Rode on a mini-spare today....
 

My friend and I were out this afternoon when suddenly my left rear tire blew out. My spare was serving time at my left front corner from a blowout a few weeks ago. Pep Boys wasn't able to save the tire, and tried to push me into buying a new one for like $140, which I declined since I had already planned on buying four new Latitudes next week. My friend gave me the donut out of his 07 E60 as to get me home.

Of course DSC and ABS freak out since it was expecting a full-size tire, so it was trying to intervene on this "rogue" wheel. I pulled all the fuses for DSC, ABS, ETC, CBC, all that and drove the 30 miles home. Then I got to thinking, did I damage the diffs or tranny? I'm taking it in tomorrow for its Latitudes.

Since all are "open" differentials, there shouldn't have been any issues. I doubt that the difference in revolutions would have been enough to trigger the traction control. If you haven't committed on the Latitudes yet, I'd recommend the Yokohama YK580s from Discount Tires as a sound alternative. Less expensive, excellent wet road traction, and 60,000 miles tread life warranty. I've had three sets of YK520s, and am on my second set of YK580s without any issues at all.

2002 X5 3.0 269,000 miles
2004 325i 117,000 miles

Thanks for the response. I compromised and got Primacy MXV4s. I had a set of YK520s once on this car and needed a new set after only 18k miles or so. My Energys didn't last much longer.

DSC and traction DEFINITELY noticed a difference on the space-saver from the E60. Brakes clamped down on it every 5 seconds or so until I pulled the fuses. I've got an SES light that just came on today, so I can't wait to read that code when I get home.

It wasn't expecting a full size tire, it doesn't know the difference. It was expecting the same rolling diameter. I have used my temporary spare on our X3 without issue, but it is the same diameter as the regular tires. Apparently not so with the E60 spare you used.

I was averaging 40,000+ with the YKs until the fourth set when my rear bushings wore out. That set only went 35,000. Since the suspension rebuild though, the new set is still showing 60% of the tread depth after 13,000 miles so we'll see how these go. With the tread life warranty, the shorter life always turns into a credit on the next set so it nets out okay!

Your temporary must have really had a difference in diameter though from the other tires. I'm surprised you had that much system interference.

2002 X5 3.0 269,000 miles
2004 325i 117,000 miles

I called my SA and he said that it wasn't recommended running a different diameter but since it was just for a couple of days he didn't see that it would be a problem.

Just got it back from the shop. 4x new Primacy MXV4s, 4 wheel alignment, nitrogen fill. Want to retrofit TPMS but the kit is no longer available from BMW. Any good aftermarket units that are somewhat stealth looking?

Why would you want to retrofit tpms? Lol I was ecstatic mine wasn't equipped with it. But i do check my tire pressures weekly

I, unfortunately, don't. Shame shame, I know. I just want to find out what's causing my X to eat tires at the rate that it does.

Post your alignment specs and maybe someone can pin point the issue.

Just had it aligned, so may not be much help. https://www.dropbox.com/s/72b1xl32oz...%3A15.pdf?dl=0

All of them wear at the same rate. Apparently only the dealer can do camber. Don't know why, just what I was told.

I'll tell you right now. But first what tires and what is tread wear rating on them?

How fast are you eating tires or are you only eating rears first?

Secondly, find a new shop if they told you only dealer can do camber. They are full of shit or incompetent.

Your rear camber is within spec at under 2 degrees, but your rear toe is horrendous. Dial that shit down to .01 to save the meats. And obviously it is "out of spec" but if a shop won't align to your request then go elsewhere. BMW specs way too much toe in the rear.

All are wearing evenly. I'd say the fronts wear a little quicker, but not by much. I'll take it another shop this week.

YK520s
Energys
Primacys

Can't find the invoices for the other set of Primacys or the Contis.

I know it sounds like I'm a dumbass, but I honestly know absolute shit about tires and suspension. Tell me what your ideal specs are on the alignment and I'll take it to Hendrick tomorrow and make them do it, to your spec. I'm sick and damn tired of spending close to a grand on tires every 1.5 years.

Are you on staggered wheels or do you rotate them? You say you wear out tires every 1.5 yrs but how many miles?

Ok I see now you are on stock 17s. You are aware most of these tires you buy have some sort of a mileage warranty right?

If anything you have too much toe on the rear but without knowing how many miles you are getting out of a set and where they are wearing out its tough

Are they just going bald? Or wearing out on the inside/outside?

Just FYI from what I remember about the Mickey Energy tires the tread wear is SHIT

My MxV4 Michelin Energy went 100,000 km, front and rear, even wear, no rotation. Don't know how much further they would have gone, they had tread left. I used the BMW specific version (Mich made specific versions for different manufacturers).

I meant the non BMW ones but thanks Jeff, either way I wonder how many miles he is getting out of them.

Sorry for only just now revisiting this post. I was bored at work today and had all my invoices handy, so I was able to have some fun in Excel. I understated the mileage I was getting out of them, but still, I feel like I should be getting more. Here is the breakdown:

http://i.imgur.com/vrPC9sI.png