Non-RFT (non-Z4M) users: mobility kit or space-saver?

A

a11y

Veteran
 Central Scotland
I’ll be changing to non-RFTs soon (probably FK-452’s) and am curious about what back-up option most forum users go for? I’m aware there’s already a few threads on non-RFTs from searching, but I couldn’t find out a definitive answer. The 2 options I see are:

Option 1: Mobility “kit” consisting of tyre sealant and a compressor (not necessarily the BMW/Ford/Mazda one)
+ cheaper option
+ not much extra stuff to take up space in the boot
- won’t fix a major hole/rip in a tyre

Option 2: space-saver (and jack, and tyre brace)
+ will resolve ANY puncture issue no matter the size of the hole/rip
- requires carrying a jack and wheel brace in addition to a space-saver wheel in your boot, taking up space
- not cheap
- problem of what to do with the full-size tyre/wheel if you do have to use the space-saver and your boot’s full…


I’m swaying towards option 1 and buying a cheap compressor (already got a good one I need to keep at home though) and a can of tyre sealant, but am worried if it was unable to fix a puncture leaving me stranded. What do you do in a situation like this? Will a recovery company (such as the AA) deliver you onwards to your destination (or wherever your specify) – reading their small print I think it’s just to a local garage where you’ll “need” to buy a replacement tyre at whatever cost, whereas I’d rather get the car delivered home and source my own favoured/cheaper tyre.


I’m aware punctures are rare, but I’m thinking worst case scenario… :roll:

I’d be interested to hear what others do, and any advice you’d give.

Cheers
Ally
 
I plan on option 1 when I move to 452's and have already sourced a BMW mobility kit
Reasons being much as you cover - 1) space of only carrying the kit that is neat little package 2) not losing all my space with a spare and jack 3) no way would the full size rim and tyre fit in the boot boot, but perhaps the passenger seat with roof down. 4) More serious a hole and I'll call home, get a cab to a garage or RAC recovery depending upon how far from home, etc. if the sealer fails.

RAC - I think you'll find it depends upon which level of cover you chose. Mine takes me all the way home, to my destination or garage.
 
I have landed on option 1. If I have a normal puncture (nail or similar), I'll normally inflate the tyre with the pressure in the sealant can. This means no work jacking up the car and putting a new tyre on. However, I'll need to get the tyre fixed quite quick as the hole will not be 100% sealed. And that's why the kit comes with a compressor. This philosophy has worked fine... so far I've had no punctures :D
 
Im on Falkens since Saturday - Option 1 - can of tyre weld £8.99, halfords rapid digital tyre inflator currently 1/3 off at £29.99 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_273357_langId_-1_categoryId_165703
 
Interesting to see so far that Option 1 is most popular. I guess I've come to same conclusions as most of you: cost and ease of storage. I've found my current compressor fits in the gap under the boot floor behind the battery, and I might squeeze a can of tyre weld in there too.

powerontap: I've seriously considered a space-saver for longer journeys, but I'd rather take a calculated gamble on a compressor/tyre weld with a recovery service as a (pain in the ar*e) backup.

gannet: no thanks :D. At the cost saving on non-RFTs I couldn't justify RFTs.
 
I've gone for Option 4 - never drive on non-runflats, or let the question enter your mind. Then purchase tyre insurance (£250 for 3 years) to cover all possible punctures and tyre damage!

Not sure its the most cost effective option, but its good enough for me! I've spent the last 5 years in a Mini Cooper S on 17inch runflats. The Z4 ain't that bad :cry:
 
csmith319 said:
purchase tyre insurance (£250 for 3 years) to cover all possible punctures and tyre damage!
Click to expand...

But when you can buy replacement Falken FK-452s for ~£60 front / £105 rear I'd find it hard to part with £250 for tyre insurance. Worst case a replacement non-RFT isn't that expensive IMO.

And, if you don't find the Z4 too bad compared to a MINI, I'd hate to think how poor the MINI is for tramlining :o. I personally find the Z4 shocking at times on my local roads.
 
Hmm - ok, I didn't realise that the Falkens were that cheap - are they any good? (in comparison with other makes)

The Mini's ride was terrible - I would find myself weaving round the road avoiding any bumps as they would crash through the car. The Z4's tramlining is worse, but only a little, but for some reason I don't mind that.

If there thas a proper space saver solution (by which I mean, a proper place to store one in the car without impinging on boot space, then I would consider that. But I don't think I could go for the tyre gloop stuff, have heard too many stories of it simply not working for anything more than a thorn or nail - is this true?
 
csmith: a full set of 4 (225/40/18 front, 255/35/18 rear) from http://www.falkentyres.co.uk for around £340 delivered. They get a good name on here from what I've read so far, but there's also a website I found via http://www.mytyres.com with reviews of loads of tyres:

Falken FK-452: http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreifen/falken_ohtsu/fk_452/index.html
Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics: http://www.tyretest.com/pkw_sommerreifen/goodyear/eagle_f1_asymmetric/index.html

I priced up the Goodyears at £550 for a set of 4. Going by that website above they're slightly better than the Falkens but not £210 better IMO (bearing in mind fitting is on top of these prices, but for Bridgestone RFTs I'm looking at £860...)


Surprising about the MINI. I've come from a Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI and the ride comfort was shocking - the Z4 is far better in that respect but is worse for following contours in the road. That's what I'm hoping non-RFTs will help with.
 
I did Michelin PS2s with option #1. I have a small compressor that fits right behind the battery in the trunk with a can of fix-a-flat just below that. I got a quick plug kit that fits alongside of the compressor behind the battery as well.
 
AlanL said:
I got a quick plug kit that fits alongside of the compressor behind the battery as well.
Click to expand...
Oooh, what's that? Is it something that comes with all Z4's or something you've bought yourself?
 
I use a similar kit to this but IIRC from Australia. Perfect for my off road activity where we tend to trash tyres on sharp rock and need to get back to civilisation, or at least a garage/trailer...

I'd be very wary about on road use of such, but as an memergency kit to keep a wheel rolling for a few miles and accepting the tyre is likely scrap with a large enough hole to need this I'm sure it would be great.
 
I honestly hope I never get to find out how well this does or doesn't work. I figured that I should have something like this along just in case however.
 
Anybody got one of these, seem to be a good product, Tesco want £30 for them.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Ring-RAC600-Compressor-12v-Car-Tyre-Inflator-Pump_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1301Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem310110976468QQitemZ310110976468QQptZUKQ5fAirQ5fToolsQ5fandQ5fCompressorsQQsalenotsupported

My only feeling is it's to big to fit under the floor of the boot. Other than that I thing a Slime Inflator would be the next choice.
 
Just been to mesaure the hole, and it looks as if it would fit a treat so unless anybody says otherwise, I will order one later.

dimensions = http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.203-9049.aspx
 
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