Tires: Tires, high performance tires, 2005 bmw 330

Question
I have a noise that I thought was a bearing, but my dealer says it's my tires. The car is a 2005 BMW 330 and is still under warranty. Should I be able to see something on the tire surface to verify that the dealer is correct. The tires are high performance tires. Thanks for your help.
John

Answer
John,

It's the wear pattern that is generating the noise.  May be you can see the wear pattern, may be you can feel it by running your hand over the tread surface (wear a glove), may be not.

BTW, I hope you regularly rotated the tires.  In spite of what BMW says, tires should be regularly rotated to prevent this wear.  The reason BMW does not recommend rotating tires is that they are concerned the way the vehicle handles, and don't care at all about the way the tire wears.  (If you don't believe this, wait until you discuss this noise with them!  They will tell you it is not their problem, it's the tire company's responsibility) Plus, the alignment settings BMW uses tends to generate this type of wear.