Took my X5 to get my state inspection earlier this week thinking I had nothing to worry about. Everything works, no warning lights, tires look like new...
WRONG!
Service writer comes and sits down next to me in waiting area (this can't be good). Says I need new front pads and rotors as the pads are almost to the wear limit, but the rotors are worn and too thin to turn (ok, I pull my own wrenches, so not so bad). Then, he drops the bomb on me; My rear tires are shot. They're so worn that cord is starting to show through. He takes me out to the service bay and shows me. Sure enough, the inside edges of both rear tires are worn down to the belts. Rest of tires have almost new tread on them. Service writer says he's checked his distributors and my tires aren't available anymore. I have them put the car back together and I go home and start tire shopping. Sure enough, Michelin doesn't make my tires anymore, so I now have to buy four tires instead of just two. I'm literally sick to my stomach as all four tires are otherwise new looking. I had just talked with my wife that morning about starting to set money aside so that when the BMW needed new tires in a couple or three years, we'd be ready. That's what I get for talking about it!
At any rate, I ended up ordering Hankooks from Tire Rack. I wanted all season, and the choices are very limited (I have the sport package with 19" wheels).
I'm doing the brakes tomorrow and will have a good look at the rear suspension when I'm done with the brakes. I have an appointment on Monday to have the rear end looked and and an alignment done. Definitely don't want a replay of this anytime soon!
Any words of wisdom about the tire wear? I've done some reading and found everything from "all BMW's have that problem due to the extreme negative camber" to rear tire wear is caused by worn rear suspension ball joints.