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[ploo]

Hey all,

What do you personally use/keep around in case of a flat? M mobility kit or "tire goop" solutions don't really appeal to me unless in an absolute emergency because they sacrifice the (expensive) tire. So far, knock on wood, I've been able to put air in when I pick up a stray nail and have the tire plugged and patched at a shop.

Perhaps some of you have a more elegant solution, like an small aftermarket spare I don't know about? I don't always drive through the safest areas, so simply waiting for a flatbed from Roadside Assistance or AAA doesn't work (plus the risk of damage from any tow). Appreciate the input, thanks!

[FStop7]

If it's a slow leak I use the air pump part of the mobility kit, not the goop. If it's a big leak or a major puncture then I call roadside assistance to get a flatbed sent out.

[shendrick]

There are 4 ways to deals with flats. But remember patch or replace don't plug. if #2 or #3 fail you can always use #1
.
1. SOS and get flat bedded to the nearest BMW dealer.
2. If slow leak, add air using your compressor and drive to dealer.
3. Purchase plug kit, jack, socket, drive, X fingers you can plug, then dealer.
4. Purchase jack, socket, drive, spare and sacrifice trunk space.

I personally am doing #3. So far 3 screws with slow leaks that allowed me to get to the dealer so I haven't had to attempt a plug.

Using goo is only a last resort of #1-4 fail since it will make a mess of the tire and wheel.

[wuzupfoo]

too lazy to search for you but there is a member who sourced a steelie specifically made for spares and also rubber that fit it at a OD that was close to stock sizes. Very nice solution, wasnt crazy price if I remember correctly.

[calintexas]

A compact spare tire thread with lots of info is here http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253769. You can put a spare together using an X6 spare wheel and a compact Maxxis T135/70R18 tire from a CTS for around $200.

Catch me at Cars & Coffee if you want to see mine.

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by calintexas

A compact spare tire thread with lots of info is here http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253769. You can put a spare together using an X6 spare wheel and a compact Maxxis T135/70R18 tire from a CTS for around $200.

Catch me at Cars & Coffee if you want to see mine.

I used this method for a spare, and found a Bridgestone T145/70-18 at TireRack. It is a closer match to the OD of the factory rears.

[ploo]

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I'll definitely find you at a C&C or DFWAC meet one of these days, if I'm ever off from work...

Any recs on a particular plug kit? They all seem equivalent to me. And yes, I plan on avoiding goop at all costs. Having to replace one or more tires just for a simple puncture would be extremely irritating.

[tomob63]

does the M3 include the mobility kit by default, at delivery? I checked my trunk, and nada. nothing there. Funny thing is, I had one for my 335xi that I sold on the forum when I got the spare and jack combo.

[calintexas]

Originally Posted by ploo

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I'll definitely find you at a C&C or DFWAC meet one of these days, if I'm ever off from work...

Any recs on a particular plug kit? They all seem equivalent to me. And yes, I plan on avoiding goop at all costs. Having to replace one or more tires just for a simple puncture would be extremely irritating.

I just bought a plug kit from Pep Boys. The thing to remember is that any external plug you install is temporary. You really want to go to a tire place and have them replace your plug with a patch/hat plug that installs from inside the tire.

Originally Posted by tomob63

does the M3 include the mobility kit by default, at delivery? I checked my trunk, and nada. nothing there. Funny thing is, I had one for my 335xi that I sold on the forum when I got the spare and jack combo.

Yes, you should have a mobility kit. It should be housed in fitted Styrofoam at the front of the well underneath the trunk floor.