Spare Wheel for 981

[anthonyvickery]

Having been caught out twice with flats that could not be repaired with gunk by RAC, leaving the only choice to be trailered miles to nearest OPC (who often then don't have the tyres in stock anyway), I bought a secondhand 17 inch space saver (off 986) to get me to the tyre depot (with the RAC man taking the full size wheel).
Just changed from 987 to a new 981 and chose the more comfortable 19" wheels with more side wall (and more warning of puncture).
My OPC didn't want this spare with my old car, but volunteered to try it on the new one.
It fits the front wheels on Boxster S fine and can fit the rear with the help of a 6mm spacer and five extra long wheel bolts. (£55).
This will get you to the nearest tyre depot and save you a whole load of aggravation and time.
We all know that punctures happen and cannot usual be repaired with a can of goo, so not having a spare wheel is a major inconvenience if you are on a long journey.
Pity Porsche don't sell one.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Thumbs up for the info Anthony! Very useful []

 

[fbr]

Dear Anthony

A Brompton stows nicely in the spare wheel well and it's worth the onlookers reaction to cycle up, insert bike and drive off. If you get one with a rear carrier you can also transport the flat to the nearest OPC. An additional benefit is that you can get one to match your very attractive Guards Red.

best wishes

FBR

 

[Geoff_Fields]

and can fit the rear with the help of a 6mm spacer

The spacesaver is safer if fitted only to the front non driven wheels. If a rear puncture, transfer a good front to the rear. This was the recommended practice back in the 80's when Porsches came with a spacesaver. An Italian footballer for Juventos was killed fitting spare to the rear of his 930 and then admitedly drove too fast afterwards. (tempting to exceed the 50mph limit)

 

[kitchens]

I take it you will still have to call out Porsche Assist or the RAC to perform this .....if not one has to carry a jack and wheel brace as well as your space saver, compressor and a big poly bag to put the spare in the front seat providing you do not have a passenger ,or in the boot with the lid open.

 

[fbr]

Your are right that it is very annoying to be faffing about with plastic bags etc but it seems to be a practice that is widespread across most of the motor industry.

In some of the parts of the Middle East it used to be (?may still be?) obligatory to supply cars with spare wheels. In fact I've seen some Japanese cars (eg Lexus GS series ) that were supplied not only with full size spares, but that the spare wheel well has been differently manufactured to accommodate the larger wheel (-even though the UK/USA market were supplied with space savers and smaller wheel wells).

Did this ever apply to Porsche vehicles sold in this markets?

FBR

 

[Nick_USA]

Yes, Porsche cars supplied to those markets still come with a spare wheel.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Porsche offer a space-saver spare for the 981/991. Option code I447:

 

[Geoff_Fields]

There is also an adaptor for Centre lock equipped cars or at least there is for 997 (997 362 191 0). I wonder what diameter the 991 spare is?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

ORIGINAL: Geoff997
I wonder what diameter the 991 spare is?

17" (5.5 J x 17 H2, RO 24). Not sure of the tyre size, but I expect it is the same as the 986 spare (105/95/17).

 

[fbr]

Dear Nick & Richard

Thanks for that. Is it a straight fit in the wheel well and are the cars specifically adapted to fit/secure the wheel? Do Porsche also supply the appropriately adapted tool kit & jack to suit?

Best wishes

FBR

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

I expect you would have to do something like this: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=690601

I bought a second hand jack from Porsch-Apart, and the other bits and pieces from Porsche (Wheel alignment tool, plastic bag, etc).

Edit: also see here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=729573

 

[fbr]

Dear Richard,

Thank you once again for the useful information. How do you access the parts database? (see edit below)

A belated use if the search function revealed that Berty 987 discussed (on another older tread started by AnthonyV) the use of an Porsche spare wheel kit and showed a novel way to deal with the full sized flat. Some users mention the use of luggage racks but non that I've found seem to have actually used them on an a modern Boxster.

An attractive and flexible rack system seem to be offered in the USA by Classiccarrier.com - a more basic system is supplied by in the UK by the euphemistically named Ratsport. Does anybody have any current experience of these or other modern boot racks?

regards

FBR

Added in Edit: http://www.porsche911.lt/files/981/E_981_KATALOG.pdf - courtesy of FAB944 on P9.

Does PCGB have access to these?

 

[anthonyvickery]

So to summarize, the spare wheel that Porsche apparently still sell (Option code I447), is the same one that I have, which came off a 986. (plenty on ebay, some with tool kit)
If you have RAC membership then they will put it on for you and accompany you to the nearest OPC or tyre stockist with your flat tyre in their van.
I am not sure if you can swap around the front and rear wheels, as they are slightly different - hence I bought the spacer and extra long bolts.
The space saver fits very well in the bonnet and still leaves space for other luggage.

 

[fbr]

Dear Anthony

Stuck in harbour - where do you keep the spare?

...thanks !

FBR

PS Aberdeen OPC has a sign that says 'Check spare- last Porsche dealer before Norway ...