The $800 Flat Tire.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
The $800 Flat Tire.
First the backstory;
I helped a family of four Friday evening (6:30). They were traveling across the state (Charlotte, NC. to Houston, Tx.) when they had a flat on their BMW 330i. The car has OEM Potenza 255/35/R18 90W Run Flat tires. However there is a limit on just how far you can drive on them after they go flat. They were over the limit and the tire was actually coming apart. After several phone calls it was determined that there was no replacement tires at any of the open tire shops in town. I took them to a hotel 4 blocks from a Firestone dealer that the BMW owner could drive to the next morning. The hotel cost them >$200.00 as it is a casino resort. Add in the cost of dinner and what ever else they spent ($65.00 tow charge) I'd place the cost of the flat before getting a new tire at more than $400.00
Now the reason for this thread;
THEY DID NOT HAVE A SPARE!
The BMW does not come with a spare.
Would you travel any real distance without having the ability to correct a flat tire situation?
I carry tire plugs, a can of "Fix-a- Flat" and a compressor in addition to having a spare when ever I travel.
BTW; the new tire was $370+ mount & balance and 7% tax. Also $1.00 state tire disposal fee
I helped a family of four Friday evening (6:30). They were traveling across the state (Charlotte, NC. to Houston, Tx.) when they had a flat on their BMW 330i. The car has OEM Potenza 255/35/R18 90W Run Flat tires. However there is a limit on just how far you can drive on them after they go flat. They were over the limit and the tire was actually coming apart. After several phone calls it was determined that there was no replacement tires at any of the open tire shops in town. I took them to a hotel 4 blocks from a Firestone dealer that the BMW owner could drive to the next morning. The hotel cost them >$200.00 as it is a casino resort. Add in the cost of dinner and what ever else they spent ($65.00 tow charge) I'd place the cost of the flat before getting a new tire at more than $400.00
Now the reason for this thread;
THEY DID NOT HAVE A SPARE!
The BMW does not come with a spare.
Would you travel any real distance without having the ability to correct a flat tire situation?
I carry tire plugs, a can of "Fix-a- Flat" and a compressor in addition to having a spare when ever I travel.
BTW; the new tire was $370+ mount & balance and 7% tax. Also $1.00 state tire disposal fee
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
That actually is getting rather common, my Bullitt doesn't have a spare either. It has the same flat repair kit that the Shelby's get. Part of the reason is the stock tires, when fully inflated, will not fit in the spare tire hole. A work around is to deflate the tire, put it in the hole then use the air compressor to pump it up after you put it on the car, of course you need to buy a jack kit to put in as well. As long as I have the roadside from Ford I am not too worried, although if you use the fix a flat stuff it will ruin your TPM sensor and you will be out even more money to replace it.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
The Fix-a-Flat is in my Tauruses and van none of which have TPMS. The '08 does have TPMS and my father in law drives it. He has standing orders to call me for any vehicle problem that he has. He is 74. I don't want him changing a flat on the side of the road. I'll come and get him. After all what is the use of having a tow truck in the family if not to take care of our vehicles.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
One of the prerequisites for run-flat tires, as I understand it, is TPMS, which should be standard on all vehicles 2007 and newer, and certain model older vehicles.
This will alert you to the flat, allowing you to drive to get it repaired. According to the bridgestone website, the tires are good for driving up to 80 KM(50 miles) at 50 MPH. This is the exact same allowed use of any temporary spare I've ever seen. The only difference is that you won't have to get out and change the thing on the highway.
Either the TPMS didn't work, or the inattentive driver failed to notice the warning light. NOT BMW's, or Bridgestone's, fault unless the TPMS system was inoperative.
I think the run-flat concept is a great idea!
This will alert you to the flat, allowing you to drive to get it repaired. According to the bridgestone website, the tires are good for driving up to 80 KM(50 miles) at 50 MPH. This is the exact same allowed use of any temporary spare I've ever seen. The only difference is that you won't have to get out and change the thing on the highway.
Either the TPMS didn't work, or the inattentive driver failed to notice the warning light. NOT BMW's, or Bridgestone's, fault unless the TPMS system was inoperative.
I think the run-flat concept is a great idea!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
This not having a spare tire started being in vogue with the (4th?) generation Corvette? It is really a stupid thing as you can damaged a tire or rim beyond use. I guess one of the reasons is the low profile tires are rather expensive too, besides there not being enough room for a spare tire on some of the newer vehicles.
If I go more then 100 miles with my truck or out of the country I usually carry at least two full sized spares, probably not an option in a sports car :-)
I remember the weirdest spare tire location to me was the tire under the hood of the Subaru.
