Probably just due to supply. BMW would be foolish to only buy tires from one manufacturer. If that manufacturer were unable to deliver the quantities that BMW needs, BMW would be screwed. So BMW approves tires from different manufacturers to ensure they always have enough. When the BMW factory runs out of one brand, they switch to the backup brand.
For those of you with stock Pirelli tires on 18" wheels, could you please tell me:
- the name of the tire (Scorpion STR? something else?)
- size (235/50/R18?)
- are they run-flats?
- are you happy with them?
- how good are they in snow?
I am thinking about downsizing from my stock 19" wheels to 18" wheels and I want to make sure I get a tire that works well on the car.
I am thinking about the Scorpion STR or Scorpion Verde All Season
For those of you with stock Pirelli tires on 18" wheels, could you please tell me:
- the name of the tire (Scorpion STR? something else?)
- size (235/50/R18?)
- are they run-flats?
- are you happy with them?
- how good are they in snow?
I am thinking about downsizing from my stock 19" wheels to 18" wheels and I want to make sure I get a tire that works well on the car.
I am thinking about the Scorpion STR or Scorpion Verde All Season
My X3 with sport activity came with Goodyear Eagle and my parent's X3 35i with 18'' wheels came with Pirelli. I don't think that model Pirelli tire comes for 19'' rims.
Check out the Michelin Pilot Sport Plus as a replacement. My 18" E83 came with Scorpions OEM and I replaced them for a better ride with the Michelin PSP's -- great ride and equal or better performance. It has been my long experience that OEM tires are generally junk -- despite of what it says on the sidewall. Don't know why that is but except for the aformentioned Scorpions which lasted for 48K miles I had never gotten anywhere near that mileage from an OEM tire on any car/truck.:tsk:
As others have pointed out, BMW produces many cars globally. They cant risk being in a position where the supply of tires is less than the needed amount for the cars they produce. Hence, BMW usually has a minimum spec (the suspension geometry and the tires specs like sidewall firmness etc), that is needed to be met before a supplier can work with BMW. Once they have met spec, BMW will just order tires for say 1000 cars. Depending on cost and availability they will go with that. There supply managers tend to ensure, that they have more than enuff tires on hand, in case there's a recall or some tires are exhibiting poor quality control (aka bubblegate on the first F10s).
You'll find that most tires that posters have listed, are within spec of each other, when comparing like vehicles with like option sets.
My 2011 X3 28i came with 245/50/R18 Pirelli Cinturato P7, and the front ones are worn out with only about 15K miles. A local dealer told me that I should buy 4 or I will be replacing the crankcase! He seems to be trustworthy but I have never heard this. I asked why the front ones have worn so much and he said I should have rotated them. Any thoughts or suggestions please. :dunno:
What does the crankcase have to with anything?:dunno:
Just saying, if your front tires are bald, replace the front two tires, and be on your way. Now if this so-called trustworthy dealer states that he will deny any warranty claims based on some rule he made up, I would look elsewhere for a another dealer. BTW BMW usually states not to rotate tires. But again maybe the local dealer has another rule up his sleeve, cause he was the engineer in charge of developing the X:dunno:
Thanks for your reply. I must have had a brain fart and meant to say "transfer case" and not crankcase. By the way, the guy I spoke of is at a local tire dealership so I cannot blame it on BMW but I really would not put it past them. I may just give him a call, ask him to order 2 and see what he says.
That makes sense :thumbup: (just the mix up of crankcase and transfer case).
I would personally find online how much the two tires cost on either tirerack or discount tire. Order them, and ship to your house. Get 2 new sensors online, or from a bmw dealer and take all of that to any reputable tire shop. Mount and goo!
This tire place you mentioned seems to be in the business of scaring the customer for business. My tire guy recommended i use tirerack to ship to him or my house and he mounted, balanced them for $50 (and threw in the best out 4 tires on a used rim). Called it a day!
On a same tire situation the wear factor will not change the diameter enough to cause an issue. You got bad information. It is true that good practice calls for replacing them all when the time is right-based on tire wear. Why would a car mfg tell you not to rotate the wheels/tires? Asking because it is what you should do. No need to be an engineer on that one either... They are said to be getting Michelins on X3's last delivered at my local dealer
I'm surprised how smooth they do ride. No excessive noice or harsh ride, as opposed to my E90 with Michelins which just about knocks your teeth out when you hit an expansion joint.
2012 x3 35i w/ M sport package came with Goodyear Eagle LS-2 RunOnFlat, 245/45R19
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