XSeries-forum

Hi
I am looking for some advise on which run-flat tyres give the best wear for an X5, currently on the original Bridgestone but not impressed although I am a fan of run-flats after having two 80mph front tyre blowouts without any drama at all

Continentals , Bridgestone , Goodyear or Michelin I have used most of them although the Michelins were none run flat all have good tread usage although my Vredestein wintrac extreme winter tyres don't seem to wear much again none run flats !
  Sometimes the tracking can be out which causes excesive wear , worth checking that first !

Since I got it in 2008, my E70 3.0d has done 127500 on 19" wheels, 255x50x19 107w on the front and 285x45x19 111w on the rears.

1st set - Continental Cross contact - 27000
2nd set - Bridgestone dueller - 33000
3rd set - Continental cross contact - 24000
4th set - Continental cross contact - 23000 ((discovered rear tracking out of alignment causing rapid wear on insides)
5th Set - Goodyear Eagle F1 - fitted in March 2016 - 4000 so far

For the past three winters Vredestein Wintrac non-runflats - 16500 - and still measuring 5-6mm depth.

After the Bridgestones I went back to continentals because they were cheaper - but calculating pence per mile they're clearly not!

The Goodyears were much cheaper to buy and some new X5s come with them fitted.  Even though the new rating system suggests they're the quietest and best in the wet, the ride is the hardest and noisiest (a real thump when hitting even small potholes) compared to Contis and Bridgestones.  I cannot recollect a difference between these latter makes in terms of ride quality.  I haven't done enough miles on the Goodyears to gauge their wear.  The Vredesteins give the most compliant ride and there are plenty of threads on runflats versus non runflats.

Michelin's runflats with the higher weight carrying spec the car needs (7 seater so uprated weight limits) have only recently become available and are very much more expensive.  Even Goodyear only entered the market about a year ago.  Before then it was Contis or Bridgestones only so the long term test is between these two!

I know now it is important to check tracking periodically.  If the front is out it can lead to undue wear on the outside edges, especially if cornering hard turning right at roundabouts.  If the rear is out it can lead to undue wear on the inside edges (and the car is prone to wear there anyhow because of the rear suspension geometry).  It's also important when the tracking is set all round to make sure front and rear are aligned together or the car can "crab" down the road.

I cannot comment on 20" tyres as I've never used them.

All the best advice to protect the transfer box from undue strain is to fit new tyres of the same make all round so the tread depth and characteristics are the same front and rear. Also to fit tyres with the weight rating for the car - 7 seaters and those with enhanced towing capacity need the higher rated tyres.

Hope this helps,

Graeme

Hi, thanks for the advice, the car is being serviced today and the tracking being checked so hopefully all will be well, it seems like Bridgestones come out best so I will stick with them

I've got these on my car
https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/ ... 110w-63865
Anyone else used them or have an opinion? 

Excellent write up Graeme, very helpful real world assessment.

Yes i have the dunlop on my e70 on 20 in rims they have been really good done 20000 miles so soon to be replaced but will stick with the dunlops, most miles i have ever got from a set of tyres and they grip very well and wore even accept for the front which have a bit more wear on the outside edge which is inevitable...