[Dan_80]

I have only driven 6000 miles on the stock run flat tire. Today I checked the tires and found that the front tire wears much faster than rear tire. I thought that X3 is rear drive based and shouldn't the rear tires wear faster?

Attached are two photos. The longitudinal groove in the circle has disappeared in the front, but it is still quite visible in the rear. I have about 90% driving in local and 10% highway.

Update 28/10. Went to the dealer and they suggested to replace the tie rod. They said that the front one was bent and I must had hit a pothole ($600 and warranty wont cover it). However, I don't feel any issues driving the car and do not recall hitting any potholes. I also took a photo of the rod, which looks straight to me(attached in the original post). Had other cars in the house and never got the rod replaced.

Any suggestions!

[Wgosma]

I've found my fronts to wear just tad bit quicker, but not by much.

That front wear near the outer edge of your tire may be due to slightly incorrect "toe"- be worth having alignment shop put on rack and measure, adjust if out of spec.

[McPurrs]

You need an alignment. Badly.

[Dan_80]

thanks for the info. Will get it rotated and aligned. Did not know that a new car needs alignment at 6K. I typically do that after 10K....

Originally Posted by McPurrs

You need an alignment. Badly.

[Wgosma]

I've owned BMW sedans for 15 years and have only needed car aligned after suspension work. I suppose if one whacks a wheel in a pot hole or smacks a curb that can certainly cause issues, but beyond that kind of event we shouldn't need alignment done.

[McPurrs]

Originally Posted by Dan_80

thanks for the info. Will get it rotated and aligned. Did not know that a new car needs alignment at 6K. I typically do that after 10K....

Potholes can do a ton to alignment. As can rough roads over time.

[McPurrs]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I've owned BMW sedans for 15 years and have only needed car aligned after suspension work. I suppose if one whacks a wheel in a pot hole or smacks a curb that can certainly cause issues, but beyond that kind of event we shouldn't need alignment done.

You should have your alignment checked every time tires are replaced. Since you needed suspension work, I would assume you went through sets of tires. You also may live in a land of flat roads. Come to New England for a few weeks this winter and then we can check your alignment

[Wgosma]

I went thru many sets of tires on two E39's; and thrust arms, etc....both cars driven to over 200K miles.
And yes, SoCal roads are flat and generally pretty decent condition.

[Dan_80]

I do have rough roads here. However, the front and rear tires should both be affected. In my case, only the front outer region wear faster (for both set of front tires)...

Originally Posted by McPurrs

You should have your alignment checked every time tires are replaced. Since you needed suspension work, I would assume you went through sets of tires. You also may live in a land of flat roads. Come to New England for a few weeks this winter and then we can check your alignment

[najnad]

The alignment is off for your front tires. This could have been an error from the time the last alignment was done or it could be due to hitting a few potholes...no real way to know. The alignment being off up front will show tire wear faster than in the back due to the fact your front tires move for turning and further change their orientation, enhancing the effect the misalignment has on tire wear. All four may be off, but the fronts will be the first to show uneven wear.

Of course, whenever you do get an alignment done, get all 4 wheels aligned.

Originally Posted by Dan_80

I do have rough roads here. However, the front and rear tires should both be affected. In my case, only the front outer region wear faster (for both set of front tires)...

[Dan_80]

Sorry everyone, just realized that I should have post it in the G01 forum, as I have a 2019 X3. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[tracer bullet]

Eh no problem, tire wear is tire wear, Prius, X3, Corvette...

I have this wear too. It's because I like to hit the freeway ramps a little hard (without passengers in the car at the time). Nothing more to it than that, for me at least.

You may very well have an alignment problem, but then again maybe not if you tend to be spirited like I am (without passengers in the car at the time).

A little extra camber (technically, a little more negative) could go a long ways as well if this is the case.

[Dan_80]

Update 28/10. Went to the dealer and they suggested to replace the tire rod. They said that the front one was bent and I must had hit a pothole ($600 and warranty wont cover it). However, I don't feel any issues driving the car and do not recall hitting any potholes. I also took a photo of the rod, which looks straight to me.(attached in the original post). Had other cars in the house and never got the rod replaced.

Any suggestions!

[Burnaby]

Looking at the picture I would listen to your dealer
The inner tie rod is very much bent

[pungo]

$600 seems excessive for a tie rod replacement. I assume it's for the inner?

Originally Posted by McPurrs

You should have your alignment checked every time tires are replaced.

I've gone through many many sets of tires on several different BMWs and other makes and never have the alignment checked/adjusted unless I changed suspension components. I live on the east coast in MD so the roads are not too bad, though after a harsh winter, we get our fair share of potholes, though I never hit one bad enough to bend suspension components that would require an alignment adjustment.

BTW, my E39 has gone through 3 sets of tires at 60k miles per set without an alignment and tire wear has been even. It's due for some suspension components replacements now.

[Wgosma]

Dealer will charge; so, take the car to a good alignment shop and get a diagnosis, 2nd opinion about the tire wear, see what they say and go from there.

If you hit something hard enough to bend a tie rod you'd have known and remembered it.

Good luck/Bill

[Dan_80]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will certainly do that.

Btw, should have post this in the G01 forum, but I bookmarked this one in my phone.... please ignore if you see two posts.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Dealer will charge; so, take the car to a good alignment shop and get a diagnosis, 2nd opinion about the tire wear, see what they say and go from there.

If you hit something hard enough to bend a tie rod you'd have known and remembered it.

Good luck/Bill

[najnad]

agree with what others have said, likely just an alignment needed due to either a) hitting a few pot holes/rough roads, b) bad alignment to begin with (too much toe in) or c) both. Tie rod is unlikely bad with that few miles on it.