Possible to convert spare tire trunk setup to non-spare tire?

GL · 08-23-2018, 09:26 AM

The missing threaded piece I was describing was installed using a rivnut (I think that's the proper term.) Basically there is a punchout in the frame on the spare tire version of the vehicle. When you go to "no spare" and need the receiver for the support shock, there is a thread installed in the punchout and the shoulders of this thread expand into the punchout.

This obviously surprised us, because there were other spots where the threads were installed even when not used.

rem40i · 08-23-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legis

Very happy to see this result, as I am taking my car to the dealer on Monday to get the spare trunk replaced with the ordinary one! Great job!

Are you paying out of pocket or is that something you worked out with the dealer?

mjdth · 08-23-2018, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmtespar

This is awesome. I love the story and the experience you guys had. This is what forums should be all about.

Another amazing part of the story is that I was trying to sell the trunk mat from my 435i here on Bimmerpost. Someone reached out asking if I could ship it to a zip code and I noticed that it was the same zip as my hotel in St Louis (!!). I asked if instead I could deliver it in person since I'd be there in a week any way.

He lived 5 minutes away from the parking lot we did the swap in so he met up and we talked cars for a bit. His family is all BMW fans and he offered us use of his garage and tools in case we had any issues with the swap. Great people!

What are the chances of that?

Legis · 08-23-2018, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rem40i

Are you paying out of pocket or is that something you worked out with the dealer?

It was part of the deal as I bought one they had just gotten in stock. They'll lend me an x3 30d while doing the work which will be interesting to try.

BobsM3Coupe · 08-23-2018, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL

It was a great experience!

The only real issue was the "ball" that receives the strut holding up the floor. My X3 was the one built without the spare. The ball screws into the frame. Unfortunately the threads are not built on an X3 with the spare. We had to make a Lowe's run to purchase a nut. The real trick was getting the nut on the backside of the frame to install. But it worked out great and we are both happy!

Sounds like you needed a blind nut to go into that hole in the chassis so the ball stud could then screw into it.

GL · 08-23-2018, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL

It was a great experience!

The only real issue was the "ball" that receives the strut holding up the floor. My X3 was the one built without the spare. The ball screws into the frame. Unfortunately the threads are not built on an X3 with the spare. We had to make a Lowe's run to purchase a nut. The real trick was getting the nut on the backside of the frame to install. But it worked out great and we are both happy!

Sounds like you needed a blind nut to go into that hole in the chassis so the ball stud could then screw into it.

I just learned something! Thanks.

BobsM3Coupe · 08-23-2018, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL

I just learned something! Thanks.

BMW Part #07147132312, Blind Rivet Nut

Would cost about 2 bucks.

GL · 08-23-2018, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL

I just learned something! Thanks.

BMW Part #07147132312, Blind Rivet Nut

Would cost about 2 bucks.

Thanks again. Our approach worked fine (using a regular nut). It tightened down well. The only risk was if I had dropped the nut while getting the threads started it would have fallen into an area that would've been nearly impossible to reach. A rattle that would've been very hard to fix. Thankfully that didn't happen.

Henrie · 05-19-2019, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjdth

Just wanted to update this thread for anyone interested. GL and I drove to meet up at the halfway point (St Louis) to give it a go and see if we could swap the spare with the non-spare trunks.

It was a resounding success that went 99% smoothly. It took about 6 hours of work in total to take everything apart and swap it between the cars, and we had to go out and buy one nut that couldn't be swapped.

It took a fair amount of research (that GL did) tools (that GL brought with) and general competence with cars (that GL also brought with) but in the end we both left happily with the trunks that we wanted.

We took a few photos along the way, but the gutted trunk photo was the one I sent to my wife to successfully scare her when we were about half way done.

Thanks again to GL for the research and hard work. I'm glad it all worked out and that a story starting with "meeting up with a stranger from the internet to trade trunks" didn't result in anyone getting murdered (including me by my wife...)

Thanks, I got a R40,000 ($2800) quote from the dealer for the retrofit. I found a banged up G01 and is the the process of negotiations on pricing. I may be back soon for advice on installation challenges.

Henrie · 05-25-2019, 06:12 AM

Managed to do my conversion in 2.5 hours. Blind rivet nut was the only thing I had to buy extra.

