[Deliberate2]

I am curious to know what kind of tire wear issues, if any, you folks have experienced. I ask because I had significant issue with the three Audi's I drove since 2000. Each of them (A4, S4, S5) developed signs of cupping within 5000 miles. And within 10-12k miles, tires were toast despite alignments and front to back rotation. Got very expensive given that I drive about 30k+ miles per year - like a set of winter and all season tires every year.
On the other hand, we had no such issues with our '06 530xi wagon (great car) and our current '11 X3 35i.
So, any common wear issues?
Thanks.

[ParadigmDawg]

I have never gotten more than 10,000 miles on the numerous sporty SUVs I have had with Summer tires. I haven't stuck in my depth gauge yet but at 6,000 miles, I have significant wear and cupping.

[Deliberate2]

Originally Posted by ParadigmDawg

I have never gotten more than 10,000 miles on the numerous sporty SUVs I have had with Summer tires. I haven't stuck in my depth gauge yet but at 6,000 miles, I have significant wear and cupping.

Ugh. What tires are you running?

[T16ole]

I removed my set of 21” to replace them with my 20” winter setup.

After 3,500 miles (in 7-week) they’re already down to 6mm

[Deliberate2]

Originally Posted by T16ole

I removed my set of 21” to replace them with my 20” winter setup.

After 3,500 miles (in 7-week) they’re already down to 6mm

The loss of more than 50% of tread wear (assuming 11mm new) in 3500 miles is extraordinary, unless that includes 2000 miles of road doughnuts. What tire is that?

[ParadigmDawg]

Originally Posted by Deliberate2

Ugh. What tires are you running?

B'Stones but I have run about every Summer tire out there on different SUVs and this has been the case on all of them.

[freitz]

Originally Posted by Deliberate2

I am curious to know what kind of tire wear issues, if any, you folks have experienced. I ask because I had significant issue with the three Audi's I drove since 2000. Each of them (A4, S4, S5) developed signs of cupping within 5000 miles. And within 10-12k miles, tires were toast despite alignments and front to back rotation. Got very expensive given that I drive about 30k+ miles per year - like a set of winter and all season tires every year.
On the other hand, we had no such issues with our '06 530xi wagon (great car) and our current '11 X3 35i.
So, any common wear issues?
Thanks.

Bridgestone Alenza 001 RFT.

Dealer said cupping but its really heel to toe wear started around 6000 miles. Tires where rotated. I think its more common for summer sports RFT to not last very long, part of the reason considering the switch to non RFT and All seasons.

[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by Deliberate2

I am curious to know what kind of tire wear issues, if any, you folks have experienced. I ask because I had significant issue with the three Audi's I drove since 2000. Each of them (A4, S4, S5) developed signs of cupping within 5000 miles. And within 10-12k miles, tires were toast despite alignments and front to back rotation. Got very expensive given that I drive about 30k+ miles per year - like a set of winter and all season tires every year.
On the other hand, we had no such issues with our '06 530xi wagon (great car) and our current '11 X3 35i.
So, any common wear issues?
Thanks.

I have been told by tire dealers (so that and $2.75 will get you a ride on the NYC subway) that the OEM and aftermarket versions of the same tires are completely different. The OEM versions are built to a price point for the auto manufacturer. The tire makers "hold their noses" and put their brands on the tires because of the propensity of people to replace the tires that came one the car with the same brand and model when replacing the tires. The tire dealer offered as proof that the OEM tires have no treadwear warranty but the aftermarket version of the tire did.

On this forum, I usually rail against this kind of "received wisdom" so this is not offered as a statement of fact but as an interesting conversation I had with a Bridgestone dealer one time. And it kinda seems logical -- but who knows?

If it's true, it explains why so many of us think the factory tires are crap. They may not actually be crap in their aftermarket versions.

[freitz]

Originally Posted by Yobyot

I have been told by tire dealers (so that and $2.75 will get you a ride on the NYC subway) that the OEM and aftermarket versions of the same tires are completely different. The OEM versions are built to a price point for the auto manufacturer. The tire makers "hold their noses" and put their brands on the tires because of the propensity of people to replace the tires that came one the car with the same brand and model when replacing the tires. The tire dealer offered as proof that the OEM tires have no treadwear warranty but the aftermarket version of the tire did.

On this forum, I usually rail against this kind of "received wisdom" so this is not offered as a statement of fact but as an interesting conversation I had with a Bridgestone dealer one time. And it kinda seems logical -- but who knows?

If it's true, it explains why so many of us think the factory tires are crap. They may not actually be crap in their aftermarket versions.

As a manufacturer for products...this is most likely true. (Note I do not work nor manufacturer in the automotive industry) We do however make products for specific specifications and put our name on it with limited or reduced warranties.

[MoeLuvsMoney]

Originally Posted by freitz

As a manufacturer for products...this is most likely true.

Also not in automotive but in 13 years of CPG brand/sales, there is no brand manager in the world that would put the inferior product on a factory car with the exact same model number and variant name as a superior aftermarket product. Zero.

Logically, if my tires wear too quickly why would I replace with the same?

