Spare Wheel

[bank loan]

I am about to book my first trip abroad in July to Germany and then back via Spa. Other than the obvious bits I need to drive via France etc - I need a spare wheel as I always carried my foam inflator kit ( and my RAC card )
Any suggestions of a good company to buy one ? thanks in advance and cannot wait for the trip !

[phillpot]

here's one, not too far away either, and another


have a good trip !

[bank loan]

Oh brilliant mate - thanks a lot !

[V8convert]

The problem with the spare wheel is getting the punctured wheel into the boot especially if you have a passenger and luggage.

[bank loan]

V8convert said:

The problem with the spare wheel is getting the punctured wheel into the boot especially if you have a passenger and luggage.

I agree mate - even worse if the sun is out and I need to take the roof off - can the roof and spare wheel fit in the boot ? Will be very tight if you can
There are other cars going so luggage can be taken for me

Spare wheel or no spare wheel that's the question !

[V8convert]

Spare fits to side of boot so roof fits fine. I had TVR for 7 years and 3 trips to Lemans and my spare was never un strapped. If you have other cars with you they can take wheel for new tyre, travelling on the spare must be a nightmare.

[seeby]

V8convert said:

travelling on the spare must be a nightmare.

At 50mph

[bank loan]

seeby said:

At 50mph

Not much fun around Spa at 50mph lol

[Goaty Bill]

seeby said:

At 50mph

I doubt I would ever have the nerve to travel that fast on mine.
In any case, as it's been in the same place in the boot since new, I doubt it would last 5 miles at 30mph before the tyre shredded itself.

I bought my MG Midget at about 10-11 years old and 14k miles.
Between west London and Peterborough I had destroyed all 5 tyres including the spare that had never been out of the boot in it's life.
Barely made it to a garage to have them all replaced.

For me, flat tyre = RAC.
But I've never had a flat tyre in the Chimaera.

[phillpot]

V8convert said:

travelling on the spare must be a nightmare.

But better than not travelling at all?

Try getting a puncture repaired in rural France on a Sunday afternoon!

This happened to a friend in an S Series a couple of years ago, car drove ok with space saver on back and full size wheel fitted in boot, helped by being flat.

Tried Aerosol repair stuff, that just dribbled out the hole. Eventually came across a couple of guys tinkering with some motor bikes outside a little garage/workshop, they repaired puncture with push in plug type thing... may be not ideal but good enough to catch the Ferry

[sgrimshaw]

IIRC, the later cars did not come with a spare.

Mine is sat in the garage, just carry Tyreweld.

[V8convert]

The wheels on offer will probably have tyres on more than 10 years old so bit iffy at best and based on photos not sure how they have been stored. As belt and braces they do not take up much room, but best bit of kit is good service before you go, European break down cover with take you home option and a credit card.
Most people have to travel with out a spare as they do not come with many modern cars. My SL has a spare (space saver) but it will come out when touring to give more luggage space plus when I checked it does not seem to have been used in 60,000 miles. My son and I went to the 6 hours at Spa and enjoyed the trip and experience I hope what ever choice you make it is a hassle free trip in a great car.

[bank loan]

Thanks for your help guys !
Ill ask one of the others whos going with me to see if there is space for a wheel and take the tyre weld with me as a back up !