We will be touring Europe next month and I am about to start looking for European breakdown cover. I have replaced the run flats and got a mobility kit rather than a spare wheel. Does anyone know if this is likely to affect the level of cover? Specifically, if a tyre sustained sufficient damage to be unusable, which would require recovery to a tyre fitting station.
European Breakdown cover with non Run Flat Tyres.
- Thread starter Gogo
- Start date
This only relates to my experiences in France but no matter what your breakdown issue is there they don't send out a RAC/Greenflag/AA type guy who attempts to get you going again .
Have had 4 breakdowns in 15 years with various vehicles in various areas & what you will get is a surly scruffy frenchman with remains of yesterdays food in his beard who will tow you to the closest recognised garage the breakdown company has registered .
If its a blown 18inch performance tyre ( or LOL a 19inch
) you will be waiting a week or so for a correct size tyre unless by chance you are taken to a main dealer where you will only have to wait 5 days 
My advice is make sure your cover is with replacement car so you can continue your holiday until car is repaired or worse case repatriated which they will do for free but can take up to 8 weeks
PS / whichever company you use they appear to use the same facilities so very little difference in services offered by different company's
Have had 4 breakdowns in 15 years with various vehicles in various areas & what you will get is a surly scruffy frenchman with remains of yesterdays food in his beard who will tow you to the closest recognised garage the breakdown company has registered .
If its a blown 18inch performance tyre ( or LOL a 19inch
) you will be waiting a week or so for a correct size tyre unless by chance you are taken to a main dealer where you will only have to wait 5 days My advice is make sure your cover is with replacement car so you can continue your holiday until car is repaired or worse case repatriated which they will do for free but can take up to 8 weeks
PS / whichever company you use they appear to use the same facilities so very little difference in services offered by different company's
Paulwirral
Active member
I spend a few months a year in France , first thing I bought was a spare wheel and jack ,pack the wheel dish side up you'll still get plenty of gear in the boot , wouldn't even consider not having one travelling in Europe , remember to pack a length of rope and something to put on the boot lid though , or your leaving the wheel or your passenger roadside .
Google boot bags , could be an option .
Google boot bags , could be an option .
Thanks for the feedback. Whilst being happy with the mobility kit in the UK I can see the logic of having a spacesaver for the Continent. Some further questions:
1. I see a lot of ads on eBay for wheels, jacks and braces for 3 Series/E46. Will these fit my E85? If not which?
2. I have 17" wheels. Do I need a 17" spacesaver or will a 16" fit?
3. How close does the spare wheel circumference need to be to the original tyre circumference? I dont have an LSD so I suspect its not that critical.
Alternatively is there anyone not too far from Huddersfield who would be prepared to lend me a wheel/jack/brace for the second two weeks in September?
1. I see a lot of ads on eBay for wheels, jacks and braces for 3 Series/E46. Will these fit my E85? If not which?
2. I have 17" wheels. Do I need a 17" spacesaver or will a 16" fit?
3. How close does the spare wheel circumference need to be to the original tyre circumference? I dont have an LSD so I suspect its not that critical.
Alternatively is there anyone not too far from Huddersfield who would be prepared to lend me a wheel/jack/brace for the second two weeks in September?
Gogo said:
I can help with your wheel/jack/brace if you don't get sorted . I'm not too far away .
May even be able to sort you the 3 item's on a permanent basis :wink: i,m heading to my pal's later in the week who has his own BMW indy business & regularly "breaks"cars so happy to ask what he has for you ? Pretty sure a 16inch will work for you & the smaller/lighter the better