No spare tire

[itsmywifesX5]

New car but member's name is still the same. It's still her car. We finally got rid of the 2001 X5 because it became so problematic. Actually it was always problematic through the years we had it. DIY articles were the main reason for me to come to the site. Now with the new Xdrive35i, hopefully I won't need to do that for a while.
So back to the topic. This car has no spare tire because the tires are run-flats. At least ours is. The dealer said that is standard. That is radical to me. I would feel very uneasy to take it on a long trip. I'd like to know what other members do. Did you guys add a spare on your own?

[motordavid]

Standard stuff on many cars, inc newer Xs, with RFTs.
Surprised you are surprised...

If you or your spouse get a flat, and you don't notice it when it's sitting in your driveway or garage, the options are:
-waddle it down to the dlr or a good tire joint for a new, pricey tire. You can drive it carefully for 30-50+ miles.
-the indie joint may be able/willing to plug and patch it, if nail is in meat of tread. Patch and plugs work, though the Safety Police will suggest one gets a new tire.
-if travelling, waddle to the next 'town' and hope the dlr or tire joint can patch/plug it or order a new tire of that size and species in a day or two.
-carry a can of 'Slime' or something similar; only a last resort as those products tend to mess with the TPSMs and tire changers hate breaking the tire bead to deal with a pint of goop in the tire.
-carry a jack, cig lighter compressor, a couple of good vice grips and some tire rooters/patch kit. Crazy yes, but have carried that kit in our '02 Vette Vert for years. No flat, though...
-Or, have cell phone, call the flatbed, haul it to dlr or tire joint and get patch/plug or new tire.
-Some posters on the forum have done the optional spare tire fitment; no idea if you even have a spot for it. on your X.
GL, mD

[Lubehead]

The car can be ordered with a spare. If there is no 3rd seat, you have a space to store it. I just ordered mine with a spare but on my last 2 E70's, I carried a small air compressor along with a repair kit/inflate a tire as I replaced the run flats with conventional tires. In 175k miles of driving between both vehicles, I used the compressor twice. One can argue that you won't need a spare with the run flats as long as you pay attention to the tire pressure monitoring system.

[switchman]

I ordered mine with a spare, the option cost $150. I read a poster say he bought oem spare for $300+ and had to cut a hole in the trunk well carpet to screw in the wheel bolt.
My f15 did not have carpeting in trunk well because spare tire is optioned.

[TiAgX5]

"a couple of good vice grips and some tire rooters/patch kit"

Good advice. Even with spare tires in ALL my vehicles, I also carry 12V compressors,
needle nose V'grips, side cutters (to trim plug to 1/8") and plug kits in them all.

[itsmywifesX5]

Thanks all for your advice. Next time when we go on a trip I will certainly bring along a plug kit, compressor and oh yeah, a jack! The car didn't come with a jack either.

[Lubehead]

You won't need a jack, you're going to plug the tire. But that does beg the question; when you order the spare, do you get a jack?

[switchman]

Originally Posted by Lubehead

You won't need a jack, you're going to plug the tire. But that does beg the question; when you order the spare, do you get a jack?

Yes, you get complete kit of jack & handle, wrench and foam carrier on top of spare. Comaprtment is not carpeted though as oppsoe to not spare and fully carpeted bottom compartment.

[Lubehead]

I guess I'll have to see the compartment with/without spare. Now that I've refused my car because it did not come as ordered, I get to do it all over again ( I'll probably wait until the 2016 MY) and most likely won't order the spare since I've accumulated over 180,000 miles between 2 E70's and never needed it. I think I'd rather have the storage.

[switchman]

forgot the picture, here it is;