X3/X5 - Tyres - BMW Approved or not

[mike325112]

I need to change the rear tyres on our X3 3.0d (18's). The rears are OEM Dunlop SP's and the fronts are some newish Fullrun jobbies (never heard of them, they were on the car when we bought it)
I've been reading some things on bimmerfest regarding what tyres to put on the X series cars. Im now completely confused...

BMW recommend only putting approved tyres on them to stop damage to the transfer box due to different circumferences of the tyres and that you change all 4 at once. Is this crap being spouted from BMW or does it sound feasible?

[mike325112]

I believe the X3 is - its just a bit of a bugger thats all. I'd budgeted for 2 tyres and now it looks like 4! Knickers...

[mike325112]

Ranger 6 said:

No, it's not crap. From experience if you run non-star marked tyres on staggered wheels the transfer box gets 'wound up' by the different rolling radius causing the front and rear axles to travel at different speeds.

Mine showed symptoms of the transmission jerking/hopping through the auto box. I have heard instances that there's a grinding/droning like a severe wheel bearing problem.

Edit: This only applies to staggered wheels. If you've got the same size all round then you shouldn't worry. When I swap to 17"s for the winter they're not star marked and in 5 years I've never had an issue.

I was rather hoping you'd see this! I think there's only me and the with X3 3.0d's on here!

I've not got staggered wheels they are 235/50/18's all round. Just been talking to someone at a tyre place who said similar. I think I'm gonna have to junk the cheapie jobbies on the front though.

[mike325112]

As was my thread originally I think I'll post another reply!

I went with oem dunlops in the end. They lasted over 25k. I've just had another set fitted for £120 a corner, happy with that.