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Tire problem?

Discuss anything to do with the (E83) BMW X3 here
(Older F25 discussion within will ideally to be moved to F25 Sub section below)
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AndyX383
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Tire problem?

Post by AndyX383 » Sun Mar 31, 2019 8:55 am

Morning all.

New here.

I’ve just put new tires on the year of my car. They are staggered.

I have Pirelli P Zero Rosso’s On the front which have the Star on but the new tires on the rear which are also Pirelli P Zero (but not Rosso) and no stars seem to have changed the handling.

If I’m taking a sharp right hand turn or the road is slightly uneven the rear clunks and the 4x4 warning lights flash up.

Is this due to not having star tires? Even though the brand is premium and the size is correct?

Is someone can help I’ll be really thankful.

Cheers

Andy

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StuBeeDoo
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Re: Tire problem?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Sun Mar 31, 2019 9:49 am

I'm sure someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it staggered set-ups really need star-marked tyres all round.
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AndyX383
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Re: Tire problem?

Post by AndyX383 » Sun Mar 31, 2019 9:52 am

Thanks Stu.

Looks like I should have paid out the extra.

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Alan Gunn
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Re: Tire problem?

Post by Alan Gunn » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:05 am

What is left on the front tyres.
Mixing new and old with a staggered setup is a bad move.
What car is it you have.

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Re: Tire problem?

Post by AndyX383 » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:12 am

A 2008 2.0 X3 auto
The front have a few 1000 miles left.

Do you think it may be worth changing the front to the same as the back?

The P Zero is obviously still a premium tire even without the star. I think they were £70 less than the Rosso’s

Thanks

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Alan Gunn
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Re: Tire problem?

Post by Alan Gunn » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:27 am

Yes you would stand a better chance with all 4 the same tred.

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X5Sport
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Re: Tire problem?

Post by X5Sport » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:38 am

As said above, staggered setup are very very sensitive to tyre choices and the E83 is amongst the most sensitive.

You are strongly advised to use ‘*’ marked tyres all round and replace as a set. A difference in circumference that a new pair and almost worn out pair have is enough to break the transfer box (or rear diff). Most of the X cars suffer, but the E83 and E70 are the two with particularly challenged transmissions.

If your car is already showing signs of issues you need to get the other pair replaced ASAP.
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Re: Tire problem?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:49 am

If I'm remembering this correctly.... The maximum difference front-rear is 1% of the circumference. I think I worked that out for 17" wheels as 3mm of tread depth. Therefore, assuming new tyres (on average) have 7.5mm total tread depth, fitting one pair of tyres will cause transmission problems if the other pair have 4.5mm or less.
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Leslie
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Re: Tire problem?

Post by Leslie » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:52 am

The maximum difference in tread depth is supposed to be 3mm you now probably have 5 to 6mm between front and rear which the 4wd can't cope with on bend where the wheels are turning at different speeds.
I'd get 2 fronts the same make as the 2 rears you have just bought they it should be fine they don't have to be star marked though it is recommended.

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Re: Tire problem?

Post by AndyX383 » Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:16 am

Thank you all

I’ll get the front done this week.

Fingers crossed.

Really appreciated

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Re: Tire problem?

Post by StuBeeDoo » Fri Apr 05, 2019 8:05 am

AndyX383 wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:16 amI’ll get the front done this week.

Fingers crossed.
Any update yet?
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