Run flat Star marked tyres

[Sxconti]

Hi all,

I'm all baffled up, I own a BMW X1 2014 S drive, I need to change my tyres as their worn out. I was about to buy run flat tyres, but my mechanic and a few others made a point to make sure I will buy run flat Star marked tyres. They explained if i don't buy star marked tyres, by time i will blow up the transfer box. This does not make sense to me, i thought Star marked tyres mean BMW approved. Please could anyone suggest what to do and buy.

Thank

[bucketfoot]

No, you absolutely do not need to run star marked tires.

You just need to make sure that the diameter of the tires are the same or very close. The easiest and best way to do this is to run a square setup where all four tires are exactly the same size.

Give that you have the RWD version (S Drive), you could do a staggered setup, but frankly that is primarily for looks, but you need to be more careful about selecting the tire sizes.

[bucketfoot]

FYI, all the star really means is that the tire manufacturer paid BMW to get on their meaningless approved tire list.

[BeEmVe]

FWIW, many of us have switched to go flat tires which give a better ride and have better performance. When we travel we just toss the jack and a spare in the boot.

[Sxconti]

Super thank you for all your answers. I forgot to mention my X1 is an automatic. Does that also make a difference? or is it still fine to put on normal tyres ?

[bucketfoot]

No difference based on transmission

[Sxconti]

Today i was also told that S drive do not have a transfer box , a transfer box is only found on x drive since it shifts to 4 wheel drive.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by Sxconti

Today i was also told that S drive do not have a transfer box , a transfer box is only found on x drive since it shifts to 4 wheel drive.

If your mechanic didn't know that beforehand, you really need a new mechanic!