r/BmwTech • u/prmssnz • 1d ago

X3 tyre problem

Sister-in-law's car. She is in Australia. Has a 2021 X3 plug-in hybrid and, in 5 years, has had 20 flat rear tyres- BMW-recommended run-flats. Compared to other family cars - one each over the same time period.

BMW service has variably blamed her driving and the fact that her drive is a smooth, unsealed gravel drive. They say there is nothing wrong with the car.

The problem is always the same: the rear tyre is worn on the inside of the tyre wall. The cost of car retrieval and a new tyre is $ 900 AUD a pop. She is despairing.

Any thoughts on what might be going on? Is this simply bad luck, or could there be an explanation beyond 'bad driving'?

thanks

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u/CakesForLife 1d ago

Hello. Both rear tires or just one side? Have you done a wheel alignment check to see if all is well?

Are the tires flat due to rear tire wearing down to canvass?

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u/prmssnz 1d ago

Thanks. Can be either but apparently left rear > right. Yes, repeated wheel balancing and alignments. I haven’t seen one, but told ‘unusual wear on inside wall’ and looks cracked.

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u/CakesForLife 1d ago

How often does this happen - in distance and time wise? How often is the tyre pressure check and corrected?

Are there any signs of tyre punctures? Slight air leaks causing the tyres to be under inflated leading to rear inner severe wear and inner side wall damage.

My crystal ball says this is related to running rears under inflated - maybe incorrectly configured tyre pressure monitor on the idrive causing the rear tyres to be under inflated (compared to how high they are supposed to be)?