My 2012 325D E93 had her annual service just over a week ago plus a full Auto Trans fluid and filter change plus a Rear Axle oil change. (82K miles)

Done by my local Inde that I have used for the last 3 years.

He commented on the bill that the rear tyres were starting to "Step", i.e. excessive wear on the inside edges.

Yesterday, I took it to my local tyre specialist and had the alignment checked. It was slightly out but not excessive so I reckon it's just the consequences of the state of our pot-holed roads these days.

However, on close examination of the rear tyres, the wear was such that within a few hundred miles, there was a risk of cords being exposed. That's neither safe or legal.

New tyres fitted, 255 30 R19 Bridgestone run-flats.

Anyone had similar experience ? The tyre guys said that this is common on such cars.

Morning John

A lot of cars with adjustable rear suspension tend to be aggressive with the rear tyre inside edges. I have experienced this on several cars I have owned Mercs, to Subaru and of course the BMW's Volvos while not adjustable at the rear have a peculiar effect in that the front tyres wear oddly on the outside edges.

On all the cars alignment checks showed everything to "be within Manufacturers tolerance" Tyre pressures were always spot on. First noticed when we ran Volvo 850's and V70's in our business as engineers cars.'So I started to check carefully all bushes and mountings on the suspension and was able to compare a new car to a car with 50+k on the clock that was just starting to show odd wear. Rear bushes all seemed in good order but if I was aggressive with a pry bar there was more movement in the higher mileage car. So we re=bushed the rear suspension had alignment checked problem fixed. That was in the early/mid 90's and with all the following cars the bush wear at the rear has been the culprit.

With both X5's (very similar set up to your 325) the Rose bush in the set up starts to go soft so that under load the toe in is altered, result wear to the inside edge. Experience has taught me that once wear begins re-bush the rear suspension not just the obvious suspect as an example a complete kit for the rear of the X5 is around £300 just did the job for the 2nd time on my X5 so much cheaper than a set of tyres. It seems that the rubber bushes have a service life of between 60 to 80k depending on use and conditions 

That is where I would look I would also bite the bullet and change the lot

Dave

 

Thanks Dave, that makes sense. The mileage corresponds and being 10 years old this year, I know that many rubber or rubber based components deteriorate after 7 years.

She's going back to the garage next week to have discs and pads on the front. I did it myself 3 years ago but just lately have been getting some brake shudder which suggests a warped disc(s).

I'll ask them for a price.

It's turning out to be an expensive year !!

 

Morning John

A common cause of brake judder is also the wish bone bushes going soft, the big heavy arm connected to the hub and the front of the car 

If you don't have a sticky calliper or warped disc get them to check it out 

Good luck

Dave