Best alternative for a BMW with no spare wheel

ohnonotgmail

I have a BMW X1 that was probably originally sold with run flats as it doesnt have a spare wheel or even room for one without filling the boot. What is the best option for me? I was thinking of a space saver wheel but open to suggestions.

ohnonotgmail

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I have a BMW X1 that was probably originally sold with run flats as it doesnt have a spare wheel or even room for one without filling the boot. What is the best option for me? I was thinking of a space saver wheel but open to suggestions.

My car doesn't come with a spare wheel, but a can that will inflate and seal a puncture.

ohnonotgmail

Deleted User wrote: »

My car doesn't come with a spare wheel, but a can that will inflate and seal a puncture.

yeah that is certainly an option but i've heard bad things about it ruining tyres

elperello

Best option is a second hand spare wheel and if you are stuck for boot space on trips/holidays buy a roof box.

deandean

I bought a tyre plug kit €20 and a Ring inflator €40. So far I have fixed two punctures, both without even taking the wheel off the car.

Phil.x

deandean wrote: »

I bought a tyre plug kit €20 and a Ring inflator €40. So far I have fixed two punctures, both without even taking the wheel off the car.

Any links?

Del2005

deandean wrote: »

I bought a tyre plug kit €20 and a Ring inflator €40. So far I have fixed two punctures, both without even taking the wheel off the car.

They work for a few punctures but not for all. I had a run of bad luck where I ran over a Stanley blade, clipped a stone that fell off a wall and stupidly clipped a kerb none of which could be repaired with a plug or can of foam. The 1st was a hire car which didn't even have the foam but was outside a friend's house so could remove the wheel to get a new one, other 2 where in my own car with a space saver spare.

The 1st thing I'll check for when buying my next car is the spare wheel and if there isn't one I'm not buying. OP do whatever you need to get a spare in the car, make sure it's secure though by using the tie down hooks and ratchet straps. I'd happily sacrifice boot space for a spare and even if you can't change a wheel someone will stop to help.

ohnonotgmail

Del2005 wrote: »

They work for a few punctures but not for all. I had a run of bad luck where I ran over a Stanley blade, clipped a stone that fell off a wall and stupidly clipped a kerb none of which could be repaired with a plug or can of foam. The 1st was a hire car which didn't even have the foam but was outside a friend's house so could remove the wheel to get a new one, other 2 where in my own car with a space saver spare.

The 1st thing I'll check for when buying my next car is the spare wheel and if there isn't one I'm not buying. OP do whatever you need to get a spare in the car, make sure it's secure though by using the tie down hooks and ratchet straps. I'd happily sacrifice boot space for a spare and even if you can't change a wheel someone will stop to help.

I'm not a helpless damsel in distress LOL. if you cant change a wheel you shouldn't be on the road.

so i found this which seems to do the job.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/2009-2014-SPACE-SAVER-SPARE-WHEEL/dp/B07QD1RK5D/ref=sr_1_5?crid=GB27HEJ2KUUS&dchild=1&keywords=bmw+x1+space+saver+wheel&qid=1593896382&quartzVehicle=16-178&replacementKeywords=space+saver+wheel&s=automotive&sprefix=bmw+x1+space%2Cautomotive%2C174&sr=1-5

the description says that it fits in the spare wheel well but i dont have a spare wheel well. where the spare wheel would go has the battery and a compartment with a compressor.

Dirty Nails

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I have a BMW X1 that was probably originally sold with run flats as it doesnt have a spare wheel or even room for one without filling the boot. What is the best option for me? I was thinking of a space saver wheel but open to suggestions.

I think you already know the logical answer.
Refit the run flats.

You are, in theory anyway,supposed to inform your insurance company that the runflats have been removed. Not as if they'd need an excuse to hike a premium

kirving

[Deleted User] wrote: »

My car doesn't come with a spare wheel, but a can that will inflate and seal a puncture.

I admire your confidence. The cans of sealant haven't worked for me on two occasions.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I'm not a helpless damsel in distress LOL. if you cant change a wheel you shouldn't be on the road.

You don't have to be a damsel in distress to not want to change a tyre on the side of the road.

Bad idea to be doing it on a dark, wet M4 hard shoulder in winter morning traffic, and that's before you encounter a problem in the process. Happened to me and I just kept driving on the non-runflat tyre, ruined the tyre, but got to a safe place.

I've had to jump on an extendable wheel brace on occasion to release a nut, and then lower the weight of the car onto the wheel in order to break it free from the hub, before jacking it back up and changing it.

Anyone I know who has been given a lesson on how to change a wheel, had it in their front garden on a nice day and it all went to plan which in a way is a false sense of your own ability.

Del2005

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I'm not a helpless damsel in distress LOL. if you cant change a wheel you shouldn't be on the road.

There are plenty of reasons why a driver can't physically change a wheel do you think they shouldn't be allowed to drive? Having a spare is more important than being able to change it as luckily there are still decent people around who'll help someone in trouble.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

so i found this which seems to do the job.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/2009-2014-SPACE-SAVER-SPARE-WHEEL/dp/B07QD1RK5D/ref=sr_1_5?crid=GB27HEJ2KUUS&dchild=1&keywords=bmw+x1+space+saver+wheel&qid=1593896382&quartzVehicle=16-178&replacementKeywords=space+saver+wheel&s=automotive&sprefix=bmw+x1+space%2Cautomotive%2C174&sr=1-5

the description says that it fits in the spare wheel well but i dont have a spare wheel well. where the spare wheel would go has the battery and a compartment with a compressor.

Buy a couple of these and secure it to the tie down points in the boot.

Del2005

Kevin Irving wrote: »

I admire your confidence. The cans of sealant haven't worked for me on two occasions.



You don't have to be a damsel in distress to not want to change a tyre on the side of the road.

Bad idea to be doing it on a dark, wet M4 hard shoulder in winter morning traffic, and that's before you encounter a problem in the process. Happened to me and I just kept driving on the non-runflat tyre, ruined the tyre, but got to a safe place.

I've had to jump on an extendable wheel brace on occasion to release a nut, and then lower the weight of the car onto the wheel in order to break it free from the hub, before jacking it back up and changing it.

Anyone I know who has been given a lesson on how to change a wheel, had it in their front garden on a nice day and it all went to plan which in a way is a false sense of your own ability.

My 1st puncture was in an original Mini and to jack it up you needed to open the door. Got a driers side puncture and stopped on the bridge at the Spa Hotel on the N4 on a dark wet night and that was the most scared I've ever been on the road. I'll never be that stupid again, the wheel can easily be replaced and even if I damage the car I'll drive on till I can find somewhere well off the road to stop. I even bought and carry axle stands to make sure it won't fall off the jack.

I've always carried a cross wheel brace after another time I got a puncture and the OEM brace was some POS spring steal which wouldn't open the nuts no matter much I jumped on it, worked well servicing several cars till my current one which took a long lever on the cross brace to open the nuts. A 12V impact gun solved the nut sticking problem;)

bazz26

Your options are:

1. Buy a space saver wheel/wheel brace and stick them in the boot.
2. Buy tyre foam and a compressor
3. Replace the non runflat tyres with run flat tyres.
4. Get roadside assistance who will come out and repair the puncture or replace the tyre.
5. Do nothing and hope you don't get a puncture.

ohnonotgmail

bazz26 wrote: »

Your options are:

1. Buy a space saver wheel/wheel brace and stick them in the boot.
2. Buy tyre foam and a compressor
3. Replace the non runflat tyres with run flat tyres.
4. Get roadside assistance who will come out and repair the puncture or replace the tyre.
5. Do nothing and hope you don't get a puncture.

yeah that about sums it up. option 1 looks like the best best. I have 4 nearly new continentals so changing to run-flats is out.

greasepalm

One word of warning if you have alloys when was the last time they were off the car as most that come in for service they are seized on and need a lump hammer to remove spigot of wheel and hub need cleaning to allow wheel to be fitted and removed easily and usually a bit of copper grease added.Breakers are usually good for wheels but would ask if you need different wheel studs if changing from alloy to steel.eg mercs.

Turbohymac

Ya best alternative for any car without spare wheel would be pick up a skinny wheel and a jack and wheel brace. As the compressor and bottle of sealant only works on small leaks..if u hit a pothole and damage the wheel or cut the tyre you will need a spare wheel or else a recovery truck

Cerco

Have a look here at a solution for spare wheel carrier. This is for a mini but I recall seeing one for BMW, cannot find it at the moment:
https://minicooper.fandom.com/wiki/Retrofitting_Space-Saver_Spare_Wheel

Also make sure the jack supplied has the correct adaptor to fit the jacking point on your car.

ohnonotgmail

greasepalm wrote: »

One word of warning if you have alloys when was the last time they were off the car as most that come in for service they are seized on and need a lump hammer to remove spigot of wheel and hub need cleaning to allow wheel to be fitted and removed easily and usually a bit of copper grease added.Breakers are usually good for wheels but would ask if you need different wheel studs if changing from alloy to steel.eg mercs.

i honestly dont know. i dont have it long. i have a breaker bar in the boot so i'm confident i can remove all but the most stubborn wheels. Plus i have breakdown assistance so i will never be stuck.

greasepalm

At home i would suggest in seeing if wheels can be removed easily as better there than on a lonely road.I have used a snap on 1/2 breaker bar and six foot tubing to loosen wheel nuts on the ground first.

Del2005

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

i honestly dont know. i dont have it long. i have a breaker bar in the boot so i'm confident i can remove all but the most stubborn wheels. Plus i have breakdown assistance so i will never be stuck.

Spend a long time trying to break the wheels off a car in work one evening. Ending up having to get a sledge hammer to break it. Was dodgy enough to get at in an empty car park wouldn't do it on the road alone in case it falls off the jack.

The easiest way to break it is to put the nuts back on hand tight and drive a little bit of a circle.

jimmycrackcorm

Deleted User wrote: »

My car doesn't come with a spare wheel, but a can that will inflate and seal a puncture.

The last three punctures I had, I just ended up wasting money on these cans. Tyres with significant tears in the side walls and not just cheap tyres either.

Del2005

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

The last three punctures I had, I just ended up wasting money on these cans. Tyres with significant tears in the side walls and not just cheap tyres either.

THe other issue is that to use the foam you have to drive on the flat tyre, so most tyre places refuse to repair a tyre once the foam is used.

R.O.R

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

I'm not a helpless damsel in distress LOL. if you cant change a wheel you shouldn't be on the road.

so i found this which seems to do the job.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/2009-2014-SPACE-SAVER-SPARE-WHEEL/dp/B07QD1RK5D/ref=sr_1_5?crid=GB27HEJ2KUUS&dchild=1&keywords=bmw+x1+space+saver+wheel&qid=1593896382&quartzVehicle=16-178&replacementKeywords=space+saver+wheel&s=automotive&sprefix=bmw+x1+space%2Cautomotive%2C174&sr=1-5

the description says that it fits in the spare wheel well but i dont have a spare wheel well. where the spare wheel would go has the battery and a compartment with a compressor.

What year is the X1? There's a huge space under the boot floor in the current model.

tphase

Dirty Nails wrote: »

You are, in theory anyway,supposed to inform your insurance company that the runflats have been removed.

is that actually true? It hardly counts as a modification, certainly doesn't change the performance or characteristics of the car

nogoodnamesleft

greasepalm wrote: »

One word of warning if you have alloys when was the last time they were off the car as most that come in for service they are seized on and need a lump hammer to remove spigot of wheel and hub need cleaning to allow wheel to be fitted and removed easily and usually a bit of copper grease added.Breakers are usually good for wheels but would ask if you need different wheel studs if changing from alloy to steel.eg mercs.

Copper grease can cause issues with the ABS wheel sensors. I usually ensure my hubs and spigots remain clean (quick rub of sandpaper). You could try and use brake grease on rim of the spigot to prevent corrosion. I wouldnt be inclined to put anything on the hub face in case it causes wheel runout.

Biggest issues I have found is over tightened wheel bolts. Torgue specs for most BWMs here:

https://www.bmwland.org.uk/index.php?threads/wheel-bolt-torque-settings.468/

ohnonotgmail

R.O.R wrote: »

What year is the X1? There's a huge space under the boot floor in the current model.

it is the previous model. the battery is in there.

kirving

tphase wrote: »

is that actually true? It hardly counts as a modification, certainly doesn't change the performance or characteristics of the car

From an insurance company point of view, it's a significant modification, as it changes risk catagories.

I'm sure the vast majority of people who swap non-runflats for cost reasons don't bother to buy a jack and new wheel / sealant and compressor - because tat would be expensive.

Even if they did, it's a dangerous prospect to be doing either on the side of the motorway at night.

Runflats let you continue to safety, no need to call your insurance companies breakdown service, and less risk of being killed changing a tyre. I missed a flight a few years ago because of a can of glue didn't seal and I was stranded - had I claimed on my travel insurance that would have been an additional cost to the insurance industry.

tphase

Kevin Irving wrote: »

From an insurance company point of view, it's a significant modification, as it changes risk catagories.

I'm sure the vast majority of people who swap non-runflats for cost reasons don't bother to buy a jack and new wheel / sealant and compressor - because tat would be expensive.

Even if they did, it's a dangerous prospect to be doing either on the side of the motorway at night.

Runflats let you continue to safety, no need to call your insurance companies breakdown service, and less risk of being killed changing a tyre. I missed a flight a few years ago because of a can of glue didn't seal and I was stranded - had I claimed on my travel insurance that would have been an additional cost to the insurance industry.

Are you in the industry or is this just your educated opinion?
I see where you're coming from but I still don't agree it's a significant modification.
Swapping to Chinese ditch-finders is a much more significant change in risk profile but people don't have to declare that change

Dirty Nails

tphase wrote: »

is that actually true? It hardly counts as a modification, certainly doesn't change the performance or characteristics of the car

Seemingly so,I've heard it several times over the years. By altering the handling during a blow out it counts as removing a safety feature.

Del2005

tphase wrote: »

Are you in the industry or is this just your educated opinion?
I see where you're coming from but I still don't agree it's a significant modification.
Swapping to Chinese ditch-finders is a much more significant change in risk profile but people don't have to declare that change

Changing from tyres designed to not fail while driving to ones which can is a major change to your vehicle. Not informing your insurance company just gives them an easy out if you need to claim.

tphase

Del2005 wrote: »

Changing from tyres designed to not fail while driving to ones which can is a major change to your vehicle. Not informing your insurance company just gives them an easy out if you need to claim.

surely all tyres are designed not to fail? Runflats may be less likely to fail but they can fail (according to this independent BMW specialist who recommends ditching runflats
http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/why-we-dont-recommend-runflat-tyres/ )


Agree that insurance companies will always look for a way to reduce the amount of any claim but as long as your car has road legal tyres of the correct size and rating, I can't see them being able to justify denying a claim on the basis that the tyres are non-runflat

sunnysoutheast

tphase wrote: »

surely all tyres are designed not to fail? Runflats may be less likely to fail but they can fail (according to this independent BMW specialist who recommends ditching runflats
http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/why-we-dont-recommend-runflat-tyres/)


Agree that insurance companies will always look for a way to reduce the amount of any claim but as long as your car has road legal tyres of the correct size and rating, I can't see them being able to justify denying a claim on the basis that the tyres are non-runflat

I used to get my car serviced there :-), very good.

I've never seen a definitive answer on this, from what I've seen online though you are better off advising the insurance company just in case but if the ratings are within spec. I think you're right. That's what we did with no change in premium, although we're now back on RFTs. Appreciate they can still fail but the solutions for spare wheel and jack were too obtrusive.

sunnysoutheast

tphase wrote: »

surely all tyres are designed not to fail? Runflats may be less likely to fail but they can fail (according to this independent BMW specialist who recommends ditching runflats
http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/why-we-dont-recommend-runflat-tyres/)


Agree that insurance companies will always look for a way to reduce the amount of any claim but as long as your car has road legal tyres of the correct size and rating, I can't see them being able to justify denying a claim on the basis that the tyres are non-runflat

I used to get my car serviced there :-), very good.

I've never seen a definitive answer on this, from what I've seen online though you are better off advising the insurance company just in case but if the ratings are within spec. I think you're right. That's what we did with no change in premium, although we're now back on RFTs. Appreciate they can still fail but the solutions for spare wheel and jack were too obtrusive.

kirving

tphase wrote: »

Are you in the industry or is this just your educated opinion?
I see where you're coming from but I still don't agree it's a significant modification.
Swapping to Chinese ditch-finders is a much more significant change in risk profile but people don't have to declare that change

Just putting some perspective on why an insurance company may ask for, and care about that kind of information.

The engineer and driver in me firmly believes in the difference that good tyres make, but I'd genuinely love to see info on good/bad legal tyres in terms of accident rates. Could it be the case that the boy races with great tyres actually crash more often than sunday driver with rubbish tyres?

You can be sure as hell if an actuary could determine that there was a higher likelihood for one or the other, they'd ask the question outright.

tphase wrote: »

Agree that insurance companies will always look for a way to reduce the amount of any claim but as long as your car has road legal tyres of the correct size and rating, I can't see them being able to justify denying a claim on the basis that the tyres are non-runflat

If they're asking the question, they probably could prove that from a statistical point of view, swapping tyres to non-factory spec constitutes an increased risk.

It's not that they're necessarily that they're looking to get out of paying a claim though, but they need to understand the risk which they are insuring against, as is the same reason they don't just charge everyone the same price and ask nothing about the car.

If we all swapped 30 year old cars for example, the likelihood of dying in a crash would increase, and they need to insure against that likelihood, even if more deaths never actually materialises.

phelixoflaherty

https://www.wheelfitment.eu/car.html

Cerco

tphase wrote: »

surely all tyres are designed not to fail? Runflats may be less likely to fail but they can fail (according to this independent BMW specialist who recommends ditching runflats
http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/why-we-dont-recommend-runflat-tyres/

Very interesting article here. Thanks for posting.

Ps remove final bracket from url otherwise it gives an error
This link works:

http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/why-we-dont-recommend-runflat-tyres/

Cerco