Just a quick survey how many z3 owners are running spare wheel or have you just ditched them ?
cant think of the last time i even checked my spare wheel...
cant think of the last time i even checked my spare wheel...
spare wheel ?
- Thread starter handsomejackuk
- Start date
Still have mine, not sure why though. Just to complete the car probably. Check and clean it after winter, other than that it just sits there.
Still there on both of mine
I restored my carrier and spare wheel a while back and even though the zed hardly gets driven I can see some rust starting to form on the wheel. 
I got my replacement wheel for about £15 and it was practically brand new as some later BMWs had those space savers stored in the boot.
The old wheel was very rusty and tyre was rock hard and couldn't imagine it would have been much good even if I did have a flat.
I got my replacement wheel for about £15 and it was practically brand new as some later BMWs had those space savers stored in the boot.The old wheel was very rusty and tyre was rock hard and couldn't imagine it would have been much good even if I did have a flat.
I still have mine and have had cause to use it. Great big hole in the tyre. Slime would not have worked.
Won't be getting rid of it.
Won't be getting rid of it.
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MRH1966
Zorg Legend
Got rid of mine on the 2.8............Got a puncture kit in the boot, slime I think
Still got mine fitted. Last checked when had the rear end in bits. Seemed to be holding pressure ok. 62psi if I remember correctly
- 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)
Still got mine pulled out once a year and checked, must repaint it this year and maybe the carrier. We pulled Julians spare out, looked like it had never been pulled out in its life, cleaned out the tray and wheel, quite a bit of corrosion, tyre looked like new once cleaned up. 18 year old rubber not a good idea, maybe he will get it replaced as the car is a keeper and in daily use. Probable a good idea to renew mine our cars are the same age built 12/1999 and 161 cars between Vin numbers.
Just dropped the spare out....what is this date code?
Just realised that the spare is 15inch while the main wheels are 16inch. Would it be legal to use it??
Just realised that the spare is 15inch while the main wheels are 16inch. Would it be legal to use it??
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I’ve still got mine but never looked at it. Thought about removing it to save weight but suspect the saving would be pretty negligible
I wonder if the spare provides an element of protection for the chassis tho? Like as a really thick splash guard. I’d much prefer the spare wheel to rust away than my chassis, so will prob just clean up at some and leave as is
I wonder if the spare provides an element of protection for the chassis tho? Like as a really thick splash guard. I’d much prefer the spare wheel to rust away than my chassis, so will prob just clean up at some and leave as is
general consensus seems to keep it then.. I must check mine then, i ought to check the 2.8s wheel too to see if its there and in any better condition..
If you need to use it make sure you're on a bus route for the passenger 
Just found a site called CheckTire.com and entered the tyre date code of 218.
AH!!! The tyre was made on 18th May 1998 and is 20years, 9 months and 21 days old........
OOOPS. .better get a birthday card
AH!!! The tyre was made on 18th May 1998 and is 20years, 9 months and 21 days old........
OOOPS. .better get a birthday card
It doesn't matter the rim diameter but the circumference of they tyre. That 125 90 15 space saver gives a 3% speedo error so within the abs limits.
Tyres are recommended to last 5 years so space saver should laat a bit longer as it is limited to 50 mph but I wouldn't use one much over 6 years especially if there is any cracking. One or two on here have had to use one in the past and they didn't last many miles before breaking up.
Mine was a 115 90 16 but they aren't made any more so found the next similar size of 125 80 16.
Your 15 spacesaver is still made approx £30
And interestingly the same size as the tyres for a 2CV so great for ploughed fields and a basket of eggs.
One problem with using the spare is where do you put the punctured wheel as it's too big to go in the boot and won't fit in the carrier?
Still got mine.
No not as a space saver.
Mines long gone and the carrier as well. Just carry a can of tyre weld for a puncture and the boys in orange if I loose the tyre altogether.
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