Is there an 18" spare wheel/tire that can be used in an emergency?

[paris1]

Haven't seen any mention here of anyone using a wheel/tire from another car (older model BMW?) as an emergency spare. In the Miata world I come from, many owners use a mini-spare from an RX-8 which will work on late model MX-5s. I had an OE 17" wheel in my garage in case my wife ever had a flat nearby to avoid having to use the inflator kit that came with the spareless car. Any Z4 owners here who do something similar?

[nicknaz]

I keep a can of fix a flat in the car and cross fingers

[Lurcher]

AAA gonna tow to the tire store if the fix a flat won't work...

[airmarc]

A few of us in these forums have this:

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=38

[paris1]

I'm getting the distinct impression I didn't make myself clear in my OP. I know about inflator kits and I know about AAA (and BMW roadside assistance). The third alternative I am wondering about is any kind of actual spare tire that owners have used either to carry in the trunk on long trips or to keep in their garage for local emergencies.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by paris1

The third alternative I am wondering about is any kind of actual spare tire that owners have used either to carry in the trunk on long trips or to keep in their garage for local emergencies.

I have a 2nd set of wheels/tires/TMPS (the OEM 19s and RFT that came with the car) in my garage but that isn't really a solution to a flat. Might as well call a flatbed rather than find a way home to get the wheel and come back.

Or if I am going on a road trip, the wheel will use up all the trunk space.

There's no way around it in my opinion. Either accept the sub par grip from RFT or accept the risk of needing the fix a flat or tow truck

[airmarc]

Originally Posted by paris1

I'm getting the distinct impression I didn't make myself clear in my OP. I know about inflator kits and I know about AAA (and BMW roadside assistance). The third alternative I am wondering about is any kind of actual spare tire that owners have used either to carry in the trunk on long trips or to keep in their garage for local emergencies.

So the answer is NO. Unless you purchase an extra tire.

[rking117]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I keep a can of fix a flat in the car and cross fingers

no no no, unles you want to replace your TMPS sensor too. I always jsut ride with a pump, small jack and temporary plugs. jack the car up pull the whell plug it air it up put it back on and continue ridin to the nearest sotre to wash up.

Easily done on the side of the road in about ten minutes if you are good. Have used it once already while about 300 miles from home.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by rking117

no no no, unles you want to replace your TMPS sensor too. I always jsut ride with a pump, small jack and temporary plugs. jack the car up pull the whell plug it air it up put it back on and continue ridin to the nearest sotre to wash up.

Easily done on the side of the road in about ten minutes if you are good. Have used it once already while about 300 miles from home.

I've plugged 2 tires myself and while I agree it is easy to do in optimal conditions (ie not raining, good lighting, front tire so I can turn the wheel, etc) I'm not confident I would be able to pull it off on the side of the road in the rain at night.

Good point, I should keep my patch kit in the car instead of at home just in case it is an easily fixable scenario

[jparnes1]

Yeah I keep a plug kit as first choice, then a mobility kit as second choice.

[paris1]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Yeah I keep a plug kit as first choice, then a mobility kit as second choice.

Got a plug kit recommendation?

[nicknaz]

This is what I used for the two RFT I patched

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-1034-A-T.../dp/B000ET525K

[Yokel]

I hope this is not too dumb a question. Since the Z4 is so low to the ground, is there some type of scissor jack that will fit? Just want it in case I get a flat in my new non-run flats.
Thanks guys.

[paris1]

[QUOTE=Yokel;23424124]I hope this is not too dumb a question. Since the Z4 is so low to the ground, is there some type of scissor jack that will fit? Just want it in case I get a flat in my new non-run flats.
Thanks guys.[/QUOTE

[impulsE89]

Off subject a little but why not carry the slime /inflator and the plug kit? Drive the run-flat to a convenient parking lot and use the one that can be used without a jack. If the slime is used the tmps might be ruined., but if you don't want/cannot get down there and get dirty the slime/inflator will allow a speedier continuation and you won't need to carry a jack.
Then there is the third option, AAA/flatbed if you have time to do all that it entails. Lastly drive it as a RFT under 40mph to a tire store if anywhere nearby. Tire will be shot though.

[scootr]

I can find a space saver wheel and tire but, the dam thing weights 29 pounds !
Plus a jack ~ ugh. The tire is only 10 pounds, been trying to find a 17x5 lightweight rim to fit the 5x120mm pattern without any luck