Proper Spare Tyres
Discussion
Some don’t come with any. Some come with optional spares, which may be a mini-spare, and almost always be steel, unless you pay extra.
I don’t know of any specific site that lists this sort of detail. Basically, I would narrow the cars down to the ones you want and then look at them on-line.
I don’t know of any specific site that lists this sort of detail. Basically, I would narrow the cars down to the ones you want and then look at them on-line.
The last car I had with a full-size spare wheel (albeit steel) was a 2000 Seat Leon Cupra.
I had a couple of BMW E46s with a space-saver but my later BMWs all had run-flat tyres, until I got my Z4M that just came with a can of foam and a compressor. So when I did a 4 day trip around Wales I filled most of the boot with a spare wheel to avoid a "show-stopper"!
I really wish full size spare wheels became the norm again, especially when "Smart" Motorways only have somewhere to escape to every mile and a half.
I seem to remember Clarkson testing an F-Type Coupe on TG and explaining that a space-saver was an option, but if you ever used it you would need to dump the puncture at the side of the road as a full-size wheel wouldn't fit in the boot. Whoever came up with that idea?
Maybe JLR as the Defender spare is outside!
I had a couple of BMW E46s with a space-saver but my later BMWs all had run-flat tyres, until I got my Z4M that just came with a can of foam and a compressor. So when I did a 4 day trip around Wales I filled most of the boot with a spare wheel to avoid a "show-stopper"!
I really wish full size spare wheels became the norm again, especially when "Smart" Motorways only have somewhere to escape to every mile and a half.
I seem to remember Clarkson testing an F-Type Coupe on TG and explaining that a space-saver was an option, but if you ever used it you would need to dump the puncture at the side of the road as a full-size wheel wouldn't fit in the boot. Whoever came up with that idea?
Maybe JLR as the Defender spare is outside!
My first car had a full size spare steel wheel (2008 Corsa). The rest had space savers apart from my current one which has a tube of sealant.
I feel like tyre pressure monitoring systems reduce the probability of having a puncture substantially - it's a lot easier to identify if a tyre is significantly deflated compared to others or warning light on dashboard. Then you do something about it before it becomes a bigger problem.
Obviously if you hit some debris on a long journey or have a sudden blowout then a tube of sealant and TPMS is as useful as a chocolate teapot. Then you'll wish you had a spare tyre of course
I feel like tyre pressure monitoring systems reduce the probability of having a puncture substantially - it's a lot easier to identify if a tyre is significantly deflated compared to others or warning light on dashboard. Then you do something about it before it becomes a bigger problem.
Obviously if you hit some debris on a long journey or have a sudden blowout then a tube of sealant and TPMS is as useful as a chocolate teapot. Then you'll wish you had a spare tyre of course
My last car with a real full-size spare that matched the other 4 wheels was a late 2002 Audi A4 Sport - the spare was actually a matching alloy wheel with same size tyre.
For my next 2 cars, Accord & Civic, I bought the same size alloy wheel & tyre as a spare.
The next, Skoda vRS, came with a steel wheel of smaller diameter fitted with a tyre size that resulted in the same overall diameter.
Current car has a space saver - wheel well in boot too shallow for full size wheel/tyre.
For my next 2 cars, Accord & Civic, I bought the same size alloy wheel & tyre as a spare.
The next, Skoda vRS, came with a steel wheel of smaller diameter fitted with a tyre size that resulted in the same overall diameter.
Current car has a space saver - wheel well in boot too shallow for full size wheel/tyre.
Some cars give you the option of no spare, space-saver, or full size. We always go for the full size. Current daily cars have full-size:
2018 Jeep Cherokee
2022 Jeep Renegade PHEV
Our Mustang does not, but probably could, the space is there.
Edited to add, the 2022 Dacia Duster we had was also ordered with a full size spare.
2018 Jeep Cherokee
2022 Jeep Renegade PHEV
Our Mustang does not, but probably could, the space is there.
Edited to add, the 2022 Dacia Duster we had was also ordered with a full size spare.
ARHarh said:
This is really strange, never really thought about it, but I have only had 2 cars without full sized spares. Both are MX5's mk1 had a space saver and the MK3 I have now has no spare. Equally I can't remember the last time I needed to change a wheel out on the road.
I hate not having a spare so got one of these for my MK3. Fits in the boot fairly easilyIt’s a full kit with jack etc.
https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/roadhero-space-saver-sp...
Usually an option, if there is a place to put it
Eg often the spare wheel space is now taken up with battery packs & stuff
My 2014 Skoda didn’t have one. After being stranded when I had the wrong type of puncture for squirty foam! I bought a full size spare & kit for around £150. Has been used too a few times
Eg often the spare wheel space is now taken up with battery packs & stuff
My 2014 Skoda didn’t have one. After being stranded when I had the wrong type of puncture for squirty foam! I bought a full size spare & kit for around £150. Has been used too a few times
MustangGT said:
Edited to add, the 2022 Dacia Duster we had was also ordered with a full size spare.
If you order a Sandero, your £300 only buys you a space saver.Having hit a pothole 200 miles from home bending the wheel, I would never want to own a car without a proper sized spare wheel. Back in the day you got a full sized alloy, then full sized steel wheel, then a space saver until finally a useless tin of tire goo.
Joey Deacon said:
Having hit a pothole 200 miles from home bending the wheel, I would never want to own a car without a proper sized spare wheel. Back in the day you got a full sized alloy, then full sized steel wheel, then a space saver until finally a useless tin of tire goo.
Or runflats.The last car I owned with a full size spare was an old Toyota RAV4 with the wheel mounted on the rear door, I had that car for a year, 2011.
I was expecting people to go down the Land Rover type vehicle with the tyre either on the rear door or slung underneath.
Didn’t occur to me you could option a fifth wheel when buying and either store it or stick it in the boot….
I was expecting people to go down the Land Rover type vehicle with the tyre either on the rear door or slung underneath.
Didn’t occur to me you could option a fifth wheel when buying and either store it or stick it in the boot….
Forums | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff