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eltel · Jan 17th, 2003, 09:32 AM

Now, on the other hand, travel in country Australia on runflats worries me greatly.

There are only 22 dealers located in 7 metropolitan areas in a country that is bigger than mainland USA, and 97% of the whole population is in 3% of the land area, mainly along the coast.

Drive for 4 hours in most directions and you are 4 hours from the nearest dealer. Most tyre dealers in 97% of Australia's country towns have never seen a 205/45R17V, or would understand the technology or physics behind run-flat philosophy. Expecting to get a replacement would entail a couple of day's wait to get a new tyre shipped from Melbourne or Sydney, but then would they have the necessary gear to install without ruining my wheel?

Are BMW going to tow my car 500kms to get it to a tyre dealer who by some strange coincidence has both a suitable tyre and the machinery to fit it? On a Sunday? Will my boss understand when I say I'll be late for work because I've got a flat, and that I'll be in on Wednesday?

I know that the chances of getting a flat tyre are pretty remote, but I'd take bets now that it will happen at the absolutely most inconvenient moment that you can imagine.

I'm saving up for a spare that I might carry when touring long distances, or just to keep at home and get my dad to ship it to me if necessary. Or to have it for visiting MINI tourists in case they catch a flat. (16" only fellows).

Regards, ElTel (hopeless pessimist)

Jan 17th, 2003, 09:32 AM	#13
eltel MINIstry of Fun Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eastern Suburbs, Mel Local Time: 12:42 AM Posts: 1,566 Offline	Now, on the other hand, travel in country Australia on runflats worries me greatly. There are only 22 dealers located in 7 metropolitan areas in a country that is bigger than mainland USA, and 97% of the whole population is in 3% of the land area, mainly along the coast. Drive for 4 hours in most directions and you are 4 hours from the nearest dealer. Most tyre dealers in 97% of Australia's country towns have never seen a 205/45R17V, or would understand the technology or physics behind run-flat philosophy. Expecting to get a replacement would entail a couple of day's wait to get a new tyre shipped from Melbourne or Sydney, but then would they have the necessary gear to install without ruining my wheel? Are BMW going to tow my car 500kms to get it to a tyre dealer who by some strange coincidence has both a suitable tyre and the machinery to fit it? On a Sunday? Will my boss understand when I say I'll be late for work because I've got a flat, and that I'll be in on Wednesday? I know that the chances of getting a flat tyre are pretty remote, but I'd take bets now that it will happen at the absolutely most inconvenient moment that you can imagine. I'm saving up for a spare that I might carry when touring long distances, or just to keep at home and get my dad to ship it to me if necessary. Or to have it for visiting MINI tourists in case they catch a flat. (16" only fellows). Regards, ElTel (hopeless pessimist)