[DrGadget]

First I'll disclose my bias against run-craps. They are noisy, expensive and on earlier M Sport cars like the e82, they were bone-jarring. I sold mine on an e82 as quickly as I could.

Now, with a F30 (see signature) I have them all over again. As you know, there is no mobility kit with the cars that come with run-craps. Fortunately, I kept my jack/torque wrench kit and space saver so I feel better protected on a long trip. As soon as the tyres (tires if you prefer) need replacing, it will be bye bye run-craps, and hello Michelin Pilot Sport 4+.

I only hope the OEM alloy space saver (pictured)(from Deutschland) takes the weight at 80 kph (50 mph) in an emergency. I was surprised to find it fitted, even with the larger wheel studs on the F30.

[Dackelone]

Last year I drove a 4er Grand Coupe, it also had run flats(now what 3rd or 4th gen ?)... they also sucked. I think BMW knows that RFT's have some real big negatives. I think this is also why BMW offers most of its models now with a no cost summer non run flat option. My recommendation is to go with the no cost summer tires(non run flats) and buy a set of winter tires for wintertime. And then buy a steel spare tires/wheel and jack kit.

The only real solution is to ditch the run flats and go with premium summer tires like Michelin PSS or PS4s. Be sure to get tires with the highest side wall(load) ratings. For example a 99Y tire is better than a 94Y regardless of the tire's speed rating.

At first I also was using the euro alloy spare wheel. Its quite thin at 3.5 inches wide on a seventeen inch diameter alloy wheel. But when I had to use it near Nurburgring at a Classic Car race event... having that skinny 3.5 inch donut on one side of my rear tires and having a big 255 on a 8.5j wheel made for quite some fish tailing in the rain at 80 kph! It seemed to me that the rear end was always hunting of wiggling around at speed. As soon as I made it back from that trip... I bought a seventeen inch steel wheel(7j x17) from an e46 330ci and put a 205/50ZR17 summer tire on it. It's my go to spare tire now.


Here are some pics of the trunk of my 135i. I went with the alloy bmw spare wheel to save on space in my trunk... but really the full size steely doesn't take up that much more room. Besides... when I travel I use soft duffel bags anyways.

7j x 17 steel spare tire with a 205 section tire...


BMW's euro spare alloy wheel/tire 120(?) section tire on a 3.5j x 17 wheel...




255 Michelin PS3's vs BMW alloy spare vs 17 steely spare...

[bimmer456]

I would get MPSS and go with the mobility kit. I assume roadside assistance can repair the tire for you. Either that or just go with run flats for convenience. They are are much better than before. I have pirelli p zeros and they aren't bad.

[DrGadget]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I would get MPSS and go with the mobility kit. I assume roadside assistance can repair the tire for you. Either that or just go with run flats for convenience. They are are much better than before. I have pirelli p zeros and they aren't bad.

Thank you.