[abhi182]

While I shared similar concerns as expressed in this thread, after 5 years with RFTs, I think I can safely say that I was just being paranoid
Unless you spend a lot of time driving through very remote areas , I think RFTs and lack of a spare are a non issue
Just get a good quality tyre inflator (and maybe a set of puncture repair tools)

(1) In five years, I had two flats - Either it is a gradual improvement in the quality of our roads or better quality of tyres but the incidence of flats seems to be reducing

(2) The first time I got a flat, I got a tyre puncture display on my cluster - The know-it-all idiot that I am, I assumed it to be a brake pad change indication
I continued to drive my car for a good 4-5 days on my daily commute (around 20kms) without even realizing anything is wrong !
It was only after my dad who was visiting spotted that the tyre pressure seems low after which we got the tyre fixed (total cost - 100 Rs - no damage to the tyre which went on to serve its full life)

(3) post this incident, I ordered a Coido inflator and a puncture repair tool (the latter never got used)
A few years later, I got the tyre flat indicator on the Mumbai Pune xpressway between lonavala and Pune
I reinflated the tyres to 30 and drove at slightly reduced speeds to Pune

In my replacement car , BMW included a space saver which I have promptly put in storage and will probably pull it out when going on my next long distance remote road trip

[lancer_maniac]

I got a preowned 2012 BMW 520d recently.Previous owner gave the space saver he had brought from BMW which was not used even for one time .
He had lost one key and we were negotiating on the price wen he said instead of the second key ,which cost around 30k as per him (Not sure though have to check with the company) he will give the brand new space saver which costed around 37k (As per him)from BMW. (Again not sure of the price)

The other four tyres have been replaced to tubeless tyres along with MoMo Alloys.I just want to know the space savers BMW sells is all the same brand tyres or will they change it.Mine came with Continental Tyres for the space saver with all the tools.

[KMT]

I got the same 'space saver' conti tyre that eats up 1/2 the boot space. Price was 36-37k from memory.

[NKR]

The BMW Space savers may be of different make than the ones shod on the four wheels. I have Pirellis as the main tyres and Hankook as the Space Saver.

The Cost of the entire space saver kit it is about 33-35K if I remember. The Space saver Tyre and the alloy however is about 20 K without the kit

[gk1234]

Speaking of spare tyres, here’s an idea that could be resuscitated by the manufacturers:

https://youtu.be/fJrGKHMXtVU

No, but seriously, I really wish the big German brands take our requirements with a bit more seriousness. Heck, if the Skoda Superb and the VW Passat, which are large saloons in their own right, can be offered with a dedicated wheel well, then why not the bigger companies!? Also, I have seen various European reviews on YouTube which show that if you don’t want to carry the spare wheel, you can use that space as additional storage, or even to place additional music equipment like the sub-woofer, like this:


Now that’s proper thinking! Why can’t this be the norm and the other way around be the exception? That way, if you want to save on CO2 emissions, leave the spare wheel out and carry less weight, if you’re keen to take the risk, or, just give the customer the option.

[landcruiser123]

Just had a major issue with capped lug nuts. TL;DR version: Couldn't remove the spare on my Ford Fusion with my tools. https://driving.ca/new-car-preview/s...ped-wheel-nuts

While getting my tire replaced the next day, here's the reasoning the tire repair guy shared:
1. BMWs are RWD or biased towards RWD (if AWD). This makes it dangerous to drive with space savers on the rear, especially during wet/snowy conditions.
2. The space saver can't be used in the front as handling & braking will be significantly poor

BMWs solution: Remove the spare. What a dumb idea as it means that the car can't be driven too far, especially in remote areas.

[itwasntme]

Casually reached out to BMW to check their indicative rate for a single 17" 775 style OEM alloy rim to keep in my 330i Sport boot.

The response was ~50K. Plus you need to budget a 'basic' tyre which will be~10K in the required 225/50 size. Easy outlay of 60K!

I am also thinking of checking for a 17" steel rim with the same specs, just to get an idea of the cost.

[parekhakshar]

In market for buying a new car. Had shortlisted e class, car to be used for long trips with family(fully loaded with luggage). We're using sedans for more than 20 years and this purchase is going to be the first of the trio and guess what, I have to forcefully go for suv because the space saver eats up a lot of space even when kept in wheel well. I can't take any chance of leaving spare at home. I think they should find a solution for this. Manufacturers say that we can drive for few kms but still having a spare is very safe especially for someone who travels to remote areas.

[lamborghini]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

I am also thinking of checking for a 17" steel rim with the same specs, just to get an idea of the cost.

You can even look at a non-OEM alloy / steel wheel options from other brands including Skoda, VW, Mercedes, etc. since your PCD is 112.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by lamborghini

You can even look at a non-OEM alloy / steel wheel options from other brands including Skoda, VW, Mercedes, etc. since your PCD is 112.

Any help would be deeply appreciated! I had asked around the usual tyre dealers but with no luck. Should have asked the OEMs too. BMW charges 50K for each alloy.

The stock wheels for my Sport are 43.18 cm (17”) 775 Bicolour Orbit Grey - 7.5J X 17 ET:30.

Will check with Skoda as well.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

BMW charges 50K for each alloy.

Contact this guy - Karan at Delhi - he may secure you original BMW alloy at competitive prices - 9971099239.