[PMB]

This is the beginning (hopefully) of the third summer with my X3 and I've just had the dealer switch over the winters tires (and wheels) to the summer tires (and wheels) which came new with the car when I purchased it in July '21. I keep a log of milage and tire changes and so far I have driven about 30,500 km, almost exactly half on summer tire and half on winters. Driving was less than usual for me due to the pandemic.

I was disappointed when the dealer told me that the remaining tread on the front tires was 6/32 and on the rear 3/32 and that rear tires should be replaced. That's only about 15,000 km on these tires, and I do not drive aggressively and the TPMS keeps track of the tire pressure for me.

These tires are Bridgestone Alenza Summer tires RFT and are staggered size: front 21 x 8.5", 245/40 R21 100Y and rear 21 x 9.5", 275/35 R21 103Y.

Is this normal wear for these tires? And is it safe to replace just the two rear tires or should I replace all four?

And man! the quote I got from the dealer for two new rear tires was almost $2000 CDN plus installation. Wow - RFT are expensive. Or is this pandemic/supply issues pricing?

Thanks,
Peter

[nord1899]

Is it even wear across the tires?

My staggered 20" Alenzas RFT at about 15,000 miles (or about 24,000km) were 4/32 F and 6/32 R. But the fronts had heavy outer shoulder wear and were basically bald there. Rears were evenly worn.

I replaced with non RFT (Conti DWS06+). And yes the prices for RFTs are very high.

[Joralemon st.]

Originally Posted by nord1899

Is it even wear across the tires?

My staggered 20" Alenzas RFT at about 15,000 miles (or about 24,000km) were 4/32 F and 6/32 R. But the fronts had heavy outer shoulder wear and were basically bald there. Rears were evenly worn.

I replaced with non RFT (Conti DWS06+). And yes the prices for RFTs are very high.

Same thing happened to me! I replaced them with RFTs, but the outer wear on the front tires was extreme!

[dmicah]

I would measure the tires for yourself, and in the event they need replacing, I'd go to a reputable tire shop and not the dealer. You're unlikely to get good tire prices at a BMW dealership. And, if you're making the switch to non-run-flats, consider changing all 4

[PMB]

Originally Posted by nord1899

Is it even wear across the tires?

My staggered 20" Alenzas RFT at about 15,000 miles (or about 24,000km) were 4/32 F and 6/32 R. But the fronts had heavy outer shoulder wear and were basically bald there. Rears were evenly worn.

I replaced with non RFT (Conti DWS06+). And yes the prices for RFTs are very high.

After the dealership recommended replacing the rear tires I did measure them myself and the number agree with the dealership. I am no tire expert (hence the questions) but the front tires do appear more worn on the shoulders. If I measure the tread nearer the middle of the tire it shows 6/32 while at the outer edge it shows 4/32. The rear tire show 3/32 across the width of the tire.

I plan to stick with RFT for now, but I would like to find a brand that would yield more than 15,000 km before they're done. I am going to an independent tire dealer and ask them for a quote.

I had a Audi Q5 for 8 years and I would get between 30,000 and 35,000 km before replacing tires. But then they were not RFT tires, so I don't know if maybe RFT tires wear more quickly. Either way, this car is turning out to be pricier to operate. I cringe when I think about my first brake job which I have been warned to budget $3000 CDN.

Thanks,
Peter

[PMB]

Originally Posted by dmicah

I would measure the tires for yourself, and in the event they need replacing, I'd go to a reputable tire shop and not the dealer. You're unlikely to get good tire prices at a BMW dealership. And, if you're making the switch to non-run-flats, consider changing all 4

Yes, I did and they agreed with what the dealership said. And I plan to get an independent quote, just not sure what RFT to replace them with. A short bit of Googling and it seems there are way fewer choices for RFT tire than regular tires in any brand.

Thanks,
Peter

[g11hoonigan]

I think there's fewer options for 21" in general than smaller wheels (20", 19") and they're also more expensive, let alone the RFT ones.

You may score up some closeout sale on TR, but you'd have to be searching in advance.

[robe033]

Originally Posted by PMB

This is the beginning (hopefully) of the third summer with my X3 and I've just had the dealer switch over the winters tires (and wheels) to the summer tires (and wheels) which came new with the car when I purchased it in July '21. I keep a log of milage and tire changes and so far I have driven about 30,500 km, almost exactly half on summer tire and half on winters. Driving was less than usual for me due to the pandemic.

I was disappointed when the dealer told me that the remaining tread on the front tires was 6/32 and on the rear 3/32 and that rear tires should be replaced. That's only about 15,000 km on these tires, and I do not drive aggressively and the TPMS keeps track of the tire pressure for me.

These tires are Bridgestone Alenza Summer tires RFT and are staggered size: front 21 x 8.5", 245/40 R21 100Y and rear 21 x 9.5", 275/35 R21 103Y.

Is this normal wear for these tires? And is it safe to replace just the two rear tires or should I replace all four?

