Compact Spare Tires

[Diamondpilot]

As many of you know I have a BMW 335I and the factory Run Flats never impressed me. They were Bridgestone and seemed to not have a good ride and made some road noise. Anyway I was getting new tires put on my Nissan Titan last Monday, a week ago, and was talking with my tire guy who recommended some Falken Azenis 722's for the BMW. I had them put on last Friday and wow, what a difference. This is now my 3rd set of Falken tires. Both previous sets were on both my Saturns which are now sold but I loved the tires on them also.

Here is the rub. They are not Run Flats. To replace the Bridgestones was $1500 in 225/45/17 and the Falkens were $650 in the same size. This was a no brainer but now the issue is I do not have a spare. I went today to my local junk yard looking for a Compact Spare with no luck. A few phone calls also did not give me any leads. I called the dealer and they wanted $400. Heck, I can just have it towed for $75 if I have a flat so spending $400 is not a option.

I have a spare Scissor Jack and I bought a folding 4 Way Lug Wrench at HF for $8 today so that is covered. I just need to now source a Compact Spare. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Chris

 

[Code54]

I would get on a BMW forum and post asking if another make/model has the same bolt pattern (rim). Those specialized forums have a lot of knowledge and some of the guys live to figure stuff like that out. Maybe able to find something "common" (say like a Toyota, VW, Ford, rim etc) you could pick up at a junk yard.
Good luck

 

[bcp]

When you find one with the same pattern, try it on both the rear and front(straight and turned) for brake, tie rod, and fender clearance.

Bruce

 

[CNC Dan]

Check the spare well to see if a full size tire will fit. If that body style is available with AWD (X-Drive?), then it should fit. If so, then see if you can find a matching rim at a salvage yard. If you do, rotate it with the other four so it will wear the same as the the rest. You need to have them all the same size for the ABS to work right.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would get on a BMW forum and post asking if another make/model has the same bolt pattern (rim). Those specialized forums have a lot of knowledge and some of the guys live to figure stuff like that out. Maybe able to find something "common" (say like a Toyota, VW, Ford, rim etc) you could pick up at a junk yard.
Good luck

Good idea. I do know that its a 5 on 120mm lug pattern and it needs to be a high positive offset. It also has to be a 17" wheel or larger. This 335I has huge brakes.

Chris

 

[murphy1244]

do you have a spot for a spare? everybody knows bimmers no get no flats anywho.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Check the spare well to see if a full size tire will fit. If that body style is available with AWD (X-Drive?), then it should fit. If so, then see if you can find a matching rim at a salvage yard. If you do, rotate it with the other four so it will wear the same as the the rest. You need to have them all the same size for the ABS to work right.

It is not big enough to fit a full size spare. I actually saved the best run-flat with just over 5/32nd tread to make into a spare but now I am going to go a different route with the compact spare.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

do you have a spot for a spare? everybody knows bimmers no get no flats anywho.

I get flats on everything and its rubbed off to my kids. I swear I fix a bike tire every month. I keep spare tubes on the shelf.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

When you find one with the same pattern, try it on both the rear and front(straight and turned) for brake, tie rod, and fender clearance.

Bruce

I will do this. I had thought of it already but its a good tip.

Chris

 

[Bird]

As far back as 21 years ago, in a tire dealership, we'd get requests for compact spare tires; sometimes including a wheel and sometimes not, and the only place we could get them was from the car dealers. I wondered whether that had changed or not, and apparently not. I consider myself lucky that both of our old Fords have full size spares.