F30 - Destroying the outside of front tyres

[Technotronic]

Hi all,

I have a 2017 F30 with 45k miles on the clock, which I use as a work hack for motorway journeys, and occasional local trips. I only do about 600 miles per month. I bought it around 6 months ago from large BMW dealership group.

I am extremely fastidious about checking and maintaining tyre pressures, amongst other things, however during my checking it is apparent that it is absolutely destroying the outside of my drivers side tyre.

The tyres were new all round about 1000 miles before I bought the car. Since then I have done about 3000 miles, and the side of my drivers side tread has just gone.

I checked the MOT history, and the only things listed were repeated yearly mentions of 'Offside front tyre close to legal limit on the edge' and sometimes it is the same but for nearside.

Any ideas?

(By the way, the brown mark isn't some huge gouge or really bad kerb mark, it was just a bit of dirt on the sidewall from when I squeezed past the wooden edge of my driveway and caught it. It is just dirt and wiped off with my finger as per the second photo)

[Maph7]

Start with an alignment check if you have not already.

Use an alignment specialist and they will check suspension for any wear damage etc, hopefully will be an easy/ cheap fix..... you going to need a new tyre though!

[ian in lancs]

Will be following this thread. My wife’s 325 F30 is also hard on the front tyre outside edges. In fact a recent mot advisory noted they need replacing soon.

As for why I was told by a BMW technician it’s due to the toe-in changing under braking intending to improve stability under that braking. Be interesting to see whether that is a thing or bs!

[steve_n]

Outside edge wear is toe out, should be slightly toed in. Likely means at least one suspension arm/joint is knackered.

[Scrump]

steve_n said:

Outside edge wear is toe out, should be slightly toed in. Likely means at least one suspension arm/joint is knackered.

I think you may have your ‘outside edge wear is toe out’ the wrong way round.

[LastPoster]

ian in lancs said:

Will be following this thread. My wife’s 325 F30 is also hard on the front tyre outside edges. In fact a recent mot advisory noted they need replacing soon.

As for why I was told by a BMW technician it’s due to the toe-in changing under braking intending to improve stability under that braking. Be interesting to see whether that is a thing or bs!

When I bought my F30 330i it had brand new Giti tyres fitted by the dealer before I viewed it (so no opportunity to ask for OEM to be fitted). It was on 17,000 miles. I have just replaced them at 57,000 miles, and that was a little early as I thought I had a slow puncture but was actually a cracked rim. Wear was even really, slight bias to outer edge. Use is probably 30/70 motorway/everything else.

I'm going for your BMW tech's explanation as bs

[monkfish1]

Scrump said:

steve_n said:

Outside edge wear is toe out, should be slightly toed in. Likely means at least one suspension arm/joint is knackered.

I think you may have your ‘outside edge wear is toe out’ the wrong way round.

Yes, steve definitely has that backwards

[steve_n]

Sorry yes, it has too much toe in. More than would ever be set during an alignment, so something in the suspension needs replacing.

[monkfish1]

steve_n said:

Sorry yes, it has too much toe in. More than would ever be set during an alignment, so something in the suspension needs replacing.

Yes. If the static toe was incorrect it would wear both sides. Which, as you say, suggests something is worn allowing a toe in situation to develop.

[d_a_n1979]

As above

My F31s just had a full suspension overhaul (every item bar 2 rear arms) and my pals were able to get the tracking/alignment sorted much better due to fitting Eibach pro kit springs, so its lowered a touch as well

From factory they have very little adjustment; but tyres being worn like that; I'd say the main thrust arms are shot (biggest arms up front) and possible the inner tie roads/track rod ends are fubar too...

Makes sense to replace them all as the track rod ends like to seize for fun and can't be adjusted until replaced

Lemforder, TRW & Moog are my go-to for brands; all available via Autodoc; you'll get Moog via your local motorfactors...

Don't use cheap stuff; it'll fail in no time at all

[E30M3SE]

Maph7 said:

Start with an alignment check if you have not already.

Use an alignment specialist and they will check suspension for any wear damage etc, hopefully will be an easy/ cheap fix..... you going to need a new tyre though!

This.

[Mr Tidy]

My 1 Series used to wear the outer edges, but never to that extent!

Definitely looks like there is something wrong with suspension and/or alignment.

[Technotronic]

Thanks all, I have it booked in for alignment and/or repair as required.

Will report back with the fault.