I have a production number

[Low Note]

Originally Posted by E61Silver

Seems like a excuse, when you buy a $60,000 + truck should be able to get it with Michelin's.

I can remember when I had Bimmers back in the 1970's and 1980's, it was sometimes possible to request certain tires. But then BMW bought part of Continental, and everything came through with them. Luckily, my dealer at that time was nice enough to swap out the Conti's for Goodyear Eagles, which were the best all around tire at the time.

The current situation, as was told to me by my dealer is this: BMW has signed a large contract with Bridgestone for them to supply rft's to specific vehicles in the fleet...but not all. Of course, no one seems to know exactly which vehicles will get what. However, I have ascertained that all 3 and 5 (non M) series are getting the Bridgestones. I saw a 2010 X5M with Bridgestone low profile performance tires (go figure). However, I believe that the X6 with the 5.0 engine is getting the Michelins, but am not so sure about the X6 3.5 (probably due to the different 19" rims). I do not think this has anything to do with whatever tires the factory seems to have in stock at the time. Remember, Michelin has a facility just a few miles down the road from the BMW plant in South Carolina, and with which BMW has a business relationship. Someone at BMWUSA probably knows what is going on but sure isn't talking.

If anyone can get better info that that, I would be interested. The Michelins that came on my 2010 X6 5.0 seem to ride pretty well (still have under 200 miles on the machine), but since my technician put 41/42 PSI front/rear nitrogen in the tires, there is a bit more road feel than what I experienced when test driving other similar X6's.

[cmyX6go]

I have the same Michelins on my E70 and I'm very happy with them. If I wasn't doing the PCD and the X was delivered with the Bridgestones, I'd have them swapped out but that won't work after driving 600 miles home. I'm hopeful though and keeping my fingers crossed.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by Low Note

...The Michelins that came on my 2010 X6 5.0 seem to ride pretty well (still have under 200 miles on the machine), but since my technician put 41/42 PSI front/rear nitrogen in the tires, there is a bit more road feel than what I experienced when test driving other similar X6's.

Low Note, was the Nitrogen fill free? And, why 41/42 lbs?
BR,mD

[Low Note]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Low Note, was the Nitrogen fill free? And, why 41/42 lbs?
BR,mD

I paid 40 bucks total for nitrogen fill, which is good for life of the tires (I can some added anytime by my dealer for no additional cost). 41/42 PSI is the recommended X6 air pressure for driving over 100 mph or "in a sporting manner", according to BMW. Otherwise, it is usually set at 33/36. My technician, Todd Thomas, at SunMotorCars BMW who has won several awards and is one of the top ten BMW master mechanics in the USA also recommended the 41/42. Another reason for such a high pressure is that run flats tend to wear on the outside edge in BMW X vehicles with minimum pressure. The higher setting will prevent that and will give better fuel mileage, longer tire wear, and much better handling. BTW, the active steering in combination with the 41/42 PSI in my X6 provides amazing directional accuracy at all speeds.

[E61Silver]

Originally Posted by Low Note

I can remember when I had Bimmers back in the 1970's and 1980's, it was sometimes possible to request certain tires. But then BMW bought part of Continental, and everything came through with them. Luckily, my dealer at that time was nice enough to swap out the Conti's for Goodyear Eagles, which were the best all around tire at the time.

The current situation, as was told to me by my dealer is this: BMW has signed a large contract with Bridgestone for them to supply rft's to specific vehicles in the fleet...but not all. Of course, no one seems to know exactly which vehicles will get what. However, I have ascertained that all 3 and 5 (non M) series are getting the Bridgestones. I saw a 2010 X5M with Bridgestone low profile performance tires (go figure). However, I believe that the X6 with the 5.0 engine is getting the Michelins, but am not so sure about the X6 3.5 (probably due to the different 19" rims). I do not think this has anything to do with whatever tires the factory seems to have in stock at the time. Remember, Michelin has a facility just a few miles down the road from the BMW plant in South Carolina, and with which BMW has a business relationship. Someone at BMWUSA probably knows what is going on but sure isn't talking.

If anyone can get better info that that, I would be interested. The Michelins that came on my 2010 X6 5.0 seem to ride pretty well (still have under 200 miles on the machine), but since my technician put 41/42 PSI front/rear nitrogen in the tires, there is a bit more road feel than what I experienced when test driving other similar X6's.

Bridgestone & Firestone are both the same company and they have a bad recorded, from the 500's to rollovers with Ford. I can't believe BMW would sell cars with Bridgestone tires its like Tiffany selling fake diamonds.

[Low Note]

Originally Posted by E61Silver

Bridgestone & Firestone are both the same company and they have a bad recorded, from the 500's to rollovers with Ford. I can't believe BMW would sell cars with Bridgestone tires its like Tiffany selling fake diamonds.

Interesting points you bring up. According to BMW, the third generation Bridgestone all season rft's are only 5% stiffer than non-rft's and have a 400 tread wear rating (same as Michelins). After I traded in my Mercedes E class, my BMW loaned me a new (right out of stock with no mileage) 2009 328xi with Bridgestone all season rft's on 17" rims. I drove the car for almost 900 miles between the time I retired my E class and picked up my 2010 X6. Drove the 3 in all kinds of crappy weather, and it handled extremely well. Much better than any Bridgestone's I had ever experienced. I have a friend who had some bad experiences with Michelins (back in the 1980's), so no one is exempt from QC problems. Some people say that Michelins are famous for not providing any warning before breaking loose at high speeds. Probably won't have that problem on my X6 5.0 with sport package, adaptive drive, etc., but who knows?

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by E61Silver

Bridgestone & Firestone are both the same company and they have a bad recorded, from the 500's to rollovers with Ford. I can't believe BMW would sell cars with Bridgestone tires its like Tiffany selling fake diamonds.

Yes and no. Ford chose to use asofter tire running at lower tire pressure to make the ride softer, compensating for stiff/rough riding suspension. If ford has used proper load range tire with proper inflation there wouldn't have been a problem. I put just as much blame on ford as on bridgestone.

[Low Note]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Yes and no. Ford chose to use asofter tire running at lower tire pressure to make the ride softer, compensating for stiff/rough riding suspension. If ford has used proper load range tire with proper inflation there wouldn't have been a problem. I put just as much blame on ford as on bridgestone.

You make a good point here. This is one reason why rft's have all earned a bad name, in spite of the fact that some (especially Michelins) have had a very good track record. If rft's are not kept inflated to the maximum (not minimum) recommended pressure, they do not wear well, nor do they handle very well, regardless of the brand. Yes, the first generation Bridgestone rft's had problems. But now with the third generation, most of the problems have been resolved. I happen to like Michelins mainly because they are more prone to be round and easy to balance, and usually have a long tread life. However, this can be at the cost of unreliable handling in emergency situations, where the Bridgestones are often better (softer rubber compound). Pirelli rft's really handle well in the wet, but don't have any tread life.

[E61Silver]

Originally Posted by Weasel

Yes and no. Ford chose to use asofter tire running at lower tire pressure to make the ride softer, compensating for stiff/rough riding suspension. If ford has used proper load range tire with proper inflation there wouldn't have been a problem. I put just as much blame on ford as on bridgestone.

I agree I just feel that Michelin makes the best tires and that is what I want on my BMW. I am sure that other are fine I just want the best. A BMW would be fine with vinyl seats and you don't really need cruise control and in the same spirit you get stuck with lesser tires. The Toyota that I have needs news tires and I am going to pay more, $30 a tire+/-, for Michelin.