Tire Size Void BMW or BMW CPO Warranty?

[Best4x4xFAR]

Our 3.0 SP X5 has 255/55-18 Michelin XGV4+ tires on it. I hate them, and don't want my wife driving around on them this winter. So I'm looking at tires and see that the Nokian WRG2 that I am interested in comes in a 255/55-18V speed rated rated tire, and a 255/60-18 H speed rated tire. Since the 3.0's top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph, and it comes with H speed rated tires, this isn't an issue for me, and the tires are considerably cheaper.

They are however, almost an inch taller overall. I expect to see the speedometer off slightly, and maybe even feel a small decrease in acceleration as a result fo the changed overall gearing. But the question is, will BMW deny warrantee coverage because fo the different tire size? Anyone have any experience one way or the other?

[motordavid]

Strictly from my opin,
I would think the minor diff in real effect tire size would not be cause
for any dlr to blink and I don't see how that very minor tire size diff
can be an issue for any component or part under warranty.

The PowerDawg Tire Size Calculator shows nominal difference:

Tire size calculatorTire size results
Specification, Sidewall, Radius, Diameter, Circumference, Revolutions Speedometer & Odometer Difference


255/55-18 5.5" 14.5" 29.0" 91.2" 694/mi 60MPH 10000mi N/A
255/60-18 6.0" 15.0" 30.0" 94.4" 671/mi 58MPH 9666mi 3.5%

I can't get the data to paste up properly, but the data is
per the series of terms/categories above.

Your X's speedo is optimistic to begin with, so it should be closer
to true, with the slightly larger tires.

The sizes are really so close, I would not be concerned...
GL,mD

http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi

[Best4x4xFAR]

Thanks for your reply David,

My opinion is the same as yours, but I'm hoping to find somebody with some experience one way or the other. It seems like Auto Manufacturers will look for anything to get out of paying claims these days, and even though they need to be able to make a case for why the increased tire size is directly related to the failure of whatever needs to be repaired/replaced, it still can end up being a battle...

[vinuneuro]

Considering X5's are/were available in a wide range of different wheel and tire sizes from the factory, no dealer in their right mind will be able to point their fingers at these.

[E61Silver]

I had Michelin XGV4+ on my 2005 X5 4.4 and loved them.

After 40,000 miles they showed very little wear, what is the issue with the Michelin?

[Best4x4xFAR]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Considering X5's are/were available in a wide range of different wheel and tire sizes from the factory, no dealer in their right mind will be able to point their fingers at these.

Interesting point, but all the sizes I am aware of them being available in ended up nearly identical in rolling radius. Again, I agree, but I'm worried about the risk, maybe I'm being worried for nothing...

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

I had Michelin XGV4+ on my 2005 X5 4.4 and loved them.

After 40,000 miles they showed very little wear, what is the issue with the Michelin?

I'm not that terribly happy with their wet road handling, and they are poor when the snow/slush/ice hit the road. I'm thinking that the Nokian's may provide me with similar if not improved dry road handling, improved wet road handling, and certainly better inclement weather handling with their severe service rating.

The Michelin's are very good at being a quiet tire, with low rolling resistance (think mpg's, and you'll know why BMW spec'd them, they aren't called 'Energy' for nothing) and long tread life. Never have I heard these qualities be synonymous with good road handling in any condition though. All tires are a compromise; I would rather compromise on tread life and rolling resistance and gain traction though. My wife and daughter are more important to me than the life of the tire, or an extra mpg or two...