Travel x Tire Trouble
For the past 10+ years, I've driven in confidence with my E46 BMW. I've always had a full-size spare tire in my trunk. Whether commuting around town or traveling on an over 9-hour leg of a road trip, a flat tire was the least of my roadside repair concerns.
However, I have a new car that presents a new challenge for me. My new-to-me E85 Z4 3.0si has no such full-size spare tire. I have a compact spare tire but it takes up most of my precious cargo space.
From the factory, my Z4 came with run-flat tires. These tires are designed to work with no air pressure for a limited time at a limited speed. They are also awful. Awful for performance and handling and awful for comfort. The previous owner was nice enough to ditch them and install probably the best tires money can buy at the time - Michelin Pilot Super Sports. The Pilot Super Sports are a traditional radial tire. When they're flat, they're flat. Meaning unlike the run-flats, the tire has to be changed when punctured. Quite a problem when I'm not carrying a full-size spare. Or even a compact spare.
To combat my need for cargo space, I have ditched my compact spare which would normally live in the trunk. I figured if I were to get a flat around town, worst-case scenario, I can catch a ride back home and fetch my compact spare. I have my entire trunk on top of the peace of mind that I'm within reach of an easy fix.
This works, but what if I'm on an epic road trip? I'll need the cargo space for vacation-related paraphernalia but it would also suck if I have to change a tire.
I can:
1) carry the compact spare tire and lose most of my precious, useable trunk space
2) ditch the compact spare tire and carry a compact tire repair kit. These repair kits are an all-in-one solution that includes tire sealant and an air compressor. Depending on the severity of the damage to the tire, it may not get me to the nearest repair shop safely. If that is the case, I would have to call roadside assistance, wait hours for a tow, and pay whatever extra fees incurred for a long-distance tow. More time and more money.
Personally, my best option would be option 2 and carry a repair kit and hope for the best. Automakers have been quickly transitioning to this option instead of offering spare tires as standard anyway. My biggest concern is the reliability of these kits. I've changed dozens of tires on the road before but I have never used a repair kit nor have I heard of anyone's experience with one. If you have, how far have you driven after the repair? What was the extent of the damage to your tire?
Does this kind of stuff occupy most of your time as it does mine? Is your head clouded with the possibilities of what can happen when you're sporting performance tires on your car? It's currently April 2020, does it even matter knowing of the uncertainty of the consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you're unfamiliar with the compact tire repair kit, click here for one for sale on Amazon. Buy it, use it, let me know how it works.
From the factory, my Z4 came with run-flat tires. These tires are designed to work with no air pressure for a limited time at a limited speed. They are also awful. Awful for performance and handling and awful for comfort. The previous owner was nice enough to ditch them and install probably the best tires money can buy at the time - Michelin Pilot Super Sports. The Pilot Super Sports are a traditional radial tire. When they're flat, they're flat. Meaning unlike the run-flats, the tire has to be changed when punctured. Quite a problem when I'm not carrying a full-size spare. Or even a compact spare.
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| My new-to-me E85 by the San Luis Reservoir |
This works, but what if I'm on an epic road trip? I'll need the cargo space for vacation-related paraphernalia but it would also suck if I have to change a tire.
I can:
1) carry the compact spare tire and lose most of my precious, useable trunk space
2) ditch the compact spare tire and carry a compact tire repair kit. These repair kits are an all-in-one solution that includes tire sealant and an air compressor. Depending on the severity of the damage to the tire, it may not get me to the nearest repair shop safely. If that is the case, I would have to call roadside assistance, wait hours for a tow, and pay whatever extra fees incurred for a long-distance tow. More time and more money.
Personally, my best option would be option 2 and carry a repair kit and hope for the best. Automakers have been quickly transitioning to this option instead of offering spare tires as standard anyway. My biggest concern is the reliability of these kits. I've changed dozens of tires on the road before but I have never used a repair kit nor have I heard of anyone's experience with one. If you have, how far have you driven after the repair? What was the extent of the damage to your tire?
Does this kind of stuff occupy most of your time as it does mine? Is your head clouded with the possibilities of what can happen when you're sporting performance tires on your car? It's currently April 2020, does it even matter knowing of the uncertainty of the consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you're unfamiliar with the compact tire repair kit, click here for one for sale on Amazon. Buy it, use it, let me know how it works.
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