[red-max]

I should be taking delivery of my E92 in the next few weeks (it's being built this week), and I have been reading stories about the difficulties some people have been having getting replacement runflats.

For my current E60 I bought the spare wheel kit ("donut" space-saver spare with jack and wheelbrace), but the E92 has no place to put a space-saver, so I'm wondering what other people are doing - just driving around on runflats with no spare and hoping for the best?

I read one recommendation to carry tyre sealant and a compressor - not sure if that works on runflats - I guess it depends on the damage.

I know you can drive 60 miles on a flat runflat, perhaps more if really necessary, but my mother lives 275 miles away in Cornwall, and if I got a flat on the way back from there I could be in real trouble.

So I am tempted to buy a spare wheel for longer trips, and I'd appreciate some feedback. Here's what I'm thinking; if I buy a spare front wheel (8J x 18) and have it fitted with a non-RFT non-directional tyre, then I could throw it in the boot as a spare wheel when I go on longer journeys. If I get a flat tyre within 60 miles of home, I could drive home and fit this emergency spare wheel while I phone around and wait for a replacement runflat to be ordered and delivered. Seems like a good solution - what do you think?

P.S. I know the front and back wheels are different widths (8J vs 8.5J), but I'm hoping a front wheel will fit on the back in an emergency - obviously I'll be driving carefully with an unequal setup - though presumably it can't be as bad as fitting a "donut" space-saver spare. Then again, is a space-saver an option? I guess it would take up less space in the boot that an 8J alloy wheel and tyre...

[ShereKhan]

Sounds a bit drastic to me - you could always sign up with the AA/RAC as they would be able to assist you in the event of a puncture/flat.

I don't know where exactly you drive but most of my team drive around industrial sites where you would expect to pick up nails etc. So far we have had very few punctures. (For the record 7 out of 12 guys have a E90 with run flats).

[red-max]

Perhaps I'm just a bit paranoid - I hate the idea of the car being effectively out of action while I wait a couple of days for a new tyre to be ordered. So much easier in the old days when all 4 wheels were the same and cars came with a full-sized spare... how I miss my old MY2001 E39. ;-)

[booforty]

Red, I think your being wise more than anything. A fellow UK member on the forum had to wait over 4 weeks to get a replacement runflat tyre. Sourcing them is very difficult - yes websites sell them, but are they in stock - no! We need other manufacturers such as Mercedes and Audi to make the switch to runflats to help increase supply over here.

[ShereKhan]

Chaps

I think you need to get a Costco membership card.
Its a bit like Makro except its open to more people than trade.
You may qualify for membership - as they do memberships deals for certain big companies.

They can usually get a Michelin RFT in 24 hours for you. They only do Michelins unfortunately.

Ok its a Michelin (I prefer Bridgestones) but its a tyre.

[red-max]

Just picked up a Star spoke style 189 front 8Jx18 alloy rim - £293 incl vat from local BMW dealer. I've ordered a Pirelli Rosso 225/40R18 (non runflat) tyre for £104. Not cheap, but I feel better having a spare wheel for longer journeys, and emergency use at home. My local tyre supplier told me they could usually get runflats in on next day order, which is good, but wouldn't always keep me mobile.

[thebigman]

Hi I wouldn’t worry about it.

I have 18" with runflats. All 4 were replaced recently by Kwik-fit within an hour. The service guy says they stock runflats now and it’s not a problem getting them at all.

Enjoy the car