X6 on the lot

[chonko]

Went to the dealership yesterday and believe it is an absolute stunner- IMHO.
I am now contemplating the X6 or the F10 as a replacement for my 3 series. Was leaning towards the M3 but can't swallow the "no spare tyre" crap from BMW.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by chonko

Went to the dealership yesterday and believe it is an absolute stunner- IMHO.
I am now contemplating the X6 or the F10 as a replacement for my 3 series. Was leaning towards the M3 but can't swallow the "no spare tyre" crap from BMW.

I may be wrong but I don't recall seeing a spare in the X6....... I also doubt the new 5 will have a spare either. It seems as each model is redesigned they loose the spare. Even the X5 lost its spare when the 3rd row seats are added.

[palbay]

There is a small diameter spare under the rear storage area.The X6 has run flats.....???? I don't understand the need for a spare.I will take out the spare and use the area for additional storage.Thanks! PalBay

[Derek]

Originally Posted by palbay

There is a small diameter spare under the rear storage area.The X6 has run flats.....???? I don't understand the need for a spare.I will take out the spare and use the area for additional storage.Thanks! PalBay

Ah.... I glanced but didn't dig...... Thanks for the correction....

[chonko]

Originally Posted by Derek

I may be wrong but I don't recall seeing a spare in the X6....... I also doubt the new 5 will have a spare either. It seems as each model is redesigned they loose the spare. Even the X5 lost its spare when the 3rd row seats are added.

The 5 series has a spare. The X6 also has a spare.

[Viperfreak2]

I just don't understand the resistance to 'no spare tire'. Carry a can of puncture seal and a small compressor. If that doesn't work, you have free roadside assistance, and unless you're in the middle of the Nevada desert in area 51, they should be able to reach you in a reasonable amount of time (assuming you have a cell signal). Maybe the roads here in South Carolina are better than some other areas (even metro Detroit wasn't that bad!) but I have had only ONE flat in the last 8 years (in my BMW)! Knock on wood.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

I just don't understand the resistance to 'no spare tire'. <<snip>> ... but I have had only ONE flat in the last 8 years (in my BMW)! Knock on wood.

Yep, I agree with you on the spare tire. I have had two cars for over 20 years and the last time that I got a flat was 15 years ago... I was still able to drive to the closest gas station.

Maybe those who drive on bad roads have more problems...

[chonko]

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

I just don't understand the resistance to 'no spare tire'. Carry a can of puncture seal and a small compressor. If that doesn't work, you have free roadside assistance, and unless you're in the middle of the Nevada desert in area 51, they should be able to reach you in a reasonable amount of time (assuming you have a cell signal). Maybe the roads here in South Carolina are better than some other areas (even metro Detroit wasn't that bad!) but I have had only ONE flat in the last 8 years (in my BMW)! Knock on wood.

Let us imagine two scenarios where you are travelling without a spare tyre:

1. You have a slow puncture- your RFT will take 50-120 miles depending on the size of the vehicle. You managed to get to a safe place where you can have the tire fixed and you are told we can't fixed becuase you have loaded the sidewall. Then you decide to buy a new tyre and they don't have it in stock because your tyre specification do not qualify as fast-moving-inventory item, hence the lack of stock. How convenient is that? O- you call BMW assist to come tow your car because of a flat: think about it.
2. You blow a tyre, and now you can't go anywhere. What do you do?

I have had two flats with my 3 series, and I had to change the tyres and continued with my trip. I carry a spare with me.
I had to get a spare for the wife's X5 as well.

From experience and logic, the lack of spare tyre doesn't make sense one bit.

[Viperfreak2]

There's always 'some' situations where a spare would be better, but to not consider years of driving bliss in an M3 because you worry about 'what if this happens' sounds silly.

You answered your own questions above Chonko! If you have a slow puncture and the dealer says no replacement available today, you put in the sealant and pump up the tire! Now you can drive for thousands of miles, waiting for the new tire.

Blow a tire? A run-flat? You would probably have more damage than just a tire! I haven't heard of a 'blown' tire since the Ford Explorer roll over days. That was due to overloaded vehicles with low tire pressure on defective tires. Run-flats don't blow-out. Correct me if I'm wrong. If it did, the answer is to tow the vehicle, get a loaner car from the dealer.

My Viper is a HUGE pain. It has run flats, and no spare. That's not the problem. There is no place to put the wheel/tire if you did have a spare! It will not fit in the trunk or passengers seat. Availability of a replacement? 345/30 19 Michelin ZP? Not at my Wal-Mart!

I will agree, a 'blown' tire far from home with no replacement available would be a major pain. Still not enough reason not to buy an M3!!!

[jlrogers]

I agree, I don't think I'd decide to buy (or not buy) a car based on the sole reason of no spare tire.

That being said, I think the people who say the can of fix a flat and Road Side Assistance is all you need, have never used either. On day 3 of ownership of an M3 Roadster may years ago, I got a flat. Pulled out the fix a flat and really did nothing other than make a huge mess of the tire and wheel. My call to Road Side Assistance ended up in a pretty headed debate about the existance of a spare in Z3s. Non M Z3s had spares, M's did not. This point was completely lost on Road Side Assistance. Regardless, 4 hours later a tow truck arrived to take my car to the dealer for a new tire.