Has anyone actually used their space-saver spare?

[Guest]

Hi, I'm new to the Forum but not to PCGB. Having previously had a 1970 2.2 911S I've now bought an '80 SC coupe. I'd decided that the new car had to be from the 80s. I started by looking for a late 80s Carrera 3.2 but found only varying levels of grot, until I found a great (so far!) SC Sport registered 1/1/80. So here's my first question about the SC:

My SC has come with its original (probably unused) spacesaver spare, whereas the old S had a nice inflated full-size Fuchs tucked in the front compartment. Can I ask what people do about a spare as frankly mine doesn't look remotely like it would hold air and be usable in an emergency?

Thanks

 

[RSGulp]

Welcome to the forum Sneaky Pete,

I did have to use my space saver tyre once about 4 years ago when a piece of metal ripped a hole in my right rear tyre (luckily at a fairly slow speed). I found when the space saver was on and it was inflated air escaped very slowly between the valve and the rim but it got me the couple of miles home.

I now carry a can of tyre sealant in the car. If I ever have another puncture I'll just stick the space saver on and seal it before I inflate it. Of course that'll probably mean having to find a replacement space saver later.

I'd suggest you inflate yours and see if it is up to the job.

 

[Richard Pottle]

Hi

My brother has used his space saver spare after he had a blow out at 80mph on the M25 - car handled superbly and other drivers on the road were very understanding and let him pull over to the hard shoulder. I was in front and all I could see was blue smoke and thought his engine had blown!

Anyway, the space saver was excellent and we travelled about 50 miles to the Porsche meeting we were going to (and managed to get some new tyres too). Result.

 

[911sse]

Used it once on my 911. It failed to inflate with the compressor.

I dont think it had ever been used and was just too ridgid. I would tell anyone to inflate and deflate their tyre sometime, just to open it up a little.

 

[vitesse]

Used the spacesaver on the 964 last May when a bikers spanner which was on the road went through the sidewall of a virtually new rear tyre.Valve did not seal completely but a metal valvecap off another wheel did control this and I drove some 40 miles on it at speeds around 50mph.
This visibly wore the tread but it is still useable and it folded back to fit the floor space eventually.Recommend fitting a metal valvecap with the internal rubber seal to the spare.

 

[jerry911sc]

Hi SP

Welcome to SC ownership. Hope you have a fantastic 1st year with the new porker.

My space saver does hold air and the compressor works. The alternative is obviously liquid tyre weld. Maybe someone can tell us which is the best one? Some people have taken the space saver out completely and just rely on the tyre weld.

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[RSGulp]

That's all well and good, but I'm not sure tyre weld would have sealed up the 2 inch tear in my tyres sidewall! I've also heard that AA and RAC have started charging fees or refuse to attend to you if you don't have a spare tyre.

In fact, my partner drives a Mini Cooper S which has no spare - just a can of tyre weld. Mmm - maybe I need to check the small print on her AA policy?

 

[jerry911sc]

Yeah that's true enough. There is no tyre weld repair that will deal with sidewall damage. I ran an LPG car with no spare for a couple of years and there was always the possible prospect of being stuck with an unrepairable flat. I'd be interested to know what the AA and RAC say plus didn't it used to be a leage requirement to carry a spare - presumably no longer

[]

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll certainly try to inflate the spacesaver and see what happens.

In the meantime I think it'll be a can of Tyre-weld for short journeys and maybe looking out on eBay for a cheap cookie cutter with an OK tyre for longer trips. Trouble is there goes the luggage space ...

PS: Don't new MINIs and certain BMWs come without a spare but use (expensive) run-flat tyres?

 

[RSGulp]

Yes, come to think of it you're right about the run-flats on Minis.

I remember the first pair of tyres my partner had replaced when here car was being serviced. She fell for the standard "Only BMW can replace them as we have an agreement with the manufacturer and the wheels have sensors, etc, etc, etc". I seem to remember they were about £180 each! The last tyres she had were bought from the independent I always use and were half the price for exactly the same tyres. I should imagine BMW take the wheels to a local tyre shop to get them fitted anyway.

 

[Guest]

Just following on from this, can anyone confirm that an ex-944 cookie cutter would have the correct offset to use as a temporary spare on an SC?

Are they the same wheel as originally fitted to the standard SCs?

 

[Guest]

Hi sneaky pete
Sorry for the slow reply but I do hope you read this.
I have read in the latest 911SC book.the criteria for using the space saver wheel is as follows.
1) Only to be used on the front.
2) Max speed 80kph(50mph)
3) Max distance 50km(31miles)
Cheers
John

 

[Guest]

Thanks John - I wonder what they thought you should do if you got a rear puncture??

Did I read somewhere that when Porsche first introduced spacesavers they weren't deemed to be legal in Britain, so Porsche GB provided some kind of roadside service if you got a puncture?

 

[RSGulp]

If you get a rear puncture the procedure is as follows...

1. Loosen the wheel nuts on the front and rear wheels on the same side.
2. Jack up the car so both wheels are clear of the ground.
3. Remove front wheel.
4. Remove rear wheel.
5. Fit front wheel where the back one was.
6. Fit space saver where the front one was.
7. Find somewhere inside your nice clean car to put your huge, dirty, brake-dust covered rear wheel. [&:]

My toolkit actually still contains an unused small can of 'Porsche Branded Hand Cleaning Mousse' to clean all the cr*p off your hands when you've finished swapping wheels.

By the way, I believe your 944 cookie cutter will fit your SC.

 

[Guest]

Ah so that's how it's done, Rich.

I've found the reference to the free breakdown service - it's a stick-on addendum to the wheel change page in the '80 Driver's manual: