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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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What do we all do for a spare tire in the e90?
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12-24-2022, 02:47 AM | #1 |
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What do we all do for a spare tire in the e90?
I'm going to be travelling quite a way across Australia and I would dread to get a flat with no spare tire. So.. I've bought a front rim but I'm stuck on what tire size to fit so it can go on both the front AND the back?
My front tires are 225/40/18 and the back is 255/35/18. I was thinking of putting a 225/35/18 for the spare? Or can I just use a standard front tire 225/40/18 or will it throw something out on the car? Oh and what jacks do you all use while on the road? Any help will be appreciated! Thanks Brad Last edited by Bradscott; 12-24-2022 at 02:55 AM.. |
12-24-2022, 04:01 PM | #3 |
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I mean it will mostly be on motorways so if I did get a flat it would simply be a spare tire for a short distance to a tire shop/repair shop.
And I'm guessing if i got a rear tire I would have to get a rear rim which will not fit on the front? If I was to fit a 40 ratio on the back won't it be touching something while turning etc? And yes I have a 320d RWD |
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12-24-2022, 05:40 PM | #5 |
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tire "goop" puncture sealant, 12V tire pump, and a tire plug kit. Use goop for minor flats that you can drive to a tire shop. Use tire plug kit if I need to go hundreds of miles for help. Carry a rescue beacon for ultimate safety (iPhone 14 includes this).
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12-24-2022, 05:53 PM | #6 |
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An E60 spare kit works great, and takes up a lot less space.
Oh look, here's an example for a great price: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1955396 |
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12-24-2022, 06:00 PM | #7 |
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Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate all the info!
And for the jack I was tempted to go find a scrap x5 and get the jack as I think it had the same jack points and fitting as the e90? |
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12-24-2022, 06:15 PM | #8 |
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No spare since I bought it.
A few slow leaks and the TPMS caught it and one what appeared to be a tire slashing in my driveway . 12 years not worried at this point. If you notice most new cars don't have spares anymore and where I am I so rarely see a car on the side of the road for a flat. There are some self sealing tires out now that seems kind of interesting. Guess they have pre installed goop. |
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StradaRedlands5962.50 |
12-25-2022, 09:39 AM | #9 |
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I've owned mine since August '16 and it came with run flats. Two years later, a tire went flat and upon inspection there were a couple that showed the wear bar. I replaced them with PS4S' and bought a mini tire compressor and Tire Goop. I haven't been stranded and have been thinking about a space saver spare but the pandemic has eliminated me traveling far for work.
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12-25-2022, 11:09 AM | #10 |
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I'm going to get a full size spare for long trips. You can pick up a curbed up/poor condition rim for like $60 at the salvage yard. A regular donut kit for your diameter wheel would run you like $300.
The tire I'll just use a less worn out/patched during my next set. Hopefully AAA is helpful with tows on the usual 50 miles range. Patching a non-run flat tires voids the costco warranty. car-parts.com sort by distance from you and pick the cheapest one. |
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Mike K372.50 StradaRedlands5962.50 |
12-25-2022, 11:26 AM | #11 | |
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12-25-2022, 12:08 PM | #12 |
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I've pieced together a kit consisting of a scissor jack, tire wrench, tire plug kit with pliers, and a "mobility kit" (air compressor + tire sealant) like those found on newer vehicles:
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-...ack-66907.html https://slime.com/collections/patche...-kit-glue-11pc https://slime.com/collections/all-in...ire-repair-kit It drives me insane that BMW didn't include a spare tire when they easily could've, and owners can't even retrofit a spare tire kit like on other vehicles. Carrying a spare in the trunk is an option, but the truck space is usually a premium for longer road trips where a spare would be good to have. |
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StradaRedlands5962.50 Mike K372.50 |
12-25-2022, 05:58 PM | #13 | |
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Like Guy, I carry a 12V Pump, Plug Kit with needle-nose pliers, WorkLight and warning lights/ tools. NO JACK. RSC's will get you off highway to parking lot or such where you can put towel down and remove screw/nail, plug puncture, inflate & be on your way WITHOUT removing wheel. Can't be prepared for EVERYTHING! What if someone who REALLY DISLIKES you slashes TWO tires (or all 4 ;-). Do you carry spare coolant hoses & tools to change? Coolant Pump? In 60 years of maintaining my own vehicles, worst I've ever had to do was change a Starter on V-12 XJ-S at a gas station parking lot, at night, in cold. Once (50+ years ago) changed a broken valve spring on 427 'Vette in less than an hour at an Exxon off I-81 at 10PM on a Sunday night. Then continued to FL I WAS prepared for that with replacement spring, Spring Compressor, Rocker Cover Gasket, tools & Plug air hose adapter, 'cuz one had previously broken. Station Attendant let me use compressor air to hold valve closed while changing spring. 427 V-8 was NOT OHC, so just remove Rocker, keepers & spring. I haven't had a flat tire MYSELF in at least 30 years, and can't remember EVER changing tire roadside. I've plugged screw/nail holes for others ~ 3 times in last 5 years. My LUCK will probably change tomorrow. George |
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12-25-2022, 06:06 PM | #14 |
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Some people do a spare and tie it down which works well. I went with a scissor jack, tire plugs, and some side cutters. I used the tire plugs once. They came in a lot of handy. I was at home when I discovered the flat so it was easy to deal with. Most importantly, keep a tire inflator in your car. If you have a slow leak, fill it up to the max and you'll more than likely get home where you can use your tools to do a quick repair. If you plug a tire, always go get it patched.
Don't use slime. It'll destroy the inside of the tire tire, create a mess on the rim and potentially ruin the TPMS sensor. I'd rather get a tow than use slime. |
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Mike K372.50 StradaRedlands5962.50 |
12-25-2022, 08:01 PM | #15 |
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E60 spare tire kit is a good one. Otherwise, use the same size tire as your front tires. It won’t throw anything off on the car.
They sell these 12v scissor jacks that plug into the cars cigarette lighter. Pretty neat, but I guess their electronics could fail too. |
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StradaRedlands5962.50 |
12-25-2022, 08:02 PM | #16 |
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I’ve had to deal with many flat tires over the last few years. (Family members and twice myself). I always used a plug kit and nobody ever had an issue or complains from anyone.
Is slime the same as a plug and patch kit? The little rubber rods that you twist into the hole + some rubber glue. I’ve been using those and never had an issue. Given I just bought new tires, I’m trying to leverage the warranty and AAA as much as possible for my car. |
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12-25-2022, 10:00 PM | #17 | |
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12-26-2022, 10:42 AM | #18 | |
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That said, with ~150k on the odometer now I rent something for long trips/driving vacations. I decided to try non-run flats when I bought new tires thinking I hadn’t had a flat in 20+ years on anything I own and would rely on a tow if I did flat. Of course, later that month I had two flats on a 100mile trip in the Suburban… |
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12-26-2022, 11:11 AM | #19 |
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01-22-2023, 08:16 AM | #20 |
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Has anybody looked at modifying the plastic underfloor 'bucket' to take a spare wheel? Maybe angled upwards at the rear?
Personally i think it should be against the law for manufacturers to be able to sell a car without a spare wheel! They only get away with it because WE let them... |
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01-22-2023, 11:42 AM | #22 | |
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I carry an air compressor w/goo, a AAA card, and a credit card. I've had to use the compressor once - tire went flat over a week at the airport. Pumped it up without goo and I made it 50 miles home with no issues. Had it plugged the next day, had picked up a nail. Only issue since 1989. Not having spares is getting more and more common across the industry.
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