EDWINTERTIRES

Q What is the procedure for reserving Winter tires?

A Advance reservations (at least 7 days prior to when the equipment is needed) are required for all Winter-tire rentals and should be made using the on-line booking form. A confirmation will then be sent, providing full details of your booking, together with directions to our depot in Ismaning, near Munich.

Q What is the procedure for changing the wheels & tires?

A Following collection of your new car, you drive to our depot in Ismaning and the factory-fitted wheels (with Summer tires) are removed and replaced with wheels already fitted with Winter tires. The originals are stored at our depot till you return with your car and your original wheels are re-mounted onto your car.

Q How much extra does the mounting and storage cost?

A Nothing! There are no additional charges for changing the wheels, nor for the storage of your own wheels and tires.

Q How long do I have to wait at your depot?

A Normally, changing over a set of wheels is done in a few minutes. Provided there are not several cars waiting at the same time, you should be in and out of our depot within 20-25 minutes.

Q Where are you located?

A At Ismaning, easy to find just off the Garching-Sud exit (71) of the A9 Munich-Nurnberg Autobahn. From BMW Welt (where you collect your vehicle) it is only about a 10-minute drive. From the tire depot to Harms (where you deliver your car for its onward delivery to the USA) it is an easy 5-minute journey.

Q How new are the tires?

A The Winter tires fitted to your car may be brand new or may have been used by other drivers. The life of a Winter tire usually ranges between 18,000 and 25,000 miles, depending on the road conditions it has been driven on. All of our Winter tires, however, are removed from the rental program once they have been driven 15,000 miles, or earlier if there is

evident excess wear and tear. The exact usage of our tires is carefully logged and personally certified by each renter at the end of each rental period. All Tires at the beginning of the 2007/2008 Winter season are brand new!

Q Can I extend a rental period from that already booked?

A Normally, yes, by telephoning us during your vacation, although the option will depend upon the availability of that particular set of tires or other sets of the same specification.

Q. Can I buy the Winter tires and ship them to the USA?

A. Yes, a price can be negotiated and will depend on how many miles your set of tires has been driven. They can then be shipped to the USA for about $400.

Q How do I make payment for renting your Winter tires?

A Payment can be made at our depot in cash, or by credit-card in advance via Paypal.

Q. What is your cancellation policy?

A. You may cancel your order up to 14 days prior to your arrival without penalty. Cancel within 14 days, however, and there is a 100 Euro fee.

Q. What are the opening times at the depot?

A. Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. till 5 p.m.
    Friday: 8 a.m. till 4 p.m.
    Saturday: 8 a.m till 12 noon
    Sunday & on official holidays: Closed.

Q. How fast can I drive my vehicle once it is fitted with Winter tires?

A. If it's safe and legal to do so, up to 130 MPH.

Q. What brand wheels and tires do you provide?

A. The wheels provided are usually Borbet and the tires Good Year or Bridgestone.

Q. Do I need to make an appointment to have the wheels & tires mounted?

A. No appointment is necessary although we do request that you call just as you are about to leave BMW Welt.

Q. What happens if I get a flat tire or damage the wheels?

A. You are responsible for returning the equipment undamaged. Low-cost insurance can be purchased at the tire depot, enabling a refund to you of the cost of a replacement tire or wheel. The tires are Run-Flat extended mobility tires so they let you continue driving at a lower speed until you can secure maintenance.

Q. With the change of wheels and tires, will the in-car Tire Pressure Monitor function?

A. Yes, TPM sensors have been installed onto each individual wheel fitted with Winter tires. The I-Drive settings do, however, require re-setting according to the car's manual but it is a very straightforward procedure taking only a minute or so.

Q. If I am not dropping my car off at Munich is it still possible to rent Winter Tires?

A. Yes, at certain drop-off cities by arrangement with us prior to collection. Your own wheels & tires are sent to your drop-off location and the Winter tires and wheels are sent back to us. The extra cost of this option is 300 Euros. Alternatively, we can collect your car from anywhere in Europe and return it to Munich, re-mount your original wheels 7 tires and then deliver the car to MADA in Garching. See the "Drop-Off" section of this website.