Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by raj55

you need this
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=38

I have this exact piece.

[Saintor]

Originally Posted by kiwi29

I did that and still doing it. Its the BIGGEST regret of my life.

Well maybe not my *biggest*, but I definitely felt sorry in January '09.

Flat tire+ No RFT + no spare + insane traffic ---> ruined day.

I had a pump, a tire-seal inflating kit and neither of this was *enough*. I had to get out of way of bumper-to-bumper traffic with zero room on the curb (only concrete walls) so yes I damaged my tire. Once out of the way, it cost me 80-100$ in taxi + 3 hours. +tire and another hour at garage, of course.

Since then, my trunk is amputated 30% with a spare wheel and a jack for extra-low cars. It was the second flat tire in 10 years and the 1st time it was even more dangerous; I changed my flat in a narrow area on an urban highway with trucks at 50mph, only 5-6 ft from me. If they get better, RFT is a marvelous idea. The problem with BMW is not as much that they have RFT (now even the ATS has them) but that there is no dedicated room for a spare.

RFT would have been a great feature to have back in January '09 (and the other occasion too). Now I believe that RFT save lifes.

[kiwi29]

Originally Posted by CUTigers

What good is having a spare tire and rim in your garage if you are 100 miles from home?

I could just pay someone 20 and have them bring it to me

[krhodes1]

I have non-RFT snow tires, and once the OEM tires are worn out I will have non-RFT summer tires too. I have a cell phone and a AAA card, plus enough Hertz points to rent a car for a couple months. I am not worried about it AT ALL. I also have had one on the road flat in the last 25 years.

And frankly, given the attention level of todays distracted drivers, I have zip, zero, no interest in risking my life changing a tire on the side of the road.

[chazzz]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

And frankly, given the attention level of todays distracted drivers, I have zip, zero, no interest in risking my life changing a tire on the side of the road.

This. I've read the news about people being killed while changing tires on the highway. It's not worth it. It's safer to stay inside of your car and make some calls, and leave it to the professionals (i.e. tow truck driver and highway patrol). They'll help you and they want to make sure you're safe.

Lots and LOTS of distracted drivers are out there. My friend was carrying his young daughter as they crossed the street (using the crosswalk) and an idiot & distracted teenager girl hit them, nearly broke his rib. The daughter was OK, just some scratches from the rough-surface street.

[thecadman99]

I keep a 1/2" torque with a 17mm socket, a low scissor-jack, a plug kit (with the brown sticky plugs) and a Viair pump http://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-85P-Port...rds=viair+pump

[lotusj]

Originally Posted by thecadman99

I keep a 1/2" torque with a 17mm socket, a low scissor-jack, a plug kit (with the brown sticky plugs) and a Viair pump http://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-85P-Port...rds=viair+pump

I bought the BMW M Mobility kit. I hope I never have to use it.

Where do you get a "plug kit" and what are brorwn sticky plugs?

[gds52]

No RFT
Puncture plugging kit.
Spare donut kit only for long drives.
AllState road assistance/towing($100) for just $12/year
(AAA seems overpriced to me, if it's $100/year. )

I think I'm covered. Rest depends.

[Xpander]

I'm ditching my run flats as soon as they wear out. The way I see it is when you have a blowout, you're in the same situation with run flats as with regulars.

[Speedwagon]

Originally Posted by Xpander

I'm ditching my run flats as soon as they wear out. The way I see it is when you have a blowout, you're in the same situation with run flats as with regulars.

But if you have a spare, no worries

[ken1137]

Nope...i have the spare tire kit from BavAuto and portable electric jack in the trunk for Winter. Running Blizzak LM60's. I hate RFT's but my summer tires came brand new with the car so I will switch to PSS' once they wear out. BTW..I also have a spare wheel for the front (VMR 701) and will buy one for the rear in the Spring. Yeah, a bit paranoid.

[kiwi29]

Originally Posted by Saintor

Well maybe not my *biggest*, but I definitely felt sorry in January '09.

Flat tire+ No RFT + no spare + insane traffic ---> ruined day.

