nail in tire, do i have to replace all 4??

[matt_435xi]

i have a nail in 1 of my tires on my 2011 X5 35i Sport and i was told because it is an AWD SUV that i have to replace all 4 tires or i could damage the AWD system (transfer case)? is this true?

i was also told that if i did only replace the rears i had to stay with the same brand, because of the tread pattern, or i could damage the AWD system (transfer case).

please help, i really don't want to drop $2k on new tires after only 15k miles. this is the OEM Sport setup on the 35i so its a staggered set of 20" wheels.

[alegz]

No you don't have to replace all 4 tires, if you want to be cautious replace in pairs (2 tires) on the same axle. The rear and front tires don't match as is because they are staggered.

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by alegz

No you don't have to replace all 4 tires, if you want to be cautious replace in pairs (2 tires) on the same axle. The rear and front tires don't match as is because they are staggered.

can I go with a different tread pattern (different brand RFT)?

i live in AZ so AWD is pointless for my wife, I just do not want to damage the car.

[alegz]

yes you can use a different tread pattern, as long as you will be replacing both tires on the same axle. That is what I plan on doing, one of my front tires was cut. In the rear I'm keeping the original tires.

Are you leasing your car btw ?

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by alegz

yes you can use a different tread pattern, as long as you will be replacing both tires on the same axle. That is what I plan on doing, one of my front tires was cut. In the rear I'm keeping the original tires.

Are you leasing your car btw ?

yes I planned on replacing both rears.

not leasing.

[alegz]

If you are not leasing there is no one to tell you what tires you can or can't use on your car.

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by alegz

If you are not leasing there is no one to tell you what tires you can or can't use on your car.

right, like I said in my original post I didn't want to damage the AWD system.

[Mike van D]

Why don't you just replace the one with the nail with the same brand/size?

[philipx6]

I had 3 nails on my rear tire a month ago and had them removed .....why replace the whole things....unless u don't know what to do with your $

[TimZ]

I got one nail in my tire and got the whole tire replaced. I was under wheel and tire insurance so I didn't have to pay a penny

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by NeedMoreToyz

Why don't you just replace the one with the nail with the same brand/size?

for 2 reasons:

1. you never just replace 1 tire? all the tires have 16k miles on them, my car would be out of balance with 1 tire that is brand new.

2. the Dunlop tires on my X5 are ~$500 a piece, i can get 2 Bridgestone RFT tires for ~$500.

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by philipx6

I had 3 nails on my rear tire a month ago and had them removed .....why replace the whole things....unless u don't know what to do with your $

because the nail is in the shoulder of the tire, and would be nearly impossible to plug/patch. plus maybe dangerous if the tire shop was successful.

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by TimZ

I got one nail in my tire and got the whole tire replaced. I was under wheel and tire insurance so I didn't have to pay a penny

excellent, and that helps me how?

[LANDLORD]

The important feature that must match between the front and rear tires is the overall diameter or the revolutions per mile. Because of the AWD system I would not mix and match tires, but if you purchased new tires for one axle, and the specifications said that the overall diameter and revolutions per mile matched the other axle, then I would think it could be OK. The other problem is the mileage on the older tires may alter the diameter, so there is a slight risk there, not to mention warranty issues.

I would not spend the money for the Dunlops, unless money was not a factor. The Bridgestone's are about 1/2 the cost, and are similar in performance.

One other note, if you drive these cars hard in the corners, the front tires will probably never last past 20K miles. The outside edges of mine are gone at 17K miles, but I found if I raise the tire pressure the outside edge wear is reduced somewhat, at the expense of the ride quality.

I have driven a lot of mountain roads at very high speeds exploring all the car has to offer, so tires are a cost of the good times in my book. I pass people just for fun and watching them disappear after a corner or two really makes we wonder what they are thinking about the big blue BMW that just screamed around them.

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by LANDLORD

The important feature that must match between the front and rear tires is the overall diameter or the revolutions per mile. Because of the AWD system I would not mix and match tires, but if you purchased new tires for one axle, and the specifications said that the overall diameter and revolutions per mile matched the other axle, then I would think it could be OK. The other problem is the mileage on the older tires may alter the diameter, so there is a slight risk there, not to mention warranty issues.

I would not spend the money for the Dunlops, unless money was not a factor. The Bridgestone's are about 1/2 the cost, and are similar in performance.

One other note, if you drive these cars hard in the corners, the front tires will probably never last past 20K miles. The outside edges of mine are gone at 17K miles, but I found if I raise the tire pressure the outside edge wear is reduced somewhat, at the expense of the ride quality.

I have driven a lot of mountain roads at very high speeds exploring all the car has to offer, so tires are a cost of the good times in my book. I pass people just for fun and watching them disappear after a corner or two really makes we wonder what they are thinking about the big blue BMW that just screamed around them.

so can I run NEW Bridgestones in the rear and keep the OLD Dunlops up front?

the car is not riden hard, I just don't want to void warranty or break the transfer case; like I have said repeatedly in this thread.

[AndreyATC]

Just think of it this way
1. You are going to have OEM spec tires in all 4 corners (Bridges and Dunlops are both OEM)
2. BMW swaps usually 1 tire when there is a problem, not all 4
3. There is a greater difference in diameter between wheels in staggered setup vs square setup, but it doesnt create a problem.
4. Diameter difference between wheels with new and old thread is so small, that it shouldnt even be bothered. Wear, for rear and front is not that even either

[matt_435xi]

thanks for the info, i just bought 2 Bridgestone RFTs that will be installed later this week.