Rotate Tires?

[B r i a n]

I am about to hit the 5,000 miles, and was wondering when to rotate tires and what the pattern is.
I quickly reviewed the owners manual and this x3 forum and did not find anything.
Do we wait for the 1st maintenace service?
I have Michelin Pilots - if that makes a difference.

[Forsanet]

There's a lot of discussion on tire rotation in the other forums. I have a 330i so can't speak to the issue of rotating tires specifically for the X3. I have not rotated my tires in the 330i as I haven't seen the need. However, I pretty much need a new set of tires after about 22,000 miles. My rears are almost gone. Had I rotated the tires, I might have gotten more total life out of the complete set (25,000 or so?).

[motordavid]

BMW does not rec'd rotating tires on X3 or X5...
at most, you might try "side to side", but not sure
it's effective or worth the task. Probably why the Manual
does not mention it.
GL,md

[tromar1]

My dealership rotated/balanced mine at the first service interval. If it wasn't necessary, then they did it for the money. I'll follow-up with them the next time i'm there and ask definitively if it should/need to be done.

Good question.

[B r i a n]

Michelinman say's

http://www.michelinman.com/care/tip2.html

6-8k miles
back to front
reverse fronts to back

[motordavid]

Do as you choose, Brian.
That MicheyMan ad is a generic deal...
I don't think you will find many Stlr techs,
whom are on the ball, that will suggest it's
a good deal. BMW doesn't even rec'd it.
But, no arm wrestle; if you like it, it's
your ride.
GL,md

[pipo]

I remember reading somewhere (how's that for attribution?!) that the reason BMW does not recommend rotating the tires is to maintain optimum handling characteristics over time as the tires establish a wear pattern at each of the four corners. The downside is that tires may have to be replaced more often, particularly the rears.

You lives your life, you makes your decisions.