GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Sootchucker on 08 November 2013, 09:16
-
Out of interest, what are peoples views on full size spare wheels (alloy or otherwise).
As the MK7 has the split height boot floor, I was wondering if it would be possible to carry a full size spare rather than the space saver. In my old MK5 Golf, I purchased the polystyrene blocks that raised the boot floor and enabled me to carry a full size spare (a steelie with a 205x55xR16 Tyre). Would this be possible on the MK7 also ?
My MK5 below:
(http://imageshack.us/a/img34/1778/p1000063ls.jpg)
-
Can’t see why not, on the assumption that the rolling circumference should be the same as a regular wheel. The flat setting of the floor covering already makes it look like the boot of a MK5 R32. You might have to raise the floor covering further because the full sized wheel is probably thicker than the difference between standard dropped and standard raised boot floor.
You might have a little trouble securing the wheel to stop it rattling (if the weight of it alone doesn’t keep it in place) as the big plastic securing nut and bolt probably don’t have a thread long enough (if your wheel has a centre cap through which to put the securing bolt.
-
Is it worth the effort?
-
Is it worth the effort?
Depends if you have a puncture far from home at a time that makes it highly unlikely you’ll get a replacement until you get home. Most of these space savers are only rated for 80-120 miles total life, which may not get you home.
My boss has an Astra and recently had to put the space saver on 150 miles from home when down in Sheffield from Newcastle and started the journey home at 8pm. It said 120 miles life on it. He’d used it before for about 20 miles. Sure enough, 110 miles into the journey it blew. Space savers are poor, they are for limping to the nearest place that’ll fit you a tyre, they save space in the boot, but more importantly they are cheap!
-
I used mine on the Scirroco recently - it had a 50mph limit but I dont recall reading any overall mileage limitation.....
-
I used mine on the Scirroco recently - it had a 50mph limit but I dont recall reading any overall mileage limitation.....
There's usually only about 2mm of tread depth on them.
-
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/non-standard-spare-wheels.html (http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/non-standard-spare-wheels.html)
They almost always have some sort of recommendation as far as the maximum distance is concerned for the reason stated in the link.
Note, the maximum speed is not a recommendation but a legally enforceable limit as the car is required by law to have tyres of the same size and aspect ratio with the exception of these "temporary solutions" which should be clearly marked as such - they are normally a different colour and clearly marked with the speed restriction. If you exceed 50mph (80km/h) with it fitted the police would be within their rights to stop you and issue you with a ticket...
So if you want a full size spare, make sure it is the same size as the other wheels on your car.
Another point, most cars with different sized front and rear wheels (many rear wheel drive cars) are forced, by this regulation to have a "spacesaver" or no spare at all...
-
A "full-size" spare wheel is an option here, which I ordered. If the car ever turns up I'll post details here.
I've not had a puncture for over 35 years, but still like the idea of a real spare wheel...
-
Had someone in a zafira come past me on the motorway with a space saver on one of his rear wheels, the thing was actually smoking!!
-
I've had two punctures lately after many years of none so a full size spare would be a really useful thing in my eyes.
I really wouldn't trust a space saver and at least if you have a full size spare you'll have enough room for the full size wheel off the car in the boot even if it's loaded as you'd have already had to accommodate the full size wheel when loading the vehicle. Who wants a dirty stinking road wheel with a shredded tyre on their back seat because the boot is too full of luggage?
-
Just spotted you have specced dynaudio. Hopefully this shouldn't make any differece.
-
I might do as Dynaudio has a sub in the tyre well :)
-
Has anyone got a full size spare wheel with Dynaudio sub inserted in to it? If so how have you managed to get the full sized wheel in to the Recess in the boot and and secure the Dynaudio with the Bolt?
Will I need to get a longer bolt to secure the wheel and Dynaudio in to the car or is the standard bolt long enough?
I am seriously considering getting a full size spare wheel and need to know if anyone else has done this already and what pitfalls or possible problems I may face in doing so.
-
I have Dynaudio and a full-sized spare.
The tools go under the spare. it all fits with even rooms for my jump leads at the side of the spare. (These of course are for other cars, not mine...)
-
Fantastic!
Do you use the same bolt for securing the space saver wheel to secure the full size wheel and Dynaudio in place? If not where do I get a longer bolt for securing the full size wheel in place.
Also does a full size spare wheel fit under the boot floor without raising it any further to accommodate the extra depth of the wheel?
I currently have the boot floor on the higher of the two settings so it is level with the bottom of the boot hatch when open. I do not want the floor to be pushed any higher than it already is. Does the wheel fit perfectly fine underneath the boot floor on it's higher setting?
I am seriously contemplating getting a full size spare wheel as I find the Space savers are a bit limp, but much better than a can of damn tyre weld which is worse than useless. I have found a cheap refurbed Austin 18" rim online and was wondering whether to get a spare Austin 18" rim put a tyre on it and chuck it in the boot in place of my Space saver. I will then use the same wheel for future Golf's I may purchase.
-
I have Dynaudio and a full-sized spare.
The tools go under the spare. it all fits with even rooms for my jump leads at the side of the spare. (These of course are for other cars, not mine...)
I'd be interested in doing this also if I can just swap a full size wheel in there, can you post a photo of the wheel in the boot?
-
I was just about to say the same thing. A photo would be great to see how you have placed the wheel in and how the boot floor lays on top with the full size wheel underneath.
Please let me know how you have bolted the wheel and Dynaudio in as well, whether the standard bolt is OK for the task in hand.
-
OK went to photo it to discover that I have a bally thin space saving spare. :embarrassed:
It has a 50mph speed notice on the side is 18", but it as thin as a Wagon Wheel (whatever happened to them??).
Just checking the brochure, I see in fact in our market it is the only alternative other than the electric pump and no spare which is standard...
-
Here it is. Seems to me there would be room for a 'real' wheel in there, but probably not a 8.5J wide one:
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/11646293193_dbce2473b8.jpg)
-
No problems, thanks for the photo.
Guess I will see if I can pop a spare steel wheel in there and see how things fit.
-
Likewise thanks for the photo. Has anyone else fitted a Full Size Spare Wheel and Dynaudio in a Mk7 Golf GTI?
Like you say I cannot see why a full size 18" x 7.5" wheel would not fit in the cavity. My only concern will be the securing bolt. Is it possible to obtain a longer bolt with the same thread as the standard bolt?
Hope someone can help?
-
Do you know how heavy one full size alloy wheel with tyre is? :rolleyes:
One of the biggest reasons (cost aside) they no longer include full size or even space savers is the weight. :smiley:
My advice, stick to the space save but only use it in dire emergencys only.
Call road-side assistance and get towed to a tyre place for replacement. :cool:
-
Do you know how heavy one full size alloy wheel with tyre is? :rolleyes:
I was reminded when I got my puncture - VERY heavy indeed! 'Light' alloy wheel, hmmm!!!
-
Cheers for the input guys, it was just a madcapped thought on an otherwise boring day at the office... alone. :smiley:
-
One basic doubt (I had contradictory answeres out there)
Does the reduced size spare wheel fits the GTI Performance ? Somebody told me that this wheel could not be fitted on the "Performance" because of the larger brakes, so the only option would be the repair kit. Could this be true?
Thanks,
N.
-
There are two different spare wheels, 16" and 18".
The larger will fit it.
-
Even if the space saver didn't fit the front, you'd replace a back wheel with it and then put that wheel on the front.