Grandpa calling with a Tire /AWD question

Jet-Black · 12-14-2021, 10:35 AM

Hi Kids, Grandpa calling. I need some help sorting out a Tire/AWD situation.

I own a 2008 335xi (AWD). I am in a pickle and would appreciate your help sorting this out.
. The sidewall in one of my tires failed. The store I got them from will replace it for free under the replacement certificate I got when I got the 4 new tires 9 months ago. Now, the specific tire is no longer available in any of their stores; so they say I would need to replace all 4 tires or my transfer case may fail in a year or two if I just put one (1) total different tire on. - They will give me some credit for the other 3 tires which are in good shape and tread life. They are really nice people and I have no doubt they are doing their best to help me, however, at this time I just can’t come up with the additional $$ to cover the difference for all 3. I could pay the difference for only one tire.

My question is: Can I drive the car with 2 different set of tires – being all 4 tires same size and wheel diameter? i.e, 2 Goodyears in front and 2 Pirelli in back (they will have different tread patterns).

I hope this makes sense, as I am extremely frustrated and can’t think straight. It may be my age.

Thank you for any information you can share,

gbalthrop · 12-14-2021, 11:06 AM

Your x-Drive or AWD may have issues with Transfer Case, Differentials, etc. if ALL FOUR (4) tires do NOT have basically the same "Revolutions per Mile" when the car is driven in straight line.

There are a LOT of different variables in solving that issue, and they are listed in this link:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret....jsp?techid=18

I would suggest reading that article, and perhaps others in the Tire Rack (or other tire supplier) Tech pages, and then talking to several tire shops to determine what your options are. There SHOULD be several -- OTHER than replacing all 4 tires.
George

eljay · 12-14-2021, 11:09 AM

Hey grandpa!

If you can get a similar spec tire (same size, same load rating, same or close treadwear rating, and type - e.g. all-season), you can replace just that one tire IF the other tires have not worn more than 2mm.
That is, on AWD cars, all tires (of the same spec) need to be within 2mm of tread wear of each other.
Unless you drive a LOT, you probably didn't wear more than 2mm on that set in 9 months.

What is the make/model and size spec of the failed tire?

Jet-Black · 12-14-2021, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljay

Hey grandpa!

If you can get a similar spec tire (same size, same load rating, same or close treadwear rating, and type - e.g. all-season), you can replace just that one tire IF the other tires have not worn more than 2mm.
That is, on AWD cars, all tires (of the same spec) need to be within 2mm of tread wear of each other.
Unless you drive a LOT, you probably didn't wear more than 2mm on that set in 9 months.

What is the make/model and size spec of the failed tire?

I just got the info. I got the car 3 years ago. It came with 19 inches and
NANKANG TIRE NS-25 A/S UHP 235 /35 R19 91Y XL BSW. I don't drive much and I am not an aggressive driver at all. Because of that the tire shop recommended to continue with those. - Per reviews, they are decent tires, but I don't know how fast they wear. The shop, measured 8/32 tread on all tires. So yes, they are pretty much new. I think I have driven less than 2k miles or so in 9 months.

tcphoto · 12-14-2021, 12:36 PM

If they are offering a new set for the cost of one tire, I'd find it difficult not to take them up on it. If you're comfortable replacing the one tire with a similar one then do that, tires vary in shape from brand to brand but the diameter will be the same.

eljay · 12-14-2021, 12:59 PM

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nankang-N...Tire/490428442

Sold by Tires Easy through Walmart.

Direct link here: https://www.tires-easy.com/235-35-19...ecode/24052007

Now, let's hope they actually have it in stock like the site claims, but I wouldn forward that to the shop and ask them to buy it or buy it and get them to re-imburse you. I would prefer the first option.

Also, Amazon came up in my results for this tire and while it's not in stock there, the first reviewer posted a sidewall failure like you have reported. I don't want to fear monger here, but it's pretty scary to have that issue on new tires: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-r...SIN=B07DHWWR66. As such, I would also weigh the option of taking their credit and putting it toward a new set of better tires and see what that cost difference would be.

Daaaaaaaan · 12-14-2021, 01:45 PM

“They will give me some credit for the other 3 tires which are in good shape and tread life.”

It better be a good credit because I guarantee you they’re going to sell the other 3 tires as full size spares or to a non-AWD that doesn’t need to match front and rear tires.

Jet-Black · 12-14-2021, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljay

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nankang-N...Tire/490428442

Sold by Tires Easy through Walmart.

Direct link here: https://www.tires-easy.com/235-35-19...ecode/24052007

Now, let's hope they actually have it in stock like the site claims, but I wouldn forward that to the shop and ask them to buy it or buy it and get them to re-imburse you. I would prefer the first option.

Also, Amazon came up in my results for this tire and while it's not in stock there, the first reviewer posted a sidewall failure like you have reported. I don't want to fear monger here, but it's pretty scary to have that issue on new tires: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-r...SIN=B07DHWWR66. As such, I would also weigh the option of taking their credit and putting it toward a new set of better tires and see what that cost difference would be.

Thank you eljay, - good catch, I didn't think about that as being a concern to keep in mind. I wonder if that is the reason this shop doesn't have them in stock anywhere in the state of MN.

alpinec1984 · 12-14-2021, 03:23 PM

that looks like a bead area failure that tore the sidewall as secondary damage. I would demand full credit as that simply does not happen in the absence of a hard impact unless the tire is defective.

