I was traveling at a high rate of speed on the freeway, when I heard a noise. As the noise got louder, I realized it must be a flat tire as the vehicle begin to pull in one direction. As the noise got louder I saw smoke coming from the back passenger side of vehicle. I pull over to find that the tire had completely separated from the sidewall. The tire was a Continental contisport contact 255, 40zr 18, on a 2002 BMW M3. The tire appears to have simply blown out due to the separation. I believe this to be defective workmanship. I was told by the tire dealer that this is "common" for low-profile type tires. I do not think this an acceptable explanation, as the tire was not underpressurized, bare and/or damaged. I believe this blow out was due to a tire defect (tire separation). The only tire I could find to replace it was another brand. I will not put continentals on my car in the future. I do not feel safe driving on them since I do alot of freeway driving, and I wonder when one of the other tires will separate and blow out.

- Perris, CA, USA