[pixlplague]

Alright since this will be wordy here is a TL;DR

Can I change only one tire on an xDrive safely or is the AWD ratio such that it will destroy my tranny?

Now for the story in case you wonder: Where I live the streets are beyond destroyed (this year is perticularly bad). Hit a series of potholes with my 2017 540ix, culminating in a giant one basically bending my front rim (20" 759) and bulging both passenger side tires.

I didn't get the wheel/tire insurance (many reasons why, I'll elaborate if anyone cares) so I'm on my own to replace them. The wheel is not cosmetically damaged and is repairable so I'm getting that done at a specialist shop.

Although I actually like runflats, I WAS going to go with regular tires instead of ROF to save a bit money since I had a lot of unexpected expenses lately. Again, I WAS going to change to regular tires and bring those back, or worst case save the ROF and switch again when I return, maybe keep the second set.

But I learned that I can't do that: the one insurance I did get is the excessive wear and tear for my lease, which although cheap and very practical when I return the car in 14 months, has the caveat that I am not allowed to return the car with non-runflat tires OR with bulges or tears on the tires.

So now I'm stuck with a give or take $2000 tire change, plus the wheel repair (and since I have winters, I won't be using up all the tread on the new tires before I turn in the car, so I can't help to feel like I also lose part of my insurance but whatever...). I am now contemplating changing only one, maybe two tires only. I am aware it's sort of ridiculous to count pennies on tire that go on an $80,000 car (I live in Canada, that's like $45 USD) but like I said, I just had a LOT of unexpected costs this year so although I can certainly afford it, I wouldn't mind a bit of a break.

Now I know (and I've read, and I've been told by my tire shop who I trust) that changing only one tire on an AWD is not a good idea. However, I also know that a) this depends on the AWD ratio and b) it may still be possible to change two of four.

My current ones are at around 7 or 8/32 so not worn, but not new either. I'm just looking for you guy's opinion/experience on this.

Thanks!!

PS: After two years of loving this car, I'm growing increasingly disatisfied by both the car and the dealership. Not to the point of hating it, but out of my 4 bimmers it's the one experience I'm the most disappointed about, which makes the tire pill really hard to swallow...