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[L4ces]

I have not incurred a flat while on a road trip but for those who have, I am curious to know how did you resolve the issue?

Cheers

[Nelrock]

Originally Posted by L4ces

I have not incurred a flat while on a road trip but for those who have, I am curious to know how did you resolve the issue?

Cheers

Curious about that myself. That fix a flat kit isn't going to cover every situation and I don't want to be stuck in the boonies, on a Sun, trying to find a place that carries my $500 tire.
I wouldn't mind finding a donut or something I can toss in the trunk for road trips. I'm just not sure who might make or sell something like that made for our cars.

[SenorFunkyPants]

There is a thread in Wheels & Tyres about making up a donut spare wheel.
I carry one all time...you only have to use it once to make having one worthwhile.

[ploo]

several members of this forum have assembled their own donut spare to keep in the trunk. definitely what i would do for a road trip - the only thing worse than unnecessarily ruining an expensive summer tire from being in the middle of nowhere would be unnecessarily ruining a wheel for the same reason. will look for a link next chance i'm at a regular computer (calintexas was one member who comes to mind)

[ploo]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150955

but there is at least one other good thread

[JCtx]

With tihs: http://www.stopngo.com/automotive.asp (first kit as you scroll down).

Much better than a donut IMO, which is dangerous to drive above 55 in hot weather (risk of a blowout), plus you lose TPMS, car handles like crap, etc. I traveled 320+ miles with that plug at 80 mph sustained (didn't want to risk going any higher due to hot weather and no place to stop), and still have it now while waiting for new tires, and no loss of air at all. The trick is to take your time to ream the hole until you can do it with relative ease. I failed to do that and had to change the plug twice, but still traveled 200+ miles. Oh, and the kit was 10 years old, and never used before .

The donut would be needed in case of catastrophic failure, but with TPMS and taking precautions where you drive, chances of needing one are quite slim. Since having a spare would basically render my car useless for travel (no luggage s p a c e <why is this freaking word censored? >), I'm quite pleased with that kit. And if you're thinking about runflats, they reportedly collapse after 100 miles, so not the piece of mind some thing they provide. Plus you need a specialized tire place to deal with them. PLUS nobody carries them anyway, so you'd be SOL for a couple of days. Best compromise for me, and for $40 shipped, not a bad deal. Hope this helps.

[roders]

I just completed a 3419KM's / 2124Miles road trip across Australia last weekend and did not even think about it.....would have been a pain in the ass breaking down across the bush with no tire. Maybe have to see how far out the BMW roadside assistance guys will come.

[calintexas]

Here's the compact spare thread: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253769

Jack and Patch Kit Info thread: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272610

[L4ces]

Great information family. I have some options :-)

[Totti]

Originally Posted by roders

I just completed a 3419KM's / 2124Miles road trip across Australia last weekend and did not even think about it.....would have been a pain in the ass breaking down across the bush with no tire. Maybe have to see how far out the BMW roadside assistance guys will come.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Last year on a long US road trip had a flat on my Z4 was due to a wheel crack. Changed wheel for $635- plus expenses for hotel etc. Then during change of wheel found another 3 cracks in the opposite rear wheel. BMW in the USA screwed me over (long story).

Traded in the Z4 for a M3, since I drove a M3 before without any such problems for over 4 years. End of story ... now I am happy again with forged wheels and none RFT.

As I said never had a flat before on my former M3 and if I had the road side assistance is just a phone call away.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by roders

I just completed a 3419KM's / 2124Miles road trip across Australia last weekend and did not even think about it.....would have been a pain in the ass breaking down across the bush with no tire. Maybe have to see how far out the BMW roadside assistance guys will come.

In Australia you have the heat we up here in Canada have the cold (in the winter of course) If I would take a cross country thrip down under I would not do oit without a spare and jack in the trunk.

BTW you must love driving as much as I do last year I made a 13,303 road trip in Canada at the moment I am some 3,000 KM away from my home base hate aeroplanes love my M3

[GreasyGinzo]

Is there a 12v compressor in the trunks of our cars?

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

With tihs: http://www.stopngo.com/automotive.asp (first kit as you scroll down).

