Had my VRS for 2 weeks now and decided to check whether I had a full size spare or space saver horror.... Whilst I was glad to see I've got a full size tyre I was surprised that it's a Brigestone when the other 4 tyre's are Continentals. I've always been told by the tyre fitting companies that all tyre's should be from the same manufacturer.

Has anyone else noticed this and should I go back to the dealer and ask for a Conti?

IIRC the tyre is a 205/50/R16 (steel) so it isn't the same as your alloys. As the spare is for emergency use there is no reason to have the same brand of tyre on it. I wouldn't worry personally.

As dstev2000 says, it will be fine.

It is a "space saver", but unlike most it is rated for full weight and not a stupidly low speed rating either. Just make sure it is pumped up well (many people only find out find their spare is drastically under-inflated when they go to use it).

If I had to use it I would prefer it went on the back axle (unless I had a horrendous load in the back).

Don't worry about it as everyone has said it's only ment to be for emergency use as you'll want to get the alloy back on ASAP! Anyway it will end up being different every time you get a new set of "boots". My Bridgstone spare has happily sat there whilst I've changed from Bridgestones to Contis to Toyos to Michelins etc!

Even tho its a full size tyre, if its not the same size as the tyres on your car it will have to be treated as a space saver 50 mph , but thats beter than nothin and a can of tyre sealer that wont repair a blow out

Is it worth a visit to Ebay to find another alloy ? Must admit I am a little bothered by only having a space saver in mine.

Its not a space saver as such, My L&K alloy is 225/45R17 but the spare is 205/50R16 (IIRC).

I had a flat tyre and whacked the spare on but found the wheel well too shallow for the 225 alloy hence the 205 spare.

Its miles better than most of the 'unicycle spec' spares out there and infinitely better than the repair kits

If you whiz down the brochure pages, on the model specs, it says which models have what. Oddly, Ambiente and Elegance have full size alloy, but L&K, 4X4 (and vRS) have what it calls "space saving" spare wheels. And so on.

Ambiente (IIRC) and elegance have 205 (16" VEGA) wheels that fit in the wheel well. 17" and 18" alloys are 225 that don't fit and have the 205 steel spare.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Hopefully I'll never need to use the spare!

Even tho its a full size tyre, if its not the same size as the tyres on your car it will have to be treated as a space saver 50 mph , but thats beter than nothin and a can of tyre sealer that wont repair a blow out

I was wondering why you say that ? AFAIK the spare is rated for the full weight and speed rated for something over 100mph. I admit I would be a bit cautious on the corners of my "private test track" while I had the spare fitted, especially if it was wet.

The vRS spare is certainly way better than the "noddy" spare that Golf GTIs come with (they are heavily restricted for both speed and distance)

it's ilegal to have diferant size tyres on the same axle, (mot failure), its ok to use in an emergency situation hence the speed restriction,all so if you have a directional tyre as a spare it will only fit on one side of vehicle the same aplies

Oddly the Mk 1 VRS came with a full size alloy as a spare. This was great when I did have a puncture as I could change it around and get the tyre changed at my convience without having to worry. A bit of a step back now with my Mk2 VRS.

All 3 of my octys have had normal spares as per the other roadwheels fitted.

The worst space saver I ever saw was on a Dodge Neon rental, a spare like a wheelbarrow front end - speed limit 50mph, distance limit 3000 miles.

I gave it 1.5 miles at 30mph to the nearest Pep Boys shop.

My vrs has the "black full size wheel but smaller than the currently fitted tyres" spare. It has a a sticker on it clearly stating 50mph max. Not a good idea to exceed that speed. It's just designed to get you out of a tight spot or home very slowly.

I see nitwits flying down the motorway with those bin lid space savers on exceeding the national limit almost every day..... mutter mutter "...below that expected a careful and conscientious driver.." "..dangerous.." mutter... idiots... mutter mutter......

Happy thought times, I've got Grolsch in the fridge! My shopping fairy ran some errands for me while I was at work.

I've got handed GSD3 tyres on mine so can't stick a spare in of the same tread as it would only work on one side of the car.

How strange, I got my VRs brand new (factory order) in October, and mine has come with Michelin tyres on the 18" alloy rims, and a Continental 16" for the get you home spare.

What are Skoda doing, cant they decide on a tyre supplier???

No doubt just fitting whatever is the cheapest at the time of the production run.

I got SP2s on my Elegance, I also got SP2s on my L&K and SWMBO got SP2s on her vRS

Obviously Skoda were using Continentals through 2006/2007.

It really doesn't matter that the spare is different, anyone who goes nuts with the spare fitted is asking for trouble. Even if the spare is a full alloy its likely the tyre will be a different make and model and most likely in a different condition and/or pressure to the other 3 wheels and should be treated accordingly.

Just be glad you aren't greeted by a skanky little air compressor and a can of tyre gunk while sitting on the hard shoulder of the M25 with a flat

Just be glad you aren't greeted by a skanky little air compressor and a can of tyre gunk while sitting on the hard shoulder of the M25 with a flat

I've never ever even seen that kit, let alone use it. Does it work?

My vrs has the "black full size wheel but smaller than the currently fitted tyres" spare. It has a a sticker on it clearly stating 50mph max. Not a good idea to exceed that speed. It's just designed to get you out of a tight spot or home very slowly.

That must be a UK Market thing. I don't think my Oz delivered one has any speed restrictons on it (I'll have a look next time I'm delving into the spare wheel area).

I agree that you wouldn't want to go mad on tight corners with one fitted. But if they are classed as OK for lower spec Octys carrying the same weight as mine then I can't see me crawling along at 50mph for the next 500 miles until I get to a town that might (if I'm lucky) carry some 225/40x18 tyres. I'm way more likely to get mown down or pushed out of the way by the B-double road trains :eek: that like to sit on 70mph+ on our relatively straight country highways, than have any trouble with what is still a full size, full speed tyre (just not the same size as the other 3 fitted to my model).

But each to their own (and I agree, get the original wheel back on ASAP).