Yeah that’s me it follows me around waiting to pounce when I least expect it.
getting rid of spare wheel and tray
- Thread starter pete59
- Start date
Hi, have they now changed the MOT regulations as when I was a MOT inspector the spare wheel was not part of the MOT, and even if fitted the condition of it was irrelevant. But was an advisory.
Will be interesting to know what the current MOT refs say.
H
If the spare was fitted it wasn't the spare anymore and was testable! Always been the case.
Tony.
Tony.
Obviously if the spare tyre has been fitted on the car it’s part of the test. My question was has the spare wheel(not fitted) now become part of the MOT test?
H
H
jaguartvr
Zorg Guru (I)
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
- Points
- 95
I have twice had punctures on cars that the tyre weld repairs wouldn't fix and had to call the RAC. I have a Mercedes that has some kind of expandable spare that I don't trust so I have 2 different types of tyre weld and also a plug type kit as well and a small compressor.
Last time I had to call the RAC for a recovery I had to wait for 7 hours, yes, I will repeat that, 7 hours!
My car is more of a kit and every other one that has been built has had twin tailpipes fitted, I just couldn't lose my spare so just have it on one side, pity because the twin systems do look much better.
My spare wheel cage was rusty and so was the spare, in fact it was so rusty that when I put some air in it the very rusty rim just blew off.
A perfect second-hand rim and tyre was £15 delivered. Coated in wd40 and a good smear of grease around the lip to stop water sitting in it. I also attached a cheap tyre pressure gauge cap so that you can check the tyre pressure at a glance.
It may not look as pretty as the twin exhaust but you just look at my smile when I go past with a wave when you are waiting for the RAC to replace your tyre on a wet, windy and cold night!
Last time I had to call the RAC for a recovery I had to wait for 7 hours, yes, I will repeat that, 7 hours!
My car is more of a kit and every other one that has been built has had twin tailpipes fitted, I just couldn't lose my spare so just have it on one side, pity because the twin systems do look much better.
My spare wheel cage was rusty and so was the spare, in fact it was so rusty that when I put some air in it the very rusty rim just blew off.
A perfect second-hand rim and tyre was £15 delivered. Coated in wd40 and a good smear of grease around the lip to stop water sitting in it. I also attached a cheap tyre pressure gauge cap so that you can check the tyre pressure at a glance.
It may not look as pretty as the twin exhaust but you just look at my smile when I go past with a wave when you are waiting for the RAC to replace your tyre on a wet, windy and cold night!
There’s definitely a huge amount of newer cars now being delivered with out a spare wheel/ space saver.
The manufacturers try to justify it by suggesting the weight is so much less so the emissions are lower...unh
The last 3 new cars iv purchased have not had a spare wheel and on all occasions iv purchased a spare & jack.
My wife had a tyre blow out whilst I was away & if the car hadn’t had a spare she could of been stranded in the dark for many hours...
So a spare wheel on any car is a no brainer for me.
The manufacturers try to justify it by suggesting the weight is so much less so the emissions are lower...unh
The last 3 new cars iv purchased have not had a spare wheel and on all occasions iv purchased a spare & jack.
My wife had a tyre blow out whilst I was away & if the car hadn’t had a spare she could of been stranded in the dark for many hours...
So a spare wheel on any car is a no brainer for me.
So what you meant was "If the car is equipped with a spare wheel/tyre". And the answer to that is no it is not a testable item . . . . . . at the moment.
Tony.
I took my set up out some time ago and just never put it back. It must weigh maybe 30 pounds would be my guess.
I was toying with the idea of removing mine, but since I do quite a few long drives and cruises I’ve unfortunately needed to use my spare on a couple of occasions.
I know some people say - well I’d just call the AA, RAC or whoever, but mine happened in remote areas. I’ve had a tyre with a 6” rip in it, so no amount of tyre foam spray would have worked. Also had a wheel fracture on me, so again a replacement tyre would have been no use.
Not really an option sitting on a B road in the middle of nowhere trying to get signal on a phone. Then for them to eventually turn up and say they can do nothing and I need a recovery lorry. Then wait another 6hrs for that.
So for me a spare wheel is a necessity and I don’t like travelling without one.
I know some people say - well I’d just call the AA, RAC or whoever, but mine happened in remote areas. I’ve had a tyre with a 6” rip in it, so no amount of tyre foam spray would have worked. Also had a wheel fracture on me, so again a replacement tyre would have been no use.
Not really an option sitting on a B road in the middle of nowhere trying to get signal on a phone. Then for them to eventually turn up and say they can do nothing and I need a recovery lorry. Then wait another 6hrs for that.
So for me a spare wheel is a necessity and I don’t like travelling without one.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 218
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
@Jjim and @andyglym have pretty much hit the nail the head.
It totally depends what you do with your zed whether removing the spare is beneficial or not.
Like the guys have said If you are unfortunate enough to get a flat or damaged wheel fine if your in the city and you can go grab a coffee while you're waiting but if your like myself and a few others you take your zed to the more remote area's of the country puts a different light on things.
On my Scottish run in 2019 we were up at Kyle of Lochalsh as our base on day 1 @Sean d was unfortunate to hit a huge pothole splitting his rear wheel at this point we were here
78 miles from the hotel right at the top of Skye in the middle of nowhere no phone signal space saver got Sean back to the hotel.
Then the following morning @Jjim ended up with a flat from a cracked wheel and had to use a space saver to return to the hotel but still stopped him from being stranded on the side of the road for hours .
So depending what you do with your zed personally I would refurbish it all ( wheel and cradle assembly) and refit it then you know it will dig you out of a spot if you get a flat .
Stephen.
It totally depends what you do with your zed whether removing the spare is beneficial or not.
Like the guys have said If you are unfortunate enough to get a flat or damaged wheel fine if your in the city and you can go grab a coffee while you're waiting but if your like myself and a few others you take your zed to the more remote area's of the country puts a different light on things.
On my Scottish run in 2019 we were up at Kyle of Lochalsh as our base on day 1 @Sean d was unfortunate to hit a huge pothole splitting his rear wheel at this point we were here
78 miles from the hotel right at the top of Skye in the middle of nowhere no phone signal space saver got Sean back to the hotel.
Then the following morning @Jjim ended up with a flat from a cracked wheel and had to use a space saver to return to the hotel but still stopped him from being stranded on the side of the road for hours .
So depending what you do with your zed personally I would refurbish it all ( wheel and cradle assembly) and refit it then you know it will dig you out of a spot if you get a flat .
Stephen.
Have to say Steve is spot on here, if you’re car has the capability to carry a spare and you travel to remote areas you would be daft not to.
Tony.
Tony.
Yes agree with these comments, my parents live up on the Isle of Skye and I know I will be making that drive one day in the Z, and will certainly be taking a spare, as much as I love to stop and take picture of the Three Sisters I wouldn't fancy being stranded there at night awaiting the AA.
As it is I just generally potter around the Purbecks pub hoping (when Scotch eggs allow)...so never too far from help.
As it is I just generally potter around the Purbecks pub hoping (when Scotch eggs allow)...so never too far from help.
Worth remembering that the car is designed with the weight of the spare in mind. Ran mine without for a few months and am sure detected a minor change to the handling. Having a serviceable spare on board is a no brainer for me, when the option is there.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Spares are essential for me carried on the Z4 and Z4 I have. The Z4 had already had the runflats done away with when I got it but no spare, sourced a suitable skinny spare and jack and that sits in the boot now for peace of mind. Unless you trackday the car the weight saving issue is really unimportant for a daily driver or a weekend cruising car.
I have a puncture repair kit in the boot but still wouldn't get rid of my spare. It would be sods law that I would get a puncture in the most awkward and inaccessible place within a few miles.