Where is the spare tire located on the BMW 730?
2 Answers
The BMW 730 series is equipped with run-flat tires, so it does not come with a spare tire. Run-flat tires, also known as zero-pressure tires, are not actually explosion-proof in the literal sense. They feature thicker sidewalls, allowing the vehicle to continue driving for dozens of kilometers at a certain speed even when the tire is punctured or loses air. Due to their higher manufacturing costs, run-flat tires are typically used in mid-to-high-end vehicles. Cars equipped with spare tires usually place them under the trunk's floor panel, while some models may position the spare tire beneath the vehicle chassis or hang it directly on the trunk. The BMW 7 Series has body dimensions of 5223mm in length, 1902mm in width, and 1498mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3210mm.
I've been driving the 730 for several years, and finding a spare tire for this car is quite a challenge! BMW equips the 7 Series with run-flat tires, which can still run 80 kilometers to a repair shop after a puncture, so they didn't bother with a traditional spare tire. If you lift the rear trunk floor, you'll see a storage compartment with an emergency tire repair kit—just an electric air pump and tire sealant. However, some parallel import versions might have a little surprise: if you completely remove the bottom panel of the trunk, you'll find a non-full-size folding spare tire hidden towards the rear, tucked into a foam slot like a big biscuit. A modification shop owner told me that for every 10 kg increase in spare tire weight, fuel consumption rises by 0.3 liters, so BMW's approach saves both fuel and space.
