[RH512]

The problems with the 245/40-19 Goodyear LS2 were well known to me from this and other forums before i even ordered my car. But since there were really no options to change them, figured I would just see how it went - 300 miles to first bubble - that was in April with no replacements available. After a lot of conversation with my Goodyear retailer and Goodyear corporate, they replaced all four tires with conventional Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Huge improvement in ride and handling.

Then the issue of what if I get a flat? Ordered BMW Mobility Kit, which easily fits under the floor of the trunk. Signed up for AAA. Ordered the BMW jack and tool kit. Put a full size spare in the trunk - though not happy with the amount of room left.

I began a determined quest to find a compact spare that could work. It began as a fruitless exercise, compact tire manufacturers (Continental and Vredestein) pretty much wouldn't even discuss - somehow liability concerns prohibit them. Managed to get to management at BMWNA but no luck, nothing offered in this or I think any market and nothing planned. Phone calls and tens of email were all dead-ends.

Then I came across a thread about creating a spare from various parts for an E92 M3 by Tom Tarzian and GregW / Oregon here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253769
Inspired by what they had come up with- I wondered if it could work for my F10.

Well it turns out that it seems to work with only a different tire than they were using in order to match the stock tires OD!
This is of course is not approved by BMW and I make absolutely no warranty or claims of fitness, but it seems to work for me. Did a couple mile test drive and all was fine.

Keep in mind that the reference thread started 2-1/2 years ago and some prices have changed and I'm listing some different sources as well.


Parts Details:

BMW 36-11-6-768-861 black steel wheel (this is for the X5/X6 compact spare); $88.68 list 70.94 plus $14.95 shipping at getBMWparts.com
BMW 36-12-1-116-326 rubber valve stem, $2.85 list 2.28 at getBMWparts.com
Centering Ring (centric ring) 74.1-72.56 mm many sources on the web; in plastic tirerack.com or aluminum justforwheels.com (had to buy four at $45.99- so three left).
Maxxis 155/70-18 26.54 112M TP10676000, 26.54 diameter- slightly shy of new OE tires- as regular tires are worn will match up, direct from Maxxis $139 delivered, go to estore on maxxis.com then automotive tires then compact spare tires. They ship from GA at least for east coast.
as an alternative, Tirerack has a Pirelli 135/80-18 at 26.5 diameter at $95 plus shipping.
mount and road force balance $20
So for $293.16 I have a compact spare that fits my 535i xDrive.

For a neater look and to cover the flat when it comes off, I ordered the Tire Rack Seasonal Tire Tote, a pair is $19.95

If I'm in an uncomfortable location, can always call AAA and get them to put on the spare but otherwise the BMW jack works well on a level hard surface in my test.
BMW Jack Set, MSRP $161.53 for $129.26 plus shipping at http://www.bmwpartsforless.com/index...eries-interior This fits inside the spare wheel.

My Process:

I had posted a number of times to see if anyone with a X5/X6 could try their spare on a F10, also posted in the M3 thread if someone could try on a F10 but never saw a response. So after a few months I went ahead and ordered the wheel from getBMWparts.com They keep it in stock so it came quickly.

Tried the wheel on the front, it cleared the brake parts with no spacer needed, hub was too large but expected that, centric ring solves the difference. Checked the stock lug bolt lengths and they seemed fine, I can get my hand behind and they catch all the treads and go beyond just a touch but less than the OE 351M wheels.

For a tire, I called TireRack about what they had available, they stock a Pirelli 135/80-18 which is close to the stock diameter. From the M3 thread although a different size they referenced Maxxis, a 155/70-18 is a smige closer to the target in diameter and had a higher weight load rating. So went ahead and ordered the tire from Maxxis. I was going to order the centering ring from 1010tires.com but their website was not responding to taking the order. Googled and ordered from justforwheels.com. I wanted metal- though that's just me. Tirerack has them in plastic as well, I'm sure it's just as good and a lot less money. Used clear RTV silicone to tack the ring to the wheel.
FYI OE OD - 245/40-19 OD 26.72 inches, 245/45-18 26.68, 275/35-19 26.58, 275/40-18 26.66
Took the bits to the tire store for mounting and balancing with the Hunter Road Force - overkill for a spare but I've gone this far. Went lock to lock to check clearances, two mile test drive.
Strapped it on one side to one of the hooks in the back of the trunk.

I think that's it.

edit:
Since my project last summer, some things have changed over time and I've become aware of the following new information:
realOEM.com is listing a BMW part number for a spare and tool kit for the F10, it is 36112159862, however my checks at getBMWparts.com and BMWpartsforless.com does not bring up anything for that number. So not sure it is available in USA.
Bimmerzone is now selling a spare kit, they have packaged basically what I have done here though they've used the 135/80-18 as TireRack sells instead of the Maxxis 155/70-18 for those that don't want to go- à la carte.
_______

[EV0LVE]

this is what i've been looking for! Thanks for sharing the fruit of your effort.

[HouseofPang]

Same here! Thanks for sharing that info, I might finally switch to bigger rims and non RFT setup with this. Do you know the weight by chance too?

[scottz5]

Thank you for sharing.

[EV0LVE]

may I recommend the rubber liner for the trunk, especially if you plan to carry the spare on the trunk. It's probably bouncing around as you stop and GO.

[redzuanhassan]

Is it not better to just carry the Slime Smart Spair Emergency Tyre Repair Compressor Kit in your boot..??

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slime-50033-...3681527&sr=1-1

[RH512]

Originally Posted by redzuanhassan

Is it not better to just carry the Slime Smart Spair Emergency Tyre Repair Compressor Kit in your boot..??

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slime-50033-...3681527&sr=1-1

Better? I don't think so...
I have the BMW mobility kit, basically the same thing. Will only work for small punctures (<6mm) in the tread area which should be most of the problems, but then no one likes to repair the tire once the slime is inside especially with TPMS. Will not work at all on the side wall.
It's an option, yes.

[Rallo]

Good job RH512! Thanks for sharing!

[richb811]

Originally Posted by RH512

Better? I don't think so...
I have the BMW mobility kit, basically the same thing. Will only work for small punctures (<6mm) in the tread area which should be most of the problems, but then no one likes to repair the tire once the slime is inside especially with TPMS. Will not work at all on the side wall.
It's an option, yes.

^ Agree.

The mobility kit is a great option to have with you, but as the previous owner of a 2004 Corvette Z06 with no spare tire, I can tell you a mobility kit won't do much for you if your entire tire gets split in half or you get a sidewall puncture. The space saver spare is a very clever idea RH512.

Now you'll have to find a clever way to mount it in the trunk

[scottz5]

Originally Posted by Rich@GTBPerformance

^ Agree.

The mobility kit is a great option to have with you, but as the previous owner of a 2004 Corvette Z06 with no spare tire, I can tell you a mobility kit won't do much for you if your entire tire gets split in half or you get a sidewall puncture. The space saver spare is a very clever idea RH512.

Now you'll have to find a clever way to mount it in the trunk

Second that

[RH512]

On the mounting issue. There are hooks on each side of the deeper park of the trunk (boot), I have a heavy one inch by six foot polyester lashing strap going through one of the holes in the wheel and pulled tight on the hook (you can see the yellow strap a bit in the photo). It will move a bit, but not a lot. If you wanted to hold it even better in place, a second strap from the opposite side would accomplish that. Down side is the usefulness of the storage space around the spare with straps in the way.

I've thought about getting under the floor and seeing if I could mount some threaded rod to hold it down, which would be ideal. In time, or I invite anyone else's ideas or explorations.

[EV0LVE]

there is no room under the trunk floor. I unscrewed the the fasteners and looked under, there is a freakin spare tire well, yes round area where the spare was supposed to go!!! but it's filled with electrical crap, perhaps even the battery, I dont remember now, I did it when I first got the car.

as far as straps, you can get the ones with ratchet and it will hold it down without movement, you dont want that spare tossing around during hard braking and/or acceleration.

Thanks again for sharing this, spare tire is a must have for ANY car.

[EV0LVE]

Ttt.

[enzeru]

According to realoem BMW should have spare tire system for F10 part no.36112159862

[mikegorman]

I might be the last to know, but a space saver tyre / wheel set now available for the F10 see UK ebay item 36112159862
This might be of some use to somebody.
Mike

[BigMikeTwn]

Does anyone know where I can find a BMW OEM kit (compact spare+jack) for sale? I can't find anything online regarding this....

[OnlyTruth]

Early models of E60 had a compact spare wheel and tire. Will this fit F10? I know they sell this kit to use on E90's

[OnlyTruth]

Another question, will X3 steel 17" spare fit on 535 Xdrive?
it will need a hub-center ring but will it clear the brakes?

[JimmyD]

Bimmerzone seems to have an F-10 spare tire and jack kit, has anyone looked at this yet

[MELLOWYELLOW06]

I need one of these!

[Lee]

Got my mini spare and jack from the dealer when I put my winter tires on. Used a bungee cord to keep it down in the trunk.

[Fithian]

My alloy compact spare for F10 will be arriving this week from Denmark. It cannot be sold to dealers in the US. Cost is about $210 with shipping. Tire is additional, about $125. It is worth it to get rid of those square Goodyear runflat pieces of shxxt.

http://www.schmiedmann.com

Shopping cart

Description Quantity Unit weight Unit price Total
36-11-6-788-203
EMERGENCY WHEEL, LIGHT ALLOY
NB: Expected in stock in 7 working days 1 pcs. 6.600 KG USD 169.19 USD 169.19
Order total excl. VAT 1 6.600 KG USD 169.19
Delivery information: Shipped as one order from our department in Odense
One or more products are not in stock.
All products are expected in stock in 7 working days.

Payment summary

Description Total
Order excl. VAT USD 169.19
Freight excl. VAT USD 41.40
Total VAT ( 0 % ) USD 0.00
Total incl. VAT USD 210.59
Total payment fee USD 4.74
Total USD 215.33

Received a bill from Fedex the other day for $11 duty for the wheel - add that to the price. BTW I mounted the wheel and it seems to run smoother than the run flats. Michelin PSS are arriving this week in the original staggered 19" size. Same tires as on my S5, except 20".