Full size spare alloy in boot, can it be done?

[hejikibob]

I see that the spare in the boot is a spacesaver and I hate them with a passion. For my last 4 cars, I have bought a spare matched alloy and want to do the same for this.

I see there is some padding in the wheel well for the jack but has anyone managed to fit a full size 17 inch alloy with a 225 tyre on it under the boot carpet?

[Dieseldoos]

The hole is not deep enough for a full size wheel so the lift up floor wont sit back down flush on top.

[hejikibob]

I feared that would be the case. Thanks for the reply.

[Phil K]

At least Audi have a spare and don't drive like carp due to run flats!!!

Surely the space saver is fine for its sole purpose i.e. get you to a tyre shop?

[vwcabriolet1971]

I went thro' the same experience with my MK6 Golf . On delivery I was amazed how much smaller in diameter the skinny spare wheel was . It was not just thinner in section but a lot smaller in diameter. I decided I really didn't want the 50 mph restriction or the very limited life of the space saver tyre (& the dodgy crab like handling) and opted to buy a full size alloy wheel/tyre as fitted to the other wheels.No one at the dealership seemed to know if this was possible.However I found out at a different dealer that floor raising polysyrene inserts were available to raise the floor slightly to allow a full size alloy wheel to be stowed in the wheel well.I think this was originally intended for countries such as Australia , South Africa ,etc where the distances between towns can be far greater than the UK and the tyre repair supporting infrastrucure can be problematic.
Space savers are fine if you only have punctures during normal working hours in good weather (no snow !) and they happen fairly near a reasonable size town, If however you have a puncture late at night in the highlands of Scotland during a bankholiday blizzard then travel on the skinny spare and tyre repair/replacement may be a problem. I know which I prefer - with a DIY full size wheel change I can be on my way in 10 mins at 70mph ( not in snow !), without any problem.

[theskyfox]

lol. Funny thing I read recently..many manufacturers are now only supplying that tyre gunk to repair your wheel at the roadside. The problem is that with anything more than a minor puncture it just doesn't work. I think its the RAC that now gives their patrols a "universal spare tyre" which is a straight out swap with your own, the idea being that you drive with it to the nearest tyre garage who then return it to them. Also top gear did a great episode with nothing but space savers on their car round a race track ...hilarity ensued.

Oh and its a shame the full size alloy doesnt fit anymore. I know on the B6 platform you could - I had a real spare in there for years (Which I did use more than once!).

-Andrew

[hejikibob]

I'm glad other people agree about preferring a proper matched spare. I have had to use one a few times and it was after the first time I had to use a space saver I decided to try and get proper spares after. Last year when I was living in Edinburgh, my parents were coming up from Manchester and got a puncture just south of Preston. The space saver for a short distance is fine but when it's early sunday morning then they ended up doing over 200 miles on the crappy space saver. They ended up buying a spare matched alloy soon after.

[vwcabriolet1971]

I'm glad other people agree about preferring a proper matched spare. I have had to use one a few times and it was after the first time I had to use a space saver I decided to try and get proper spares after. Last year when I was living in Edinburgh, my parents were coming up from Manchester and got a puncture just south of Preston. The space saver for a short distance is fine but when it's early sunday morning then they ended up doing over 200 miles on the crappy space saver. They ended up buying a spare matched alloy soon after.

200 miles exceeds the 200Km ( approx 120 miles) recommended for the space saver tyre even at 80Km ( 50 mph) , so the space saver was scrap anyway !

[theskyfox]

200 miles exceeds the 200Km ( approx 120 miles) recommended for the space saver tyre even at 80Km ( 50 mph) , so the space saver was scrap anyway !

True story. What a load of tosh space savers are. I was on holiday in Devon last week...which is a 275 mile drive from where I live. A simple nail puncture would have forced me to go to a tyre fitter...whilst on holiday! It feels backwards to think a new "modern generation" car would be forced to a garage for a problem which my 2004 car would have shrugged off....all in the name of a few G of C02 savings. /rant.

-Andrew