[e2p]

Hi everyone!

First off, I have read the several threads on uneven tire wear and what tires to replace with. None seem to quite fit my situation. So here it goes...

I have a 2013 328i base model sedan, with 225/50 R17 94V ContiProContact SSR RFTs. Now at 37.5K miles, a local BMW dealer tells me that all 4 tires need to be replaced and 4-wheel alignment performed.

Looking at the tires, it seems to me that
1) the 2 front tires are more worn out than the rear ones. Both front tires have outer edge worn more than center or inner edge, and the right front tire is worn more than the left.

2) the 2 rear tires seem to be in okay condition, but with center worn more than edge.

I did not get the tires rotated in the past because I thought the dealer would have do it with the warranty scheduled maintenance service. But evidently warranty maintenance does not include tire rotation.

I am including pictures of the tires below.

I read that alignment may or may not solve the front tire uneven wear. And I read the the rear tire wear pattern indicates too high tire pressure.

So should I replace all 4 tires or just the front 2? Should I do alignment?

Local Costco is selling Michelin Primacy MXM4 94V RFTs and Bridgestone Driveguard 94W RFTs at about the same price (after Michelin promotion). But the Bridgestone tires have 50K mile tread life warranty, vs. Michelin 30K. TireRack has some review that shows better user rating on the Bridgestone too. So do you all think Bridgestone is the better choice?

[e2p]

Left Front:

[e2p]

Right Front:

[e2p]

Left Rear:

[e2p]

Rear Right:

[e2p]

Thank you much!

[Jaghave]

My understanding of the matter is awd requires all four rwd just require new ones in the front old good ones in the back

[goj]

That looks like they have at least 5k left on them. Dealer is trying to get you to spend money before you need to

[e2p]

Originally Posted by Jaghave

My understanding of the matter is awd requires all four rwd just require new ones in the front old good ones in the back

This is a base model RWD. Given the wear pattern, do you think I should do alignment when replacing tires? It's interesting that with RWD, front tires wear out more.

[e2p]

Originally Posted by goj

That looks like they have at least 5k left on them. Dealer is trying to get you to spend money before you need to

Thanks. Before replacing new tires and/or any other work (e.g. alignment), perhaps I should do a tire rotation now, Left Front swaps Right Rear; and Right Front swaps with Left Rear?

In addition to fronts wear out more, it seems the 2 right tires wear more the 2 left ones.

[goj]

Originally Posted by e2p

Thanks. Before replacing new tires and/or any other work (e.g. alignment), perhaps I should do a tire rotation now, Left Front swaps Right Rear; and Right Front swaps with Left Rear?

In addition to fronts wear out more, it seems the 2 right tires wear more the 2 left ones.

Yes you should rotate them since all wheels and tires are the same size. Your tread is not at the wear indicators yet. Wear indicators are the recessed rubber "bar" in the big groove of the tire.

[Vitoco]

Originally Posted by Jaghave

My understanding of the matter is awd requires all four rwd just require new ones in the front old good ones in the back

The best tires are ALWAYS supposed to be on the rear. A stable ass is the number one priority first (and I´m not talking about no horses ass....)

[Vitoco]

Originally Posted by e2p

This is a base model RWD. Given the wear pattern, do you think I should do alignment when replacing tires? It's interesting that with RWD, front tires wear out more.

They don´t.

[e2p]

Originally Posted by Vitoco

They don´t.

You mean the front tires do not wear out more? That's happening on my car. What's your diagnosis?

[Vitoco]

Originally Posted by e2p

You mean the front tires do not wear out more? That's happening on my car. What's your diagnosis?

Yeah I understand that they do on yours, but I was referring to your conclusion; they aren´t supposed to on RWD and they don´t on mine. Something sounds odd, are you sure that they haven´t actually put the rears on the front this time around? If indeed you´ve had the same tires on front vs rear and the fronts are more worn out, then something is not right. Don´t know what but, yeah..

[Jaghave]

Originally Posted by Vitoco

Yeah I understand that they do on yours, but I was referring to your conclusion; they aren´t supposed to on RWD and they don´t on mine. Something sounds odd, are you sure that they haven´t actually put the rears on the front this time around? If indeed you´ve had the same tires on front vs rear and the fronts are more worn out, then something is not right. Don´t know what but, yeah..

front always wear quicker then back that why you need to rotate them because the front turning right and left the rear is mainly going straight.

[e2p]

About tire rotation, I saw that BMW is against it. My Owner's Manual indeed has the following paragraph:

Rotating wheels between axles
The manufacturer of your vehicle advises against switching wheels between the front and rear axles. This can impair the handling characteristics.

And CarTalk says it's good to rotate, but is not economically worthwhile if you have to pay for rotation.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/owner...-my-bmw-i-says

[dr adequate]

Originally Posted by e2p

About tire rotation, I saw that BMW is against it. My Owner's Manual indeed has the following paragraph:

Rotating wheels between axles
The manufacturer of your vehicle advises against switching wheels between the front and rear axles. This can impair the handling characteristics.

And CarTalk says it's good to rotate, but is not economically worthwhile if you have to pay for rotation.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/owner...-my-bmw-i-says

For what it's worth my SA said no need to rotate tires on xdrives.