires. They are more trouble than anything else. There are thousands of stories out there.
2.- Protect or reinforce the wiring box located inside / by the wheel well.There is like a plastic box there.
3.- Purchase GAP insurance and extended warranties for your vehicle just in case.

Comments?