Well, the three pointed star does make for an excellent gunsight as you imagine unleashing a sidewinder or two to blast away douchebags you encounter on the road, but as an ornament it's iconic - but dull. The Leaper and the Flying Lady are unquestionably more interesting. All IMO, of course.

 

I think it's more than just the 3 pointed star.
Mercedes has an image of luxury and class that maybe gives meaning to the star.

The star wouldn't work on a hyundai.
Not that Hyundai doesn't make good cars, you all know what I'm trying to say. Lol

 

Come on guys. It's the Spirt of Ecstasy not "flying lady" lol

 

i've absolutely envisioned the star as being a crosshair as i'm targeting my next 'victim' to overtake lmao

something else i've noticed the star does as well, on a humid foggy night in the right conditions i've gotten a mercedes logo shaped array of water droplets on my windshield as condensation built up on the hood star and then flew backward! unique first world problem haha... never had that happen in any other car

 

[QUOTE=AJT123;11976041]I'm referring to the Jag hood ornaments that have the "leaper".



That's a Chrysler lol. There is nothing on the road desirable right now with that on the hood. They also quite obviously copied Mercedes IMO.

I owned a couple of early-80s Chrysler products, so I know which of their vehicles used which design. Dodge/Plymouth used the regular metal-spoked Pentastar ornament.....and Chrysler/Imperial used the crystal-ornaments (which were not true crystal, of course, but basically just polished plastic/Plexiglas).

 

I owned a couple of early-80s Chrysler products, so I know which of their vehicles used which design. Dodge/Plymouth used the regular metal-spoked Pentastar ornament.....and Chrysler/Imperial used the crystal-ornaments (which were not true crystal, of course, but basically just polished plastic/Plexiglas).

 

Each MB spoke in the star is for land, sea, and air.

 

Tire guys and gals and @patgilm time for some new rubber on the X7. Stock tire sizes are 275/40/22 and 315/35/22. Can I run a square setup with the wheels being staggered? My SA says not recommended, could lead to potential problems with the differential and drivetrain. Shop foreman also says it’s not recommended. Of course SA is wanting to sell me a new set of OEM tires(size).

I was looking to run a 285/40/22 squared. Possible?

 

Yes you can as long as they all clear and absolute diameters are the same.

 

I was hoping to run 285/40 squared but looks like 275/40 same diameter as stock rear 315/35. Trying to get away from run flats

@Striker223

 

Those tire sizes are absolutely insane!

 

I ran those size tires on my winter set on stock wheels and it is totally fine since the overall diameter is the same and any stretch on the rear tires being on a wider rim is minimal.

However, here is where you will have an issue. The transfer case in BMW SUVs have a known design or mechanical issue and will fail and instead of BMW stepping up and acknowledging that there is an issue, they will only warranty the transfer case if you are withing the original warranty or extended warranty if you have the correct spec tires installed. That means if you put the squared tires on they will say that is what caused the transfer case problems when you have an issue. They have even gone as far as making people buy new tires before warranting the transfer case because they say uneven wear of the tires can cause the issue but then the issue still persists after the customer spent $$$ on new tires. It is pure BS and there is a certain run of X7's that they say was filled with incorrect fluid from the factory. The first TSB is to replace the transfer case fluid and if the issue still persists, then they will replace the transfer case.

With that being said, they do make Conti DWS 06 in the stock 22" tire size but they don't show up in tire rack as fitting the X7 because the speed rating of the fronts I believe are rated the same as the rear but the X7 has a 131mph limiter so it isn't a big deal but again, BMW will look for any reason to deny warranty vs. acknowledging a know defect.

 

Thx. Looks like I’ll be sticking to the stock spec 275/40 & 315/35😔😞 I can’t find the Continentals on tire rack. I’m searching by tire size

 

You can still use the 285s, the important thing is that all 4 tires on the car are the same diameter. Track width doesn't matter at all nor does aspect or rim size

 

The real issue I have seen is that BMW cases are just too small and weak for the output and weight of the vehicles they are in, I have replaced many BMW transfercases and I am convinced they truly just slap their idea of AWD onto the cars. Mercedes doesn't undersize like that nor have I seen real issues with their non-AMG systems, Audi obviously has no issues as they are an AWD design from the ground up. The only Audi I have seen with issues have been Q7s/Cayennes because they use a traditional system from borg warner that is progressive apply system like the AMGs and the chain sometimes slips inside as causes damage.

Haldex isn't AWD so I don't even count anything to do with those systems. Junk.