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      10-11-2012, 11:07 AM   #1
Berardi3
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Run flat tires

Does anyone feel concerned about not having a spare tire and jack I think I'm too old school . I'm thinking of not getting a bimmer for that reason. How does anyone feel about that ?
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      10-11-2012, 11:18 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Berardi3 View Post
Does anyone feel concerned about not having a spare tire and jack I think I'm too old school . I'm thinking of not getting a bimmer for that reason. How does anyone feel about that ?
Many share your concern but run flats seem to be the way of the future. Porsche and Cadillac are starting to equip models with run flats as well. Manufacturers love them cause it keeps cost down and offers more room in the trunk.
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      10-11-2012, 11:19 AM   #3
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I feel the same way. Some of us bought a mini spare to carry in the trunk with a jack/tool kit. It wasn't until I used said mini spare that I have now replaced that setup with a full size spare. Driving around on that mini was a bit scarry!

For me the thought of having another flat in say Italy or France was not a risk I was willing to take with a spare saver that is good for only 80 kph and 100 kms distance. Full size it is!

space saver mini tire...
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full size 205/50HR17 on steel rim...
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      10-11-2012, 11:36 AM   #4
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With the run flats, I don't worry. If I were to ever change out to non-RFTs, then maybe just a tire repair kit...

http://www.slime.com/shop/safety-spair-70005/
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      10-11-2012, 11:44 AM   #5
Bob Z.
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I had run flats on a 2006 Viper, which were terrible when cold and took a while to warm up, and they were as hard as rocks. I hope my soon to be delivered 135i will have better ones!

On the other hand, my 2006 SLK350 had better run flats albeit the power was a lot less than the Viper so noticing them was not the same. I did have a flat on that car and the tire kept enough air in it to get me where I needed to go with no worries.
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      10-11-2012, 01:56 PM   #6
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I wasn't thrilled about buying a car with RFTs at all. But as other have noted, all BMWs and many other brands are coming with them and eventually they will all have them.
Its been 6 months now and I need to do something other than belong to AAA but I'm not sure what.
Some people here have mentioned carrying a can of flat fixer and a 12-volt compressor.
I might go that route especially with winter coming.
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      10-11-2012, 02:13 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by ejm3 View Post
Its been 6 months now and I need to do something other than belong to AAA but I'm not sure what.
Since your car is a 2012, it's covered for four years by BMW's Roadside Assistance... No need to AAA until some time in 2016.

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...ssistance.aspx
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      10-11-2012, 02:19 PM   #8
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Quote:
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Since your car is a 2012, it's covered for four years by BMW's Roadside Assistance... No need to AAA until some time in 2016.

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...ssistance.aspx

Actually, (at least over here in DE) even for an older car... you can always call BMW roadside and they will come to help. You only have to pay after the first 30 minutes. But you can call them and they can even do simple things like read/check for thrown codes or what have you.
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      10-11-2012, 02:26 PM   #9
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I've been driving for 40 years now and have never had a flat a compressor would not have resolved enough to get me home. So I carry a compressor and will soon put on non-run flat tires. I would prefer to have a spare but am not willing to give up the trunk space and money to get a spare. I use and recommend a Viair 70P with the extra accessory outlet that clips to the battery - both available for about $50 from Amazon. If I take a really long trip in the bimmer, I might also carry a cheap plug kit. I would prefer to limp the car with the compressor, however, and get proper plug installed from inside the tire.

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      10-11-2012, 02:41 PM   #10
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This is my first car with RFT on it. I hit a pot hole last weekend on my way to the Rt 66 drag strip and blew the front tire. The RFT made it all the way home (24 miles) without a hitch.

I was pretty nervous driving on it but it performed great.
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      10-11-2012, 03:27 PM   #11
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It used to worry me, I got over it.
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      10-11-2012, 05:22 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 91crxdx View Post
This is my first car with RFT on it. I hit a pot hole last weekend on my way to the Rt 66 drag strip and blew the front tire. The RFT made it all the way home (24 miles) without a hitch.

I was pretty nervous driving on it but it performed great.
Did you have to replace the tire?

