There are run-flat tires on my 2012 750Li Xdrive (F02) and no spare. Others that I observe imply that they do not possess RFTs. My trunk only appears to have a small area for tools and no apparent room for a spare tire.
Is there any way to arrange the trunk so that a spare tire can fit inside?
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Location of my BMW Serie 7’s spare wheel
Depending on the year of manufacturing, the location of the spare wheel on your BMW Serie 7 may change. Typically, you may access it from inside the boot of your BMW Serie 7 by unscrewing the bolts, or from the outside by looking under the trunk. It is frequently placed under the hood, but this is still uncommon.
Do BMWs Come with Extra Tires?
It used to be a hassle, but getting a flat tire while driving could be readily fixed. At least temporarily, using the car’s spare tire.
You made a quick change by the side of the road and got back in the driver’s seat. However, for a variety of reasons, spare tires are less typical in new cars today.
Run-flat tires are the only spare tires found on BMW vehicles. The company has eliminated spare tires from its lineup of vehicles due to weight savings advantages and the low frequency of punctures.
Unfortunately, you will have to accept the run-flat option if you’re looking to purchase a modern BMW. However, when did BMW stop including spare tires in all of its vehicles, and what happens if you get a flat tire without one?
Locate Ratings
On a trip from Connecticut to New Hampshire last weekend, one of the run-flat tires on our 2011 BMW 750Li was gashed by a pothole. Replacing the tire turned out to be a far cry from being a pleasant experience.
The occurrence took place close to Springfield, Massachusetts. Fortunately, I was still able to limp to an exit and even reach a Sears tire shop. They didn’t have anything that was even close to the Pirelli P-Zero run-flat that I arrived in.
Calling the local BMW dealer, I learned that they didn’t have any suitable run-flat tires in store, but if I requested one right away, they might be able to acquire one by Monday. Does this imply that a brand-new $97,000 car with tires so superb that there isn’t room for a spare in the trunk is useless if you need one? It does, indeed. And the dealer didn’t have a loaner vehicle. Hey, the night is Friday. The best recommendation they had was to rent something from Enterprise. Well, thank you. Roadside assistance would also be available for a $2,000 junker. None.
And in doing so, my family and I were able to impress our New Hampshire friends with a Ford Escape rather than the rumored BMW.
A Town Fair tire merchant in Springfield had exactly one tire in stock in the size (275/40R19) that the BMW 750 uses in the rear on Saturday, so I drove my leased Escape the 130 miles from Concord, New Hampshire, back to Springfield. It wasn’t a run-flat tire; it was a regular tire. I thought it was appropriate to get me home because this was an out-of-town emergency. But the salespeople in the store were split. They finally gave in and sold me the $285 tire, but they adamantly refused to mount it.
I eventually convinced another auto repair shop to mount the new tire. They were also quite skeptical because the new tire’s speed rating, W, was only good for 168 mph as opposed to the other three original equipment tires’ Y-ratings of 186 mph. They put the replacement tire only after great resistance. Naturally, I drove back to New Hampshire with extreme caution. I never went faster than 168 mph.
Of course, to guarantee safe, dependable operation and lengthy, even wear, new tires should always adhere to original-equipment specifications and properly match the other tires on the vehicle. Returning to our Auto Test Center, we will now get the 750Li fitted with the appropriate tires.
Again, our staff’s misadventures have demonstrated some of the drawbacks of the tendency for cars to be supplied without spare tires that take up a lot of room. Due to our experiences, we now know how crucial it is to always have a fully charged cell phone with you while driving, as well as a roadside emergency kit, as even run-flat tires can leave you stranded.
Installation of Spare Tires
The typical price for installing a spare tire on a BMW 750Li is $95; this includes $0 for components and $95 for labor. Prices may change based on where you are.
Where is the spare tire for a BMW?
There’s a good chance your new BMW doesn’t have a spare tire if you bought it within the last few years. That’s because run-flat tires, which have a firm sidewall or internal reinforcement, are frequently used on BMW vehicles. Run-flat tires are used by other automakers as well, although BMW has earned a reputation for being a pioneer. Run-flat tires are intended to function after being punctured for up to 50 miles (80.4 kilometers) at a speed below 50 mph (80.47 kph), or until the driver can reach a safe spot. Once damaged, they must be replaced, which costs more and is more difficult to do than with conventional tires.
It’s difficult to deny that offering run-flat tires helps automakers cut costs, but what if they install conventional tires on those vehicles while refusing to offer a spare? That might be nothing more than an attempt by the automaker to cut costs. This is why: A spare tire may be purchased for about $100 at a tire shop or a car dealership, and a quality jack and wrench would set you back a little more. It’s improbable that the automakers are saving more than $100 per vehicle given that they obtain these materials at a lower price.
Hyundai is frequently mentioned as one of the automakers driving this trend, although the company insists that weight reduction, not cost reduction, is the issue. Many of Hyundai’s vehicles come with a tire mobility kit in place of spare tires. A Hyundai spokesperson, Michele Tinson, provided an email explanation of the company’s approach.
The almost 25-pound weight savings is the key advantage of a tire repair kit versus a temporary spare tire, according to Tinson; cost was never a major deciding factor for Hyundai. “Automotive experts are always looking for ways to increase a vehicle’s efficiency, and weight reduction is a key component in assisting automobiles achieve higher fuel economy.”
In other words, fuel efficiency improves as the car’s overall weight is decreased. Tire retailer Tire Rack has found that reducing a car’s weight can reduce its fuel usage by up to 1%. This is also appealing for the automaker because average fuel consumption for the brand as a whole and marketing strategies for specific vehicle models both significantly rely on fuel efficiency ratings.
Do 2015 BMWs come with spare tires?
You’re already aware that the spare tire is missing from your BMW X1 (E84) from 2009 to 2015. Like many automakers, BMW does not offer this crucial lifesaving feature. Modern Spare aspires to be without a doubt the greatest producer and supplier of full spare tire kits.
Will 2020 BMWs come with spare tires?
BMWs now come standard with “run-flat” style tires, just like many other vehicles. Run-flat tires don’t offer the same feel and handling as a spare tire, according to many BMW owners. More importantly, replacing them costs a lot of money.
Does a spare tire come with a BMW?
I just purchased a brand-new BMW 4 Series. I can’t seem to find a spare tire despite searching. I believe I’m going insane. Is there a spare tire included with the BMW 4 Series?
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
You are not insane. Unfortunately, there is no spare tire on the BMW 4 Series.
Like many automakers, BMW has discontinued the spare tire. In actuality, more than one-third of brand-new cars today lack a spare tire! Unfortunately, many motorists don’t realize they’re lacking a spare until they’ve developed a flat.
Run-flat tires are standard on BMWs. You can still drive safely after a tire puncture until you get to an auto shop or your garage at home. You will need to buy a new tire because you cannot continue to drive on them.
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How can I tell if the tires on my BMW are run-flat?
Run-flat tires allow you to drive for a short distance while they are “flat” after being punctured, giving you time to get to a technician. Depending on the tire’s manufacturer and the weight of the automobile at the time of the puncture, run-flat tires can go a certain distance and travel at a certain speed. Typically, you can determine if your tires are run-flat by looking at them or by looking at other aspects of your car.
On your tires, look for the terms “Run Flat,” “SSR,” “HSR,” “RF,” “Run On Flat,” “ZP,” “DSST,” and “RFT.” To make it simpler for the car owner, some tire manufacturers who produce run-flat tires simply label the tire as such. The terminology used to describe these tires varies between brands, as can be seen in the examples below:
- PIRELLI: Simply look for the phrase “Run Flat” on the tire’s side, which is typically located amid other manufacturer information and identification numbers.
- Continent: On the side of your tire, typically close to other manufacturer information and numbers, look for the words “SSR.”
- HANKOOK: On the side of your tire, typically next to other manufacturer information and numbers, look for the letters “HSR.”
- YOKOHAMA: On the side of your tire, typically next to other manufacturer information and numbers, look for the letters “RF.”
- GOODYEAR: On the side of your tire, typically close to other manufacturer information and numbers, look for the phrase “Run On Flat.”
- MICHELIN: On the side of your tire, typically among other manufacturer data and numbers, look for the letters “ZP” or “ZPS.”
- DUNLOP: On the side of your tire, typically among other manufacturer information and numbers, look for the words “DSST.”
If you notice one of these codes on your tires—RFT, SSR, or DSST—all three stand for RUN FLAT TIRES. Run-flat tires are occasionally identified on Bridgestone tires by the code RFT (Run Flat Tire). Dunlop occasionally uses DSST, while Continental uses the designation SSR (Self Supporting Run flat) (Dunlop Self Supporting Tire).
- On the sides of your tires, near the other numbers and manufacturer information, search for these codes.
If you notice one of these codes on your tires—ROF, EMT, or ZP—they pertain to particular manufacturers. On their run-flat tires, several tire manufacturers, notably Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Dunlop, utilize the code ROF (Run On Flat). Run-flat tires from Goodyear are also referred to as EMT (Extended Mobility Technology) tires. Some manufacturers, including Michelin and Yokohama, use ZP or ZPS (Zero Pressure or Zero Pressure System) on their run-flat tires.
- On the sides of your tires, next to the manufacturer information, look for any of these codes.