NGEE · 12-15-2021, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpinec1984

that looks like a bead area failure that tore the sidewall as secondary damage. I would demand full credit as that simply does not happen in the absence of a hard impact unless the tire is defective.

Wait, what'd I miss? I did not see a photo.

Also, if using the phrase "I am in a pickle", it is redundant to identify yourself as Grandpa lol.

Jet-Black · 12-27-2021, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGEE

Wait, what'd I miss? I did not see a photo.

Also, if using the phrase "I am in a pickle", it is redundant to identify yourself as Grandpa lol.

I hope you guys had a happy holidays. I certainly did enjoy the time off.
The store gave me 4 Toyo tires, gave me one additional to keep as a spare when I find another 19 rim. I ended up paying $200 out of pocket.

Thank you all for your candid, knowledgeable and specific responses.
This forum truly has wonderful people contributing to it.

Thank you

12-14-2021, 10:35 AM	#1
Jet-Black New Member 12 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2008 335Xi; 2007 328xi Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	Grandpa calling with a Tire /AWD question Hi Kids, Grandpa calling. I need some help sorting out a Tire/AWD situation. I own a 2008 335xi (AWD). I am in a pickle and would appreciate your help sorting this out. . The sidewall in one of my tires failed. The store I got them from will replace it for free under the replacement certificate I got when I got the 4 new tires 9 months ago. Now, the specific tire is no longer available in any of their stores; so they say I would need to replace all 4 tires or my transfer case may fail in a year or two if I just put one (1) total different tire on. - They will give me some credit for the other 3 tires which are in good shape and tread life. They are really nice people and I have no doubt they are doing their best to help me, however, at this time I just can’t come up with the additional $$ to cover the difference for all 3. I could pay the difference for only one tire. My question is: Can I drive the car with 2 different set of tires – being all 4 tires same size and wheel diameter? i.e, 2 Goodyears in front and 2 Pirelli in back (they will have different tread patterns). I hope this makes sense, as I am extremely frustrated and can’t think straight. It may be my age. Thank you for any information you can share,
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12-14-2021, 11:06 AM	#2
gbalthrop Brigadier General 2683 Rep 4,024 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi E91 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Fairfax Co, VA iTrader: (0)	Your x-Drive or AWD may have issues with Transfer Case, Differentials, etc. if ALL FOUR (4) tires do NOT have basically the same "Revolutions per Mile" when the car is driven in straight line. There are a LOT of different variables in solving that issue, and they are listed in this link: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret....jsp?techid=18 I would suggest reading that article, and perhaps others in the Tire Rack (or other tire supplier) Tech pages, and then talking to several tire shops to determine what your options are. There SHOULD be several -- OTHER than replacing all 4 tires. George
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12-14-2021, 11:09 AM	#3
eljay Colonel 1441 Rep 2,126 Posts Drives: ///M + E91 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NS iTrader: (1)	Hey grandpa! If you can get a similar spec tire (same size, same load rating, same or close treadwear rating, and type - e.g. all-season), you can replace just that one tire IF the other tires have not worn more than 2mm. That is, on AWD cars, all tires (of the same spec) need to be within 2mm of tread wear of each other. Unless you drive a LOT, you probably didn't wear more than 2mm on that set in 9 months. What is the make/model and size spec of the failed tire?
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12-14-2021, 12:36 PM	#5
tcphoto Brigadier General 3530 Rep 3,047 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	If they are offering a new set for the cost of one tire, I'd find it difficult not to take them up on it. If you're comfortable replacing the one tire with a similar one then do that, tires vary in shape from brand to brand but the diameter will be the same. __________________
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12-14-2021, 12:59 PM	#6
eljay Colonel 1441 Rep 2,126 Posts Drives: ///M + E91 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NS iTrader: (1)	https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nankang-N...Tire/490428442 Sold by Tires Easy through Walmart. Direct link here: https://www.tires-easy.com/235-35-19...ecode/24052007 Now, let's hope they actually have it in stock like the site claims, but I wouldn forward that to the shop and ask them to buy it or buy it and get them to re-imburse you. I would prefer the first option. Also, Amazon came up in my results for this tire and while it's not in stock there, the first reviewer posted a sidewall failure like you have reported. I don't want to fear monger here, but it's pretty scary to have that issue on new tires: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-r...SIN=B07DHWWR66. As such, I would also weigh the option of taking their credit and putting it toward a new set of better tires and see what that cost difference would be.
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12-14-2021, 01:45 PM	#7
Daaaaaaaan Private First Class 88 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 08 323i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton iTrader: (0)	“They will give me some credit for the other 3 tires which are in good shape and tread life.” It better be a good credit because I guarantee you they’re going to sell the other 3 tires as full size spares or to a non-AWD that doesn’t need to match front and rear tires.
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12-14-2021, 03:23 PM	#9
alpinec1984 Second Lieutenant 133 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Alpine White Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Canton OH iTrader: (0)	that looks like a bead area failure that tore the sidewall as secondary damage. I would demand full credit as that simply does not happen in the absence of a hard impact unless the tire is defective.
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