Dealer says staggered setup has caused transfer case issue

LionOfGosforth · 09-30-2018, 09:52 AM

Needing advice on my tire setup. I noticed some stuttering under acceleration and deceleration recently so while my car was at the dealer for recall work, had them check it out. They proceed to tell me that my staggered wheel setup has caused a transfer case issue.

They weren't specific on the damage or issue with it but they proved it by disconnecting (stuttering went away) and reconnecting. I always thought my stagger was pretty mild and have had it this way for about 6 years.

front - 225/40/18
rear - 255/35/18

Is this setup considered ok or should I just go back to a square setup?

Emilime75 · 09-30-2018, 10:00 AM

I don't have an X, so I've never dug deeply into it, but it's my understanding that there is a tolerance...some say 1%, while others say up to 3% difference in diameter is allowed.

Your tire setup has an outer diameter difference of 1.5mm, or .24%, in theory. I can't see how that can be harmful, it's less of a difference than having new tires on the front or rear, and half worn tires on the other.

Foghorn · 09-30-2018, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LionOfGosforth

front - 225/40/18
rear - 255/35/18

Is this setup considered ok or should I just go back to a square setup?

That is a factory configuration for x drives. Your trouble may be the transfer case actuator motor.

Not a good start with the dealer if they are BSing on tire sizes.

FlaPatsFan · 09-30-2018, 10:35 AM

Not sure if it helps but on my E91 328i RWD I’m staggered....no issues

Front 235/35 19
Rear 275/30 19

Antetokounmpo · 09-30-2018, 10:52 PM

Lol another reason to hate stealerships, no basic knowledge.

Those exact sizes come STOCK on many xi cars, including yours if it had the sport pack with the 18s.

So yeah those sizes are perfect.

6ixSpd · 09-30-2018, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlaPatsFan

Not sure if it helps but on my E91 328i RWD I’m staggered....no issues

Front 235/35 19
Rear 275/30 19

Totally irrelevant to OP's discussion.

whyzee125 · 10-01-2018, 12:18 AM

As others have pointed out, that's factory on many and as close to 100% even as you're gonna get.

FlaPatsFan · 10-03-2018, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

Totally irrelevant to OP's discussion.

How so? He is asking about staggered set ups and possible problems.

fmc000 · 10-03-2018, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlaPatsFan

How so? He is asking about staggered set ups and possible problems.

... on X-drive cars, not RWD.

Wolf 335 · 10-03-2018, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LionOfGosforth

Needing advice on my tire setup. I noticed some stuttering under acceleration and deceleration recently so while my car was at the dealer for recall work, had them check it out. They proceed to tell me that my staggered wheel setup has caused a transfer case issue.

They weren't specific on the damage or issue with it but they proved it by disconnecting (stuttering went away) and reconnecting. I always thought my stagger was pretty mild and have had it this way for about 6 years.

front - 225/40/18
rear - 255/35/18

Is this setup considered ok or should I just go back to a square setup?

The overall diameter difference between the two sizes is 1.5mm.

I highly doubt that can cause your transfer case to die.

What is the recommended tire size on the door card for x models?

Antetokounmpo · 10-03-2018, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

The overall diameter difference between the two sizes is 1.5mm.

I highly doubt that can cause your transfer case to die.

What is the recommended tire size on the door card for x models?

225/40/18
255/35/18

09-30-2018, 09:52 AM	#1
LionOfGosforth Private First Class 2 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 2009 335xi coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (3)	Dealer says staggered setup has caused transfer case issue Needing advice on my tire setup. I noticed some stuttering under acceleration and deceleration recently so while my car was at the dealer for recall work, had them check it out. They proceed to tell me that my staggered wheel setup has caused a transfer case issue. They weren't specific on the damage or issue with it but they proved it by disconnecting (stuttering went away) and reconnecting. I always thought my stagger was pretty mild and have had it this way for about 6 years. front - 225/40/18 rear - 255/35/18 Is this setup considered ok or should I just go back to a square setup? __________________ 09 BSM E92 335xi\|\|Black Dakota\|\|Dark Glacier Aluminum Trim 313 Perf. Wheels\|\|LUX H8's
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09-30-2018, 10:00 AM	#2
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	I don't have an X, so I've never dug deeply into it, but it's my understanding that there is a tolerance...some say 1%, while others say up to 3% difference in diameter is allowed. Your tire setup has an outer diameter difference of 1.5mm, or .24%, in theory. I can't see how that can be harmful, it's less of a difference than having new tires on the front or rear, and half worn tires on the other.
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09-30-2018, 10:35 AM	#4
FlaPatsFan Major 750 Rep 1,149 Posts Drives: 2011 328i wagon Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Not sure if it helps but on my E91 328i RWD I’m staggered....no issues Front 235/35 19 Rear 275/30 19
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09-30-2018, 10:52 PM	#5
Antetokounmpo Brigadier General 1550 Rep 3,475 Posts Drives: E90 6MT FBO; '18 F150 Platinum Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: WI iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 Ford F-150 Pla ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	Lol another reason to hate stealerships, no basic knowledge. Those exact sizes come STOCK on many xi cars, including yours if it had the sport pack with the 18s. So yeah those sizes are perfect. __________________ 2008 335xi 6MT \| VRSF Catless DP \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| VRSF CP \| TIAL BOV \| DCI \| MHD 2+ BC Racing BR \| Stoptech 600 \| Firehawk Indy 500 255 Square \| Atric Altimax 225 Sq. 2018 F-150 Platinum 701A \| FX4 \| 3.5 EcoBeast
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10-01-2018, 12:18 AM	#7
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1662 Rep 3,624 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	As others have pointed out, that's factory on many and as close to 100% even as you're gonna get.
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