Tire/Alignment questions

[nicros]

Hi, have a 2017 X5 50i with the M sport package. Wheels in the front are 275/40ZR20 and are going bald on the outside edges. The tread on the rear wheels look good still- and in fact the tread on the front tires looks good too but it seems mis-alignment has taken its toll.

Before I replace the front tires, a couple questions I'm hoping you can all help me with:
1. Do I need run-flat tires?
2. Do I need to replace all 4 tires if the fronts are bad (I'm anticipating the dealer telling me this)
3. Do I need to go to a dealer to get the front wheels properly aligned?
4. If anyone has some specific tire recommendations that would be great!

I drive the car around town mostly in San Diego (no snow, little rain), but do take it up to the mountains a few times a year with the family for vacation. In those cases, there could be snow and wet conditions.

Thanks!

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by nicros

Hi, have a 2017 X5 50i with the M sport package. Wheels in the front are 275/40ZR20 and are going bald on the outside edges. The tread on the rear wheels look good still- and in fact the tread on the front tires looks good too but it seems mis-alignment has taken its toll.

Before I replace the front tires, a couple questions I'm hoping you can all help me with:
1. Do I need run-flat tires?
2. Do I need to replace all 4 tires if the fronts are bad (I'm anticipating the dealer telling me this)
3. Do I need to go to a dealer to get the front wheels properly aligned?
4. If anyone has some specific tire recommendations that would be great!

I drive the car around town mostly in San Diego (no snow, little rain), but do take it up to the mountains a few times a year with the family for vacation. In those cases, there could be snow and wet conditions.

Thanks!

1. It's up to you to decide if you need run-flats or not. I'm assuming you have run-flats from factory, so either replace front tires with same brand run-flat tires or just buy 4 non run-flat tires (non run-flats ride softer and quieter, but you'll need to either get a spare or arrange road service of your liking in case of flat tire).
2. That depends on how much rear tires are worn. If they have lots of life left, then you don't have to replace them.
3. It's up to you - you can go to dealer or you can do it at another location. In your case it seems you have positive camber - you can check camber values before and after alignment on spec sheet they'll give you after alignment to make sure this was indeed the problem. Because otherwise you might have suspension issues.
4. Conti DWS06 are good option for your climate and location

Also, it looks like you are still on warranty - if tires are worn prematurely with outer edge - pointing at bad alignment, maybe you can ask dealer why they haven't corrected that in the first place during previous visits? Assuming you visited them.

[Mentat]

Same problem here - "Front -> are going bald on the outside edges"
You need an Alignment, but be careful, because there are a lot of suspension types on F15, with different angles.

[Silververtu]

Same problem here, outer tires on front wear out way quicker than inner. Did an alignment and the cambers were within spec. Saw other X5 on the road that have similar issue.

Service manager said I should be really happy if I can put 25k miles on a set of tires. Mostly it's around 17-20k, also aligned with other others here report back.

[splitsensetam]

Interesting. I had my car serviced recently and they said the outside edges of the tires were wearing faster due to a bad alignment. I declined because I assume the dealer was trying to pull a fast one on with there stupid $300 alignment.

I also have M sport with 20" wheels. DWS06 tires. Is it common to have faster outer wear with the 20in wheels?

[Silververtu]

Originally Posted by splitsensetam

Interesting. I had my car serviced recently and they said the outside edges of the tires were wearing faster due to a bad alignment. I declined because I assume the dealer was trying to pull a fast one on with there stupid $300 alignment.

I also have M sport with 20" wheels. DWS06 tires. Is it common to have faster outer wear with the 20in wheels?

My tire guy said it's the alignment issue. I got the alignment at the dealership as goodwill but my cambers were within spec. I did notice that X5 with wider tires tend wear out the outer tires. Saw it on multiple occasions with other X5 on roads.

One way to solve this is to lower the front suspension to create more negative camber

[tntp]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

My tire guy said it's the alignment issue. I got the alignment at the dealership as goodwill but my cambers were within spec. I did notice that X5 with wider tires tend wear out the outer tires. Saw it on multiple occasions with other X5 on roads.

One way to solve this is to lower the front suspension to create more negative camber

If you run lower tire pressure, the tires will wear out more/faster on the edge compared to the middle, and the opposite is true too.

[nicros]

Good info, thanks! So is it no bueno to run normal tires on the front and run-flats on the back? Temporarily until the back tires need replacing?

The idea of spending $400+ per tire for poorly reviewed run flats doesn't sound great. I'd rather buy regular tires but the backs are still good.

[Silververtu]

Originally Posted by tntp

If you run lower tire pressure, the tires will wear out more/faster on the edge compared to the middle, and the opposite is true too.

Thanks for the tip! I was running 38 psi up front and 42 rear.

[yewlock]

BMW chamber alignment spec is up to negative 1. You need to ask alignment shop to make it close to 0 to reduce outer wear. Con is you might sacrifice a bit of cornering handling feel.

[smyles]

All 20s wear on outside on factory specs (and rears on inside). How bad is mostly dependent on driving style, esp. cornering.

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by nicros

Good info, thanks! So is it no bueno to run normal tires on the front and run-flats on the back? Temporarily until the back tires need replacing?

The idea of spending $400+ per tire for poorly reviewed run flats doesn't sound great. I'd rather buy regular tires but the backs are still good.

I would not recommend mixing tires, and running two new and older tires could put you out of tolerance for the xdrive system.

[alphaod]

You might be able to get an alignment in warranty, it’s definitely doable. For tires I personally hate run flat tires; they are so noisy and rough. Spend the money on a spare donut and get standard tires. The ride quality of the car will vastly improve.

Originally Posted by redline9001

I would not recommend mixing tires, and running two new and older tires could put you out of tolerance for the xdrive system.

Mix and matching brands I don’t recommend but if it’s just new vs slightly worn tires I think that’s fine as long as it’s in pairs (fronts, rears).

[Manuwai]

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