M spare wheel

[thornogson]

Hi folks,
what is the feeling of removing the spare wheel from under the bonnet and using tyre weld. Is the balance /handling impaired by doing so?

[davidy]

If you have the low radiator, then I would leave the spare in as it ensures (some) incoming air goes through the radiator, without the spare the air will naturally rise over the radiator as the radiator is warm (hot air rises)

If you have some form of cowl (or run with the fans on) then that negates that effect.

After my brake mods, the 14" wheel wouldn't fit so I ran with tyreweld (spare) (and 15" wheels), never noticed any handling imbalance, but I did have a cowl to help force the air through the radiator.

Just my 2p

davidy

[supaspark]

Graham,
Get yourself a space-saver from a volvo s40 (Same stud pattern) fits easily under bonnet and less weight! Which is a good thing on the front end anyway....also helps with cooling allowing the fan to draw warm air....

When I bought mine it was £15 (local saab/volvo breakers)

Cheers,
Glyn.

[sjam]

Don't forget that the spare wheel mounted up front offers quite a bit of front end crash protection. Due to the complexity of the M-series chassis, it doesn't take much to knock it slightly out of shape and write the car off....

Stuart.

[sprintmp]

supaspark said:

Graham, Get yourself a space-saver from a volvo s40 (Same stud pattern) fits easily under bonnet and less weight! Which is a good thing on the front end anyway....also helps with cooling allowing the fan to draw warm air.... When I bought mine it was £15 (local saab/volvo breakers) Cheers, Glyn.

Is this any Volvo S40? I did hear that some early SAAB wheels will fit as well.

Any advice appreciated as I'm dreading having to get the spare out!

Pietro

[zo-fo]

If you jack the front of the car up the bonnet opens wider which makes it easier to remove the spare wheel. Watch out for grease marks on the back of your shirt from the bonnet pegs though.

[supaspark]

sprintmp said:

supaspark said: Graham, Get yourself a space-saver from a volvo s40 (Same stud pattern) fits easily under bonnet and less weight! Which is a good thing on the front end anyway....also helps with cooling allowing the fan to draw warm air.... When I bought mine it was £15 (local saab/volvo breakers) Cheers, Glyn. Is this any Volvo S40? I did hear that some early SAAB wheels will fit as well. Any advice appreciated as I'm dreading having to get the spare out! Pietro

I think so Pietro, either S40/V40 up to 2004 (not the latest shape)...don't know about the saab wheels though! I tell you what though it's a lot easier to handle....
Cheers,
Glyn

[sprintmp]

Thanks Glyn...trip to local breakers next week.

Pietro