Space saver v can of puncture repair

[Germs]

My SL500 has it's original spacesaver neatly tucked away in it's cubby hole, probably never been touched. I often see people say they have a can of something or other in lieu of the spare, I believe with some cars that is what is supplied. The space the tyre takes up could usefully be used on our forthcoming holiday (touring France) but I have this fear that a tyre gets shredded rather than just punctured meaning a can of whatever will not be sufficient. Just wondered what people's experiences were with this - accepting it will be sod's law at the end of the day as to whether I actually do suffer a puncture or whatever (not had a puncture for over 10 years, never shredded a tyre but still worried...).

[vilus]

There are three Mercedes in my family. My 2003 E55k was not supplied with a spare, just an electric compressor and a can of Mercedes tyre sealant which you are supposed to hook up to the compressor in the event of a puncture. However I was told that once you use the sealant most repair shops will not touch the tyre and a replacement will be required. The sealant will only make a temporary repair . So for peace of mind I bought a full sized 18" wheel which takes up half the boot space as the battery is located in the wheel well. Inconvenient but at least I know I can get home!

My sister had a 2009 SLK with the same sealant compressor. She had to have the car recovered from the M25 after hitting debris in the road which cut near the sidewall. The SLK had a very small boot and no space for a spare.

My brother in law uses a 2008 E320 CDi for business but this is fitted with a spacesaver which he has never had to use. Having seen the expanding spacesaver in use, I would imagine they are quite hard to collapse again into its small profile.

The thing to bear in mind also if you plan to fill your SL to capacity and go touring, should you have the mis-fortune to have a blow out, and use your spacesaver, you will need space to transport a full sized wheel to be repaired. I know a full size wheel will not fit in an empty SL boot, so your wife will end up with it on her lap with the roof down I imagine?

Edited by vilus on Sunday 24th June 13:32

Edited by vilus on Sunday 24th June 13:33

[Germs]

Thanks for your response Vilus - regarding where to put the full sized wheel I had a vague idea of taking along a set of roof bars just in case - not ideal for touring but more practical than my wife and a wheel sharing a seat. I think you are pretty much on the side of the spacesaver, think I should at least take it out and see if the compressor runs and the tyre hasn't perished!

[r129sl]

I share Vilus' view: only a full-size spare will do if you plan to use your vehicle for anything other than short journeys. The only puncture I have had recently was at very high speed on the descent into Lyon en route between Perugia in Umbria and Bergerac in Dordogne. This took place at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. The tyre was ruined, beyond the help of an aerosol can of repair fluid. A space saver would have confined me to a frankly dangerous 50mph. And a replacement would not likely be found before Monday morning. I limped to an Aire (there was no way I was going to change it at the road side), my wife emptied the boot while I loosened the wheel nuts, I jacked the car up, swapped the wheel, she reloaded while I torqued the nuts, we were on our way in 15minutes. For anyone who actually uses his car, it is astonishing that they supply cars without a full-size spare.

[Gouki]

I purchased a spare wheel/rim for my SL55 from Mercedes over relying on just a can of tyre weld prior to a European tour ~2500 miles. Take both, forgo the luggage space since it is possible to fit single bottles of champagne/wine almost anywhere in the car!

Only had a shredded tyre on my old car, and had a spare to hand too. A friend had a tyre go on his BMW M Coupe on the way to the ring, hooked up the tyre weld and operated only to witness the white foam cover the tarmac via his tyre.

[audidoody]

From personal experience I can tell you that a can of tyre sealant is as much use as a chocolate fireguard (unless you have a tiny hole in the middle of the tread). If you damage the tyre wall the tyre sealer will not work. If you ever do manage to use the tyre sealer as a temporary repair, no tyre fitter will repair the tyre as it will be full of sticky gunk.

[Germs]

Thanks to all for their responses, trouble is I don't think a full size tyre plus my wife's propensity for packing for every conceivable circumstance will both fit in the boot. My next cunning thought is to take the full size tyre but not on a rim which would let me be able to pack in and around it, hopefully the spacesaver could get me to a tyre dealer for the swap over. Not ideal tho'! For a small tour I wouldn't be so fainthearted but this is a couple of months and a lot of driving. Could always take the CRV!

[superlightr]

vilus said:

I know a full size wheel will not fit in an empty SL boot, so your wife will end up with it on her lap with the roof down I imagine?

Edited by vilus on Sunday 24th June 13:32

Edited by vilus on Sunday 24th June 13:33

There was a post recently where this happened and for some reason the full size tyre blew out and killed the person who had it on their lap. Clearly if a flat its not going to blow.

[r129sl]

There is a Mercedes-Benz bag which is shaped to go on the ledge behind the front seats. It is enormous and as you would expect, perfectly shaped to make the most of the space available. They often are on Ebay. It may be worth tracking one down. I suspect you'll have to compromise by taking the space saver and, if the worst comes to the worst, enduring a bit of a cramped ride for an hour or two, maybe with the roof up.

[Germs]

Thanks to all - I've decided to leave the current wife at home and take the tyre instead!

[purenrg]

My slk32 amg has also got a pump and can of gunge, as mentioned totally useless for a serious puncture. I have tried to get a space saver spare wheel and there are some available but only in 15 inch wheel size. My car runs on 17s any ideas anyone ?

[r129sl]

I think the 15" space saver is correct. The overall circumference of the wheel and (inflated) tyre should match your 17s.

[niva441]

Check it can clear the brake disc and calliper.

[purenrg]

My slk32 amg has also got a pump and can of gunge, as mentioned totally useless for a serious puncture. I have tried to get a space saver spare wheel and there are some available but only in 15 inch wheel size. My car runs on 17s any ideas anyone ?