Yes I am sure, the member took a picture and it did not protrude above the level of the well. It was a tight fit but was completely flush with floor.

That's good to know.

The 16" steel wheel is classed as a space saver and this is what you get when you order a space saver wheel with the VRS.

I'm slightly confused then, as Skoda seem to explicitly make a distinction where you can have either a full size (meaning the 16") spare wheel or a space saver spare. Bizarre.

Edited 29 July, 201015 yr by BigC

I think most people on here are thinking of a spacesaver wheel as one of those really skinny ones that you really feel unsure about driving on, wheras a spacesaver could be any wheel which does not match the size of the wheels and tyres fitted to the car normally but having a reduced width to allow easy fitment into the wheel well in the car. I have one in my car and have used it once and believe me I'm glad I did as it felt much safer than one of those skinny jobs which I have also used in the past on a different car.

Ian

The floor panel in the MK2 is the same as the MK2 FL, so the spare wheel well is the same so why would you need a space saver?

225/40 R18 is 637.2 diameter, 2001.82 circumference (standard VRS)

205/55 R16 is 631.9mm and 1985.7mm circumference (spare wheel option)

That's 0.84% difference in size (5.3mm diameter and 16.65mm circumference) between the two

You can only order a 'space saver' wheel with the VRS and this IS the 16" steel wheel. The diameter of the wheel is very similar but the width is different to the alloys and this is one of the reasons it is called a space saver. There is probably some marketing ploy in calling it a space saver since they can hide the fact they are cutting costs by not giving a proper alloy spare wheel.

Are you sure about that? I've read that while yes, you can just fit the alloy with tyre in, the fact that the tyre is so wide means that it protrudes above the level of the well, leaving you with a big bump in the boot floor cover.

It's not a space saver, the rolling radius is almost identical to the 18" alloy, and (iirc) that wheel/tyre combo is used on other Octavias as standard.

Well it depends how you define a "space saver". The rolling radii of all space savers on all cars are close to the standard wheels. If a space saver is a temporary spare narrower than the standard wheels then that is what this is surely! I think strictly speaking this can only be a temporary spare as the car would fail an MOT with it fitted (I believe).

I would expect a "full size spare" to be able to be used as a permanent legal replacement for one of the standard wheels. Taxi drivers often find this an attractive option.

Still if you can drive down the motorway on this "space saver" at 70mph on it that's a bonus!

That's good to know.

I'm slightly confused then, as Skoda seem to explicitly make a distinction where you can have either a full size (meaning the 16") spare wheel or a space saver spare. Bizarre.

You can't order a full sized spare for the VRS from the options list. The brochure is not entirely clear (surprise, surprise) but its a space saver or nothing.

You can only order a 'space saver' wheel with the VRS and this IS the 16" steel wheel. The diameter of the wheel is very similar but the width is different to the alloys and this is one of the reasons it is called a space saver. There is probably some marketing ploy in calling it a space saver since they can hide the fact they are cutting costs by not giving a proper alloy spare wheel.

Since any spare wheel is an extra (at least in the UK) I'm not sure if its a cost cutting exercise!

Are other manufacturers now selling cars without spare wheels as standard? Its the first time I've had to pay for a spare wheel.

MOst if not all manufacturers now gove a punture repair kit instead of a spare. Yes it is a cost cutting exercise, but many use the guise of it being more 'green' (less weight).

Also to people going on about not getting a fullsize spare alloy, which companies do give you this, I've never had one?

As long at the rolling radius is the same on both the spare and the standard wheels you can do whatever speed you like.

The main reason why you can't exceed 50mph on one of those tiny space savers as it will damage the differential on the car

I am 100% sure that an 18" wheel with 225/40 tyre fits in the boot well - because I am the one that has done it ! Please see the link below:

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/161816-finally-the-answer/page__p__1986895__fromsearch__1entry1986895

I think the reason it works is that the boot floor rests on the tool kit styrene foam insert which protrudes just above the 16 inch wheel. When putting the 18 inch wheel in the boot the foam insert sits level with the wheel rather than protruding by a couple of cm - hence the reason an 18 incher fits.

Anyone fancy bidding on my (now redundant) new and unused steel spare.......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=260638545988&Category=9888&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2

As long at the rolling radius is the same on both the spare and the standard wheels you can do whatever speed you like.

The main reason why you can't exceed 50mph on one of those tiny space savers as it will damage the differential on the car

I thought the main reason was because the handling might just be a bit unpredictable with a 145 width tyre (for example) on one side and a 225 on tother. Why would a space save damage the diff? Because it might make one wheel go round faster than the other? Surely that's what the differential is for

I am 100% sure that an 18" wheel with 225/40 tyre fits in the boot well - because I am the one that has done it ! Please see the link below:

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/161816-finally-the-answer/page__p__1986895__fromsearch__1entry1986895

I think the reason it works is that the boot floor rests on the tool kit styrene foam insert which protrudes just above the 16 inch wheel. When putting the 18 inch wheel in the boot the foam insert sits level with the wheel rather than protruding by a couple of cm - hence the reason an 18 incher fits.

Anyone fancy bidding on my (now redundant) new and unused steel spare.......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=260638545988&Category=9888&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2

What's the weight difference like between the two?

Steel is a fair bit lighter, but of no bother to me. I'd much rather have a proper full size spare for nice predictable handling ! Having said that a 205/55 16 is a much better alternative to a repair kit or a silly 125 or 145 width space saver.

MOst if not all manufacturers now gove a punture repair kit instead of a spare. Yes it is a cost cutting exercise, but many use the guise of it being more 'green' (less weight).

Also to people going on about not getting a fullsize spare alloy, which companies do give you this, I've never had one?

My 2010 Peugeot 308 Sport has a full size alloy spare - 225/45R17.

Must admit that I was very surprised to see it in the boot, as my previous 308 only had a skinny steel spare wheel.

As long at the rolling radius is the same on both the spare and the standard wheels you can do whatever speed you like.

The main reason why you can't exceed 50mph on one of those tiny space savers as it will damage the differential on the car

I always thought it was due to the tyres on the super skinny space savers not being rated for any speed higher than 55mph. I seem to remember a car program running a car faster than 55mph on a super skinny space saver and after not too long the tyre gave up with a spectacular blowout.

Also the old Mk 1 VRS came with a full sized alloy as a spare wheel as standard so it was not that long ago Skoda did this.

Edited 30 July, 201015 yr by PSM

I ordered my FL vRS in July last year and specifically spec'd a full size spare. When it was delivered and I looked in the boot to check the correct one was fitted, and saw a 16" with higher profile and slightly narrower and not a super skinny space-saver, I thought all was fine.

A few weeks ago I took the wheel out to install sound deadening to the wheel well, as I turned the wheel over I spotted a big yellow sticker on the rim - Not to exceed 50mph. So despite not being super-skinny it seems you are still limited to lower speeds.

I've been thinking of checking with the dealer, but from my experiences with them I don't think they'll be in the least bit interested in offering any assistance.

Edited 30 July, 201015 yr by shrikep15

As long at the rolling radius is the same on both the spare and the standard wheels you can do whatever speed you like.

The main reason why you can't exceed 50mph on one of those tiny space savers as it will damage the differential on the car

it's not it's - 0.84% difference in size, that's 5.3mm in diameter, 16.65mm in circumference between the two

5.3mm? that's not much of a difference, pretty much like having a new tyre on one side and a worn one on the other, not ideal but I wouldn't expect it to have any significant effect on the diff or the traction control.