Q

I'm pretty sure my Sep '01 vRS has a 17" alloy spare too.

Sounds like you might not be too sure whether the spare still has a reasonable amount of air in it should you need to use it in anger!

This reminds me that the spare wheel has to be removed to check the pressure. Why on earth doesn't Skoda use the plastic tube fitted to Beetles some years ago which allowed remote access to the spare's tyre valve for checking and inflating the spare?

DGW, you are absolutely right. The only time I have seen the spare is when I took delivery of the car and the salesman showed me the controls, etc. I'll make sure I've checked it before I set off to the meet next week though... I promise... honest...

Q.

Originally posted by Quinten in this post

when I took delivery of the car the salesman showed me the controls, etc.

Q.

I Wish !!!

All I got was the keys thrust in my general direction, a smile followed by a comment along the line of " You know more about that then I do"

:eek:

Graham

Originally posted by DGW in this post

This reminds me that the spare wheel has to be removed to check the pressure. Why on earth doesn't Skoda use the plastic tube fitted to Beetles some years ago which allowed remote access to the spare's tyre valve for checking and inflating the spare?

Couldn't they just put the spare wheel the other way up?

Rob.

Ah , but would you like your washer jets powered by the air from the spare tyre , like the Beetle's was? Actually it worked pretty well , as long as you remembered to pump your spare up to the reccomended pressure (think it was around 50 PSi...)...admittedly if you had a flat spare , and a dirty screen (say , after changing a flat) then you were royally screwed!

The estate looks cool, haven't seen one on the road yet.

Our 51 RS has 16 inch rims, with steelie in the boot:eek:

Only seen 3 Estates on the road, 2 Red and 1 Silver.

My hatch, 2003 came with a 17"Alloy spare and my dealer was as helpfull as can be (Sherlodge Garage at Wigmore in Kent).

He arranged for the windows to blacked out before I picked her up, God she looks sexy:D The Octy that is.....

I think I must be alone in thinking a steel spare is A Good Thing

Comes from my days with a 5 Turbo, I guess. It had a full size steel spare held underneath the car. IIRC Peugeot GTis at the time had the same setup but with alloys, and it was common to have the spare tray snipped with bolt cutters as an easy way for a tea-leaf to get an alloy.

Also encourages you to get the tyre sorted out and not sit with a flat spare in the boot...

Regards,

Mark

Steel or alloy spare - does it really matter? At least both are full size and are not restricted for speed or distance, like spacesavers are.

I still have my doubts that the 15 inch steel i got as a spare with my vRS would have fitted over the front brakes , after being told repeatedly that 16 inch was the minimum wheel size for the car. Its now been replaced with a brand new RS alloy and conti tyre so its not a problem for me anymore , but id have been cursing if id needed to swap wheels all over the shop just to get the steel spare to fit!!

When i go to pick mine up, and if it was a steel spare, would i be within my right to ask for an alloy spare.

Yes , if the brochure you have states that an alloy spare is in the spec. But i suppose they always put a disclaimer on these things , something like 'Specification and equipment are for illustration only and are subject to change at any time'.

I don't have one here, but I'm pretty sure the brochure says full-size steel spare...

Regards,

Mark

"The information in this brochure referring to specification, design, material and external appearance relates to the time at which this brochure was printed. Whilst every effort is made to ensure its accuracy, the information in this brochure is not binding and is subject to alteration. Some illustrations in this brochure depict left hand drive models, with both standard and optional equipment shown. Please confirm exact specifications, prices, and colour availability with your Skoda Retailer who will be notified of any specification changes as they occur."

Now you know!

And the bad news is that the UK 01/02, 09/02 and 01/03 Octavia brochures list full size steel spares for all models. The 01/03 Octavia vRS brochure doesn't mention the spare, so I guess the information in the Octavia main brochure about that model applies to the Estate as well.

Ive just dug out my RS (no 'v'!) brochure , dated 04/01 , and there is no mention of spare type or size in that either , although the 'disclaimer' is identical to the one posted above!

Duncan

Isn't there an exterior equipment list/table in the brochure?

Denis

Yes , but it doesnt mention the spare , it only states 'Wheels/Tyres-17" Alloy wheels/205-50-17' no seperate mention of the spare.

When I was looking to buy my vRS, the silver hatch in the showroom had a 17" alloy spare and the estate has a 16" steel :confused: . Here's my estate

Darren

When I originally started looking for an RS around May last year the salesman at my local dealer, Jacksons of Basingstoke, said that it was the luck of the draw; it could come with either a steel or an alloy!

Go figure that out.:confused:

BTW: I got an alloy (bought RS from Sherlodge Garage).

Cheers.

Adrian.

how did you find the sales staff at sherlodge garage(wigmore i assume) thats where i bought my rs from.

My 4X4 Estate came with 6

I bought my previous SLX TDi estate from there as well.

Found staff polite and friendly; Paul Davies is a nice chap but can be a bit scattering brained. Part of his charm:D

Got good part exs which kind of balances out that I paid list each time but I'm more than happy to recommended then and would use them again if I were on for another Skoda.

In fact I recommended them to my parents but they don't want to travel from Harrow to Gillingham. Been to Jacksons in Basingstoke though, who in my experience are less likely to cut a deal.

Cheers.

Adrian.

Adrian

Have you posted your comments in the Dealer poll which has now been unlocked for this purpose? We need constructive feedback in that section to make it a useful guide for members.

Originally posted by DGW in this post

Steel or alloy spare - does it really matter? At least both are full size and are not restricted for speed or distance, like spacesavers are.

It matters when you Skuff one to save the emarasment! until a replacement wheel can be obtained:rolleyes: