[Nahoa]

Yup, that's the one. The comment associated with it is a bit disturbing in terms of solution.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

Here in the west, that is what I have experienced as "cupping". You could run your hand over the tire and easily feel the "cups".

[Radioactive]

[Nahoa]

Prepared the wheels for storage this morning. Here's one of the front tires. The rears are worn, but quite even and no cupping. The right side is the inside. It's much more worn than the rest of the tire. The cupping outer edge (left) is per tread element. One edge of the tread element is more worn than the other.

[Want the thrill]

Wow, that's a big difference! I wasn't expecting it to look that bad. I'll be interested to hear what the dealer has to say.....

[sfax]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

disappointed I didn't think of this smiley first

[sfax]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Prepared the wheels for storage this morning. Here's one of the front tires. The rears are worn, but quite even and no cupping. The right side is the inside. It's much more worn than the rest of the tire. The cupping outer edge (left) is per tread element. One edge of the tread element is more worn than the other.

wow. That is really bad. I have just had my Contis taken off and didn't notice any wear imbalance but will check them carefully

[Nahoa]

Well, so far the dealership can't find anything wrong with the alignment or any damage or worn parts on the suspension. Doesn't make much sense to me.

[Radioactive]

I had this happen on a Jeep. Never had a problem on the original set. On the second set of a different tires, I had cupping. The third set of different tires, no problems. I mentioned it to the tire guy and he told me that particular tire had a lot of cupping problems.

Your problem was probably the same as mine, bad manufacturing. Also it doesn't hurt to quit chasing those Porsches!

[Nahoa]

So you're saying it could be just the tires? Only had the problem on the front wheels and not the rear. Does that match your experience with the Jeep?

(Oh, and, well unlikely on the Porsche part . . . )

[Radioactive]

Yes, that was my experience. That my problem was the tire itself and not the car. The tires that cupped were on the rear of the Jeep and I found nothing wrong with the car itself. As Lotus wrote the tire could be the problem, ie out of round, bad balancing. I think you would have felt it on the front if the tire was badly out of balance. I'm guessing here, but perhaps something happen during the manufacturing process which did not allow the tire to operate to tested spec's.

Looking at your tire picture I would have thought that your front end was out of whack somehow. I would suggested that you take it to a different dealer.

[Nahoa]

Oh, forgot one part. With the new tires (and wheels) on I took in on the freeway on Sunday. Got up to about 75 and there was a lot of vibration and it drifted in the lane.

Anything else that could be causing it other than the suspension/alignment, out of balance wheels, goofy tires? Anyone heard of problems with the electronic steering system along these lines?

[Radioactive]

My edit was too slow.....by the looks of your tire and the fact you're still getting vibration and drift. You might try a different dealer.

[sfax]

Hi Nahoa, this doesn't help you much but I had a good look at my staggered Conti SC3s (they've been switched for winter tyres now) and there is barely any evidence of uneven wear front or back.

[Nahoa]

Well, it helps to know that it's not a standard condition. I still get confused with the different packages out there -- do I recall correctly that you do not have VDC (or I think what they were called DDC as part of the DHP here when I bought mine)?

Anyone with VDC switched out or taken a good look at their tires? Anyone have the staggered Conti SSRs?

Really stupid question -- the Pirelli Sotto Zero's normally ride fine at 65-75 mph, yes?

After speaking to them yesterday the dealer is holding the car and taking another look. The service rep agreed that the tires indicated something was wrong. At first, having found nothing amiss on initial inspection, they were looking at an improperly balanced tire (it's a TireRack set; I'd be surprised if that were the case). When I reminded him about the previous set of tires and that the odd road feel had been there since the beginning (which I'd thought was just the car as it was a mild feel, no pulling, had nothing to compare to, and I didn't realize what was happening to the tires), he agreed there must be something else there and planned to search it out.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Well, it helps to know that it's not a standard condition. I still get confused with the different packages out there -- do I recall correctly that you do not have VDC (or I think what they were called DDC as part of the DHP here when I bought mine)?

Anyone with VDC switched out or taken a good look at their tires? Anyone have the staggered Conti SSRs?

Really stupid question -- the Pirelli Sotto Zero's normally ride fine at 65-75 mph, yes?

After speaking to them yesterday the dealer is holding the car and taking another look. The service rep agreed that the tires indicated something was wrong. At first, having found nothing amiss on initial inspection, they were looking at an improperly balanced tire (it's a TireRack set; I'd be surprised if that were the case). When I reminded him about the previous set of tires and that the odd road feel had been there since the beginning (which I'd thought was just the car as it was a mild feel, no pulling, had nothing to compare to, and I didn't realize what was happening to the ties), he agreed there must be something else there and planned to search it out.

For comparison I have no Dynamic Drive Control or Variable Sports Steering or Variable Damper Control (Dynamic Handling Package US). I do have performance control and sports suspension. I also have fewer horses than you

[Nahoa]

So, tonight the dealer reports they rechecked the alignment and found it out. They also found all four of the TireRack mounted/balanced wheels out of balance. Re-did the road force balancing. Finished near closing and will road test tomorrow before returning.

If this solves the problem I'll be happy overall. Not thrilled to pay twice for the mounting/balancing and will try to get that back from TireRack. Figure I need to pay the dealership as they did the troubleshooting and the work of re-mounting and balancing.

Simple thing. Way too much work and effort.

[Radioactive]

Glad they may have found the problem. Hard to believe they have to look twice to decide there is a problem. Sucks to repay for the balancing and now some new tires. Good luck with it.

[Nahoa]

Wow! Drives great with proper alignment and balancing. Even quieter than before. Handling much better at higher speeds. This car is even nicer than I thought!

BMW NA rep also checked out bubbles on the dash and authorized replacement. Part on order.

[Want the thrill]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Wow! Drives great with proper alignment and balancing. Even quieter than before. Handling much better at higher speeds. This car is even nicer than I thought!

BMW NA rep also checked out bubbles on the dash and authorized replacement. Part on order.

Your dash bubbled? Where at? Was it like that at delivery?

[Nahoa]

Yes, fom delivery. Front and right of the center speaker. 7 circular spots and farther right a rectangular section approx 4" x 8". Most often not visible. Particular sun angles and fluorescent lights.

[Nahoa]

Here's the before and after alignment report. To my surprise, the values on the rear seemed to be the most "out", though it was the front tires that were worn so badly.

So, the final result has most things dead on the center line indicator which I assume is the ideal spot (trusting that the machine has whatever settings needed set to match this car). A couple are in the lowest trough, but not right on the mark. Had I not seen this and been told "all was now according to spec" I'd be a complete happy camper. Now I can't help but wonder why the didn't turn a wrench one more time and set them all right on the money and make the caster of the front wheels the same.

For those of you who know this stuff, is this all good? The little variations shouldn't cause me to worry about destroying another set of tires early? Anyone understand why the original settings thrashed the front wheels?

Thanks!