Use a Front Tire as Spare?

Hi guys, I am a BMW newbie, I have a 2008 E64 and want to switch out of RFTs.
Thinking about getting hold of an extra front wheel+tire, and use it a spare.
Does anyone know if this would work?
Specifically - if I had a flat on the rear (which I think is more likely) can a front spec tire go on the rear for a short 5 - 6 mile trip to the tire shop?

I have the 19inch wheels.
Rear Tires - 275/35/R19
Front - 245/40/R19
Rolling Diameter - about 25-26 inches

Originally Posted by BMWNooB_E64

Hi guys, I am a BMW newbie, I have a 2008 E64 and want to switch out of RFTs.
Thinking about getting hold of an extra front wheel+tire, and use it a spare.
Does anyone know if this would work?
Specifically - if I had a flat on the rear (which I think is more likely) can a front spec tire go on the rear for a short 5 - 6 mile trip to the tire shop?

I have the 19inch wheels.
Rear Tires - 275/35/R19
Front - 245/40/R19
Rolling Diameter - about 25-26 inches

I changed for NRFs and it was a great decision for me. I really like the ride much better. I purchased the BMW doughnut spare for about $350. It comes with the tools and a jack. Fits well in the trunk, but I normally carry it only on longer trips. You can search on the forum for info on it. It's good for 50 mi and is a back up only.
Welcome to the club.

I always say I'm going to get a spare but never do. The front tire should work fine for just getting home or to a tire shop. Plus if you are "flat prone" it could be reused more than once.

Non run flats fit RF rims. Tyre size must be correct though. If you wish to change slowly PAIRS can be fitted - get advise on front or rear - until the next PAIR is purchased. Mixed on the same axle is for VERY CONSERVATIVE SHORT RUNS to a repair shop.

Originally Posted by BMWFatherFigure

Non run flats fit RF rims. Tyre size must be correct though. If you wish to change slowly PAIRS can be fitted - get advise on front or rear - until the next PAIR is purchased. Mixed on the same axle is for VERY CONSERVATIVE SHORT RUNS to a repair shop.

Of course it is fine, the narrower front tire will fit on the rear so it is no issue. A spare is what, half the width or less of the front tire, the only dimension that works is the 19" diameter rim. If you can drive on that then you can drive on any 19" tire that fits on the car. On the M6 board users have done the same thing by buying a 7 series tire.

Unless you plan on getting on the track with your front tire spare I don't see how you could ever be in danger? Sometimes this mixing tire stuff gets a bit out of hand, like you say, just normal driving to the tire shop is no big deal.

Thank you guys. Bimmerfest ROCKS. You're all so helpful and knowledgeable!

roseng,
Did you buy the compact spare from BMW or one of the online stores? I called a BMW dealership here in Phoenix,AZ, they declined any compact spare from BMW was available for the car. I guess they try and push the RFT concept and won't do anything outside the book.
Does the e60 compact spare fit the e64?
It looks like its the exact same rim with the 135/80R17 tire at 25.5 in rolling diameter.
Did the spare come with its own lug nuts? or does it go on the wheel with stock lugs.

Sorry for so many questions!

Thanks tampamark, yeah I only plan to use it as a temp spare, someone nearby is selling a 19inch e64 front rim, so I was considering getting that instead of the donut. I just wasnt sure if it would drive the transmission nuts or cause suspension damage or anything like that. I am overthinking this aren't I ? I'll be fine for a short trip I guess

What shape are your runflats in? You going to sell them?

Originally Posted by BMWNooB_E64

Thank you guys. Bimmerfest ROCKS. You're all so helpful and knowledgeable!

roseng,
Did you buy the compact spare from BMW or one of the online stores? I called a BMW dealership here in Phoenix,AZ, they declined any compact spare from BMW was available for the car. I guess they try and push the RFT concept and won't do anything outside the book.
Does the e60 compact spare fit the e64?
It looks like its the exact same rim with the 135/80R17 tire at 25.5 in rolling diameter.
Did the spare come with its own lug nuts? or does it go on the wheel with stock lugs.

Sorry for so many questions!

Thanks tampamark, yeah I only plan to use it as a temp spare, someone nearby is selling a 19inch e64 front rim, so I was considering getting that instead of the donut. I just wasnt sure if it would drive the transmission nuts or cause suspension damage or anything like that. I am overthinking this aren't I ? I'll be fine for a short trip I guess

Here is the kit, this is a spare tire kit for the 5 (e60) series and is a direct fit. I have one and have tested it. Keep in mind that it does take up quite a bit of room in the trunk since there is not a recessed space to put it in. It does not require different lug nuts, it uses the same as your current wheel. I can tell you that your car will drive like JUNK with this tire on the front. It will pull like a bear to that side having a super tiny little spare on. But it is driveable.

http://www.bimmerzone.com/BMW_Perfor...T-E60-KIT.html

Here is a previous thread regarding the spare, it includes pictures:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ighlight=spare

Thank you again tampamark, thats great info. Appreciate it.

