01-08-2013, 02:12 AM | #1 |
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Do you carry a spare tire? Or tried run flats?
Hi guys,
I was about to place an order for a new M5 and then discovered that it doesn't come with a spare tire or run flats. Just wanted to get an idea of anyone here has tried run flats? I know it is not good for performance but how bad is it? Also, I've seen threads about keeping a doughnut spare in the boot. Is anyone doing this? How much space are you realistically left with? Would you still be able to fit in two suitcases and a baby stroller? Planning to drive long distances and maybe on roads that may not be great and don't want to be stuck in the middle of no where with roadside assist hours away! Thanks |
01-08-2013, 07:16 AM | #3 |
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Isn't that what BMW Assist is for? Besides, it is quite dangerous to be changing tires in the middle of the highway especially at night -- accidents statistics while changing tires on the highway are very troubling.
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01-08-2013, 07:31 AM | #4 | |
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There could be a bunch of reasons - and honestly BMW not making place for a spare is just silly. Can't change that now so looking for alternate solutions... |
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01-08-2013, 07:35 AM | #5 |
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No run flats. They are horrible and with the side wall being so small on the 20" rim you will have bubbling in your tires.
I had RFT on my 535xi and switched them out immediately to non RFT |
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01-08-2013, 08:48 AM | #6 |
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M5 is just not the car for you in the scenarios youve described. Get an X6 50i with the M perf. pkg. You'll have plenty of power. same amount of space AND runflats.
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01-08-2013, 08:58 AM | #7 | |
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01-08-2013, 10:01 AM | #8 |
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The cell network that BMW assist uses is different than what normal cell carriers use. They utilize the radio frequencies uses by commercial vehicles and assure users that a connection is always possible. One of the features they offer is 5 critical calls. Meaning that if you don't have a connection with your normal cell phone, they can make a call for you through their network.
As far as tires, the fix a flat plus the small pump can get you enough range to get you to safety.
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01-08-2013, 10:06 AM | #9 |
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I can speak from personal experience here. The week after Thanksgiving we excitedly departed on a road trip from central california to seattle. Spirits were high, scenery was amazing. Then at about 10:30pm, on the 101 north of Eureka, in the midst of a heavy downpour we hit a rock that had fallen on the road, and the rear left tire blows out. Pulled over. Used the compressor with the goo, goo spills out the backside of the tire through the very large gash. BMW assist emergency button thingy, no coverage. My friend and I both have AT&T, also no coverage. Friend walks a mile up the road to a call box. He makes several attempts to contact BMW assist, with the help of the dispatcher. After many dropped calls our position is successfully relayed, and help is on the way. Two hours later a flatbed arrives and takes us back to Eureka, and we drop off the car at the smallest BMW dealership I have ever seen. We arrive at Holiday Inn express at 2am. Five days later, worlds smallest but friendliest BMW dealership has finally received and installed replacement tire. My friend flies up to Eureka and brings the car home. Good times.
I'm either getting a donut or a full size front wheel/tire to carry in the trunk for future road trips. |
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01-08-2013, 10:39 AM | #10 |
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It is always best to anticipate bad things that could happen on a trip and be prepared for it. In your case, you feel that carrying a donut/full wheel will be sufficient (what if you got 2 or 3 simultaneous blowouts, remember Murphy's Law?). Anyway, if it were me I would have rented a satellite phone. Even owning one is really not that expensive. Here in the U.S. Iridium Service at $50/month (20 mins. - North American 20 and 10mins. for international location) is good enough for emergencies. During my ED, I had anticipated emergency situations especially up in the Alps when taking the 7 passes we went though that I did contemplate on renting a satellite phone. I finally decided on just renting internet coverage (via cell connection) through Xcom Global. Per what my nephew experienced during the trip (he was my passenger), he was able to connect to the internet while we went through borders, passes, etc. and was able to make/receive international phone calls via voice over ip using Viber during the road trip.
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01-08-2013, 10:45 AM | #11 |
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Thanks for sharing your real life experience. Ill think twice before taking my 5 on long trips.
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01-08-2013, 10:48 AM | #12 | |
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01-08-2013, 11:13 AM | #13 |
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On my M3 I keep the front oem 19 in the trunk for this specific reason. I may figure out which is the cheapest 20 inch tire you can get and mount it onto he eom 20. Thanks for the reminder.
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01-08-2013, 12:00 PM | #14 |
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I carry a scissor jack, "X" lug nut wrench, Stop-n-go plug repair kit, patches- all the same stuff I carry on my motorcycle for flats.
http://www.stopngo.com/products/TUBE...URE-PILOT.html If it's a big gash, I'm done - have actually practiced fixing a flat.
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01-09-2013, 02:07 PM | #15 |
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I had a similar story with my E90 several years ago. Blowout WITH a RF tire on. Of course it happens at 7 PM or so on a Saturday, so I am screwed. Had it towed back to my dealership (thankfully close to home), but without a car for three days by the time my car had a tire back on it.
It is ok if BMW wants to add safety by using RF tires. But it by no means should be a replacement for a space saver spare. |
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01-09-2013, 07:17 PM | #16 |
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Have runflats on my 7, they are the absolute worst. Never again.
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01-21-2013, 09:40 AM | #17 |
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This was always my issue with the e46 M3, I never planned on using the Mobility kit if i got a flat, for that reason i carried the 18" front in my trunk all the time. That sucked though since I usually only took the spare on long trips and thats when I needed the extra trunk space.
1.) How is the M5 trunk space? Is there much room left if i dumped a full size 19" wheel in there? 2.) Is there a space saver kit yet with a donut that will clear the F10 M5 front brake?
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02-17-2013, 06:44 PM | #18 | |
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02-20-2013, 07:15 PM | #20 |
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Are we certain the 19 or 20" front will work fine as a spare on the rear as well?
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