If I go more then 100 miles with my truck or out of the country I usually carry at least two full sized spares, probably not an option in a sports car :-)
I remember the weirdest spare tire location to me was the tire under the hood of the Subaru.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
personal responsibility and saftey start with YOU.. allot of people want some one to come save them all the time..
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Now, shorebird, with that being said who do you blame when you have to come to the assistance of someone who self-destructs their temporary spare tire because they ignore the big yellow warning sticker on the spare tire?
You know, the one that states in most cases that the tire can't be run over 50 MPH for 50 miles? Is that then the spare tire's fault or the inattentive driver?
You know, the one that states in most cases that the tire can't be run over 50 MPH for 50 miles? Is that then the spare tire's fault or the inattentive driver?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
First the backstory;
I helped a family of four Friday evening (6:30). They were traveling across the state (Charlotte, NC. to Houston, Tx.) when they had a flat on their BMW 330i. The car has OEM Potenza 255/35/R18 90W Run Flat tires. However there is a limit on just how far you can drive on them after they go flat. They were over the limit and the tire was actually coming apart. After several phone calls it was determined that there was no replacement tires at any of the open tire shops in town. I took them to a hotel 4 blocks from a Firestone dealer that the BMW owner could drive to the next morning. The hotel cost them >$200.00 as it is a casino resort. Add in the cost of dinner and what ever else they spent ($65.00 tow charge) I'd place the cost of the flat before getting a new tire at more than $400.00
Now the reason for this thread;
THEY DID NOT HAVE A SPARE!
The BMW does not come with a spare.
Would you travel any real distance without having the ability to correct a flat tire situation?
I carry tire plugs, a can of "Fix-a- Flat" and a compressor in addition to having a spare when ever I travel.
BTW; the new tire was $370+ mount & balance and 7% tax. Also $1.00 state tire disposal fee
I helped a family of four Friday evening (6:30). They were traveling across the state (Charlotte, NC. to Houston, Tx.) when they had a flat on their BMW 330i. The car has OEM Potenza 255/35/R18 90W Run Flat tires. However there is a limit on just how far you can drive on them after they go flat. They were over the limit and the tire was actually coming apart. After several phone calls it was determined that there was no replacement tires at any of the open tire shops in town. I took them to a hotel 4 blocks from a Firestone dealer that the BMW owner could drive to the next morning. The hotel cost them >$200.00 as it is a casino resort. Add in the cost of dinner and what ever else they spent ($65.00 tow charge) I'd place the cost of the flat before getting a new tire at more than $400.00
Now the reason for this thread;
THEY DID NOT HAVE A SPARE!
The BMW does not come with a spare.
Would you travel any real distance without having the ability to correct a flat tire situation?
I carry tire plugs, a can of "Fix-a- Flat" and a compressor in addition to having a spare when ever I travel.
BTW; the new tire was $370+ mount & balance and 7% tax. Also $1.00 state tire disposal fee
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,418
Likes: 0
From: SpringHill,Fl
Now, shorebird, with that being said who do you blame when you have to come to the assistance of someone who self-destructs their temporary spare tire because they ignore the big yellow warning sticker on the spare tire?
You know, the one that states in most cases that the tire can't be run over 50 MPH for 50 miles? Is that then the spare tire's fault or the inattentive driver?
You know, the one that states in most cases that the tire can't be run over 50 MPH for 50 miles? Is that then the spare tire's fault or the inattentive driver?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
It is only certain models of sports cars and AWD (not part time 4x4) that currently use them. The reason is usually space. The BMW M3 for example has a huge exhaust system that uses up the space that a standard BMW has for the spare. The AWD version of the Toyota minivan has the rear diff where the spare goes on the FWD model.
Here in the desert and mountain West, I sure wouldnt want to have a range of only 50 miles, especially since those runflats are not stocked at every tire dealer. These car companies must think everyone drives on the East coast.
Jim
Here in the desert and mountain West, I sure wouldnt want to have a range of only 50 miles, especially since those runflats are not stocked at every tire dealer. These car companies must think everyone drives on the East coast.
Jim
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
How's that 50 miles different from any temp spare?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 105
From: Houston
lol yesterday i was driving saw a guy in a chevy driving with a passengerside rear spare tire and he tried to race me he was weaving in and out of traffic going up to 60 - 70 mph the car was just bought still had the price of $2500 on the windshield and the paper tags.
But when I got a flat in my daily I drove 70 miles on it till I had the money to get four new tires (sidewall blew out) and drove up to 80 on the freeway on it. But then again its a fullsize spare using a regular same sized tire on the other four rims lol.
But when I got a flat in my daily I drove 70 miles on it till I had the money to get four new tires (sidewall blew out) and drove up to 80 on the freeway on it. But then again its a fullsize spare using a regular same sized tire on the other four rims lol.