E90 XI tire replacement: I should do both fronts, right? Not just 1, and not all 4?

StabPreflop · 05-05-2014, 02:21 PM

So I need to replace my front right tire... I just got the set a year ago, and only used them for half the year (they're Conti ExtremeContact DW summer tires, 245/35ZR18), so there's only about 2/32" wear so far.

Hopefully, this means I don't need to replace all 4 tires right now? The 2/32" is like 0.25% of the ~25 inch diameter, so I don't need to worry about messing up the AWD system or anything, and the slight wear difference on front vs. rear shouldn't affect the handling of the car at all, right?

Now what about the other front tire? Some people told me not to bother with that either, and just replace the busted tire itself. But, I have done a couple of (green, but still) HPDEs in this car and was thinking about trying my first Auto-X this summer. So I'm a little worried about having the mismatched tires up front compromising the handling. Is it overkill to worry about this for only 2/32"? I could always move the newer tire to the outside of the track direction for HPDEs, LOL

Or should I just suck it up and replace both fronts?

Thank you!

bmw325i · 05-05-2014, 02:31 PM

You can replace one. Measure the tread depth and have tirerack shave the tire to match.

http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/motors...e-at-tire-rack

Gary@TireRack · 05-06-2014, 11:53 AM

I would say that it would be overkill for a true 2/32nds tread depth difference. It's the "about" part of your post that concerns me. This is not something that you should guess about. Best to measure the actual depth with a tread depth gauge on all of the good tires so that you have accurate information with which to make an informed decision.

StabPreflop · 05-07-2014, 10:46 AM

Wow, that's great. I didn't know about the tire shaving option.

And yeah, I measured all the tires this morning and they're at just over 8/32nds, so just under 2/32nds worn. So I'll just order one replacement, probably take the shaving option too.

Great. Thank you both for your help!

05-05-2014, 02:21 PM	#1
StabPreflop Private First Class 8 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '23 M5 Comp Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	E90 XI tire replacement: I should do both fronts, right? Not just 1, and not all 4? So I need to replace my front right tire... I just got the set a year ago, and only used them for half the year (they're Conti ExtremeContact DW summer tires, 245/35ZR18), so there's only about 2/32" wear so far. Hopefully, this means I don't need to replace all 4 tires right now? The 2/32" is like 0.25% of the ~25 inch diameter, so I don't need to worry about messing up the AWD system or anything, and the slight wear difference on front vs. rear shouldn't affect the handling of the car at all, right? Now what about the other front tire? Some people told me not to bother with that either, and just replace the busted tire itself. But, I have done a couple of (green, but still) HPDEs in this car and was thinking about trying my first Auto-X this summer. So I'm a little worried about having the mismatched tires up front compromising the handling. Is it overkill to worry about this for only 2/32"? I could always move the newer tire to the outside of the track direction for HPDEs, LOL Or should I just suck it up and replace both fronts? Thank you!
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05-05-2014, 02:31 PM	#2
bmw325i Major General 237 Rep 5,118 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: United States iTrader: (8)	You can replace one. Measure the tread depth and have tirerack shave the tire to match. http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/motors...e-at-tire-rack
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05-06-2014, 11:53 AM	#3
Gary@TireRack Moderator 372 Rep 4,742 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	I would say that it would be overkill for a true 2/32nds tread depth difference. It's the "about" part of your post that concerns me. This is not something that you should guess about. Best to measure the actual depth with a tread depth gauge on all of the good tires so that you have accurate information with which to make an informed decision. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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05-07-2014, 10:46 AM	#4
StabPreflop Private First Class 8 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '23 M5 Comp Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	Wow, that's great. I didn't know about the tire shaving option. And yeah, I measured all the tires this morning and they're at just over 8/32nds, so just under 2/32nds worn. So I'll just order one replacement, probably take the shaving option too. Great. Thank you both for your help!
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