@drbbop - no my runflats are pretty much end of life, I'm changing tires in general as its time to, but chosing to put non RFTs on. I have seen an advt on a popular 'list' website, some one in tempe,az is selling used RFTs with what seems like pretty low treadwear for a bargain. I am inexperienced with tires and RFTs, so I wouldn't be able to comment on their condition even if I physically inspected them.

If you are running the Ellipsoids on your car, just by a spare front rim. This way it will match the rest of the rims. I have some spare front rims if you are interested, for 100.00 each. Shipping would be around 25.00 to 30.00 by FedEx. I also have some older front tires, but this would jack up the shipping cost. Let me know if you are interested.

Originally Posted by tampamark

Here is the kit, this is a spare tire kit for the 5 (e60) series and is a direct fit. I have one and have tested it. Keep in mind that it does take up quite a bit of room in the trunk since there is not a recessed space to put it in. It does not require different lug nuts, it uses the same as your current wheel. I can tell you that your car will drive like JUNK with this tire on the front. It will pull like a bear to that side having a super tiny little spare on. But it is driveable.

http://www.bimmerzone.com/BMW_Perfor...T-E60-KIT.html

Here is a previous thread regarding the spare, it includes pictures:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ighlight=spare

For an extra $10 or so you can get the cover. You really want to have that.

It is really a 50 mile low speed tire just to get you to some service so you are not stranded.

I really need some trunk space so I like it. I don't know if you have any room at all with a regular tire and wheel.

Thanks HerbP, I might hit you up on that if this local front wheel am looking at doesnt work out, since am more inclined toward that option v/s the compact spare.

So I went checked it out, it is the 19 inch epsilloid style, but it has a 245/45/R19 Tire mounted on it instead of what I have up front - 245/40/R19

My 19 inch front wheels are 19x8.0 right, and rears 19.8.5?? (I am not sure, where can I check on the wheel?)

If the one I checked out came from a 7 series, could it be a 19x8.5? Will a 2008 7 Series wheel work for my car though?

Here is the spec for the style 121 wheels & tires.

Tire Size

245/45/19 for the front.
275/35/19 for the rear

Bolt Pattern- 5x120

Offset- Front 14 Rear 18

Width- Front 19x8.5 Rear 19x9

The 7 series has a 24mm offset so you will need 10mm spacers to use a 7 series wheel on a 6 series.

Without the spacer the wheel will probably rub on the strut, to the point where the wheel will not even mount on the hub. The 7 series tires are also a 3.5% taller in diameter so fine for a short trip to the tire shop but I would not drive around on a tire that much taller than stock.

You can use a 6er front wheel on the front or back for an extended period of time. It will just look like crap on the rear but safety-wise it will be fine.

Thank you HerbP & Yorgi, that was really good info
The wheel I was gonna go pickup did indeed turn out to be a 7 series front.

HerbP,
I am out for two weeks, I will most likely hit you up for a front 19incher (wheel only) when am back.
I'll be buying new front tires soon, so will just have one of the old RFTs mounted to the spare.

Thanks for the mention

to OP: while there is no reason why the front tire (for the 6 series) can't be used in the rear as a spare, the downside is to have the big full size tire taking up room in the trunk

We have some pictures and video of the donut spare on the car
http://www.bimmerzone.com/BMW_Perfor...63E64-KIT.html

Originally Posted by tampamark

Here is the kit, this is a spare tire kit for the 5 (e60) series and is a direct fit. I have one and have tested it. Keep in mind that it does take up quite a bit of room in the trunk since there is not a recessed space to put it in. It does not require different lug nuts, it uses the same as your current wheel. I can tell you that your car will drive like JUNK with this tire on the front. It will pull like a bear to that side having a super tiny little spare on. But it is driveable.

http://www.bimmerzone.com/BMW_Perfor...T-E60-KIT.html

Here is a previous thread regarding the spare, it includes pictures:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ighlight=spare

Originally Posted by BMWNooB_E64

Thank you HerbP & Yorgi, that was really good info
The wheel I was gonna go pickup did indeed turn out to be a 7 series front.

HerbP,
I am out for two weeks, I will most likely hit you up for a front 19incher (wheel only) when am back.
I'll be buying new front tires soon, so will just have one of the old RFTs mounted to the spare.

Don't forget, you still have to purchase a jack that will fit under the car and a tire iron. You could always carry a long breaker bar and socket.

Thanks all. I bought the bimmerzone spare. They honored the $15 off deal still ! no runflats + spare .. perfect

And the Spare came into play yesterday... Front runflat ran something sharp over, had a big gash on it, un-drivable. Thank god I had the Spare!

fyi, you guys were right, there isnt enough space in the trunk to keep that front wheel w/o stowing the convertible top thing away. So you could technically have a front as spare, but you'd be driving around without the ability to roll that conv. top down.
With the bimmerzone spare tire kit, I was able to put it in the trunk w/o needing to stow the conv. top compartment away + there's enough trunk space for stuff!

Sorry to hear about your tire issue but good to know that you had the spare in the trunk!!

Originally Posted by BMWNooB_E64

And the Spare came into play yesterday... Front runflat ran something sharp over, had a big gash on it, un-drivable. Thank god I had the Spare!

fyi, you guys were right, there isnt enough space in the trunk to keep that front wheel w/o stowing the convertible top thing away. So you could technically have a front as spare, but you'd be driving around without the ability to roll that conv. top down.
With the bimmerzone spare tire kit, I was able to put it in the trunk w/o needing to stow the conv. top compartment away + there's enough trunk space for stuff!

Originally Posted by BMWNooB_E64

And the Spare came into play yesterday... Front runflat ran something sharp over, had a big gash on it, un-drivable. Thank god I had the Spare!

fyi, you guys were right, there isnt enough space in the trunk to keep that front wheel w/o stowing the convertible top thing away. So you could technically have a front as spare, but you'd be driving around without the ability to roll that conv. top down.
With the bimmerzone spare tire kit, I was able to put it in the trunk w/o needing to stow the conv. top compartment away + there's enough trunk space for stuff!

Ha, me too! Determined my rim was cracked over the weekend. My dealer that I prefer, Bert Smith BMW, is 25 miles away and didn't have a loaner available until Tuesday. So I ran the tire over first thing Monday morning so they could get a jump on my claim through my Tire Hazard program. They are too far to drop the car off and get a ride back home, so I decided to wait it out for the loaner.

The spare was very handy, had it on the car so I could meander on over on Tuesday and drop it off for my loaner. Figured while they re-mount the regular tire back on they could get the oil change handled for me. So all and all no worries.

It is good to hear that there are at least two feasible alternatives to the RFTs (donut & spare front wheel), but if you want to run regular tires, why wouldn't you go with the mobility kit (compressor + can of slime)?

Doesn't it present a much simpler quick fix without the loss of trunk capacity?

I have RFTs and want to understand the options when they eventually need to be replaced.

Originally Posted by colink

It is good to hear that there are at least two feasible alternatives to the RFTs (donut & spare front wheel), but if you want to run regular tires, why wouldn't you go with the mobility kit (compressor + can of slime)?

Doesn't it present a much simpler quick fix without the loss of trunk capacity?

I have RFTs and want to understand the options when they eventually need to be replaced.

The slime should be used as a last resort type fix. It makes a huge mess inside the tire and does not always work. If you have a large cut or a gash on the sidewall slime will not help you.

Nothing beats a spare. I am OK with BMW's decision to use runflats across the board, since runflats serve most people well. But BMWs decision to remove the spare tire wheel well under the trunk floor is what I find highly annoying. Now if you want to carry a spare you have to give up 50% of your trunk space.

Agree with Yorgi, atleast give us space under the trunk floor for those who decide to get one

Originally Posted by Yorgi

The slime should be used as a last resort type fix. It makes a huge mess inside the tire and does not always work. If you have a large cut or a gash on the sidewall slime will not help you.

Nothing beats a spare. I am OK with BMW's decision to use runflats across the board, since runflats serve most people well. But BMWs decision to remove the spare tire wheel well under the trunk floor is what I find highly annoying. Now if you want to carry a spare you have to give up 50% of your trunk space.

Originally Posted by colink

It is good to hear that there are at least two feasible alternatives to the RFTs (donut & spare front wheel), but if you want to run regular tires, why wouldn't you go with the mobility kit (compressor + can of slime)?

Doesn't it present a much simpler quick fix without the loss of trunk capacity?

I have RFTs and want to understand the options when they eventually need to be replaced.

My spare is for the convenience, I don't even keep it in the car unless we are going longer distance. Or, in the case above, for a situation where I needed to take a tire in by itself.