Different model number and/or variant name - I am in agreement, manuf. do this all the time.

[nvestr]

I think the fact that there is no treadwear warranty on the OEM versus aftermarket is not proof of this. I believe it is simply a way the auto manufacturer negotiates a better price with the tire manuf - it is the same tire but since we pay less, it does not come with a warranty.

[MarkyM]

Originally Posted by T16ole

I removed my set of 21" to replace them with my 20" winter setup.

After 3,500 miles (in 7-week) they're already down to 6mm

It maybe due to not being very cold so far in UK this year?, Winter tyres supposedly will wear a lot quicker when it is warmer

*edit* sorry re-reading have I misunderstood and you meant your 21's?

[HampshireUK]

Originally Posted by T16ole

I removed my set of 21” to replace them with my 20” winter setup.

After 3,500 miles (in 7-week) they’re already down to 6mm

I checked my tyres that only have 200 miles on them and they have 7.2mm. Google search says Bridgestone Alenza 001 tyres start at 9/32” which is 7.2mm. Most new tyres have between 7 and 9mm.

[iManu]

I'm at 21 000km and my rear tires are 1/32 and my front are at 3/32...

[HampshireUK]

Originally Posted by emmanuel.yoo

I'm at 21 000km and my rear tires are 1/32 and my front are at 3/32...

Those rears in the UK would be illegal if my maths is right that’s under 1mm remaining

[Neo1130]

Originally Posted by HampshireUK

Those rears in the UK would be illegal if my maths is right that’s under 1mm remaining

I think that would be illegal just about anywhere. Hahaha

[T16ole]

Originally Posted by Deliberate2

The loss of more than 50% of tread wear (assuming 11mm new) in 3500 miles is extraordinary, unless that includes 2000 miles of road doughnuts. What tire is that?

11mm....nope, try 7mm to 8mm when new for summer tyres

[pskdude]

I just off the phone today with Corporate to log may complaint on tire wear. After fighting the dealer for weeks at 6500 miles with 1/32" in rear middle tires and "feathering on the front ones. The only way to service my car for shaking was to replace all 4 tires. I insisted this is not normal due to the uneven tire wear and BMW claims it is normal for the x3. Because the service manager and foreman stated it was "normal" BMW states they cannot do anything since they are trained technicians that they have the final word if its a factory defect. BS if you ask me.....if my tires are worn even all around like all my other cars i have no problem replacing them because i have a heavy foot. The way they have handled this case is beyond words. Im hoping other x3 owners file similar complaints and this helps my cause.

[AdnanH35]

Originally Posted by pskdude

I just off the phone today with Corporate to log may complaint on tire wear. After fighting the dealer for weeks at 6500 miles with 1/32" in rear middle tires and "feathering on the front ones. The only way to service my car for shaking was to replace all 4 tires. I insisted this is not normal due to the uneven tire wear and BMW claims it is normal for the x3. Because the service manager and foreman stated it was "normal" BMW states they cannot do anything since they are trained technicians that they have the final word if its a factory defect. BS if you ask me.....if my tires are worn even all around like all my other cars i have no problem replacing them because i have a heavy foot. The way they have handled this case is beyond words. Im hoping other x3 owners file similar complaints and this helps my cause.

Originally Posted by pskdude

I just off the phone today with Corporate to log may complaint on tire wear. After fighting the dealer for weeks at 6500 miles with 1/32" in rear middle tires and "feathering on the front ones. The only way to service my car for shaking was to replace all 4 tires. I insisted this is not normal due to the uneven tire wear and BMW claims it is normal for the x3. Because the service manager and foreman stated it was "normal" BMW states they cannot do anything since they are trained technicians that they have the final word if its a factory defect. BS if you ask me.....if my tires are worn even all around like all my other cars i have no problem replacing them because i have a heavy foot. The way they have handled this case is beyond words. Im hoping other x3 owners file similar complaints and this helps my cause.

Literally same issue I had. After about 5k miles the OEM Bridgestone Alenzas were just about bald. I ended up replacing the tires myself after long arguments with the dealership that just dragged on. After you replaced your tires, did the same thing occur? Uneven wear or cupping? something still feels off after replacing all 4 tires, but bmw insists nothing is wrong

[Slalom]

I think that the replacement of all 4 tires has more to do with all wheel drive that requires that the 4 corners have similar rotation. If not there could be issues with the transfer case.

I am looking at replacing all 4 tires this spring. Fronts are at 5mm, rears at 3. New Bridgestone and Pirelli tires seem to be 7 mm (according to Tire Rack specs).

[pskdude]

Originally Posted by AdnanH35

Literally same issue I had. After about 5k miles the OEM Bridgestone Alenzas were just about bald. I ended up replacing the tires myself after long arguments with the dealership that just dragged on. After you replaced your tires, did the same thing occur? Uneven wear or cupping? something still feels off after replacing all 4 tires, but bmw insists nothing is wrong

that is correct. 4 sets later still the same problem. Have better tire wear in some months because i do more highway. When i consistently drive non highway, it goes back to bad tire wear. The drive was never the same after my initial drive purchasing the vehicle.