acuteperformance

double check to make sure there wasnt any sort of rubbing that caused the failure or possibly more damage that hasn't been noticed yet

DrLev99

Those tires you were running may have been not ideal, but they certainly had nothing to do with your problems.

Next time you talk to you dealership, ask them why BMW offers a staggered setup as an option for the xi, if an "xi is never supposed to have that setup." I'd be curious as to their response.

They obviously know little about awd bmw's. Even the X5 offers a staggered setup and possibly even the X3.

turboawd

you have to have same diameter tires on any awd or 4wd vehicle.
you probably stressed the drivetrain with the odd tire sizes. maybe overheated the front diff.

Dan's BMW

I think a staggered set up on awd is not a problem as long as your rolling dia is the same.

Any difference will put additioanl stress on the diffs. This MIGHT lead to a diff leaking and I certianly would not recommend it. However your diff could be leaking for many other reasons, a full investigation is needed before it is dismissed due to the staggered set up. Unfortunatly that is going to cost.....

ENstig8or

Exactly! The staggered option that BMW offers on the 535 xDrive is $600 for 2009. You can see for yourself on their website. Look under the options tab in the build your own section. Your dealer doesn't know what they're talking about or they just want some cash out of you.

Dan's BMW

I still think it is down to the staggered set up.

I am uk based so we do not get the Xi models but I looked up the USA website and checked out the optional staggered set up for 535Xi

The tyres are 245/40 18 and 275/35 18 this gives a difference in circumference (front to rear) of 11mm.

the OP staggered set up of 245/35 19 and 265/40 19 gives a difference of 61.3mm.

Therefore I would assume that a staggered set up is ok if there is a little difference in circumference. For example 11mm like in the Xi options, however OP is running a difference of 61 mm which is significantly more. This is bound to have an effect on the front diff as the fronts have got to travel more rotations to keep up with the rears. This is going to equal a lot of stress on the front diff.

So be careful asking the question to your dealer

vkhong

The "xi" should have been the first clue to the tire shop.

The rear 265/40R19 makes 457.99 revolutions per mile.

The front 245/35R19 makes 486.35 revolutions per mile.

That's a difference of 28 revolutions *every* mile. In addition to unnecessary tire wear, your front differential failed due to excessive loading.

http://home.netcom.com/~sgalaba/tiresize.htm

zolensky

thanks for your reply's all...i think ive got it figured down to wrong tire sizes. its funny coz BMW called and said the rims looked great on the car and they could hook me up with tires....so much for staggered is all wrong for my car!!!!! thanks again.

BlaSTiWi

Great to hear all work out...

As far as the staggered setup on the xi ... I've been very happy with the setup ... I think you have the same wheel as mine.

Pauken4

Look inside your driver's side door BMW lists a bunch of OEM tire combinations for inflation pressures, including staggered 19"s.