BMW Part #07147132312, Blind Rivet Nut OR just buy a no name blind rivet nut like I did for next to nothing.

Cost of the all the boot parts R7000 ($490) including wireless charger from BEMOW SPARES in Pretoria. Ask for Abdul, he was really helpful.

http://bemowspares.co.za (If you are in Gauteng, South Africa)

Tools needed:
- Prying tools
- Torx 15 and Torx 40
- Screwdrivers, flat head small and big

admatwork · 07-20-2019, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrie

Managed to do my conversion in 2.5 hours. Blind rivet nut was the only thing I had to buy extra.

BMW Part #07147132312, Blind Rivet Nut OR just buy a no name blind rivet nut like I did for next to nothing.

Cost of the all the boot parts R7000 ($490) including wireless charger from BEMOW SPARES in Pretoria. Ask for Abdul, he was really helpful.

http://bemowspares.co.za (If you are in Gauteng, South Africa)

Tools needed:
- Prying tools
- Torx 15 and Torx 40
- Screwdrivers, flat head small and big

Hello,

I am very happy to hear/read that there is a solution.
I have the spare trunk and want to convert to non trunk.

Which parts must i order at BMW? The whole parts?
I want to convert very simple...
My plan is like a another thread: to fit the tyre in the „normal“ Version.
I can not swap...

Thank you in advance

Henrie · 07-22-2019, 02:21 AM

The parts numbers you need is available on the following site:

https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2018-b...trim-rear-body

I have highlighted with redish circles the parts in the image below which you will need.

Assembly is like a puzzle, but let me know when you get stuck.

EDIT:
- All side panels are different. You will need the complete set. so 1 is include
- remove part 32 in second diagram its mounted behind the seats (there are two of them) it was used to to create hight for the spare will. Took me 20 minutes to figure this out.

admatwork · 07-22-2019, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrie

The parts numbers you need is available on the following site:

https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2018-b...trim-rear-body

I have highlighted with redish circles the parts in the image below which you will need.

Assembly is like a puzzle, but let me know when you get stuck.

EDIT:
- All side panels are different. You will need the complete set. so 1 is include
- remove part 32 in second diagram its mounted behind the seats (there are two of them) it was used to to create hight for the spare will. Took me 20 minutes to figure this out.

You are my hero 🦸*♂️!!!
But about 1200 $...
Can I not use my „floor cover“?
Need I the „luggage compartment“?
I want fit my „tire“. Don’t need this 🤔

Henrie · 07-22-2019, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admatwork

You are my hero ��*♂️!!!
But about 1200 $...
Can I not use my „floor cover“?
Need I the „luggage compartment“?
I want fit my „tire“. Don’t need this ��

It is best to get the parts from a salvage yard. BMW will charge you too much.
ps. not understanding you correctly. The link I sent you and the diagram shows both tire and non-tire configurations. scroll down.

admatwork · 07-22-2019, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrie

It is best to get the parts from a salvage yard. BMW will charge you too much.
ps. not understanding you correctly. The link I sent you and the diagram shows both tire and non-tire configurations. scroll down.

i want to fit the tire in the non-tire configuration

i saw it an another thread --> that is possible

hmmm... must search a salvage yard.
i must buy the "floor cover" nr. 7? can i not use my old one?
Thank you again.

Henrie · 07-22-2019, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admatwork

i want to fit the tire in the non-tire configuration

i saw it an another thread --> that is possible

hmmm... must search a salvage yard.
i must buy the "floor cover" nr. 7? can i not use my old one?
Thank you again.

Oh yes. Now I understand you. It should be totally doable. Part number 26 can be cut in such a way to do just that. The molding of the tire configuration lifts the tire from the bare floor of the car, but mounting the tire flush on the floor should be doable.

I FEEL A WEEKEND PROJECT COMING ON.

MADBMWX5MC · 07-22-2019, 05:12 PM

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...ght=spare+tire

This right?

admatwork · 07-28-2019, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrie

The parts numbers you need is available on the following site:

https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2018-b...trim-rear-body

I have highlighted with redish circles the parts in the image below which you will need.

Assembly is like a puzzle, but let me know when you get stuck.

