X3/X5 - Tyres - BMW Approved or not
Discussion
We have 3 x3's in the family.
When I bought my wife's car it had a maching set of fulda tyres. Car was fine. After a few 1000 miles I needed a pair and budget was tight I bought some cheap tyres accelera. The car at slow speeds (less than 5mph) would clonk through the gearboxes when in traffic and on and off throttle. My winter tyres bridgestones did not and the car felt more stable.
I went to a number of specialists and the car was found to be normal and within tolerances. Then read about the transfer box issues and bought a set of 4 identical tyres. Went with uniroyal as they won a load of awards as the accelera's where dreadful. Problem immediately solved. No clocking or backlash through transmission. A nice smooth and stable car on the motorway.
Later found out that the electronics detect minuscule differences with rolling radius from different branded tyres and the car thinks it's getting wheel slip so send power from one corner to the next thus clonks felt through transmission.
Morel of story is either buy a set of 4 matching tyres when replacement is due or replace any tyres with the same brand and make as is on the vehicle.
When I bought my wife's car it had a maching set of fulda tyres. Car was fine. After a few 1000 miles I needed a pair and budget was tight I bought some cheap tyres accelera. The car at slow speeds (less than 5mph) would clonk through the gearboxes when in traffic and on and off throttle. My winter tyres bridgestones did not and the car felt more stable.
I went to a number of specialists and the car was found to be normal and within tolerances. Then read about the transfer box issues and bought a set of 4 identical tyres. Went with uniroyal as they won a load of awards as the accelera's where dreadful. Problem immediately solved. No clocking or backlash through transmission. A nice smooth and stable car on the motorway.
Later found out that the electronics detect minuscule differences with rolling radius from different branded tyres and the car thinks it's getting wheel slip so send power from one corner to the next thus clonks felt through transmission.
Morel of story is either buy a set of 4 matching tyres when replacement is due or replace any tyres with the same brand and make as is on the vehicle.
Uniroyal rainsport 3 SUV.
The SUV version has been designed with harder shoulders. Takes the edge off the x3's harsh ride in 235/50/18 fitment. We have covered around 5000 miles in them now and no visible wear. They do feel very soft, but I am never worried about tyre wear.
Bought them via oponeo for around £100 a corner.
Fitted at my local tyre place for £10 a corner.
Check out the reviews on line but we have found they work well.
The SUV version has been designed with harder shoulders. Takes the edge off the x3's harsh ride in 235/50/18 fitment. We have covered around 5000 miles in them now and no visible wear. They do feel very soft, but I am never worried about tyre wear.
Bought them via oponeo for around £100 a corner.
Fitted at my local tyre place for £10 a corner.
Check out the reviews on line but we have found they work well.
Sohlman said:
Uniroyal rainsport 3 SUV.
The SUV version has been designed with harder shoulders. Takes the edge off the x3's harsh ride in 235/50/18 fitment. We have covered around 5000 miles in them now and no visible wear. They do feel very soft, but I am never worried about tyre wear.
Bought them via oponeo for around £100 a corner.
Fitted at my local tyre place for £10 a corner.
Check out the reviews on line but we have found they work well.
cheers appreciate the info SohlmanThe SUV version has been designed with harder shoulders. Takes the edge off the x3's harsh ride in 235/50/18 fitment. We have covered around 5000 miles in them now and no visible wear. They do feel very soft, but I am never worried about tyre wear.
Bought them via oponeo for around £100 a corner.
Fitted at my local tyre place for £10 a corner.
Check out the reviews on line but we have found they work well.
Just in case any is still trying to work this out...I've a 3.0SD MSport with 19" staggered set up. 235/45 fronts and 255/40 rears. I replaced all four with new Contisportcontact 5's. The transfer case clunking that ensued was extraordinary. After a process of illimination (and two BMW Indies telling me it wouldn't be the tyres as they were the correct size, all the same tread pattern and reputable manufacturer)...I decided to change the tyres to set of BMW star marked Pirelli PZeroes. Which solved the problem.
Now here's the interesting thing...when the Continentals were taken off and a front and rear stood next to each other, there was a large difference in diameter (20mm). When the Pirellis front and rear stood side by side their diameters were identical - even though they were stamped with the same width/aspect ratio as the Continentals. This is why the star marked tyres work.
Now here's the interesting thing...when the Continentals were taken off and a front and rear stood next to each other, there was a large difference in diameter (20mm). When the Pirellis front and rear stood side by side their diameters were identical - even though they were stamped with the same width/aspect ratio as the Continentals. This is why the star marked tyres work.
Maca said:
...Now here's the interesting thing...when the Continentals were taken off and a front and rear stood next to each other, there was a large difference in diameter (20mm). When the Pirellis front and rear stood side by side their diameters were identical - even though they were stamped with the same width/aspect ratio as the Continentals. This is why the star marked tyres work.
Thanks for that, it's what I'd been told, but never really evidenced by anyone else 
I had Bridgestone RF's all round rears new . I thought I had a front prop ready to burst.
Just put these Pirellis on ( non rf) and the noise has gone. The rears refuse to wear, but when they do, the Pirellis will be going on there too.
It's difficult to match wear with staggered, but the transfer box definitely doesn't like slightly different rolling circumferences.
Just put these Pirellis on ( non rf) and the noise has gone. The rears refuse to wear, but when they do, the Pirellis will be going on there too.
It's difficult to match wear with staggered, but the transfer box definitely doesn't like slightly different rolling circumferences.
Hi All
First posting so be gentle. Have found this an interesting discussion since I bought a 54 E83 2.0D a year ago. It had Accelera tyres all round but shortly after getting home I noticed transmission snatch and clunking at low speeds. After much review of the intraweb I ditched the Acceleras and put Pirelli Scorpion STRs all round ( 17s) and all was well with the world. I notice a couple of weeks ago that one of the rears had worn on the outside and checked the alignment, was toed in at the back, had a return of slight clunking sound. Sorted the alignment and put a set of Bridgestone Turanza EL42S ( also star rated ) on back with 5 mm of thread ( had a set in garage ) , car driving ok but clunking still there, front pirellis also have about 5mm of thread so a little lost, will double check the air pressure in all but thought once similar thread depths and all star rated and same size would reduce clunking.
Also what's the view on changing the oil in the transfer box. My german specialist says its sealed for life, I can't imagine changing the oil will do any harm
Thanks Paul
First posting so be gentle. Have found this an interesting discussion since I bought a 54 E83 2.0D a year ago. It had Accelera tyres all round but shortly after getting home I noticed transmission snatch and clunking at low speeds. After much review of the intraweb I ditched the Acceleras and put Pirelli Scorpion STRs all round ( 17s) and all was well with the world. I notice a couple of weeks ago that one of the rears had worn on the outside and checked the alignment, was toed in at the back, had a return of slight clunking sound. Sorted the alignment and put a set of Bridgestone Turanza EL42S ( also star rated ) on back with 5 mm of thread ( had a set in garage ) , car driving ok but clunking still there, front pirellis also have about 5mm of thread so a little lost, will double check the air pressure in all but thought once similar thread depths and all star rated and same size would reduce clunking.
Also what's the view on changing the oil in the transfer box. My german specialist says its sealed for life, I can't imagine changing the oil will do any harm
Thanks Paul
Just spotted this thread. Aceleras all round gave been no problem but put a pair of different type budgets on the rear last week and were OK for 50 miles but the car did feel slightly odd and not handling well and then the tell take knocking/grinding started, it was in a 50 mile round trip in the dark and the car almost became undeliverable with noises like the rear silencer being hit with a hammer. No DSC warning lights or safe mode which I had on a previous X3 due to non matching tyres.
It's in for aceleras to the rear today and fingers crossed it'll work but if it hasn't caused damage to the t/box I'll be amazed...
It's in for aceleras to the rear today and fingers crossed it'll work but if it hasn't caused damage to the t/box I'll be amazed...
Aceleras fitted this morning to rear to start with. Same problem! Garage thought it could be the lowish tread depth of the fronts that was the issue so front changed as well and bingo! All OK
I'm astounded by two things:
1. BMW X3 transfer boxes are sensitive enough to go nuts over different tread depths front-rear despite being the same tyre.
2. That the banging, crunching and repeated shuddering of the car at anything below 40mph for at least 3 hours driving has been completely resolved with no damage apparent at all (so far). Going through a town yesterday was incredible, like an empty steel drum being hit with a baseball bat every 10m along with a shudder like a sledgehammer sliding around in the boot.
My advice to anyone with these symptoms: DONT get a transfer box replaced before looking at the tyres first!!
I'm astounded by two things:
1. BMW X3 transfer boxes are sensitive enough to go nuts over different tread depths front-rear despite being the same tyre.
2. That the banging, crunching and repeated shuddering of the car at anything below 40mph for at least 3 hours driving has been completely resolved with no damage apparent at all (so far). Going through a town yesterday was incredible, like an empty steel drum being hit with a baseball bat every 10m along with a shudder like a sledgehammer sliding around in the boot.
My advice to anyone with these symptoms: DONT get a transfer box replaced before looking at the tyres first!!
Hi all, I've just bought a 2004 X3 and really found this link informative!
My X3 is fitted with all the same 4 x 235/50/18 Kumho Ecsta Le Sport tyres. I've no idea if these are run flats and/or if it would be best to change them to [*] rated tyres after reading this??
My X3 is fitted with all the same 4 x 235/50/18 Kumho Ecsta Le Sport tyres. I've no idea if these are run flats and/or if it would be best to change them to [*] rated tyres after reading this??
Edited by D3NO_L on Sunday 16th October 20:57
D3NO_L said:
Hi all, I've just bought a 2004 X3 and really found this link informative!
My X3 is fitted with all the same 4 x 235/50/18 Kumho Ecsta Le Sport tyres. I've no idea if these are run flats and/or if it would be best to change them to [*] rated tyres after reading this??
You didn't mention if you have excruciating transfer box grinding, knocking and crunching?My X3 is fitted with all the same 4 x 235/50/18 Kumho Ecsta Le Sport tyres. I've no idea if these are run flats and/or if it would be best to change them to [*] rated tyres after reading this??
Edited by D3NO_L on Sunday 16th October 20:57
I did have some issues a couple of weeks back with the infamous 4 x Dash lights (ABS/4x4/Brake/Tyre) and the stuttering driving and it led me to stumble acrross this forum... However upon taking it to my local BMW indy garage (R&P BMW Specialists, in Hayes - Excellent guys very recomended) it ended up being nothing more than a dodgy OSR ABS/wheel sensor - The car is now back to its best! I asked them about the whole 'run flat tyre debate' and they said that as long as all tyres are the same make, size and thread patteren/depth then run-flat or not shoudl not cause any issues... I am keeping my fingers crossed as they are the professionals and so far so good with my Kumho's! 
D3NO_L said:
I did have some issues a couple of weeks back with the infamous 4 x Dash lights (ABS/4x4/Brake/Tyre) and the stuttering driving and it led me to stumble acrross this forum... However upon taking it to my local BMW indy garage (R&P BMW Specialists, in Hayes - Excellent guys very recomended) it ended up being nothing more than a dodgy OSR ABS/wheel sensor - The car is now back to its best! I asked them about the whole 'run flat tyre debate' and they said that as long as all tyres are the same make, size and thread patteren/depth then run-flat or not shoudl not cause any issues... I am keeping my fingers crossed as they are the professionals and so far so good with my Kumho's!
Yes those lights are wheel sensors. You'll know it when the tyres aren't right the car is undriveable without having apoplexy 
Bring back the old thread to seek opinions from the tyre expert.
Thinking of puttinng the Michelin Latitude Sport 3 into my X5. However it seems only the front 275/40/20 ger the * while the rear 375/35/20 does not
Is it a fine combination or definitely a no go per discussion above?
Also anyone combined the Latitude sport 3 at front and Diamaris at rears both with *?
Thinking of puttinng the Michelin Latitude Sport 3 into my X5. However it seems only the front 275/40/20 ger the * while the rear 375/35/20 does not
Is it a fine combination or definitely a no go per discussion above?
Also anyone combined the Latitude sport 3 at front and Diamaris at rears both with *?
Meatloaf123 said:
...Thinking of puttinng the Michelin Latitude Sport 3 into my X5. However it seems only the front 275/40/20 ger the * while the rear 375/35/20 does not
....
Also anyone combined the Latitude sport 3 at front and Diamaris at rears both with *?
Good searching! and welcome to PH ....
Also anyone combined the Latitude sport 3 at front and Diamaris at rears both with *?
Your rears should be 315, not 375. Having said that I can't find 315s of that type that are star marked either.
I'd be tempted to go with the continental sport contact, https://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/car-tyres/con... however I did have 20" P-Zeros on my X3 and they were good.
I wouldn't combine makes even if they are star marked, stick to the same make and type all round for peace of mind.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff