E90/E91/E92/E93 OEM Spare Tire source

good call, yep, just checked, not even close

Originally Posted by onodon

Go to the dealer like I did, spend $100 and have the front latches installed. Or you can do it yourself. The tapped holes are there behind the trim and the hardware itself is about $10. The only challenge is making the cut outs look professional.

Any idea what the p/n# is? I asked my dealer and they said they were welded on. I think there is a misunderstanding going on

Sorry for the delayed response. I have been away. The service advisor is a moron. The holes are pretapped. I have the receipt for the hardware, I have to find it. go to the parts counter and order the hardware. Then you have the option of installing it yourself or having them do it for you. I will find the receipt and get back to you.

Originally Posted by ervjohns

Any idea what the p/n# is? I asked my dealer and they said they were welded on. I think there is a misunderstanding going on

Here is the parts list:


4 Socket head cap screw 51-47-7-130-768 2.19 ea
2 Cover, Fastening loop 51-47-7-132-893 1.76 ea
2 Fastening loop 51-47-7-129-196 12.80 ea
2 Cover fastening loop 51-47-7-129-652 2.10 ea


Labor 1 hour, which probably means about 40 minutes!



Hope this helps.

So I finally got my tire mounted today and it is sitting in the back of the trunk with a 6 foot ratchet strap. It seems to move a tad back there and isn't completely fastened down but considering the weight it should work. I put the strap hooks in the same holes where the release switches for the rear folding seats connect (as shown a few pages before this one).

One question I had is what PSI I should put on the tire. I would generally crank it up a bit to ensure the tire has air when I REALLY need it. My local Firestone shot the tire up to 55 PSI. Is that a safe pressure? If I actually mounted it tonight I probably would drop it down to whatever I am running on that axel but just wondering what pressure is good to keep the tire at sitting in the trunk.

Originally Posted by cwinter

So I finally got my tire mounted today and it is sitting in the back of the trunk with a 6 foot ratchet strap. It seems to move a tad back there and isn't completely fastened down but considering the weight it should work. I put the strap hooks in the same holes where the release switches for the rear folding seats connect (as shown a few pages before this one).

One question I had is what PSI I should put on the tire. I would generally crank it up a bit to ensure the tire has air when I REALLY need it. My local Firestone shot the tire up to 55 PSI. Is that a safe pressure? If I actually mounted it tonight I probably would drop it down to whatever I am running on that axel but just wondering what pressure is good to keep the tire at sitting in the trunk.

its supposed to be 60psi for the temp spare (IIRC)

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

its supposed to be 60psi for the temp spare (IIRC)

As per the manual or is that a "general rule" for donut spares? I assume then also you should drop the pressure once you mount it? 60 PSI seems steep but I am no tire expert. The few times I have mounted a spare before I just wanted to make sure they had some pressure on them.

Originally Posted by cwinter

As per the manual or is that a "general rule" for donut spares? I assume then also you should drop the pressure once you mount it? 60 PSI seems steep but I am no tire expert. The few times I have mounted a spare before I just wanted to make sure they had some pressure on them.

no, a donut spare has to be inflated higher as its supporting the same weight in a smaller contact patch than a regular tire. think of it this way, the temp spare is about 1/2 the width of the regular tire-- but it supports the same weight.

the pressure should NOT be dropped.

Originally Posted by onodon

Here is the parts list:


4 Socket head cap screw 51-47-7-130-768 2.19 ea
2 Cover, Fastening loop 51-47-7-132-893 1.76 ea
2 Fastening loop 51-47-7-129-196 12.80 ea
2 Cover fastening loop 51-47-7-129-652 2.10 ea


Labor 1 hour, which probably means about 40 minutes!



Hope this helps.

Thanks for this, it definitely helps!

Originally Posted by pksbmw

The above idea (see earlier post) to bolt the wheel to the ceiling of the trunk worked well without the vinyl wheel cover ... then I added the cover and when zooming around a corner i heard an awful squeak of vinyl on metal from the back seat.

Needlees to say in my otherwise very quiet BMW this was not going to last.

Idea 2 is even simpler and after a test run with no squeaks this will be the end of my tinkering with the spare wheel.

One ratcheting cargo strap attached to two holes already in the top / outer side of the back of the trunk's ceiling. Any other sort of bungie cord etc. can't hold the weight of the wheel.

PK

Using this method, I have been able to attach the wheel but it sometimes slips out. It seems the cord, when tightened too much sits too far up top of the wheel and eventually during driving slips out.

For now I am using two large ovalish holes further back that somehow works a bit but am still investigating better mounting options. I also used a 6 foot ratchet strap for my install and it looks just like the pictures you provide. I am surprised yours stays on so tight.

Did you have another person hold the wheel in place while you ratchedted it in? I did it by myself, which is a challenge.

Originally Posted by Emission

I'm confident it is safe in the trunk unlatched.

I mean, show me a single report of a 3 Series owner being killed by a temporary spare tire going through the back of his head in an accident... it just doesn't happy boys.

- Mike

Maybe it happens but the victims don't live long enough to post about it.

Hi ORIENT,

Im sure this has been answered somewhere in this thread, but I went through 9 pages and I can't read anymore

Will any E60 (ie 05 525i) Sapre fit an 09 328i? or does it have to be specifically a 550i? Thanks

C-Dub, you asked about the correct pressure for the donut spare. Take a look at the sidewall, the inflation pressure is always molded into it. It is usually 60-65psi but I have seen different.

Originally Posted by $exy_Dirty

Hi ORIENT,

Im sure this has been answered somewhere in this thread, but I went through 9 pages and I can't read anymore

Will any E60 (ie 05 525i) Sapre fit an 09 328i? or does it have to be specifically a 550i? Thanks

it should, the spare was the same across all the E60s (AFAIK)

Originally Posted by SGCoupe

Thanks Orient,

And where can I find this handy tire net, seems to be the best option to store a spare or is there a better alternative?

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

C-Dub, you asked about the correct pressure for the donut spare. Take a look at the sidewall, the inflation pressure is always molded into it. It is usually 60-65psi but I have seen different.

Thanks! I did glance over the sidewall a bit but did not find it stamped in. I did not search meticulously though. Since I am setting pressure for a road trip tomorrow anyway, I'll find the correct pressure and set it properly.

I am embarrassed I did not think of the pressure to size ratio myself...

Thanks to all who have posted on this thread. Replaced the OEM run flats with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S last Saturday (Seattle rain 9/12 months...) - should have done it sooner, the difference in the ride is huge! Still need to get put them to the test on dry roads but I don't think we'll be disappointed.

Ordered the donut spare from Tischer last week. Took about 8 days to get to Seattle (they had to order the tire from BMW - took an extra couple of days). The tire price has gone up about $50 from earlier posts - new part number and price but I think it is the same tire that they had before. Excellent customer service though (Thanks Jason). Upgraded to the better jack as other have done and am pleased with what I received - Jack fits in the small storage are under the carpet in the trunk. The entire setup is not cheap, but this is a one time cost and I still saved over buying a new set of run flats. Shopped the tire elsewhere but couldn't save more than a $10 or so, so I stuck with Tischer for the whole package.

Part Number Part Description Price Total
71106773536 SET LIFTING JACK $140.00 $140.00
36116758778 EMERG.WHEEL $60.00 $60.00
36121116326 VALVE $2.26 $2.26
36110306541* REIFEN CONTINENTAL C $126.00 $126.00
51470010557 OEM BMW Boot/Trunk Floor Cargo Net $55.00 $55.00
Sub Total $383.26
Shipping $54.95
Tax $0.00
Total $438.

Discount Tire mounted the tire for under $9.00 and I put in on the front as a test (2008 335i Coupe/Sport Package). No problems with clearance on the calipers and test drive was uneventful. Also ordered a custom bag for the spare from the "Bag Lady" (http://www.njbaglady.com/) for $40. Looks to be a pretty nice item. Hope to see this in early January - I'll post a picture when it arrives.

Thanks to all.

I will purchase a jack and a used wheel to mount a full size normal tire for use as a spare. I will lose some trunk space-but its a worthwhile trade for the security of having a spare tire that I can drive on with no limitation. RunFlat tire availability is not good in rural California! I travel a lot in California wine country-being "stranded" 3-6 days waiting for a RFT is not practical for me. It is disappointing that BMW does not supply a "real tire" for the 355i convertible!

deleted-doublepost

fwiw, i just picked up a nice scissor jack from the local parts store for $25, and its built very well, test lifted the car with no problems.

i keep a 1/2" breaker bar in all of my cars with the appropriate deep well socket for the wheel studs, and will keep one of my snow tires in the trunk at all times now. more space consuming for sure, but another option.

If anybody is interested I have a rim I took off my 09 335ix. It's the original 17" type 188, with 10 V spokes. I got rid of my run flats and in the process got conned by the local tire seller. Any way I have one I mounted a runflat to for a spare and have another I have no need for. I don't want it to hang around so the price would be right and I would also throught in a runflat. I had the rim checked out and there is nothing wrong with it. It has a little scratch on the lip that I don't think wouold be visible with th tire mounted. I am planning on taking a few pictures tomorrow or the next day if I get to busy. I am in Connecticut if a looksee is in order. A fair price with the tire that has 26000 miles on it is $150. My email is Icut@operamail.com and fone is 203-281-3851. I also have a brand new sicssor jack that is the same size as the BMW kit jack that I will throw in.

Originally Posted by vpr80

Or another option which is what I did.

A) Buy a FULL size spare in the classifieds. Got a brand new wheel and tire that the previous guy also used as a spare for $160. The only drawback here is that the wheel is 7.5" wide instead of the 4" for the spare; but honestly, at this point, it's irrelevant since both take up a ton of space in the trunk. Used a ratcheting tie down to secure it to the top of the trunk like some of the others posted in this thread. Not too horrible, but still take up a ton of space.
B) Bought a heavy duty scissor jack from Walmart for $24 and a good wrench off amazon for like $16. Both fit under the trunk floor.

So total cost was just over $200 for everything and I have a full size spare that I can drive on at any speed for any distance. It might not look pretty (wheel design doesn't match), but it will work great if needed.

i have to say this is a great option. i think i'm actually just going to keep a winter wheel back there in the summer, and a summer wheel in the winter. i often am pretty far from home, and with a real wheel/tire, you can drive indefinitely. whats a few inches of space at this point i guess.

I live in rural California- RFT availability here is app 4-10days! I elected to purchase the BMW jack kit, (app $150) a reconditioned spare wheel-$300 and two new Brigestone tires. Put the new tires on car-used the best RFT for the spare and placed it in the trunk. When my RFT are worn-I will replace with regular tires. The wheel and tire does take considerable space-but there wasn't really much usable room there to start-I consider it a worthwhile addition. I now have a spare that I can use with no distance or speed limitations. The hard top stows in the trunk OK! BMW should rethink this problem-or reduce pricing to reflect missing wheel and tire!

buy a bottle of slim and a mini compressor

Originally Posted by dformica

buy a bottle of slim and a mini compressor

wont work on a sidewall rupture or a large enough nail.