I wish BMW had found a way to fit a spare under the car even with seven seats but alas they didn't and even space saver spare wheels take up a hell of a lot of space in the boot. If I could have a spare without losing luggage space then I'd go for non runflats + spare in a heartbeat. :(

BMW has their collective head up there you know what on this issue. A true drivers car will be driven all over the place. I was reminded of this last week when I had my issue while in the desert of Utah. You can be hundreds of miles from a dealership in many places around the US. Even if you have a run flat, good luck finding a new one.

I've seen cars pop tires in the mountains on rocks, good luck with no spare.

I've got two cans of SUV slime and a compressor. I've been planning to get a tire plug kit but just haven't gotten around to it. Knock on wood, so far so good.

Not having a spare stinks.

I've used the rear seats more times than I've had a flat so I guess I'm ahead for now.

Even if you have the space saver spare you cannot drive on it very far.

Chuck

Haha 3Series, that's a good way to look at it!

If you're in a car that doesn't have a spare wheel (i.e. a 7 seater X5) then what's the benefit of having runflat tyres over standard tyres and a Mobility Kit? As far as I can tell, runflats won't protect you from anything more serious than a standard puncture anyway, which the Mobility Kit should be fine for. Am I missing something? Obviously having a spare wheel is infinitely more useful but if you don't have the space for it in the car...

If you have run flats and have no spare, no slime and no air compressor you can drive on a completely flat tire at up to 50 MPH for 30 to 155 miles depending upon the load of the X5. If you have a compact spare you can drive up to 50 MPH. The Owners Manual does not say what the range is but it is limited.

Chuck

Runflats provide protection against losing control if you have a blow out. I haven't had a blow out for a long time, so that one is theoretical at best to me.

Runflats allow you to drive (at reduced speed) to a service facility, without having to change a wheel. That is a benefit if you are in a dodgy area, if you are on the side of a motorway in a rainstorm, or if a driver doesn't have the ability or inclination to change a tire.

Runflats have similar speed/distance limitations to temporary spares, and a temporary spare is all that fits in there anyway. If you go fast enough to destroy the runflat while it is flat, it needs to be replaced. Similar to a temporary spare.

Runflats don't require you to transport the flat tire to the service facility. The tire you take off the vehicle doesn't fit in the space the temporary spare came out of. Some people find that out at the side of the road.

I don't see the advantage of a spare tire over run flats, unless you are out in the bush (not likely in London UK). If you are out in the bush, you would need a full size spare for it to be really useful, and that doesn't fit in there anyway.

I have purchased replacement run flat tires and will continue to do so. I see them as a benefit over standard tires. Early ones (and to some extent larger SUV sizes) can be harsher than regular tires. On a car, up through 18" sizes, recently produced run flats are not noticably harsher in my experience.

+1. And hopefully, like with all technology, over time manufacturers will continue to evolve the run flats so they have longer tread life and a little less stiff of a sidewall (obviously why you are able to drive on them when flat).

My mother's 325i with non-RFT has a can of Fix-A-Flat and a 12v plug-in compressor in the trunk but I doubt she knows how to use that.

My X3, obviously non-RFT, normally has a spare. However in order to reduce weight and fuel consumption, I have removed it when driving locally or in densely-populated areas (read: I-85 corridor). No backup for me, except my AAA card.

I have runflats
2 weeks ago was 110 miles from home, piece of flint in front tyre, runflat deflated. I got a can of tyreweld from a nearby garage, inflated runflat and sealed leak. I managed then to get home and drive around locally for 1 week while i waited for a new tyre to be fitted, Tyre stayed inflated.

I thought this was great as was prepared to drive at 70mph as i had the security of runflats if I suddenly had a deflation, and this allowed me to get a good deal on a replacement tyre rather than being forced into a quickly available but expensive tyre.

I certainly will always carry a can of tyreweld now

Duncan