[steve8274]

Hi all
I need to replace all my tyres on my car. Currently I have Pirelli p zero on. Been looking on various websites and there doesn't seem to be much choice and quite expensive.
Can anyone recommend other tyres to look for that are star marked since car has x drive and non run flat? I'm based in uk.
Tyre sizes are staggered at

275 40 19
245 45 19

Thanks in advance

[lawdude]

Here are a couple of threads:

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1814981

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1823577

[steve8274]

Thanks. I had seen and read those but they have no outcome. Both put different brands of tyres on front and rear which caused issues so they reverted back to old tyres.
I was hoping to find some new tyres with same brand and star marked. I'm sure someone must've done that before. Tyres have obviously advanced since my car (2012) was built although I'm not sure how old my existing tyres are. I'm just struggling to find a matching pair with star markings

[lawdude]

Third time's charm

[steve8274]

Anybody? Surely someone uk based has purchased tyres for their x3. Any recommendations

[WagonR]

I don't think non-runflat BMW star spec tires exist in that size. Runflats with BMW star spec, I think you have the Pirelli (which were the factory option), and then the Michelin Primacy 3 ZP. I actually just put the Primacy 3 ZPs on the car since we wanted to stick with runflats.

Had we gone with non-runflats, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, or Pilot Sport 3 would have been my first choice.

Why are you hung up on getting a BMW star spec tire? That would be the very least of my concerns.

[steve8274]

Originally Posted by WagonR

I don't think non-runflat BMW star spec tires exist in that size. Runflats with BMW star spec, I think you have the Pirelli (which were the factory option), and then the Michelin Primacy 3 ZP. I actually just put the Primacy 3 ZPs on the car since we wanted to stick with runflats.

Had we gone with non-runflats, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, or Pilot Sport 3 would have been my first choice.

Why are you hung up on getting a BMW star spec tire? That would be the very least of my concerns.

My current tyres are non run flat and that's what I still want. I just thought tyres may have improved since these were fitted. Their fuel economy rating isn't the best.
I am hung up on the star rating because that's what's on now and because i have the x drive, I didn't want to mess that up like I have read other people have done on here and then having to revert back to old tyres.
There's plenty of choice without the star rating out there but doesn't seem so many with it

[alpinec1984]

the star just means in most cases that the tread compound was tuned for the OEM in this case BMW. Occasionally you might find other construction changes to tune the ride & handling for the original fitment, versus the "non-star" equivalent tire. Since you car came with runflats pretty much everywhere, there never where many or possibly even any non-ROF star-marked tires to fit your car, and if there were, they are probably developed for BMW but for a different model anyway.

In 99% of cases the star-marked (or generally any OEM-maked) tires will have poorer treadwear (possibly much poorer) in favor of better rolling resistance to pump up the gas mileage rating, and in UHP categories, possibly stickier compounds as well and/or the afore-mentioned slight handling tunings.

[WagonR]

^^ Agree

There's no impact on Xdrive for using non-star tires. I'm not sure why OP seems to think there is. Xdrive just wants all of the tires to have the same circumference, which the 245/45/19s and 275/40/19s are basically dead on matches.

[steve8274]

Originally Posted by alpinec1984

the star just means in most cases that the tread compound was tuned for the OEM in this case BMW. Occasionally you might find other construction changes to tune the ride & handling for the original fitment, versus the "non-star" equivalent tire. Since you car came with runflats pretty much everywhere, there never where many or possibly even any non-ROF star-marked tires to fit your car, and if there were, they are probably developed for BMW but for a different model anyway.

In 99% of cases the star-marked (or generally any OEM-maked) tires will have poorer treadwear (possibly much poorer) in favor of better rolling resistance to pump up the gas mileage rating, and in UHP categories, possibly stickier compounds as well and/or the afore-mentioned slight handling tunings.

Hi
Thanks for replying and for giving the reasons behind the star ratings.
This is my first bmw and I was only going off what I had read in the handbook, on this forum and on google regarding the star rated tyres.
I'm not sure if my car started with runflats but since I have had ownership, they have been non runflats with the Pirelli tyres on. Overall I have been happy with the tyres but presumed there would be better out there now.
At least now I am aware I can get others without detriment to my transfer box

[steve8274]

Originally Posted by WagonR

^^ Agree

There's no impact on Xdrive for using non-star tires. I'm not sure why OP seems to think there is. Xdrive just wants all of the tires to have the same circumference, which the 245/45/19s and 275/40/19s are basically dead on matches.

I'm new to bmw and can only go off the info I have read in handbook, forum and google.
I didn't want to cause damage.
The explanation above seems to disprove my fears and goes against other stuff I had read.
I am happy to get non star marked tyres if they aren't required. I just wasn't aware that was the case

[WagonR]

Originally Posted by steve8274

I'm new to bmw and can only go off the info I have read in handbook, forum and google.
I didn't want to cause damage.
The explanation above seems to disprove my fears and goes against other stuff I had read.
I am happy to get non star marked tyres if they aren't required. I just wasn't aware that was the case

A lot of people here run non-star tires, and are very happy with the results. Between that and not using runflats, you are really open to a lot of good choices. The only thing not to do with Xdrive is mix tire types front and rear, or run sizes that don't have the same circumference. That last part can come into play if your tires are worn and you need to replace a tire, you might need to replace all so that the new one doesn't have to large of a circumference relative to the worn tires.

Anyways, all new tires in the correct sizes and you'll be good to go. I like to use tire rack to see what's available and read the reviews and then order locally. Best of luck on your search!

[steve8274]

We don't have tyre rack here in uk. Been having a quick look around and whenever I find some for fronts, they don't do same make in rears or vice versa
I'll keep searching. Thanks for the input and help 👍

[WagonR]

I didn't think tirerack.com would deliver tires there, but you can put in the car info, and it will show all of the tires that work. I'm going to assume that if the tire is sold in the US, it's probably sold in the UK as well.

Go to tirerack.com

Click on shop tires, then put this info in:



Click view results, and then it will give you a choice of which staged set you're running. Select the 19 inch (245/45/19 and 275/40/19) option:



Once you click view results it will give you all 44 tires that offer the same tire in both of those sizes. You can filter by brand, runflat vs. non-runflat, type of tire, etc.

Once you find a tire or tires you think would work, then just find your local place that sells that brand and see if they can get them. I'm assuming they can.

[steve8274]

Thanks again.

[WagonR]

Originally Posted by steve8274

Thanks again.

For sure. Feel free to reach out if you find some that you think you might like. There are a lot on here who have experiences with different tires, so I'm sure someone can help!

[Argo2]

Originally Posted by WagonR

I didn't think tirerack.com would deliver tires there, but you can put in the car info, and it will show all of the tires that work. I'm going to assume that if the tire is sold in the US, it's probably sold in the UK as well.

Go to tirerack.com

Click on shop tires, then put this info in:



Click view results, and then it will give you a choice of which staged set you're running. Select the 19 inch (245/45/19 and 275/40/19) option:



Once you click view results it will give you all 44 tires that offer the same tire in both of those sizes. You can filter by brand, runflat vs. non-runflat, type of tire, etc.

Once you find a tire or tires you think would work, then just find your local place that sells that brand and see if they can get them. I'm assuming they can.

Hi all,

New UK member here, my 2nd hand X3 is just a week old in my possession, really loving it.

Why the staggered tyre sizes?

[WagonR]

Originally Posted by Argo2

Hi all,

New UK member here, my 2nd hand X3 is just a week old in my possession, really loving it.

Why the staggered tyre sizes?

Staggered wheels and tires were an option from BMW towards the later part of the X3 run. There were two options, the 19" option, which we've been talking about here, and a 20" option. On the 19's the front wheel is 19x8.5, and the rear is 19x9.5. That's why they require the staggered tires.

Most were not staggered, and have the same size wheel and tires at all 4 corners.

As to why someone would want staggered, realistically it's probably just for looks. It limits tire selections, reduces how you can rotate tires, and costs more overall.

[Argo2]

Originally Posted by WagonR

Staggered wheels and tires were an option from BMW towards the later part of the X3 run. There were two options, the 19" option, which we've been talking about here, and a 20" option. On the 19's the front wheel is 19x8.5, and the rear is 19x9.5. That's why they require the staggered tires.

Most were not staggered, and have the same size wheel and tires at all 4 corners.

As to why someone would want staggered, realistically it's probably just for looks. It limits tire selections, reduces how you can rotate tires, and costs more overall.

Many thanks WagonR, aye I agree with your summary, yes the rotation and longevity is much compromised. I have the 19” version, so I’m disappointed to find this out!

Btw I had a Suzuki WagonR many moons ago, zippy and great around town, ugly as sin, could carry loads with rear seats down, had a spoiler lol, what a size difference to what we drive now!

[steve8274]

Went to Costco today and they had an offer on with Michelin tyres.
Just ordered 4 Michelin pilot sport 4 tyres for £640
Still expensive but cheapest I've found any branded tyres for a staggered set up.
They only getting delivered on 21st July but we away then so will have them fitted on return.
They fill with nitrogen gas too. Not exactly sure what the benefit is? They said tyre temperatures 🤷🏻

[Argo2]

Originally Posted by steve8274

Went to Costco today and they had an offer on with Michelin tyres.
Just ordered 4 Michelin pilot sport 4 tyres for £640
Still expensive but cheapest I've found any branded tyres for a staggered set up.
They only getting delivered on 21st July but we away then so will have them fitted on return.
They fill with nitrogen gas too. Not exactly sure what the benefit is? They said tyre temperatures ����

Wow, that’s extremely interesting, I wonder if anyone in the U.K. has had the same?

Oops, just realised, you are UK, I shall remember this for my next change, my rears are way ahead of my fronts - which look reasonably new, for wear!

[WagonR]

Originally Posted by steve8274

Went to Costco today and they had an offer on with Michelin tyres.
Just ordered 4 Michelin pilot sport 4 tyres for £640
Still expensive but cheapest I've found any branded tyres for a staggered set up.
They only getting delivered on 21st July but we away then so will have them fitted on return.
They fill with nitrogen gas too. Not exactly sure what the benefit is? They said tyre temperatures 🤷🏻

Nice choice on the tires! I think you'll enjoy them.

The benefit of nitrogen is that it expands/compresses less than air with temperature changes. This keeps tire pressures more constant over temperature swings than air filled tires. It's nice to have, but I wouldn't pay extra for it.