And man! the quote I got from the dealer for two new rear tires was almost $2000 CDN plus installation. Wow - RFT are expensive. Or is this pandemic/supply issues pricing?

Thanks,
Peter

Same set up on my 2020 X4
Only done 16,000 miles, Summer / Winter even split
Winter have 6mm Summer less than 4mm left all around, even wear.
Got dealer to check, no fault found
Summer tyres worn out after 8,000 miles, dealer said well it is a heavy car ???

[PMB]

Originally Posted by robe033

Same set up on my 2020 X4
Only done 16,000 miles, Summer / Winter even split
Winter have 6mm Summer less than 4mm left all around, even wear.
Got dealer to check, no fault found
Summer tyres worn out after 8,000 miles, dealer said well it is a heavy car ???

So what did you replace them with? The same Bridgestone Alenza tires? I want something different that hopefully lasts longer.

[bouchy]

Let's make it 15k + 15k km. That's not impressive tyre wear... Do you rotate? Because better tyres shall be in the back, since X3+ has rear-preferred AWD. (Don't) change my mind. In metric, that's like 4,7 mm and 2,3 mm. I would throw away the worse, buy 2 new, not sure where to mount (in case of braking, you want a good thread in the front...)

Alenza is shit, confirmed once again*. Try Pirelli, Michelin. RFT, your size, "star" labeled = ca $400/pc (for me...)
*Remember, don't save too much on tyres and brakes.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by bouchy

Let's make it 15k + 15k km. That's not impressive tyre wear... Do you rotate? Because better tyres shall be in the back, since X3+ has rear-preferred AWD. (Don't) change my mind. In metric, that's like 4,7 mm and 2,3 mm. I would throw away the worse, buy 2 new, not sure where to mount (in case of braking, you want a good thread in the front...)

Alenza is shit, confirmed once again*. Try Pirelli, Michelin. RFT, your size, "star" labeled = ca $400/pc (for me...)
*Remember, don't save too much on tyres and brakes.

Pirelli 275/35 R21 RFT BMW * are like rocking horse shit in the UK. Anyone know of availability ?

[Q1968]

Originally Posted by bouchy

Let's make it 15k + 15k km. That's not impressive tyre wear... Do you rotate? Because better tyres shall be in the back, since X3+ has rear-preferred AWD. (Don't) change my mind.

OP's tires are staggered sizes - 275 rear, 245 front. He can't rotate front to rear.

OP - $2K CAD for a pair of rear tires, not including installation, seems pretty steep. In the USA Tire Rack sells the OEM rear tire for $528.55, which is about $719 CAD. Still pricy, but it would seem your dealer is making a healthy profit there. Unfortunately with the 21" sizes you don't have a lot of options.

[PMB]

Originally Posted by avi66

Pirelli 275/35 R21 RFT BMW * are like rocking horse shit in the UK. Anyone know of availability ?

I take it that "rocking horse shit" is not good?

[PMB]

Originally Posted by Q1968

OP's tires are staggered sizes - 275 rear, 245 front. He can't rotate front to rear.

OP - $2K CAD for a pair of rear tires, not including installation, seems pretty steep. In the USA Tire Rack sells the OEM rear tire for $528.55, which is about $719 CAD. Still pricy, but it would seem your dealer is making a healthy profit there. Unfortunately with the 21" sizes you don't have a lot of options.

Yeah, I am feeling a bit taken in on that price. I intend to shop around, just need to find something better to shop for.

Peter

[Gorst]

Absolutely. You can easily check yourself and buy elsewhere.

[robe033]

Originally Posted by PMB

So what did you replace them with? The same Bridgestone Alenza tires? I want something different that hopefully lasts longer.

I havent yet, still got winters on

[avi66]

Originally Posted by PMB

I take it that "rocking horse shit" is not good?

Have you ever seen "rocking horse shit" ?

[PMB]

Originally Posted by avi66

Have you ever seen "rocking horse shit" ?

Ah, you mean they are impossible to find.

[jsh139]

I love British slang.

[g11hoonigan]

Originally Posted by avi66

Have you ever seen "rocking horse shit" ?

3x...in this thread

[glennbk]

If you were closer, I'd sell you the tires I took off my X3.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Heavy car+decent HP+soft summer or winter tires?
Yea, these things eat tires.
If you don’t need summers or winters, get all seasons that will last a little longer… but don’t expect 50k miles out of them.

I don’t understand why people complain about tire wear on the m40i … do you not know what you’re getting yourself into when buying these types of vehicles?
Not saying that to be rude, but I mean, this isn’t a Honda civic with some skinny all season tires on them. All BMWs eat tires, especially rears… that is the trade off you get for a well handling, heavy, higher HP car… can’t have your cake and eat it too. This is a performance oriented vehicle, not some mundane people hauler.
Buy your own tires online or at a shop and take it somewhere to get them mounted, will be cheaper than the dealership who is just marking the tires and mounting up.