Spare wheel query!

[Bartholomewzman]

Hi all,
Just keen to get an early 1.9 (with the same size wheels)and have a query concerning the Spare Wheel please? Certainly don't have too much faith in 'canned air' and none too keen to go on future holidays with just a mini-wheel!! (Anyway, where would one store/carry a full-size wheel that had a puncture??)
So the query is: Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to 'fit' a full size one somewhere? Could the spare wheel carrier be modified at all? If one buys a hardtop, would that we strong enough to carry such a wheel on top?
I look forward to any suggestions, so many thanks in advance,
Richard

 

[t-tony]

Where did James May carry his on the old Top Gear “Three Wise Men” production?

Tony.

 

[gookah]

boot rack?

 

[Bartholomewzman]

Where did James May carry his on the old Top Gear “Three Wise Men” production?

Tony.

Hi, Thanks for the info that James May did a story on aZ3, That's something I will now hunt for. Very useful. Thanks, Richard

 

[Bartholomewzman]

boot rack?

Do you think that the metal is trong enough?? Cheers, Richard

 

[Steve61]

I forgot about that Top Gear special, I remember at the time I thought it was a great episode, but it was way before I even thought about being a Z3 owner. It didn’t even register with me at the time what a great car the Z3 is.

I’ve just looked it up, it’s still available on BBC iPlayer, so don’t pay to watch it on YouTube, Google or Amazon.

One to watch next time we have a wet weekend.

 

[t-tony]

Although his car was a 1.9 Auto, of which he said of the gear ratios, "Many were chosen, but few were selected".

Tony.

 

[Bartholomewzman]

Hi, Thanks for the info that James May did a story on aZ3, That's something I will now hunt for. Very useful. Thanks, Richard

Just seen the Top Gear special - there was indeed a wheel on the boot, so presume that it should be fine even if maybe needing some bracing. Has anyone else tried such a thing please? Once I find as suitable car I really would like to be able to use it on long holidays, and having little experience of modern puncture 'spray cans' just feel I could well spend half the time waiting to be 'stuck' somewhere!!

 

[mrscalex]

Those spray cans are not a silly gimmick. They work extremely well. Of course they have their limitations if the hole is too big.

And the space saver spare wheel will do a job although they are usually too old to be useful unless replaced in recent years.

 

[andyglym]

Spacesaver all day for me. You could lay a thick cover on the boot and lash the punctured wheel on to that. If looked after your spacesaver it will get you to sanctuary every time. Cans won't work on a cracked wheel and won't work on certain types of puncture.

 

[IainP]

If it was the original wheels, which are fitted with 205 section tyres, it may just fit in the boot. This is a 16” with 225, and yes I did let the air out, there is sufficient space to slide further in if a 205.

The cans are very good, used those twice on trailers. I also carry a repair kit and tool, though I’ve never had to use that since I bought it, about 250,000 miles ago. Any repair material is useless if sidewall damage.

As said, bungees or straps would be the easiest way to carry a flat full size if you had to.

 

[Richardrix]

I looked to replace the tyre from my spacesaver and looked everywhere. You can't replace them that I know of. If anyone finds oput where you can get new tyres for the spacesaver please let me know

 

[IainP]

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Halfway down the page below Trackday Tyres, all sizes.

 

[Steve61]

Don’t know if yours is the same size, but the spare for my 2000 2.0 is T125/90R15 96M.
I found these at www.merityre.co.uk/

 

[jaguartvr]

Don't bother, normally when you try to blow the spare tyre up the rim blows off due to rust. Sitting under the car for 20+ years does the tyre and rim no favours. Best by a second-hand wheel from eBay from an e36 or e46 as they will have lived in the boot and look like new. Some e46's had 16" spares which won't fit in the z3 cover.

 

[andyglym]

Don't bother, normally when you try to blow the spare tyre up the rim blows off due to rust. Sitting under the car for 20+ years does the tyre and rim no favours. Best by a second-hand wheel from eBay from an e36 or e46 as they will have lived in the boot and look like new. Some e46's had 16" spares which won't fit in the z3 cover.

 

[IainP]

Tyres are currently ‘lifed ’ at 5 years from manufacture. Why they have the week and year of manufacture on the side. I believe there was actually a Consultation a few years ago about banning tyres over 10 years old, not sure what the result of that was.
Personally I’ll be getting a decent wheel, fitting a new tyre, covering the whole lot in shrink wrap.
A space saver is a massive compromise anyway, trusting my life to something 20+ years old that’s well past it’s best? Not for me thanks.

 

[Nodzed]

Been on many Euro trips in the zeds and always taken a good quality tyre sealant, had a few good saves too using it (though always in the UK.

Another top tip and you may well be sceptical but I have used this method and always carry the bits in all my cars now.

Buy a pack of soft plastic long golf tees. If you get a puncture (small hole) find the hole remove any offending object if possible, if not push it in and then push the golf tee in as far as possible by hand, then roll the car forward so the tee is pushed into the hole fully by the weight of the vehicle. Pump the tyre up, it will hold and get you to safety or a tyre repair shop, the top of the tee will wear away after a few miles and the ticking noise it produces will disappear.

I was still playing 18 holes of " f*** It " weekly back then and had the clubs in the car. I did this on my Mazda 6 on a front tyre, and drove around for 3 weeks, the tyre didn't lose any air. The Kwik fit guy couldn't believe his eyes when I went for the repair but agreed it was as good a plug as he had ever seen the added bonus the tyre wasn't wrecked as it would have been by tyre weld.

Trust me this will work as long as the hole is as big or smaller than the tee even if its just to get to safety/repair.

 

[IainP]

Golf Tee’s
Genius.
I have a couple of packs similar to these:

MOTO MOTORCYCLE TUBELESS FLAT TYRE EMERGENCY PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT WITH POUCH UK | eBay

Suitable for all Types of Tubeless Tyre. OE 13598775 TPMS Tyre Pressure Sensor For Vauxhall Astra Corsa Zafira Insignia. Motorbike / ATV / Multi-Use. Insert a scrape into the hole, push and pull the rasp to give a roughness and clean the edges.

www.ebay.co.uk

Though so long ago I think I paid around £7-8. Maybe time to check the plugs haven’t disintegrated, and add some golf tee’s

 

[t-tony]

Tyre fitters also use what they call “silly string” which you attach to a hook ended tool and push through the hole in the tyre, twist it around and partially pull back through the hole until you can release the tool.

Tony.