I had a pump, a tire-seal inflating kit and neither of this was *enough*. I had to get out of way of bumper-to-bumper traffic with zero room on the curb (only concrete walls) so yes I damaged my tire. Once out of the way, it cost me 80-100$ in taxi + 3 hours. +tire and another hour at garage, of course.

Since then, my trunk is amputated 30% with a spare wheel and a jack for extra-low cars. It was the second flat tire in 10 years and the 1st time it was even more dangerous; I changed my flat in a narrow area on an urban highway with trucks at 50mph, only 5-6 ft from me. If they get better, RFT is a marvelous idea. The problem with BMW is not as much that they have RFT (now even the ATS has them) but that there is no dedicated room for a spare.

RFT would have been a great feature to have back in January '09 (and the other occasion too). Now I believe that RFT save lifes.

Ouch, now those reasons are unavoidable, glad you didn't get hit though in that insane traffic. There was only one time that RFT literally saved my life. I was on the freeway flowing at 80 and a giant chunk of ply wood with nails popped my front tire and came off to stab my sidewall on the rear. If it wasn't for the rft, I would've ended up going nose first into the wall I'm sure

[carogers86]

This exact question was running through my head when I was driving through the middle of nowhere to pick up my gf.

I have AAA, but it would have been a pain in the ass to wait for them to come out and tow my car to a shop during holidays. I wouldn't have been able to continue our road trip either. I guess I don't drive through middle of nowhere all the time.

[Malibu1]

I am not worried about getting a flat tire. I am more worried of my fuel pump leaving me stranded.... When I go on long trips, I am scared to take my 335. I take my 2006 F150 because it is dependable.

I run no RFT or spare with the 335i.

[korr]

non run flat conti dws + pothole in nj = blown out tire/bent rim. but tire wheel insurance = win xD

[OrlandoBimmer]

Mercedes Roadside assistance will replace your flat with a inflated spare tire... BMW roadside does this also?

[OrlandoBimmer]

Originally Posted by Malibu1

I am not worried about getting a flat tire. I am more worried of my fuel pump leaving me stranded.... When I go on long trips, I am scared to take my 335. I take my 2006 F150 because it is dependable.

I run no RFT or spare with the 335i.

Didn't we have already a recall that fix the fuel pump?

[OrlandoBimmer]

I wear run flats up front and michelins pilot super sport in the rear... Good setup, 75% of flat tires are front tires (not me, research companies information).

[osteopathXI]

Originally Posted by OrlandoBimmer

I wear run flats up front and michelins pilot super sport in the rear... Good setup, 75% of flat tires are front tires (not me, research companies information).

Horrible idea to mix them

[Das_Stig]

amex roadside assistance, just switched off runflats a few days ago

[John 070]

I've been doing that for 5 yrs. with my snow tires. When I switch to Pilot Super Sports, I plan on doing that with my summers as well. The way I see it is if you live in a metro area, it's not safe to change your own tire anyway on an expressway. So I'll AAA Plus it back to my house, where I'll have at least a snow tire or summer tire as a spare.

Seriously, you get a flat on a busy expressway, your tire is probably shot as it is. Do you want to start jacking up your car during rush hour? You get one person texting or talking without hands-free and you're in a world of hurt.

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by carogers86

This exact question was running through my head when I was driving through the middle of nowhere to pick up my gf.

I have AAA, but it would have been a pain in the ass to wait for them to come out and tow my car to a shop during holidays. I wouldn't have been able to continue our road trip either. I guess I don't drive through middle of nowhere all the time.

The problem is the RFTs wouldn't help you much in that situation anyway. Most people report that even at low speeds you may only get 40 miles before those start falilng apart as well. So you are still stranded, with a ruined tire.

At least with the non-RFTs when I don't get a puncture I will be more comfortable, have more money and will have planned ahead by having the inflating kit and/or spare depending on the situation.

Be it an inflating kit, spare or AAA I still think all of them are better value for money than RFTs. The ONLY reason makers went to them is to justify getting that bulk out of the trunk space.