The cost of a typical BMW tire replacement varies between 50 percent and 150 percent more expensive than the tire replacement of other vehicles. Replacement of BMW run-flat tires costs around $200 – $500 per tire, depending on the vehicle. X5 and X7 tires, for example, are more expensive than BMW 1 Series tires.
How much do BMW tires cost on average?
BMWs usually operate with special run-flat tires that are different from the ones most vehicles have. These special tires usually cost an extra buck to purchase and replace. Repair costs for tires aren’t covered by BMW, so it might be a good idea to be informed about the price beforehand.
Depending on your BMW and the size of the tires, Goodyear reports that they vary between $250 and $320 for run-flat tires and $110 – $190 for standard ones. That, of course, excludes labor costs, which depend on the servicing place you choose. Labor costs, combined with tire expenses can go all the way up to $600 per tire or $2,500 for the entire car.
What is the advantage of run-flat tires and why does BMW use them?
BMW has been using run-flat tires for a while and their major advantage is the fact that you do not need to carry around a spare tire in the back of the vehicle, nor do you need a repair kit with you. If one of your tires goes flat, or you experience any difficulties, you can drive up to 100 miles with it without any major issues, before it needs to be fixed.
The major drawbacks are that they are more expensive and drive less smoothly on the road. Regardless, BMW has decided that they value storage space and safety over cost.
How do you know if your BMW needs new tires?
Whether you should change the tires of your BMW and when the right time to do it is, depends on a variety of factors.
- Is the tire tread depth enough or has it been used up already?
- The age of the tires.
- What weather are the tires for? Are you driving with winter tires during the summer? You should change them immediately.
- The type of vehicle you are driving.
Your BMW’s tire tread depth
Most states in the US have different regulations regarding how deep the tread of your tires should be, the bare minimum of which is 2/32 of an inch. If your tires are less than that, you need to purchase new ones as soon as possible. If you do not know how to measure the tread depth, don’t fear, there are simple depth tread tools available at many mechanical shops and even gas stations.
Or, if you have a regular penny in your pocket or wallet, you might not need tools after all. You can use the penny to measure the depth of your tires by rotating the cent so that Abraham Lincoln’s head aims down. After that, put it into the tread. If you can see the whole head from the side, we’ve got bad news for you. You need to change the tires since the depth is less than 2/32 of an inch.
The age of your tires
Sometimes your tires have a lot of remaining tread depth but feel like they are sliding more often than not. Tires usually deteriorate over time. If a vehicle has been parked for a long time and the tires have not rotated in a while, they might deform under the pressure of the car’s weight. Be advised to let a professional check the validity of your tires once a year, if they are 4 years old or older.
If you simply want to know the age of your tires, there is a four-digit number on the side of your tires, which states the week of production and the year. For example, 1119 would mean the 11th week of 2019.
Seasonal differences
Depending on the season, you need winter or summer tires. If you live in a snowy area, not only can it be illegal to drive around with summer tires, but it is also extremely dangerous for you and your surroundings.
Summer tires tend to also wear worse in winter conditions and to accumulate damage. The same counts for winter tires in hot weather, as they are both designed to last longer in their relative climates.
Your BMW model
If you are driving an BMW SUV like the X3, X5, or X7, you are most likely also equipped with an all-wheel-drive xDrive system. That means that the material, brand and size of all your tires should be the same as recommended by your manufacturer.
AWD systems tend to wear down tires more quickly if one of the four tires is different than the others. That means that if you are driving an SUV, you might have to change all four tires altogether. Whereas, if you are driving a 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 Series BMW luxury sedan, you might get away with changing only one of your tires.
FAQ
What is the recommended brand of tires for BMW cars?
BMW recommends using all major tire brands, including Dunlop, Pirelli, Goodyear, Michelin, Continental and Bridgestone. It is important to note that if you are driving a BMW SUV or an xDrive vehicle, you should make sure to purchase the same brand and model tire if you are replacing only one tire. All four of your tires should match in material, size and brand, especially if you are driving an AWD BMW.
Can you put regular tires instead of typical run-flat tires on a BMW?
Yes, you could put regular tires, instead of run-flat tires on your BMW. The major benefits of regular tires are that they have a lower price, and provide a smoother ride. The negatives are that they have the potential of going flat, you need to carry a spare tire and a repair kit and you need to replace them if the vehicle is leased.
