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Posted

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. :)

Posted

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.

Posted

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

Posted

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.

Posted

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

Posted

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.

Posted

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.

Posted

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.

Posted

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.......

Posted

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

Posted
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....

Posted

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.

Posted

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!

Posted
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 :blush: ), 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 ???

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