advice needed on 'kds' servicing/tyre wear on 335 coupe

[mrodge]

Hello all
first-time poster here with some possibly stupid questions looking for some advice.
I own a low-mileage 335i M Sport Coupe Auto (registered jan 07) which I bought last november with 3k miles from a main dealer. It now has 9.5 k miles and has just had its first service, again at the same main dealer. I was told that there is uneven tyre wear at the rear- both (19in run-flats) tyres have the inner 1-2 inches of tread completely worn off- the rest of the tread is like new. The technician says it needs 'KDS' servicing where apparently the hubs are balanced in several planes, and of course two new tyres- total cost £786 inc VAT.
After regaining consciousness, I talked to a technician at kwik-fit who reckons this is a waste of time from the kds point of view- he said that all coupes get uneven wear and that KDS servicing is unlikely to change anything- he recommends just putting on new tyres and getting them balanced, and then just waiting and watching...(Also, apparently KDS is only available at main dealers in N. ireland).Both rear rims are very slightly kerbed.
Sorry for the long post- I'd really appreciate any advice from anyone out there who has any suggestions..
thanks! M.R.
ps my previous coupe (2000, 318Ci) had a similar tyre wear pattern...

[phumy]

Ive never heard of a KDS check till i read your mention of it, so i googled it and found this interesting, its basically a 4 wheel alignment machine, which im sure you could find elsewhere and a damn sight cheaper than a BM main dealer.

link: http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=41...

[Pickled Piper]

KDS is the name of the equipment that BMW dealers use for wheel alignment.

The work can be carried out at any competent garage that has four wheel alignment equipment and know how to use it.

pp

[E30M3SE]

Have a friend with 335d saloon, which runs on 19" run flats, they are wearing in the same manner, ie inner edges first. He purhased these 19" used with tyres from a chap who had them on a coupe, the tyres that were on these wheels had worn in exactly the same manner, inner edges first.

Hate to say it but I'm with the Kwik Fit on this one.

[dxb335d]

They all do it mate, im getting 4-5k out of my rears.

I have like a good 4 mm on the outside and worn through on the inside, its the amount of negative camber they run and also depends on how and where you drive.

[duckson]

I think most BMW's are the same, my Z4M is and the guy i have who supplies / fits my tyres used to work for BMW as a tyre fitter and told me the same and so i trust his opinion as he's seen a few BMW's over the years!!

Ask on here for the best place for a 4 wheel laser Geo in NI:- http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum/index.php?s...

Edited by duckson on Wednesday 1st July 19:48

Edited by duckson on Wednesday 1st July 19:48

[mrodge]

Thanks to you all for your help and advice. Think i'm going to replace the tyres and get a 4 wheel alignment at a reputable local firm (have been quoted £50 for this). Nobody seems to think paying £200+ for essentially the same thing at the main dealer with no guarantee that it will stop uneven wear is a good idea, surprisingly!...

[dxb335d]

mrodge said:

Thanks to you all for your help and advice. Think i'm going to replace the tyres and get a 4 wheel alignment at a reputable local firm (have been quoted £50 for this). Nobody seems to think paying £200+ for essentially the same thing at the main dealer with no guarantee that it will stop uneven wear is a good idea, surprisingly!...

But that wont cure anything, their set up to have negative camBer