You pull onto a motorway slip road on a wet morning, and your BMW takes the bend as precisely as you're used to: the steering responds without delay, the brakes bite predictably. It is exactly this factory feel that original equipment, or OE, tyres preserve - the ones marked on the sidewall with a star "*". BMW has approved them together with the tyre manufacturer for its specific models. Below you will find star-marked tyres in a wide range of sizes - for both summer and winter.
BMW original equipment (OE) tyres
Factory-approved star-marked (*) tyres for your BMW - so your car drives exactly as the manufacturer intended.
117 tyre models available
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How to choose BMW OE (star-marked) tyres
A star "*" on the tyre sidewall means the specific model has been approved by BMW itself. The tyre manufacturer developed and tuned it together with the factory: a different rubber compound recipe and a stiffer casing, while the tread pattern stays the same as on the version without the star. In practice, the difference is most noticeable on M models, xDrive and heavy SUVs (X5, X6, X7), where precise steering and a predictable braking distance matter.
If you're after the exact factory character, pay attention to a few things.
- First work out whether you actually need the star at all. The most reliable source is the sticker on the door pillar or the owner's manual - it shows the factory size and marking.
- The star is not the same as RunFlat. These are two separate things: "*" marks BMW approval, while RunFlat (RSC) means driving on with a puncture. Many BMWs come without a spare wheel, so RunFlat is a common solution in our catalogue.
- Check the load index and speed rating. On powerful and heavy models the OE version often has XL or HL reinforcement; most of our BMW OE models are available with the XL marking.
- Don't mix up different makers' OE codes. The star fits BMW only. Mercedes uses MO/MOE, Audi AO/AOE, Porsche N0-N6; another car's code isn't meant for your BMW.
- Fit star-marked tyres in pairs. Ideally on all four wheels, but at least matching on the same axle - that keeps handling balanced.
This isn't a segment to buy at any cost. If the factory character isn't a priority for you, the same model without the star feels similar at everyday speeds and usually costs less. Keep one more thing in mind: even an excellent summer star-marked tyre is neither safe nor legal in a Latvian winter, so for winter you need a separate 3PMSF set.
Frequently asked questions
The star version usually has a different rubber compound and a stiffer steel-cord construction that the tyre maker has tuned to the BMW chassis. The tread pattern stays the same. The difference is most apparent in dynamic situations rather than in calm everyday driving.
Yes - the law doesn't prohibit it, and in the correct size they fit. The star is a recommendation from the manufacturer and BMW to preserve the driving character built in at the factory. If that's exactly what you want, choose the star version; if not, an ordinary tyre feels similar day to day.
No. The star marks BMW original equipment approval, while RunFlat is a separate construction with reinforced sidewalls, marked RSC on the tyre. A tyre can be star-marked without being RunFlat, and vice versa.
The star is specifically a BMW Group OE code, so it isn't meant for other makers' cars. Each brand has its own marking - Mercedes MO, Audi AO, Porsche N0. Size-wise the tyre might fit, but the tuning is for a specific BMW model.
Yes, star-marked tyres are made in both summer and winter versions. In our catalogue all winter models carry the 3PMSF (mountain and snowflake) symbol, so they meet the requirements - in winter you may only drive on 3PMSF tyres, and from 1 December to 1 March winter tyres are mandatory for cars up to 3.5 t.
In our catalogue, star-marked tyres are available from manufacturers such as Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Goodyear and Hankook. For a specific model, choose the factory size and check that the star is on the sidewall.
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