[kindofblue]

I just had my 228i in for its 2 year service and 10k miles. I asked about rotating the tires as they are all the same size. The service guy said BMW doesn't recommend it? What? Why I asked? He mumbled something about 50/50 weight distribution (which seems irrelevant if you ask me), then said nothing more.

I can understand that you can't rotate tires and wheels if the rears are a different size from the fronts. But just because BMW "doesn't recommend it" doesn't make sense to me. I've had tires rotated every 7-10k on every car and truck I've owned and think it does even out the wear.

Your thoughts?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by kindofblue

I just had my 228i in for its 2 year service and 10k miles. I asked about rotating the tires as they are all the same size. The service guy said BMW doesn't recommend it? What? Why I asked? He mumbled something about 50/50 weight distribution (which seems irrelevant if you ask me), then said nothing more.

I can understand that you can't rotate tires and wheels if the rears are a different size from the fronts. But just because BMW "doesn't recommend it" doesn't make sense to me. I've had tires rotated every 7-10k on every car and truck I've owned and think it does even out the wear.

Your thoughts?

This makes no sense to me as a rwd car will almost invariably wear out the rear tires first, so rotation between front and rear seems perfectly advisable, and, in fact, what I have been doing. I am not aware of his source within BMW for "not recommending it". I'd ask him to show that documentation.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

This makes no sense to me as a rwd car will almost invariably wear out the rear tires first, so rotation between front and rear seems perfectly advisable, and, in fact, what I have been doing. I am not aware of his source within BMW for "not recommending it". I'd ask him to show that documentation.

I rotate mine. As long as square setup and not directional tires why wouldn't you?

[morphomeman]

In my many years of owning BMWs, they have always recommended against rotating tires.

[Xi-Xi]

There is no problem with rotating tires, and BMW certainly has no issue with it, if feasible. From the 2016 owner's manual:

Rotating wheels between axles
Different wear patterns can occur on the front
and rear axles depending on individual driving
conditions. The tires can be rotated between
the axles to achieve even wear. Your service
center will be glad to advise you. After rotating,
check the tire pressure and correct if needed.

[drophead]

And given your screen name, I can understand your wanting to get more Miles...

[mleskovar]

I have rotated tires on all my cars but one that was staggered. That one would wear 2 rears to one front. I believe dealers don't like to rotate tires because there's no money in it for them. No parts/fluid to charge for and if they wear quicker a chance at selling more tires. I can only think of good reasons to rotate and no bad reasons.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mleskovar

I have rotated tires on all my cars but one that was staggered. That one would wear 2 rears to one front. I believe dealers don't like to rotate tires because there's no money in it for them. No parts/fluid to charge for and if they wear quicker a chance at selling more tires. I can only think of good reasons to rotate and no bad reasons.

Right - assuming your tires can actually be rotated safely, go ahead and do it.

[Maynard]

IIRC, the tire warranties are voided if you DONT rotate (or only cover you for half-distance); that's what I've been told repeatedly when shopping for staggered sets. I doubt this was intentionally trying to sabotage a warranty - more likely that what he meant to say was 'my desire to get out of work on time is recommending that I blow you off'.

It's a good time to check alignment too, unless you are usually on really nice roads. Worth it to not eat up a set of 4 tires, and the dealership here has always been good to me with this, either comping it or lowballing the charges when they switch the summers for winters.

[RoundelM3]

Since the tires on both my BMWs are staggered fitment, there's no rotation option for me. But - if they were the same size all the way around, the only question would be whether or not the wheel offset is the same for front and rear wheels. If they're the same width and offset, there should be no problem rotating front-to-rear and vice-versa. If the tires have "directional" tread design, they can't be swapped side-to-side, though.

[Maynard]

I'd heard that it messed up tires to swap side-to-side, even if bi-directional from the factory. The belts set into one direction and don't like to shift the other way (chunking and irregular tread IIRC)? Perhaps that is now old-fashioned and they have solved the problem though.

[Rayscott]

Is rotating recommended with all wheel drive on my228ix?

[kindofblue]

Thanks for our comments all.

As I'm not a big fan of the OEM Bridgestones on the car, I think I'll just let them go w/o rotating. I might consider it though on the next set of possibly non-run flats.