BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-25-2012, 07:46 PM   #1
terrytnt
Private
terrytnt's Avatar
United_States
31
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i M/DHP Carbon Black
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Yardley, PA

iTrader: (0)

Never Rotate Tires....Really?

My local BMW Dealer told me yesterday (confirmed by another buddy at a BMW dealer) that BMW does NOT recommend rotating tires EVER. How did I miss this? Every car I've own, I rotated the tire ~5k, but that's not BMW's point of view. They say "as long as pressure, balancing and alignment are accurate, you don't need to rotate"

What say you folks?
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2012, 08:05 PM   #2
DonC
Lieutenant
United_States
29
Rep
427
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 3.5i M sport, etc
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: near Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Yea, I heard the same thing from my ACURA dealer then had discount tires guys ask me why I never rotated my tires - had to buy 4 new tires because of uneven wear.
__________________
2013 X3 3.5i AW,Msprt,rear fogs,PS,CP, Tech, etc...
Other cars
2005 S2000
2018 i3S
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2012, 09:16 PM   #3
dkkim
Private First Class
dkkim's Avatar
United_States
3
Rep
115
Posts

Drives: G01 X3 M40i
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Keller TX

iTrader: (5)

BMW does not recommend rotation.
All my BMWs except X3 had & has sport package with staggered setup thus no possible way to rotate wheels.
But x3 with sport package has same wheel width, so I asked SA about it during the 1st oil service and the answer was NO.....

Last edited by dkkim; 09-28-2012 at 08:27 AM..
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2012, 09:40 PM   #4
brissim
Lieutenant
84
Rep
510
Posts

Drives: X3 30d (2011 F25) - now sold
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Brisbane, Australia

iTrader: (0)

I wasn't aware of that advise. Normally I would rotate my wheels (front to back) every 10,000km (6,000 miles) or so. For a variety of reasons (lazyness probably being one of them), I only got around to rotating them at around 18,000 km (11,000 miles). I must admit as I was pulling them off and swapping them around - and I could have a good look across the whole tread - there really wasn't that much difference in the tread wear between front and back, or even side to side. Probably wont stop me from still rotating.

Tony

Tony
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2012, 10:11 PM   #5
Bogiegolf
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
44
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 3.5/2013 135is #562
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Chicago, IL/Cincinnati, OH

iTrader: (0)

Yes, I was in for my 15,000 mile maintenance on my 2011 X3.5 as recommended by the odometer and I asked if they were going to rotate the tires. I was told that BMW does not recommend rotating the tires. I told the SA that was a load of crap. I was told the same thing when I had my 2001 X5 and ended up having bald rear tires with about 10,000 miles more of tread left on the front.

Also, they would only replace the windshield wiper blades once a year and it hadn't been a year yet, so come back next month, although they did clean them, which I had never heard of before.
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2012, 05:15 AM   #6
philtrick123
Lieutenant
44
Rep
469
Posts

Drives: TBA
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maidenhead

iTrader: (0)

If you don't rotate the tyres is there a general wear pattern for the X3. i.e. back tyres go first after xxxx miles, then front after xxxx miles.
On my previous car (Hyundai Santa Fe), the car is normally front wheel drive and switches to 4 x 4 if there is slippage. Hence the front tyres get the most hammer. I normally try to change car every 2 years, so I managed at 15k miles to swap the front tyres with the back, and therefore didn't buy any tyres over 22k miles of ownership.
I'm thinking that I'm not going to be as lucky with the X3. Should I budget for 4 new tyres over the estimated 22k miles?
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2012, 10:00 AM   #7
usafbmwguy
New Member
0
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 M Sport 2011
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Arlington VA

iTrader: (0)

I never rotate the tires. The wear on the tread is mostly even. If it was otherwise, then i would rotate my tires.
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2012, 06:34 PM   #8
welkerbrads
Private First Class
United_States
10
Rep
120
Posts

Drives: 2011 white X3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: cape girardeau mo

iTrader: (0)

I rotate my tires every 5000 miles. My tires a wearing evenly. Of course BMW don't want you to rotate your tires so they can sell you more tires more often from then not wearing properly. Everyone has there opinion that is what nice about this forum so you can learn. It is your choice. I will keep rotating mine.
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2012, 11:09 PM   #9
lbjgh
Lieutenant Colonel
lbjgh's Avatar
Canada
104
Rep
1,511
Posts

Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North of Toronto

iTrader: (0)

I plan on rotating my tires when I reinstall the summer rubber when the winter tires come off. I'll have to do a bit of research to see if I should rotate front to back and/or side to side.

On a related note... does anyone know the recommend wheel bolt torque setting?
__________________
2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 06:36 AM   #10
Chris55
Second Lieutenant
Chris55's Avatar
Switzerland
28
Rep
220
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
I plan on rotating my tires when I reinstall the summer rubber when the winter tires come off. I'll have to do a bit of research to see if I should rotate front to back and/or side to side.

On a related note... does anyone know the recommend wheel bolt torque setting?
If you rotate, it must be front to back.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 10:06 AM   #11
Professor///M
Brigadier General
Professor///M's Avatar
No_Country
817
Rep
3,341
Posts

Drives: 2022 M3, 2022 X5 40i;
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Northeast

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
They told me that on my non-staggered setups, that since the weight distribution was near 50/50 there was no need to rotate tires
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 10:15 AM   #12
epiphone3
Lieutenant Colonel
110
Rep
1,772
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Calgary

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris55 View Post
If you rotate, it must be front to back.
Correct! This is due to BMW using directional tires.

