Spare wheel

[Brian4]

Being the sad soul I am I had the spare wheel and carrier out when I was cleaning the sill and decided as it wasn't too bad I would tidy up the rim and come out pretty well, cleaned and painted the carrier as well.

Next problem as the tyre is 15 years old not ideal to use so researching what is available.
tyre fitted is 115 90 16 which is the same as on the E46 but again will be of a similar age and the tyre fitted is no longer made next best thing available is 125 85 16 and these are approx £35 to £40 so all is not lost if you want to maintain the spare wheel capability get a wheel from E46 and new tyre even Kwik Fit were £35 fitted and the different in diameter is 0.3" more and thickness 0.4" so will fit in the carrier still.

Before

After

 

[Brian H]

Well done for keeping on top of those little jobs

 

[bessieblue]

Hi Brian, its a job i must do when i get the time. nice job

 

[Brian4]

I'm trying to convince next door to clear their garage so that I can put the Z in and drop the rear beam as I don't really want to do it on the drive. Job I've been threatening to do for over a year.

 

[t-tony]

I know it's not next door Brian but if you need some garage space ...... . By the way a thought occurred the other day, was I not supposed to give you what remains of my old boot carpet set at the White Swan meet up?

Tony.

 

[Brian4]

Too busy enjoying ourselves. No a prob Tony we'll have to try and remember next time we meet.

 

[Dickymint]

did mine the other day though mine was in a terrible condition but a flappy wheel and some wire wheels later it looks a lot better now though cleaned up the bolt holes with acid to clean them by sticking tape on the back then filling the holes = nice clean metal then a coat of hammerite spay paint and now should last years, just need to sort the tyre at some point as its 13 years old

Also ordered a valve extension pipe and a 90 degree thingy to replace the valve extension and its in brass so should last a while

 

[abh29]

Seems the trouble starts after you put the spare on----- you then need to store the wheel you removed. I still have the white bag in the tool set ,but don't fancy it going on the seat may have a passenger ,and don't have a luggage rack.

 

[One Spanner Frank]

I bought a spare wheel and tyre off the internet, to replace the bottle repair kit. Both were available new. They were for a 2003 206 CC. I think the wheel was about £30 and the tyre £35.
Practically, what would the difference be driving on three wheels and a space saver and three wheels and a punctured run flat?

 

[oldcarman]

Good question @One Spanner Frank!! I would think the circumference difference comes into play but I'll leave the question to be answered by someone that really knows! JIM

 

[mktommo]

Firstly @Brian4 I'm pleased you've added another job for me to do - and one well within my amateur mechanic status too! I've been slowly getting through the list during the first few months of ownership so I'm happy to add new ones now..... I dropped my spare down and it looks very like your 'before' picture......

On the tyre size I don't honestly think you'd notice that much difference. If it was permanent it would - but space savers are more about limping home and handle awfully anyway so for me you're better off with a slightly smaller diameter than a potentially knackered old one tyre.

 

[oldcarman]

I agree @mktommo I just wasn't sure about the speed sensors, etc being damaged by a smaller diameter tires use! JIM

 

[Brian4]

Hi @mktommo now the evenings are drawing in we all need jobs to go and do in away from whoever, so these are quite easy jobs to do if you have a shed or garage.

As to tyre sizes agreed you wouldn't notice the difference and anyway that's all that is available so will have to lump it or risk the tyre blowing out if you ever need to use it. Mine is cracking in the treads so wouldn't last long, still n---r been used in 15 years and what to do with the punctured tyre is a mystery. Carry a bungy strap in the boot so that the lid can be tied down?

Next job for you after the wheel is derust and paint the metal carrier!!! just finished mine.

 

[Brian4]

@oldcarman just checked on tyre comparison and the 125 tyre is 2% error at 30 mph and the 115 is 3% error at 30 mph and both probably well in with the speed sensor variation limits.
The new tyre is better than the original fitment.

 

[Low Rider]

Ever since Brian4 posted this write up I've been on the look out for a decent E46 spare wheel at the right money and having seen my spare wheel while I was at the Zed Shed it renewed my efforts.
Tonight I manage to get a wheel for £10 off ebay saving me the trouble of painting up the old one. Now all i need to do is replace the tyre and clean and paint the carrier.

 

[One Spanner Frank]

Looks good, but if you are using run flats, why would you ever use the space saver spare? Surely that is the reason you put up with such a 'solid' ride by using run flats.
Now an interesting bit. When I replaced my tyres, I was going to use none run flats. The tyre people told me that if I ever had an RTA and had not been using run flats, I would have trouble with the insurance company. Myth or reality? Run flats are fitted as standard, but so is the space saver spare.
Just image driving along with 12" rims and huge floppy tyres that absorb ever bump and bang and just float over the few remaining pot holes. Heaven.

 

[Acousticplayer]

I bought a brand new space saver and tyre off E-bay last year,paid £30.However on the journey to collect it a thrown up stone hit and smashed the headlight of my Volvn the way to pick up a new headlight I drove into a very deep pothole in Coventry and broke a spring.

False economy eh!

 

[DavidM]

What a run of bad luck! Most important - no one injured!