That's when the reality of the RFT's cost punches you in the gut.
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      10-11-2012, 07:41 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmw1racer View Post
Did you have to replace the tire?

That's when the reality of the RFT's cost punches you in the gut.

I did, luckily I found a member on here selling a used one.
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      10-11-2012, 08:30 PM   #14
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The cost of run flats is $$$ I just don't know but I'm so in love with BMW I shouldn't let this run flat thing stop me.
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      10-11-2012, 08:54 PM   #15
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I just have triple A and a slime kit, if i get a flat that's just bad luck. I know its an inconvenience but I'm not about to use run flats (too heavy for me).
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      10-11-2012, 10:20 PM   #16
Berardi3
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Even the 128i ? What's the point of getting a spare if it's going to take up valuable trunk space?
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      10-12-2012, 12:52 AM   #17
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I have a full size spare at home and keep a small compressor in the trunk.
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      10-12-2012, 01:28 AM   #18
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Getting rid of the run flat tires was one of the best things I did to this car. I roll around with no spare because I like to live dangerously.
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      10-12-2012, 03:36 AM   #19
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This is the first car I've own with RFTs and I ditched this with 3500 miles on the odometer because they were terrible on the freeway! How are you suppose to drive a car safely when the stupid tires are swaying around in the tracks on the road? I owned a 92 Camaro (spare tire), 02 WS6 (no spare tire), 06 GTO (spare tire but took it out) and 10 Camry (spare tire) with non-RFTs and never had a blow out but if I did that is why there is road side assistance. Plus the cost of 1 RFT is the cost of 2 or 3, depending on how cheap you are, non-RFT.

If you enjoy the safety it involves then keep it but if you are a car person and want the most performance you can out of your car, then ditch the RFTs and get a set of non-RFTs and enjoy the car.
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      10-12-2012, 07:29 AM   #20
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I have the bavarian kit in my trunk after putting on my Hancooks. The jack that comes with it is simple, small, and works great. I do lose some trunk space, but I never haul anything in it anyway.
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      10-12-2012, 11:04 AM   #21
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My only concern is that if you drive on it when it is fully deflated- from just a simple nail puncture- do you ruin the tire? And if not can the tire be repaired with a patch on the inside? The cost for this is typically 50 bucks. So if you can drive on it "flat" then repair it, I am fine.

If you do ruin the tire and have to replace it and especially if the tire on the other side is 30% or more worn, they you may have to replace in pairs- which is very costly- then I have a concern.

If that is the case, then I may want to get a mini spare and keep it at home and throw it in the trunk for the long trips. Around town I would keep it out and if I get a flat call the other half to retrieve the spare in order to not drive on the run flat to save the tire. I just came from a Miata- which has no spare, no run flats. The car comes with sealant that when used ruins the tire and it must be replaced. To me, there was no value in using the sealant so, so I bought and kept a mini spare at home.
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      10-12-2012, 11:30 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JTBMW1 View Post
My only concern is that if you drive on it when it is fully deflated- from just a simple nail puncture- do you ruin the tire? And if not can the tire be repaired with a patch on the inside? The cost for this is typically 50 bucks. So if you can drive on it "flat" then repair it, I am fine.

If you do ruin the tire and have to replace it and especially if the tire on the other side is 30% or more worn, they you may have to replace in pairs- which is very costly- then I have a concern.

If that is the case, then I may want to get a mini spare and keep it at home and throw it in the trunk for the long trips. Around town I would keep it out and if I get a flat call the other half to retrieve the spare in order to not drive on the run flat to save the tire. I just came from a Miata- which has no spare, no run flats. The car comes with sealant that when used ruins the tire and it must be replaced. To me, there was no value in using the sealant so, so I bought and kept a mini spare at home.
Yes, it will probably damage the tire making it unsafe to repair. But since most punctures result in a slow leak, I simply carry a small compressor in the trunk (with both RFTs and go-flats) in order to reinflate as necessary en route to a service facility.

The only benefit I see to giving up valuable trunk space for a doughnut spare is that simply having it makes a puncture less likely. But so far, just carrying the compressor and plug kit has warded them off for me.

Tom
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