Regarding rotating in general: with my E90, I changed between summer and winter rubber with the seasons. At each seasonal change, I would look at which tires had the most tread and put them on the rear.

BMW claims in the manual for the X3 that rotating can lead to unexpected handling, etc. I don't feel like I saw anything like that in my E90. I don't know if I will rotate with the X3 since it is AWD and such. I guess we'll see how they wear!
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 11:09 AM   #13
Jan van Zyl
Private First Class
Namibia
11
Rep
104
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 (F25) x-drive 2.0D
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Windhoek, Namibia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
I plan on rotating my tires when I reinstall the summer rubber when the winter tires come off. I'll have to do a bit of research to see if I should rotate front to back and/or side to side.

On a related note... does anyone know the recommend wheel bolt torque setting?
120 Nm.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 02:05 PM   #14
lbjgh
Lieutenant Colonel
lbjgh's Avatar
Canada
104
Rep
1,511
Posts

Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North of Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Thank you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jan van Zyl View Post
120 Nm.
__________________
2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 08:18 PM   #15
DonC
Lieutenant
United_States
29
Rep
427
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 3.5i M sport, etc
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: near Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Hmm - my BMW wheel locks are torqued to 142 MN...
__________________
2013 X3 3.5i AW,Msprt,rear fogs,PS,CP, Tech, etc...
Other cars
2005 S2000
2018 i3S
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 08:49 PM   #16
welkerbrads
Private First Class
United_States
10
Rep
120
Posts

Drives: 2011 white X3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: cape girardeau mo

iTrader: (0)

I rotate my tires that are non staggerd, front tires crossed to the back and the back tires straight to the front. Perfect tire wear.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2012, 05:49 PM   #17
philtrick123
Lieutenant
44
Rep
469
Posts

Drives: TBA
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maidenhead

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by welkerbrads View Post
I rotate my tires that are non staggerd, front tires crossed to the back and the back tires straight to the front. Perfect tire wear.
Is your ultimate aim to get 100% even tyre wear so you have to replace all 4 in on hit? Previous cars have always been harder on either front or rear- so I've only had to replace 2 at a time.
Replacing 4 tyres in one hit could be £££ or $$$ or €€€
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2012, 10:06 PM   #18
welkerbrads
Private First Class
United_States
10
Rep
120
Posts

Drives: 2011 white X3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: cape girardeau mo

iTrader: (0)

Thats my point I replace all four tires at one time. I have 21000 miles on them now and will get 40000 or more.
Appreciate 0
      11-12-2012, 09:58 PM   #19
greg2step
X3 Owner/Driver
greg2step's Avatar
United_States
211
Rep
785
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
any thoughts on replacing 2 vs 4? on some AWD vehicles must replace 4 but XDrive is not symmetrical

could use some help here, i have not rotated at exactly 14,000 and have some serious wear on the fronts - backs are in good shape. I drive in sport mode and drive hard all the time
__________________
2018 X3 M40i G01 | Phytonic Blue | Mocha | Premium+Exec | Driver Assist | Adaptive M Suspension
2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in]
2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
Appreciate 0
      11-13-2012, 11:24 AM   #20
Jan van Zyl
Private First Class
Namibia
11
Rep
104
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 (F25) x-drive 2.0D
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Windhoek, Namibia

iTrader: (0)

Old advice for RWD vehicles was rotate, balance and align at certain km intervals - let's say every 10 000km. My vehicle had a 24 000 km service yesterday. The dealer marked on the sheet that all tyres had 60% thread left. I do rotate front to back and vice versa every 8000km/5000 miles - but do it myself. Did not do any balancing or alignment though. Theoretically then the German made Dunlop tyres should last till 60 000km +/-. Never experienced handling problems or unequal wear. I suspect the normal 60/40 traction delivery (rear to front) and the additional steering stress handled by the front would theoretically be the reason for the official BMW stance. But then I also pressurize with nitrogen to 0.2 Bar above recommended levels. In our high ambient temperature I like the tyres to run as cool as possible - achieved by last 2 measures. My 2 cents...
Appreciate 0
      11-13-2012, 11:47 AM   #21
colson79
Second Lieutenant
7
Rep
221
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i DSB
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wisconsin

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by welkerbrads View Post
I rotate my tires that are non staggerd, front tires crossed to the back and the back tires straight to the front. Perfect tire wear.
Depends on the tires, if you have directional tires you can't cross the tires.
__________________
2012 X3 35i | Deep Sea Blue | Oyster |
Packages | Sports | Cold Weather | Cold Weather 2 | Premium | Technology | Premium Sound
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2012, 08:03 AM   #22
greg2step
X3 Owner/Driver
greg2step's Avatar
United_States
211
Rep
785
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
so does anybody have any advice on buying 2 tires vs 4?
__________________
2018 X3 M40i G01 | Phytonic Blue | Mocha | Premium+Exec | Driver Assist | Adaptive M Suspension
2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in]
2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:14 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST