[dscabra]

At the risk of sounding brash, I've been driving cars for more than 40 years and have had several damaged tires (screws, nails, etc.), but have only had to put the spare tire on one time. I don't think I would worry too much about having access to the spare via a specially designed floor liner based on the very low probability that you would actually need it. Just remove it to get the spare out or call for roadside assistance if that's too difficult. Usually, the K.I.S.S. principal is the right answer.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by dscabra

At the risk of sounding brash, I've been driving cars for more than 40 years and have had several damaged tires (screws, nails, etc.), but have only had to put the spare tire on one time. I don't think I would worry too much about having access to the spare via a specially designed floor liner based on the very low probability that you would actually need it. Just remove it to get the spare out or call for roadside assistance if that's too difficult. Usually, the K.I.S.S. principal is the right answer.

That's not the issue or the concern. The cargo liner and trunk have different measurements with a spare. For the record, there is no secret compartment for spare access with my WeatherTech.

I also concur, I ain't changin no flat tire. That's what Roadside Assistance or AAA is for.

[dscabra]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

That's not the issue or the concern. The cargo liner and trunk have different measurements with a spare. For the record, there is no secret compartment for spare access with my WeatherTech.

I also concur, I ain't changin no flat tire. That's what Roadside Assistance or AAA is for.

Is that because of different anchor points or something used to hold the spare in place? I can't imagine the shape of the trunk is actually different. Where are the jack and tools stored?

[dscabra]

Never mind -- found the answer.

[Mach550]

Originally Posted by dscabra

At the risk of sounding brash, I've been driving cars for more than 40 years and have had several damaged tires (screws, nails, etc.), but have only had to put the spare tire on one time. I don't think I would worry too much about having access to the spare via a specially designed floor liner based on the very low probability that you would actually need it. Just remove it to get the spare out or call for roadside assistance if that's too difficult. Usually, the K.I.S.S. principal is the right answer.

I've put my spare on twice, don't have time to wait for roadside assistance.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by dscabra

Never mind -- found the answer.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Mach550

I've put my spare on twice, don't have time to wait for roadside assistance.

I am fairly certain it would take me longer to loosen the lugs, find the mickey mouse BMW jack, jack up the car, remove the lugs, remove the wheel, blow up the spare that is in the trunk (I think it needs to be inflated, remove it from the trunk, install lugs, tighten, squeeze my 20" 668's into the trunk and I bet it's tight, clean up so I don't get grease and grime in the car.......I think you get the point. Not to mention getting hit on the side of the road by Joe Teenager texting.

No thanks. I'll take the guy in the tow truck with a real jack and lug cross. If get a flat, I got nothing but time. You must be a busy man. I have never waited more than 30 minutes for Road Side assistance and I actually have three choices:

BMW Roadside Assistance
AAA
All-State Wheel and Tire Insurance Roadside assistance.

The key is to tell the dispatcher is that you are in a dangerous area from a traffic standpoint.

[beerman80]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I am fairly certain it would take me longer to loosen the lugs, find the mickey mouse BMW jack, jack up the car, remove the lugs, remove the wheel, blow up the spare that is in the trunk (I think it needs to be inflated, remove it from the trunk, install lugs, tighten, squeeze my 20" 668's into the trunk and I bet it's tight, clean up so I don't get grease and grime in the car.......I think you get the point. Not to mention getting hit on the side of the road by Joe Teenager texting.

No thanks. I'll take the guy in the tow truck with a real jack and lug cross. If get a flat, I got nothing but time. You must be a busy man. I have never waited more than 30 minutes for Road Side assistance and I actually have three choices:

BMW Roadside Assistance
AAA
All-State Wheel and Tire Insurance Roadside assistance.

The key is to tell the dispatcher is that you are in a dangerous area from a traffic standpoint.

I have called roadside assistance a few times and don't think I have ever had them come in under 30 mins. On average it takes them 1-3 hours. A few months ago I had a sidewall blow out where I called BMW roadside assistance and the first tow truck cancelled without calling, so then I had to wait another 90 mins for the second one. I can easily put a spare on in under 10 mins, so to me the spare is a better option than waiting for roadside.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by beerman80

I have called roadside assistance a few times and don't think I have ever had them come in under 30 mins. On average it takes them 1-3 hours. A few months ago I had a sidewall blow out where I called BMW roadside assistance and the first tow truck cancelled without calling, so then I had to wait another 90 mins for the second one. I can easily put a spare on in under 10 mins, so to me the spare is a better option than waiting for roadside.

Good to know on BMW Assist, I actually call AAA first, they come ASAP.

[beerman80]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Good to know on BMW Assist, I actually call AAA first, they come ASAP.

I actually just signed up for AAA, hopefully if I need them it will be better than BMW roadside and the roadside I have through my cell carrier.

One thing I was curious about, will AAA always send out a flatbed if you need your car towed? I assumed BMW roadside knows to send one out, but what about others?

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by beerman80

I actually just signed up for AAA, hopefully if I need them it will be better than BMW roadside and the roadside I have through my cell carrier.

One thing I was curious about, will AAA always send out a flatbed if you need your car towed? I assumed BMW roadside knows to send one out, but what about others?

Honestly I can't remember the last time they didn't use a flat bed. Don't see many traditional tow trucks in my area. I'm not even sure they are legal in MA anymore.

[beerman80]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Honestly I can't remember the last time they didn't use a flat bed. Don't see many traditional tow trucks in my area. I'm not even sure they are legal in MA anymore.

That's good to know, hopefully I won't ever need to call them.

[AlteBMW]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I've got one of these for my cargo area on my Infiniti. It's kind of generic and looks like it was cut with scissors right before it was shipped. Also moves all over the place but that could be related to the 95lb German Shepherd on it.

I think there are different brands with hex. The one I have has raised dimples on the back and does not slide at all. It is also perfectly sized. I have these in three different cars and have been extremely happy with them. (I found the WT slid more)

[crypto]

Originally Posted by beerman80

That's good to know, hopefully I won't ever need to call them.

A lot of these vehicles are AWD and that requires a flat bed. If it's RWD they can lift it and leave front wheels on the ground and the reverse for FWD vehicles. With AWD they need all the wheels off the ground and hence the flat bed.

I've put a donut on my car or my wife's car myself probably 5-6 times in my 21 years of driving. I've only ever called for a service to do it twice. Once out of convenience and once because on my F150 the damn release for the spare was rusted over and it took myself and the roadside assistance guy both to get it loose. However.. let him change it out since that was his job and he had his handheld inflator thing.

I def like to have the option to handle this myself. Definitely faster than waiting for roadside assistance or a tow truck.

[Joe-BMW33]

TTT

[CHicksM575]

I went with WeatherTech also, added the bumper liner with it. The bumper liner has been a stress saver..

[paquet]

I've been thinking about ordering the fold-out OEM bumper liner.

does yours leave any scuffs on the bumper upon taking it out and loading it back up?