XSeries-forum

Hello

Has anyone bought tires from Black circle ?  First time buying tires for my X5 and have read it is best to stick with BMW * approved tires.

Now, when i search for the tires I enter my vehicle registration the site picks the correct car (2008 BMW E70 x5 3.0sd).  Will all the tires the website recommends be * rated ?

Currently running RFT conti's all around but the front have excessive outer edge wear.  Thinking of changing all to Hankook

I have 19" M sport alloy wheels, staggered setup.

Unlikely to only show '*' rated results so you need to know what the manufacturer uses.  Hankook are not standard on the E70 and not '*' rated.

The specific tyre data may well show a '*' but don't count on it.

What is the best way to find out (website) to which is * rated as some sites say they are 8 rated and other don't.
For example, Bridgestone ER30 Turanza are marked as BMW rated on Camskill website not on many other I looked on.

How much of a big deal is these BMW rated tyres ?  to be honest I only found out today when searching for reviews on tyres I was about to order the Hankook or Toyo ST1

I got some rears for mine from Black Circles
Price and service were OK........
BUT....

The tires they supplied were over 3 years old!

I have noticed that when they have good offers it is usually to clear old stock.

I hate buyig tires!  First it was lots of research and phoning insurance when deciding to swith from RFT to Non - RFT and now if I should get BMW rated or not.

I thought I had made my decision with with the Toyo T1 !

As the E70 X5 came with RFT tires from the factory so I assume only RFT tires will be * rated? 

Can you still buy non RFT that are BMW * rated ?

Yes.  You just need to let your insurers know you have changed.  Most won't care, but some do.  It is a 'mod'.

The issue with BMWs and tyres is that the marked ones are the correct outer diameter size etc for the cars.  Other manufacturers do the same.  'MO' is for Merc.

The BMW transmissions are known be very sensitive to what tyres are used and owners who fit 'non standard' have suffered differential and transfer box failures.  Such failures are very expensive!  If you get any kind of unusual noises from the transmission then tyres might be the cause.

There is no table that I have seen which shows the more likely to cause a problem specifics, but wide variation in tread depth and more 'agricultural' tread patterns seem to increase the likelihood.

Camskill are very good on price and they show OE and star rated tyres.

Since the hassles of buying online, awaiting delivery then arranging for fitting I gave up and just go straight to my local tyre place.
Added advantages that they are only 20m from my front door, are extremely competitive on price, and I have done some work for them in exchange for further discounts....

With black circle you can get fully fitted price and choose a local garage.

So seems like it's best to stick with bmw rated tyres, which means sticking with the run flats

Are there any non RFT That have the same outer diameter as the rated tires ?

I was having a look last week to work out roughly what a set of tyres would be for the 20's and found Asda tyres... yes Asda as in the supermarket chain offering the best prices on genuine Michelin Diamaris' in the correct sizes for I think £192 for the rears and a bit less for the fronts fitted at a garage of your choice from a long list. Seemed quite reasonable to me. May be worth a gander

I recently queried why apparently the same tyre had different fuel efficiency etc, when shown for Mercedes than BMW.  This was the reply. Tghe price was different as well.

"Certain tyres are manufacturer approved for fitment to specific vehicles in this instance the Pirelli P7 Cinturato in the run-flat variant is manufacturer approved for fitment to BMW and Mercedes vehicles. The tyre will have the same tread pattern and essentially be the same size however, they can differ in terms of the compounds that are used in the production.
We are advised by the vehicle manufacturer directly what manufacturer variants are suitable to be fitted, Mercedes advise their tyres are not recommended to be fitted to a BMW and vice-versa. This is due to the tyres being tested specifically on that vehicle and as such we cannot advise how the tyres would perform or wear fitted when not approved."

Anyone know of any good offers on BMW rated tyres.  Need this for the staggered 19" setup.

probably be Bridgestones