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      10-24-2019, 07:03 PM   #1
jtanega
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Best option for back up no run flat tires?

Hello all, I just got rid of my run flats and wanted to see what is the best option to have in the car in case of a flat since I can't carry a spare in my trunk. What do you carry, Fix-Flat, Slime? And has anyone ever used any of these products?
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      10-24-2019, 08:16 PM   #2
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Just my cellphone, and if I have a flat, I'll have AAA flatbed me to the nearest tire shop. That plan works great as long as you don't have one out in the middle of nowhere, of course.
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      10-24-2019, 09:08 PM   #3
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I carry a can of truck sized can of fix-a-flat. I go where tire shops don't live so the can is my plan.
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      10-24-2019, 09:36 PM   #4
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I keep a plug kit, the OEM air compressor and fix a flat. With those three your should be able to fix anything other than a catastrophic failure which wouldn't matter even if you had a run flat.
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      10-25-2019, 09:31 AM   #5
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High quality plug kit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Small, portable compressor
https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-15...sor-63184.html

Both have a nice case or bag as well, so nothing rolling around
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      10-25-2019, 10:02 AM   #6
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I have a skinny spare in my trunk
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      10-25-2019, 11:25 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
I keep a plug kit, the OEM air compressor and fix a flat. With those three your should be able to fix anything other than a catastrophic failure which wouldn't matter even if you had a run flat.
I like the idea of having both these items. Never even knew there was a do it yourself plug kit.
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      10-25-2019, 11:58 AM   #8
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Married a girl who can fix a flat.
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      10-25-2019, 06:43 PM   #9
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Married a girl who can fix a flat.
Smart man
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      10-26-2019, 08:04 AM   #10
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My indy mechanic tells me that the fix-a-flat goo ruins wheels. Eats them from the inside and ruins the sealing surface. He also runs a towing service and has seen his share of roadside woes. I won't use the stuff. I have a patch/plug kit, compressor, and AAA card.
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      10-27-2019, 08:11 AM   #11
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One other thing I will mention is if you have an M coupe or roadster, BMW offers LIFETIME roadside assistance for flat tires (since the car didn't come with run flats). The caveat is you will be taken to the nearest BMW dealer to fix the issue so you will be paying a premium for the tire/mounting.
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      10-27-2019, 11:24 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
One other thing I will mention is if you have an M coupe or roadster, BMW offers LIFETIME roadside assistance for flat tires (since the car didn't come with run flats). The caveat is you will be taken to the nearest BMW dealer to fix the issue so you will be paying a premium for the tire/mounting.
Sounds like a great solution to me.

Up here in Canada, my dealer will do an annual 55 point inspection on the car for $39 plus tax, and it includes one year of roadside assistance. I expect this must be available across Canada and possibly at US dealers too.
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      10-28-2019, 09:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
One other thing I will mention is if you have an M coupe or roadster, BMW offers LIFETIME roadside assistance for flat tires (since the car didn't come with run flats). The caveat is you will be taken to the nearest BMW dealer to fix the issue so you will be paying a premium for the tire/mounting.
Sounds cheaper to just get a AAA membership. When I got my Roadster I upgraded my AAA membership to Premier. $110/year gets you up to 200 miles on your first tow and 100 miles on any subsequent tow, and covers all of your cars. Fortunately I haven't had to use it yet, but it beats getting stranded on a remote twisty road and you can get towed to any tire dealer you want.

I also have two different kinds of plug kits (one by Slime and the other by Dynaplug) and the original M Mobility Kit inflator in my trunk. I already had the Slime and a friend raved about the Dynaplug, which he's used 3 times on his M4. Haven't used those yet either, but always good to have alternatives.

A better air pump alternative is the VIAIR 85P portable air compressor: (click pic for link)

I have one of these in both my M4 and my wife's F80 M3. We use them regularly at the track to add air when necessary. I also loaned it to a friend who got a slow leak in his M2 during a backcountry club drive. He was able to monitor the tire pressure and stop periodically to put in more air. This got him to a tire dealer.
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      10-28-2019, 10:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdb View Post
My indy mechanic tells me that the fix-a-flat goo ruins wheels. Eats them from the inside and ruins the sealing surface. He also runs a towing service and has seen his share of roadside woes. I won't use the stuff. I have a patch/plug kit, compressor, and AAA card.
Likewise, I would never put that stuff in any of my tires. That's why I removed the goo canister from my M Roadster, my M4 and my wife's M3. Plug kit or AAA is a far better alternative. Also, only works on a tread puncture, not on a sidewall, but if you have one of those you need a tow anyway.

Also, the BMW goo has an expiration date on the canister. If it's too old it won't work anyway, so there goes any peace of mind that might give you. I doubt that anyone here has checked the date and actually replaced theirs with newer stuff!
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      10-28-2019, 11:32 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
One other thing I will mention is if you have an M coupe or roadster, BMW offers LIFETIME roadside assistance for flat tires (since the car didn't come with run flats). The caveat is you will be taken to the nearest BMW dealer to fix the issue so you will be paying a premium for the tire/mounting.
Interesting. Do you have a link to this info or a copy of a document confirming it? If so I want to save it for potential future use.

I owned a Z4MC from new for 8 years and don't recall ever getting notified of any such policy, so color me slightly skeptical.
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      10-29-2019, 09:26 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinC View Post
Interesting. Do you have a link to this info or a copy of a document confirming it? If so I want to save it for potential future use.

I owned a Z4MC from new for 8 years and don't recall ever getting notified of any such policy, so color me slightly skeptical.
Here you go:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...45&postcount=4

This looks to have been taken from one of the manuals so it should be in your car.

As an aside, if you have had yours since new you mean 11yrs, right? I can't believe my 06 is over 13yrs old....
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      10-29-2019, 09:55 AM   #17
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Some M brochures and owners manuals available here: http://www.bmwz4roadster.net/bmw_z4_brochure.htm
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      10-29-2019, 12:28 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chickdr View Post
One other thing I will mention is if you have an M coupe or roadster, BMW offers LIFETIME roadside assistance for flat tires (since the car didn't come with run flats). The caveat is you will be taken to the nearest BMW dealer to fix the issue so you will be paying a premium for the tire/mounting.
Don't you have to be the original owner to get that LIFETIME roadside assistance?


Quote:
Originally Posted by SD ///M4 View Post
Likewise, I would never put that stuff in any of my tires. That's why I removed the goo canister from my M Roadster, my M4 and my wife's M3. Plug kit or AAA is a far better alternative. Also, only works on a tread puncture, not on a sidewall, but if you have one of those you need a tow anyway.

Also, the BMW goo has an expiration date on the canister. If it's too old it won't work anyway, so there goes any peace of mind that might give you. I doubt that anyone here has checked the date and actually replaced theirs with newer stuff!
Even though, I have no intention of using mine, I still replace the canister every 4 years or so. There are places that I visit without cell phone services for miles and miles...so I have AAA, a plug kit and the BMW mobility kit is my back up.
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      10-29-2019, 04:51 PM   #19
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Don't you have to be the original owner to get that LIFETIME roadside assistance?
I don't see why. What difference does it make to BMW? They get business no matter who owns the car as they have to buy tires at the dealer.
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      10-30-2019, 04:26 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SD ///M4 View Post
Also, the BMW goo has an expiration date on the canister. If it's too old it won't work anyway, so there goes any peace of mind that might give you. I doubt that anyone here has checked the date and actually replaced theirs with newer stuff!
Errr, I did. Before I heard the stories from my indy. In fact it was me telling about having refreshed the canister that prompted him to tell me not to use it!
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      10-31-2019, 09:09 AM   #21
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Anyone ever used tow from insurance company, else I should sign up for AAA
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      10-31-2019, 09:58 AM   #22
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While I've never needed it (and knock on wood hopefully never will), I have CAA (Canadian AAA). For ~$100/year I have 4 tows up to 200km that works for my cars or motorcycles.

I'd imagine AAA is better, but up here in Canadaland CAA offers discounts at several stores and resturants (usually 10-20%) that over the course of the year basically pays for the membership price.

One thing I do worry about with the Z is the tow truck. I can request a flat bed, but our cars are pretty low and with my APR splitter clearance is further reduced. I make sure to have the tools on hand to remove the front bumper in case I ever need a tow and it's too low for a flat bed.
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