yooin14

After driving my brother's 2009 bmw 328, I realized its cornering was really good compared to TL type-S. Besides that, all other driving exprience in TL-S was much better than 328 ( 335 is differant story).

I thought as this is why people call handling in bmw is very good. then I Investigated one by one in brother's 328 ( he bought bmw 2 weeks ago ) and I found out that It doesnt have spare tire in its trunk.

Interesting found... and thought as if I also remove my spare tire in my TL, it might do better in cornering.

So I removed them. While I remove spare tire and stuff in it, HOLY**** THIS IS WAY HEAVIER THAN I THOUGHT. as soon as I remove this, I started test driving my car.

I could feel Acceleration was littie bit faster. I also tried to turn little bit heavy at some speed without brake( I am sorry baby but you were meant to run like this sometimes). It was much much better than before; cornering was almost as good as bmw 328.

I am not a speed freak who tries to remove its weight on my car. I dont pull hard acceleation either. I actually baby my car. However, after driving TL-s without spare tire makes me not to put it back again.

I am sorry to make long story with my fobbish english but I have real question here.

1) How much pounds is spare tire in tl-s?

2) who here actually removed spare tire in their TL?

csmeance

the spare tire is about 35-45 pounds easy; however removing it won't yield amazing results that mimic a 335's handling. The 335 suspension was designed with performance in mind! As well the 335 comes equipped with run-flat tires, so it will never need the spare. However the car is going to ride a lot firmer, and the extra tire weight that is now sprung, actually is doing more performance damage than a spare tire would. BMW put it in as a convenience, not as a performance accessory.


Pro's about removing the spare tire:
1. less weight

Con's
1. Ruins weight balance (50:50 is best, but being FWD the TL is naturally front heavy)
2. Without a spare tire you can be stranded.

Your best bet is to remove weight from the front end of the car, like removing the plastic shrouding, lighter battery, lighter crank pulley, etc.

j1n

iTrader: (1)

Nope but my type S handles like its on rails with the mods ive done.

Rv6 strut bar
Tein SS
CT rear sway bar

LoveMyTL-S

Nope. My spare is in the trunk just in case I need it.

ballerjai

Agreed with j1n, I run with the rv-6 strut bar, progress rsb, and tein ss. The car handling is world's apart from stock, if you're looking for a good performance ride get some good coilovers.

I also keep my spare tire, it's a just in case factor for me.

Bearcat94

I've removed the spare tire for "special" occasions for the weight reduction. But I don't think it's worth the risk (or gain) to leave it out all the time. I think I've read a few posts about members who always run without the spare.

As csmeance said the downside is front/rear weigh distribution. Removing the spare makes it worse. It's hard to move/relocate enough stuff to change the distribution by very much. IMHO, the weight reduction is worth more than the change in weight distribution.

Something no one has mentioned, the BMW is RWD. If there are two sedans, one RWD and one FWD, but are otherwise equal, I'd expect that the one that is RWD would have a cornering advantage.

WRXtranceformed

I used to leave the spare tires out of my old WRX and STi just for weight savings, but I drive my TL-S too much to not drive without it. The last thing I want is to get stranded somewhere because I wanted to shed a few lbs.

BEAR-AvHistory

The BMW 3 series generally carries its battery in the right side of the trunk, along with a spare tire if it does not have "run flats"

Majofo

328 vs TL-S? I'm guessing you're unaware of the TL-S running a faster lap than the M3 at Willow Springs. I suggest you go to your local track for an open track day and get some track time and learn how to drive before making a comparison. Don't remove your spare tire unless you replace it with an air compressor & goop / tire repair kit.

http://fastestlaps.com/track15.html

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

AHHAHA removing the spare tire to get BMW like handling. I almost thought this thread was a joke. You will not notice ANY difference in performance by removing your spare. Absolutely nothing!
The reason that BMW did not have a spare is because it has runflat tires. Dont be silly just leave your spare in.

James

vochini

i got a sub and amps in the back if i removed the spare tire would the sub and amps make the weight distribution 50 50 if the tire was removed?

pokin

Someone please have the fire extinguisher ready...

Bearcat94

It's not that simple.

The weight distribution is ~60% F/40% R. Car is approx 3500 pounds. You'd need to move about 350 pounds from the front to the rear to get to 50/50.

And if you're ADDING significant weight to the rear, who cares if it's 50/50. The extra weight kills performance faster than the change in distribution.

yooin14

lol

I was enough newbi to make silly question. At least I know now whats going on.

Thanks guys for information.

BEAR-AvHistory

Yeah, the type S is a real rocket.

According to the Willow Springs chart its lap time is only 3/10 of a second slower the a Z-06 Corvette & beats the tar out of slugs like the Shelby GT 500, Porsche 997 Carrera S & Lotus Exige.

daneo

the best mod you can do is to get rid your spare tired. Its also healthier.

Inaccurate

yooin14 ,

Have you seen my TL Diet thread?

Putting the TL on a diet (click here)

Take it from me (not the hecklers), someone that "has been there, done that". Yes, removing the spare and jack will improve handling. Don't worry about the weight balance. In my experiences, balance had no perceivable impact, zero, on handling. However, removing weight from anywhere on the car does noticeably improve handling.

Just be careful. Removing stuff from your car is addictive. You sound identical to me at the start of my TL Diet project. Send me a PM if you wish to communicate with a like-minded person (avoiding the hecklers).

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

Ever since I went to the track the spare tire has been sitting in the garage.

LessisBestmakingendsmeet

Its not that serious....really....

BigJack75

Not to put anybody down but the TL-S is a Sport-Luxury Sedan (or vice versa) not a Sports Coupe. If that is what you wanted that is what you should have bought. I think the car is pretty good stock but the newness has not worn off yet.

Inaccurate

Agreed that the TL is a Sporty Luxury car. But, it is possible to trade-in some luxury for more sport by modding (incl weight reductions) for those that value the sport aspect more than the luxury aspect.

Yonkers914

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't remove the spare tire for better handling cause it does ruin the distribution like stated before, but i do remove it when i drag race. Handling is not a concern for me lol! Every 100 pounds counts in a drag race so that 45 pound spare makes a difference for me lol.

JayPTL04

iTrader: (1)

i have my spare tire out only because of subs, and amps... i would feeel more safe with it tho, since ive gotten 2 flats. and one of the time, i had to wait long for my spare to come..