Much better than a donut IMO, which is dangerous to drive above 55 in hot weather (risk of a blowout), plus you lose TPMS, car handles like crap, etc. I traveled 320+ miles with that plug at 80 mph sustained (didn't want to risk going any higher due to hot weather and no place to stop), and still have it now while waiting for new tires, and no loss of air at all. The trick is to take your time to ream the hole until you can do it with relative ease. I failed to do that and had to change the plug twice, but still traveled 200+ miles. Oh, and the kit was 10 years old, and never used before .

The donut would be needed in case of catastrophic failure, but with TPMS and taking precautions where you drive, chances of needing one are quite slim. Since having a spare would basically render my car useless for travel (no luggage s p a c e <why is this freaking word censored? >), I'm quite pleased with that kit. And if you're thinking about runflats, they reportedly collapse after 100 miles, so not the piece of mind some thing they provide. Plus you need a specialized tire place to deal with them. PLUS nobody carries them anyway, so you'd be SOL for a couple of days. Best compromise for me, and for $40 shipped, not a bad deal. Hope this helps.

I have one of these plug kits, as well as a spare made from the X6 wheel as described in the above referenced thread. While neither is perfect, I much prefer the compact spare tire. If you have ever plugged a rear tire, especially if the puncture is near the inner edge, then you know you have to either remove the tire, or, crawl around in the dirt trying to get at it, a very frustrating experience if dark, or under other adverse conditions. Plus, some punctures can't be plugged. The spare takes up some space, but also leaves more than enough for my purposes. The tire and BMW jack kit are both securely strapped down in the trunk, and have never caused a problem. Each to his own solution I guess, but I think many folks get the plug kit without fully realizing its limitations.

[sameh]

Guys all those compact solutions are for 18 wheels, I can't find them in 19s. I really need to do this especially after my frustrating Sunday flat tire experience a month ago.

[sameh]

I am about to change my tires and the ones coming out are not that bad. If I keep the front tire (tire alone not wheel) in my trunk. This way if I get a flat at least the flatbed can take me to the closest true shop to swab them. I know my front is 245 but wouldn't that work front or back till I get home and pick the right one from the garage. I know that's a halfass solution but at least that way you don't have to be towed to the closest BMW dealer if it's far and you wouldn't have to pay 500 for a tire that you can get online for 300. when I had a flat tire on Sunday I had to leave my car in front of the dealer's service area till Monday am, I could've gone to closest open true place and swab. Ideas?

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by sameh

Guys all those compact solutions are for 18 wheels, I can't find them in 19s. I really need to do this especially after my frustrating Sunday flat tire experience a month ago.

Why do you want a 19" compact wheel? If you find one, you won't find a tire for it. The 18" wheel for the X6 has very adequate clearance for brakes in the front. And with the correct tire, it's virtually a match for the rear OD.

[sameh]

Damn iPhone kept correcting tire to true. Anyway, many of u who live close to or in a city wouldn't understand what I'm talking about cause a BMW dealer is always within 25 miles. Here if I get a flat it can be easily 75 miles to nearest dealer. Same thing if you're on a long road trip.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by GreasyGinzo

Is there a 12v compressor in the trunks of our cars?

Yes there is, lift the floor cover of your trunk and you will find it also look into your manual.

[sameh]

Originally Posted by elh0102

Why do you want a 19" compact wheel? If you find one, you won't find a tire for it. The 18" wheel for the X6 has very adequate clearance for brakes in the front. And with the correct tire, it's virtually a match for the rear OD.

So I could drive with 3 19 wheels and one 18 spare?? Didn't think that would work. If you're sure then thanks, I'll get on it.

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by sameh

So I could drive with 3 19 wheels and one 18 spare?? Didn't think that would work. If you're sure then thanks, I'll get on it.

Sure it works, and is quite common. All that matters is the OD, and sufficient inside clearance for brakes. Mine even clears in front with ST-60/380mm StopTech brakes, using a small spacer, so you will have a ton of clearance with OE brakes.

[SHADY1]

When ever I go on a long road trip for example: I travel from Texax to SoCal. I always carry a small low sitting floor jack and one of my 19inch front OEM wheels for a spare. I know it will work if I have a flat in the front or the rear. I have 20inch wheels on my M3 thats why I use my 19inch OEM for a spare. I have had to use my 19inch front wheel 3 times because of a flat 2 times in the front and one time in the rear. I was really glad I took the tire, it takes up trunk space but it was worth it in the end. There are not to many shops off the highway on a long road trip that is going to have a 255/30ZR20 in their shop and they really are not going to have a 305/25ZR20 sitting around in the shop so this is why I travel with a spare