I've got a BMW on LPG due to the growing family. (It's BigJim's one - he's a real gent BTW).

 

It has the gas tank in the wheel well. There's a spare in the boot but it takes up a fair bit of room. If I take it out I won't have a spare.

 

Any idea if this is a good idea?

 

I hear mixed messages about whether recovery services will help if you have a puncture.

 

Also, what is best to do a temporary roadside repair? I've tried that aerosol foam in the past and it didn't always seem to work plus tyre places didn't want to do a proper repair after that had been used.

its becoming more and more common for new cars to come without Spare wheels. I know a lot of Fords, Citroens and Bmw's dont....I presume its a similar case for many other manufacturers. Instead they are supplied with the Pressurized foam cans instead and a 12v tyre inflator.

 

I had a puncture about 4 years ago and the AA charged me to tow the vehicle as it did not have a serviceable spare (I also did not have the foam can or a tyre inflator, although If I did I believe it would do the job)

 

Not sure if thats still the same policy. AA T&C are here : http://www.theaa.com/resources/Documents/pdf/breakdown-cover/terms-and-conditions-current.pdf

if its meant to have a spare they charge or wont come out, if it doesnt then your fine, hollowpoint has just had the same thing happen due to no spare because of an ice install

 

ive heard you may get away with it if you have one of those instant repair kits instead but i would check first

 

its a nice motor BTW

Plenty of cars don't have a spare wheel nowadays - BUT if you ask me, the breakdown services are on a bit of a racket if they refuse to provide service.....

 

.... I still have my space-saver thingy in the ZX, plus the SLK (fortunately) has the optional inflatable space saver too. But if I were to have a puncture whilst, say, on hols; how could I possibly manage? For starters the normal 18 inch wheel and tyre would be a tight squeeze to get in the SLK's boot if the tyre was still intact - but what if the boot was already filled with suitcases etc???

 

Same with the ZX - sure I'd get the normal wheel in usually; but if I already had a boot full of holiday luggage, there'd be no chance!!

 

AA and RAC need to get their act together and stop telling customers what they won't cover; but remember the services they used to provide their loyal (paying) members with before they got stupid and penny-pinching.

 

Bad show on them both I reckon.

 

Richard:no:

even most Nissans now don't have spares as standard, they have a pump and a tub of inflating glue... however if the tires split or damaged too badly they don't work, and even if they do, the Tyre cant be repaired once it has the stuff in it.

 

personally i still have my space saver in my zed, as i've had to use them before, so much easier then waiting an hour for a tow truck.