schoare1 Posted July 9, 2003 Posted July 9, 2003 The spare wheel? Is it really required?? I am seriously considering leaving it off altogether, less weight and I've seen a lot of stress related problems due to the weight of the spare on the carrier, carrier brackets and even damaged to the body under the spare. These days of mobile phones a puncture isnt a disaster, so what do you think?? Is it needed or can it be left off? Your views eagerly awaited and appreciated. Quote
JasonR Posted July 9, 2003 Posted July 9, 2003 Since I have had my westfield I have not put the spare on the back. If I get a puncture I guess I would have to call the AA (or Kwik-fits mobile service). Also carrying a spare means you have to have a jack & wheel brace somewhere in the car. In 250k+ miles of motoring (not just in the Westfield! I have had a couple of slow punctures but no major punctures or blowouts - however I am sure one day it is bound to happen. The other option is to carry a can of tyre-weld. Quote
Guest Posted July 9, 2003 Posted July 9, 2003 I've been driving for 18 years (I guess 20k miles per year)and have had to put a spare on twice in that time. So it seems that spare wheels aren't that usefull. BUT I'm fairly sure that the AA specify that they wil not render assistance if you have a flat and you do not have a spare. Also I'm fairly confident that most of my mates would not be that happy if I wanted then to come to my aid and take a flat tyre to kwikfit and then bring it back to me in the middle of nowhere. So I guess that my point is: punctures do not happen that often but without a spare you are probably F****D when they do Quote
damianc Posted July 9, 2003 Posted July 9, 2003 Tyre weld or similar. Do a search, there've been a couple of previous threads on the subject. As a bit of fun, remove your spare, and remove your windscreen. Probably the cheapest power/weight upgrade you can do. Quote
NHC Posted July 9, 2003 Posted July 9, 2003 I'm gonna look around to see if there are any cars fitted with "space saver" spare wheels that will fit. Good enough to get you home, even if at a reduced speed. I'm gonna try one from a MX5 this weekend, I'll let you know. Has anybody tried this? any info anyone?. Ta Quote
Guest Posted July 9, 2003 Posted July 9, 2003 I haven't tried this idea (Shakes head in self disgust) but it sounds excellent. Please Please Please let me know how you get on. Quote
Blatman Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 Have a read of the early part of this thread... Quote
S8ight Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 been thinking of using a space saver myself. i might consider pootling round town without a spare, but the last time i had a puncture it was on the M6 at 5.30 in the morning on our way to London. ten minutes later the spare was on and we where on our way. NEVER use any of that crap you put in a tyre to stop punctures. Quote
damianc Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 When I posted the tyreweld suggestion I was aware there is some controversy. It seems that if you use it, stick to low speeds, get the tyre repaired properly as soon as possible. It may be that these puncture repair products are "corrosive" to tyres and if left may irreperably damage the tyre. I'd also be wary of use in the event of damage to the sidewall. Quote
Blatman Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 IME, as soon as you say "Tyreweld" to a fitter, the tyre goes straight in the bin. On the rare occasions I have had to resort to tyreweld, it is with the depressing knowledge that I'm scrapping a perfectly good, repairable (until I fill it with goop, and assuming no other defects) tyre........it makes for a miserable (and slow) drive home....... Quote
Mikey Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 I was informed (unreliably?) that the new Minis are not sold with a spare wheel and only a can of tyre weld. Good enough for a small BM. Mike Quote
chrisbin Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 I was informed (unreliably?) that the new Minis are not sold with a spare wheel and only a can of tyre weld. Good enough for a small BM. Mike New Mini's have "Run Flat" tyres - Dunlop I believe. Apparently they don't do the handling any favours.... Quote
samcooke Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 Plenty of new cars don't have spares. On some they're optional extras - ie you have to pay for them. b******d MG Rover things are one example, they have a can of tyre weld. The AA get upset if you have nothing to sort it yourself, but did go out to a friend of mine who's tyre weld can had failed and wouldn't squirt. Quote
neilwillis Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 On UK roads, do you feel the Westfield needs the extra power that ditching the spare wheel would yield? IMHO, a spare wheel is something sensible to carry. By all means leave it in the paddock on track days etc, but what on earth sense does it make to go without one on the road? Unless Yokohama, Pirelli et al make a solid rubber tyre, I can't see any benefit worth the hassle in leaving a spare behind in your garage. You can fit all the tools needed to change a wheel inside the spare, the weight can be offset by going on a diet! Quote
Guest Posted July 10, 2003 Posted July 10, 2003 IMHO, a spare wheel is something sensible to carry.Seconded - I thought twice about getting a spare (I was tempted to use my old steely from the scrappers and get a tyre cover to hide it) but in the end 5 wheels seemed the best idea. Also, having spent £xxx pounds on decent tyres (Goodyear Eagles ), I didn't want to ruin them for the sake of a tiny hole & tyre weld. Also, surely you're still gonna need a pump if the tyre goes down - IMHO, this is worse than carrying a small toolkit Quote
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