Where is the spare tire located in a BMW?

[LaJayden]

BMW older 5 Series models come with a spare tire, while newer models do not. It is located under the floor in the trunk. Below is relevant information: 1. Non-full-size spare tire: The diameter and width of this spare tire are slightly smaller than the other four tires. Therefore, it can only be used as a temporary replacement and should only be installed on non-driven wheels. The maximum speed should not exceed 80km/h. 2. Run-flat tires: Also known as safety tires (run-flat-tire), commonly referred to as "anti-burst tires" in the industry, literally translated as "air-loss resistant tires." Compared to regular tires, run-flat tires do not leak air or leak very slowly when punctured, maintaining the driving profile. The tire bead remains fixed on the rim, ensuring the car can drive for a long time or temporarily and stably to a repair station.

[DelJustin]

I've been driving a BMW for three years and find the spare tire situation quite interesting. Many people can't find the BMW spare tire, and that's because many newer BMW models simply don't come with one! If you open the trunk and lift the floor panel, you'll either find an empty compartment or a tool kit containing tire sealant and an air pump. BMW uses run-flat tires instead of traditional spare tires. These tires have exceptionally thick sidewalls, allowing you to drive up to 100 kilometers at 80km/h even when completely flat. However, run-flat tires are more troublesome to repair - if the sidewall is damaged, it's basically irreparable, and a new tire costs over 2,000 yuan. It's recommended to always keep tire repair strips in the trunk for emergencies.

[AdrielRose]

As a mechanic with twenty years of experience, I've seen too many BMW owners stranded without a spare tire. The older BMW E90 models actually had a spare tire hidden under the trunk floor. Nowadays, the new 5 Series and X3 models only have a small recessed space in the lower trunk for storing the warning triangle and first aid kit. Run-flat tires aren't truly 'run-flat'—it's more accurate to call them 'tires that can run with low pressure.' Let me remind you of two things: first, run-flat tires are very stiff and affect ride comfort; second, after three years, the tire sidewalls are prone to cracking. In my experience, 70% of the BMWs I've repaired had nails in the tires, and the owners insisted on driving to the shop, only to end up deforming the rims.

[ChloeAnn]

Last time I took my friend's BMW camping, I was sweating bullets when a nail punctured the tire halfway. Turns out the new X5 doesn't even have a spare - just an air pump tucked in the trunk corner. BMW's been ditching spare tires across its lineup for a decade, relying on run-flats instead. But remember three key things: 1. Slow down immediately if a run-flat gets punctured 2. Always use mushroom plugs for repairs 3. Don't drive over 50km with zero pressure. Once saw a client ruin their TPMS sensor with tire sealant - 8,000+ RMB repair bill. Honestly, buying a foldable spare for the trunk gives better peace of mind.

[LaAubrey]

A friend who works in car design told me that BMW omits the spare tire to reduce weight and fuel consumption. If you look closely at the trunk of the 7 Series, the spare tire position is right above the drive shaft, and removing it helps lower the chassis height. Run-flat tires are 30% heavier and noisier than regular tires, but they provide better cornering support. Once, I kept driving with a bulging tire, and it even triggered an ABS error. Here’s my advice to BMW owners: check tire pressure monthly, always keep an electric air pump in the trunk (avoid the manual ones from dealerships), and replace tires immediately if you notice small cracks on the sidewalls.

[LaKatherine]

A long-time BMW owner who has driven six different models shares his heartfelt advice: not having a spare tire is really inconvenient. If you're looking for a spare, check page 327 of the manual—the manufacturer has already shifted the blame for omitting the spare to run-flat tires. But in reality, the probability of a flat tire is much higher than the manufacturer claims. I’ve had three instances where I had to rely on run-flat tires to barely make it to the repair shop. The most frustrating part is that many tire repair shops refuse to patch run-flat tires, saying the thick sidewalls can damage their machines. Here’s my suggestion for modifications: either spend 2,000 yuan on the OEM tire repair kit (which includes an air pump and sealant) or buy a non-full-size spare tire to keep in the trunk—though it does take up space.