EDIT:
- All side panels are different. You will need the complete set. so 1 is include
- remove part 32 in second diagram its mounted behind the seats (there are two of them) it was used to to create hight for the spare will. Took me 20 minutes to figure this out.

Hey Hero - Plz help me/us
I tried to configure the components but i get confused.
Are the pictures wrong? At "spare" Version i got two "floor cover panel"????
i dont need the store package like "rail nr. 9 or "luggage compartment - nr. 26", what should i choose?
Can you perhaps make a "cart" for me?

Thankkkk youuu!!!!!

Henrie · 07-28-2019, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admatwork

Hey Hero - Plz help me/us
I tried to configure the components but i get confused.
Are the pictures wrong? At "spare" Version i got two "floor cover panel"????
i dont need the store package like "rail nr. 9 or "luggage compartment - nr. 26", what should i choose?
Can you perhaps make a "cart" for me?

Thankkkk youuu!!!!!

Okay that was the extend of my super power. I got my parts off a wrecked G01 from a salvage yard. I cannot vouch for the website, I just used it as a reference image for my install.

admatwork · 07-28-2019, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrie

Okay that was the extend of my super power. I got my parts off a wrecked G01 from a salvage yard. I cannot vouch for the website, I just used it as a reference image for my install.

Ok. It’s a not good day for me...
I asked many salvage yard in Germany without success....
Hopeless...

Henrie · 07-29-2019, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admatwork

Ok. It’s a not good day for me...
I asked many salvage yard in Germany without success....
Hopeless...

Go to a BMW dealership and get a quote for all the parts. They will give you the correct part numbers nicely printed out.

armani335 · 05-21-2020, 01:30 AM

Hello,

Do any of you have some bullet points or images of the various steps/parts you removed? I'm hoping handle this weekend. Thanks!

08-23-2018, 09:26 AM	#23
GL Private First Class 121 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2022 X7 M50i, 2019 540i Join Date: May 2018 Location: NW Arkansas iTrader: (0)	The missing threaded piece I was describing was installed using a rivnut (I think that's the proper term.) Basically there is a punchout in the frame on the spare tire version of the vehicle. When you go to "no spare" and need the receiver for the support shock, there is a thread installed in the punchout and the shoulders of this thread expand into the punchout. This obviously surprised us, because there were other spots where the threads were installed even when not used.
	Appreciate 1 Max Well4734.50 Quote

05-25-2019, 06:12 AM	#32
Henrie Enlisted Member 10 Rep 38 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i (G01) Join Date: May 2019 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Managed to do my conversion in 2.5 hours. Blind rivet nut was the only thing I had to buy extra. BMW Part #07147132312, Blind Rivet Nut OR just buy a no name blind rivet nut like I did for next to nothing. Cost of the all the boot parts R7000 ($490) including wireless charger from BEMOW SPARES in Pretoria. Ask for Abdul, he was really helpful. http://bemowspares.co.za (If you are in Gauteng, South Africa) Tools needed: - Prying tools - Torx 15 and Torx 40 - Screwdrivers, flat head small and big Last edited by Henrie; 07-01-2019 at 01:28 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-22-2019, 02:21 AM	#34
Henrie Enlisted Member 10 Rep 38 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i (G01) Join Date: May 2019 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	The parts numbers you need is available on the following site: https://www.getbmwparts.com/v-2018-b...trim-rear-body I have highlighted with redish circles the parts in the image below which you will need. Assembly is like a puzzle, but let me know when you get stuck. EDIT: - All side panels are different. You will need the complete set. so 1 is include - remove part 32 in second diagram its mounted behind the seats (there are two of them) it was used to to create hight for the spare will. Took me 20 minutes to figure this out. Attached Images Last edited by Henrie; 07-22-2019 at 02:26 AM..
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07-22-2019, 05:12 PM	#39
MADBMWX5MC Major 732 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X5MC Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...ght=spare+tire This right? __________________ 2023 BMW X5MC Tanzanite Blue II Metallic 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Black 2006 Ford Mustang GT Convertible (car-show car)
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05-21-2020, 01:30 AM	#44
armani335 Private First Class 42 Rep 130 Posts Drives: AW F80 M3 Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Hello, Do any of you have some bullet points or images of the various steps/parts you removed? I'm hoping handle this weekend. Thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote