Tire advice

[x6369x]

Hello all,
I need some tire advice.
My wife and I purchased a 2004 X5 4.4i with sport package in July 2008 from Carmax.
When we got it, it came with brand new Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetricos (255/50/19 & 285/45/19).
Well, a little over a year later and 19K miles, the front tires are needing replacing (right front is worn on the outside) and the rears have a bit of life left in them.
The specs for the Pirelli's show a treadwear rating of 300 for the fronts and 420 for the rears, so by doing simple math, the rears should last 40% longer than the fronts.
I realize there are factors that contribute to tire life, ie-tire pressure, alignment, driving style, etc.

I've had the alignment checked about 6 months ago and Big O set it to factory spec.
I had it re-checked last week and it's still within spec.
As you can see by the pics I attached the rears are wearing slightly on the inside, which is normal from what I've read.
The right front outside is bald, but the left front is not as bad.

In searching through all of the tire posts, I've come to a consensus that the Pirelli Asimmetrico and Michellin Latitudes seem to be the most recommended all season tires.
One thing I like about the Michellin's are that both the front and rears have a treadwear rating of 440, but the downside is that they cost about $300 more for a set on TireRack.com.

Here are my options ...
1. Replace just the front Pirelli's for now and replace the rears with Pirelli's later down the road. Is there anything bad to doing this? Will this affect the tranny at all?
I realize this locks me into Pirelli's, but I'm happy with them.
2. Replace all 4 with either Pirelli's or Michellin's. I'm leaning more towards ths Michellin's since they have the same treadwear rating.

Thanks in advance!

[killcrap]

Def go with the Michellins, Diamaris if you have no snow in your area, or Latitude if you are all season. Both are the almost the same price, and if you go with the Diamaris, thoes would be the ones that came on your car from the factory. The Diamaris lasted 30,000 miles on my 06 4.4i sport. and i just put on the Latitudes.

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

Who checked your alignment? It really looks as if you have an alignment issue from the wear.... 19k on new tires and wear on outsides is odd, when doing the alignment on a BMW you have to ensure it is a authorized BMW service center, because a certian amount of weight has to be placed in a specific part of the car/SAV in order to correctly set it.

[x6369x]

Originally Posted by BlackE32_SilverE53

Who checked your alignment?

Big O Tires and they charged me for a "European/Specialized" alignment.
Should I have the dealership do the alignment?

[X5Flyboy]

personally I would not trust Big O to align your X5 properly, and I sure would not buy Michelins or Pirellis from them - you can get much better deals elsewhere (if he quotes Latitudes mounted & balanced at over $1300, he scamming you) - been there, screwed there - Proper alignment requires weigths to be added to the seats & rear of the car - find a good indy (or dealer) for the alignment - and shop around for better deals on the tires

I replaced my Diamaris a year ago, and they came off with dead even wear

[x6369x]

Originally Posted by X5Flyboy

if he quotes Latitudes mounted & balanced at over $1300, he scamming you

Big O quoted me Tirerack.com pricing for the Latitudes:
Fronts $574 for 2
Rears $560 for 2
Shipping $75 for all 4
Mounting/balancing/nitrogen $84 for all 4
Road Hazard Warranty $120 for all 4
Misc Waste and Recycling Taxes $20 for all 4
Sales Tax $108 for all 4
Total $1,541

Costco.com was $1355 for a set of 4 OTD with a 5 year Road Hazard Warranty.

I'm sure I could get Big O to price match Costco.com, but it's still a bit more than the $1300 limit you said to pay.

[anerbe]

I agree with others
have your alignment done at an independent BMW shop or dealer.

With those wear characteristics, it looks like there could be some flexing of your suspension bushings. Front uneven wear could mean your geometry is changing under braking, which could alter camber and toe characteristics. My friend has a GTO, and the fronts wear out like crazy due to the suspension changes due to braking.

[FSETH]

What's up with "having" to go to the dealer for an alignment? Am I missing something?

I take my X to a local shop that specializes in high end cars. The place is always full of BMWs, MBs, Porsches, Bentleys and so on. I get their high-speed, on-car tire balancing and 4-wheel alignment when I need new tires and so far my car drives fine and tire wear is normal (for a BMW anyway).

Butler Tire in Atlanta GA - Tires and Wheels for all Cars Trucks and SUV's

[anerbe]

Originally Posted by FSETH

What's up with "having" to go to the dealer for an alignment? Am I missing something?

I take my X to a local shop that specializes in high end cars. The place is always full of BMWs, MBs, Porsches, Bentleys and so on. I get their high-speed, on-car tire balancing and 4-wheel alignment when I need new tires and so far my car drives fine and tire wear is normal (for a BMW anyway).

Butler Tire in Atlanta GA - Tires and Wheels for all Cars Trucks and SUV's

I think the majority of the posts recommended either an independent service shop or dealership, not just dealership. I personally wouldn't get it done at a dealership, as they aren't as accomidating to specific values within the spec ranges. However, dealerships are more likely to conduct the alignment with the proper procedure. A good indy shop that has worked on BMW's should also be able to properly conduct an alignment.

[x6369x]

Any one from Northern Cali have recommendations on a tire and/or alignment shop?