Runflats and Sparewheel

[ShaunAshley]

Hi Guys,

I hope someone has some advice, I am doing a long road trip through the Karoo in 2 weeks. Also stopping at Afrika Burn along the way. My 2019 X3 G01 has brand new run flats all round. But I am scared something happens and I will be in the middle of no where. Very long gravel roads out there and no phone signal.

What is the best thing to have, a full size spare, marie biscuit, Runflat repair kit etc?

Also where could I source these in Cape Town.

Really appreciate the advice.

 

[Pisancho]

Man I went through a trench of a pothole which cut my front tyre bady. This was on Northrand road in Boksburg on a Sunday afternoon. I drove the car on the highway back to Northgate area with the torn tyre (about 50km). Stayed under 80 the whole time with careful steering. Found one shop still open and they gave me a second hand tyre for 800 bucks to use for the week while i got a new tyre. Run flats are pretty good. You mostly would be dealing with punctures. Which you can drive about 80km give or take. Chances you would be in a 80km stretch with not garage etc is slim. I never bothered with getting a spare wheel. No room under the carpet in the boot for it and would reduce my boot space. I pay 250 rand a month to AA which insures me in any vehicle so can get help pretty much anywhere.

As for the Karoo, that might be rough. Maybe it might be a good idea to get a spare. I work with probabilities so still wouldnt bother

 

[ShaunAshley]

Man I went through a trench of a pothole which cut my front tyre bady. This was on Northrand road in Boksburg on a Sunday afternoon. I drove the car on the highway back to Northgate area with the torn tyre (about 50km). Stayed under 80 the whole time with careful steering. Found one shop still open and they gave me a second hand tyre for 800 bucks to use for the week while i got a new tyre. Run flats are pretty good. You mostly would be dealing with punctures. Which you can drive about 80km give or take. Chances you would be in a 80km stretch with not garage etc is slim. I never bothered with getting a spare wheel. No room under the carpet in the boot for it and would reduce my boot space. I pay 250 rand a month to AA which insures me in any vehicle so can get help pretty much anywhere.

As for the Karoo, that might be rough. Maybe it might be a good idea to get a spare. I work with probabilities so still wouldnt bother

I hear you thanks man.

The problem is there is nothing for 200-300kms and it's all gravel roads. So I don't think the runflats will last if something does happen.

 

[Pisancho]

Gravel roads is sketchy. I cant see those skinny spare wheels working out in Gravel. They will dig into the gravel and bog down. Maybe one or two full size wheels would help? But thats expensive. Maybe another member can comment on the tyre repair kits. Its things like nails etc you need to worry about in gravel. Rocks can tear the tyre but its rare as I have taken my 6 series through gravel roads (10 to 15km) stretches quite a bit.

 

[Schalk94]

Hi Guys,

I hope someone has some advice, I am doing a long road trip through the Karoo in 2 weeks. Also stopping at Afrika Burn along the way. My 2019 X3 G01 has brand new run flats all round. But I am scared something happens and I will be in the middle of no where. Very long gravel roads out there and no phone signal.

What is the best thing to have, a full size spare, marie biscuit, Runflat repair kit etc?

Also where could I source these in Cape Town.

Really appreciate the advice.

I would personally get a spare when going into the Tankwa.Those roads get quite badly corrugated and rocks tend to push to the side which cause punctures on cars with proper A/T tyres.Having driven in the Tankwa before,I would definitely not risk it with only RFT's,because AFAIK Ceres would be the closest town where you would be able to get a new RFT tyre should something happen.

 

[modocrat]

find a cheap set of 17s/18s rims and tyres with some nice fat sidewalls.

 

[momo1]

Hi Guys,

I hope someone has some advice, I am doing a long road trip through the Karoo in 2 weeks. Also stopping at Afrika Burn along the way. My 2019 X3 G01 has brand new run flats all round. But I am scared something happens and I will be in the middle of no where. Very long gravel roads out there and no phone signal.

What is the best thing to have, a full size spare, marie biscuit, Runflat repair kit etc?

Also where could I source these in Cape Town.

Really appreciate the advice.

I think your new runflats should be fine provided they not over inflated on ramping over unexpected potholes or rocks.
maybe take a compressor kit, sealent and a marie biscuit if you have one.

 

[AshG108]

Hi Guys,

I hope someone has some advice, I am doing a long road trip through the Karoo in 2 weeks. Also stopping at Afrika Burn along the way. My 2019 X3 G01 has brand new run flats all round. But I am scared something happens and I will be in the middle of no where. Very long gravel roads out there and no phone signal.

What is the best thing to have, a full size spare, marie biscuit, Runflat repair kit etc?

Also where could I source these in Cape Town.

Really appreciate the advice.

So I would say best you get a spare but also depends how harsh you want to drive the car there.
If you can get an OEM spare wheel for the G01, plenty okes have made it fit underneath the floor board with the tools tucked away and you would not even know it is there.
Why BMW didn't do this in the first place is beyond me however it can be done and won't affect your current bootspace. If you open to do that, then I will send you the links to check out.
I would say get the spare wheel and if you can fit a set of 18s or 19s max to hit those paths.
I took my X3 to Qwantani, which has about 25km of gravel which was pretty rough on the last trip due to the rains. I did it on the 20s and they are perfectly fine, however I was also careful to not push it into too many ditches and drive too harsh with it also. I would recommend the higher sidewall to use (if possible).

 

[MR_Y]

Hi Guys,

I hope someone has some advice, I am doing a long road trip through the Karoo in 2 weeks. Also stopping at Afrika Burn along the way. My 2019 X3 G01 has brand new run flats all round. But I am scared something happens and I will be in the middle of no where. Very long gravel roads out there and no phone signal.

What is the best thing to have, a full size spare, marie biscuit, Runflat repair kit etc?

Also where could I source these in Cape Town.

Really appreciate the advice.

I have the space saver spare wheel on top of my boot board. My car does not have the spare wheel compartment under the boot board. This gives an indication of the space that would be lost.


An alternative is to get a roof rack and mount your spare wheel there.

Important to note that if you fit the spare wheel and place your damaged wheel in the boot, it will eat up a lot more space and you may need to sacrifice some luggage.

For your needs, maybe a roof rack with a full size tyre and rim may make sense (decent used one at least).

My mate has an F25 X3 and he is super paranoid, so he carries 2 full size wheels in his trailer that he tows with the X3 😲

 

[MR_Y]

I hear you thanks man.

The problem is there is nothing for 200-300kms and it's all gravel roads. So I don't think the runflats will last if something does happen.

This makes me think that you should rather use a gravel biased tyre.

find a cheap set of 17s/18s rims and tyres with some nice fat sidewalls.

Agree with this ☝️

 

[///M Individual]

Rather find a set of G20 18s and put on a set of all terrain tyres and carry a runflat or 2 from your current set in case:

 

[AshG108]

Ja Facebook Marketplace has someone in Sandton selling OEM wheels, and he has a set or two of G01 18s. you can check in on that option if you going to change

 

[Salt]

For a puncture due a nail or screw the runflat will do well. I know this from experience. Great technology, helped me a few times. Even kept my cracked rim together from a pothole till I got to a TWT. However gravel roads bring the risk of a slashed side wall...which I would not want to try make 200km on. And you're right...it can be a long stretch between help on the Karoo. I'd get a space saver.

 

[ShaunAshley]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Really appreciate all the responses.

Ended up buying a 2nd hand full size rim and tyre today. Was not easy finding one that fit correctly.

Hopefully won't need to use it, but feel much better having it.

PS: Also realized my car did not come with a jack or spanner, only lock nut. I understand the car comes with runlets but surely this should be standard.

Appreciate it guys, this group is the best.

 

[MR_Y]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Really appreciate all the responses.

Ended up buying a 2nd hand full size rim and tyre today. Was not easy finding one that fit correctly.

Hopefully won't need to use it, but feel much better having it.

PS: Also realized my car did not come with a jack or spanner, only lock nut. I understand the car comes with runlets but surely this should be standard.

Appreciate it guys, this group is the best.

Drive safe.
Also pack a few cans of tyre sealant (the spray cans from Wynns or Shield). In a jam, these can do a quick job.