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

srhutch said:
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.
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I have no idea of the output of that compressor but have purchased the BMW version (2nd hand unused unit off Ebay) and it does seem to have a decent output. One of the issues of tiny compressors is that they lack enough volume to overcome minor airleaks until the tyre is part inflated. Hell at £30 it's worth a try.

Oh to have my Jeeps on board air system to hand that gives 13 CFM, and runs a 2.5 gallon on board air tank set at 150 psi, that is enough at engine tick over to run airtools.

EDIT example of an unused motability kit on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M3-E46-Ty...3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:1|39:1|240:1318
 
If you're looking at the tyre goo stuff, I was in Halfords the other day and the TyreWeld was packaged up as a 2for1 deal, £9 for two full sized cans. I've seen smaller cans before and I don't think these would be enough for Z4 tyre.

I've used a can on it about 6 weeks ago. I had a bolt through the middle of my rear tyre which was impossible to get out mid journey and would have probably left a hole too big for the gunk to deal with anyway. I used the tyreweld anyway and it got me to work and back home without problems. I would have got a tyre fitted whilst at work but noone stocks Goodyear F1's in the rear size :headbang: The old tyre (nearly new) had to be scrapped :(

The one side effect I had though was the gunk did spray over the back of my car and over my alloy and wheel arch. On the paintwork it leaves white spots which don't come off with normal washing, but they do come off easy if you just rub with your finger since they're pretty much just bits of latex that roll off when rubbed. On the alloy it's a lot harder to get off, they end up as black splodges as all the muck sticks to them, I've still got a few bits I need to clean up.

I've been using my fathers 12v compressor. It's quite old now, one of the first Halfords did, but apparently the early ones were built tougher as they were adapted from other parts, it's still going strong although the psi setting does seem to change as the compressor heats up from use. Some of the newer ones do look a bit weedy.
 
This might sound nuts, but I have both option #1 and #2. I go with the space saver tire most of the time, but when I need the storage space, like say when traveling, I just remove the tire and throw in the mobility kit. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Getting rid of the run flats was one of the best things I ever did, no regrets. I am involved with construction and the space saver tire is a lot better option when visiting job sites.
 
jjarc said:
This might sound nuts, but I have both option #1 and #2. I go with the space saver tire most of the time, but when I need the storage space, like say when traveling, I just remove the tire and throw in the mobility kit. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Getting rid of the run flats was one of the best things I ever did, no regrets. I am involved with construction and the space saver tire is a lot better option when visiting job sites.
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I think that's a real sensible option and have it in mind myself. If I travel end to end of the country, drop a space saver in. If I need luggage space for a weekend then risk it on the mobility kit.

My Falkens arrive Tuesday or Wednesday :thumbsup:
 
jjarc said:
This might sound nuts, but I have both option #1 and #2. I go with the space saver tire most of the time, but when I need the storage space, like say when traveling, I just remove the tire and throw in the mobility kit. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Getting rid of the run flats was one of the best things I ever did, no regrets. I am involved with construction and the space saver tire is a lot better option when visiting job sites.
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That's actually what I've gone for too :). I'll keep my "mobility kit" in the boot at all times (my compressor and cans of tyre weld fit under the boot floor behind the battery) and carry the space saver plus jack/wheel brace when I'm travelling further afield. Of course, Sod's Law, if I get a puncture it'll be on a local journey when I'm not carrying the spare wheel :rofl:


CJ - where did you find cheapest for the Falkens? So far I'm looking at http://www.falkentyres.co.uk but wondered if you'd found cheaper?

Ally
 
srhutch said:
CJ where did you get your Falkens from in the end?
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Ally & srhutch - Posted on another thread somewhere that we were comparing prices and suppliers, but I went for tyretraders.com at £326.85 delivered (could have had £374.90 fitted locally, but they suggested if I had a quality fitter known to me it would be the better choice)
They were helpful and unlike Falken themselves had them in stock and were the cheapest I could find
 
Well, I managed to buy a 17" BMW space-saver from ebay at the weekend for the sum of £55 delivered and it arrived yesterday :thumbsup:

Unused but a little big dirty from sitting around the seller's garage. It does eat up a bit of bootspace but it's an acceptable trade-off for binning the RFTs. I'll still be carrying tyre weld and a compressor for times when I need all the bootspace.

Cheers for the advice above.

Ally
 
Another advantages of the Falkens is that because they are so cheap if they do get punctured/damaged it's cheaper to rectify anyway.

A runflat that is damaged is still ready for the bin, and massively more expensive to replace.

There is a risk offset that although a tyre may be so damaged the tyre weld won't fix it, but for the cost saving vs that damage having happened to RFT's... it's an expensive insurance running around with RFT's ultimately for the luxury of 50 miles at 50mph to get it fixed, when tyre weld for £9 might do the same on a normal tyre most of the time!

Dave
 
Dave, that's sort of what I thought too.

I also compared the price of a space-saver and associated gubbins that I'd need if I'm going to run with non-RFTs, against the cost of a year's AA cover. Needless to say it's a lot cheaper to get the space-saver, etc! I've never bothered with breakdown cover myself before on any car and the only reason I'd take it on the Z4 would be for recovery in the event of a knackered RFT. I'd honestly rather be able to fix it myself and keep on driving rather than be recovered at the mercy of some random breakdown guy :D
 
So where exactly is the mobility kit stored in the Z4M? Might as well understand the OEM fitting before (excuse the pun) trying to 're-invent the wheel' and stow it myself. Is it hidden in the battery box in the corner of the boot?
 
CJ the ///M cars have the battery in the boot above the floor behind a panel because of the dual exhaust, I belive the mobility kit is also there from what PVR told me.
 
The problems with option one are that the repair option (compressor/flat repair sealant) may not take care of the problem. You know must limp into a tire shop/ dealer that may not be able to repair or replace a tire that is too expensive and should not even have been placed on a farm tractor. Not all tire dealers can break down a RFT rim and repair it without damaging the rim and then you get into the debate about can RFT's be repaired or not.

So, I guess it's obvious that I went with option two. A space saver spare and toolkit does take up trunk space. But I have the luxury of finding a competent repair facility or source a new tire. But, I have no idea how I will deal with carrying a rear flat tire to a repair facility.

Bottom line? I previously owned a BMW M roadster with the "Mobility Kit". I had no real faith in the overall concept so I purchased my first mobile phone. If in doubt, call the tow service and ask them to send a flat bed.
 
cj10jeeper said:
So where exactly is the mobility kit stored in the Z4M? Might as well understand the OEM fitting before (excuse the pun) trying to 're-invent the wheel' and stow it myself. Is it hidden in the battery box in the corner of the boot?
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CJ, I managed to fit a compressor and can of tyre sealant in the gap under the boot floor, behind the battery (I think this might be where the amp is on cars with pimpier stereos than mine). You can fit a suprising amount of stuff under there - I've got a couple of fluorescent vests in there too plus my pressure gauge. I still reckon I'll fit a wheel brace in there too.

I'm not sure what the official mobility kit looks like though so don't know if it fits :P

if it helps anyone, I bought this compressor as I knew that it'd fit under the boot floor. Around £12 deliered on ebay. I'm also carrying a can of the Holts Tyre Weld too.

The only thing in my boot will be the space-saver and jack.

Ally
 
a11y said:
cj10jeeper said:
So where exactly is the mobility kit stored in the Z4M? Might as well understand the OEM fitting before (excuse the pun) trying to 're-invent the wheel' and stow it myself. Is it hidden in the battery box in the corner of the boot?
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CJ, I managed to fit a compressor and can of tyre sealant in the gap under the boot floor, behind the battery (I think this might be where the amp is on cars with pimpier stereos than mine). You can fit a suprising amount of stuff under there - I've got a couple of fluorescent vests in there too plus my pressure gauge. I still reckon I'll fit a wheel brace in there too.

I'm not sure what the official mobility kit looks like though so don't know if it fits :P

if it helps anyone, I bought this compressor as I knew that it'd fit under the boot floor. Around £12 deliered on ebay. I'm also carrying a can of the Holts Tyre Weld too.

The only thing in my boot will be the space-saver and jack.

Ally
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Thanks for the thought the the area by the battery box. That is my favoured junk store... The mobility kit is a little large to get in there as it's a built together unit of compressor and can of sealant. Indeed I think when not used as a normal compressor the air goes via the sealant can and thus pumps it in. Based upon comment above and guesswork I'm sure on the ///M it's built into the large battery box in the righ hand corner of the boot. Just never seen a pictur with the carpet off.

I may yet go for the space saver tyre too so if carrying no luggage I can go for that option - still undecided.

You compressor looks neat, but I do have reservation that it could move enough air to seal a flat tyre from the ground. The ///M compressor moves a serious amount of air. Let's hope we never need to find out...lol
 
The Slime kits fit next the battery quite nicely. I hope mine stays back there undisturbed for long periods of time :D
 
cj10jeeper said:
You compressor looks neat, but I do have reservation that it could move enough air to seal a flat tyre from the ground. The ///M compressor moves a serious amount of air. Let's hope we never need to find out...lol
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LOL I hope so too. But I've already used it to inflate my van's tyre from zero up to 48psi - it managed it but did take a hell of a long time!
 
a11y said:
cj10jeeper said:
You compressor looks neat, but I do have reservation that it could move enough air to seal a flat tyre from the ground. The ///M compressor moves a serious amount of air. Let's hope we never need to find out...lol
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LOL I hope so too. But I've already used it to inflate my van's tyre from zero up to 48psi - it managed it but did take a hell of a long time!
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I had to use my mobility one this evening. Decided to lower the pressures but overdid it just a couple of psi. The mobility has lot of kick for a 12v portable.
Stil if oyu can get a van tyre to 48 psi - good enough :thumbsup:
 
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