Now sold my series II and as buyer offered nothing for any extras I kept the unused full spare wheel (steel) kit (amongst other things).

Now considering options but if anyone can advise whether the retained spare will be suitable for use in a series III I would much appreciate that.

Yes it will the same size, you will however need the toolkit as well (jack wheelbrace etc) as these are not supplied when a spare wheel is not ordered.

Thanks Gizmo, this is the full kit including jack etc. and tool for getting stones out of horses hooves (might come in handy for removing wheel bolt covers).

What engine are you going for on the MKIII? 

 

Have you (re) ordered one yet?

  It'll be a (re) (re) order for me if I go for a Superb. I've been distracted by the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug in electric vehicle).

 

I had a test drive in the outgoing model - latest one launching on 1st October but this appears to be a fairly superficial reboot of the older one and I'm kinda going off it.

 

I had had my heart set on the 150ps diesel with AWD but first having discovered this one had an AdBlue tank followed soon after by the whole VAG shenanigans I've done something I wouldn't have thought possible a week or so ago and switched my attentions to petrol (and/or hybrid). 

 

Part of me would love to follow the rubber burning set and go for the 280 4x4 but I still cannot resist the lure of economy and that seems to be pointing me towards the 1.4TSI 150ps petrol, unfortunately apparently incapable of driving 4 wheels simultaneously so I'll have to shell out on some winter tyres / and / or wheels.

 

This engine isn't available in the L&K that I was originally going for but that spec included things that I wouldn't otherwise have paid for so looking like the SEL Exec with a few bolt ons.

 

I would have liked the 'Rough Road Pack' (fields with R/C model planes) but that apparently ceases to be available at SE level.

 

If you do at any point decide to go for the 220 or 280 petrol then they need 17” wheels to clear the front brakes, every other car can use 16” wheels.

So you're considering getting back in the game?! Nearly opted out myself recently when looking at the Merc C350e (probably wouldn't make sense for you, though!).

 

I'd not considered 4x4 a real substitute for winter tyres. I wonder if driving with winter tyres all year round would make sense in a Superb?

That's good was going to spec optional tyre, but can take it from our MK2. I assume it'll fit in tyre well?

I'd not considered 4x4 a real substitute for winter tyres.

It's not. 4x4 might help you get moving, but makes no difference at all to your ability to steer or stop when the snow falls.

That definitely seems to be the case.

 

This is very interesting, watch the video;

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/66645/winter-tyres-test-reviews-and-prices-for-2014-2015

It's not. 4x4 might help you get moving, but makes no difference at all to your ability to steer or stop when the snow falls.

Absolutely. Having tried all combinations of 4x4, fwd with and without winter tyres, I would without hesitation pick a fwd with winter tyres over a 4x4 without.

Absolutely. Having tried all combinations of 4x4, fwd with and without winter tyres, I would without hesitation pick a fwd with winter tyres over a 4x4 without.

+1. The Scandinavians have a saying. "Winter tyres before four wheel drive"

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Now sold my series II and as buyer offered nothing for any extras I kept the unused full spare wheel kit (amongst other things).

 

Now considering options  but if anyone can advise whether the retained spare will be suitable for use in a series III I would much appreciate that.

 

They are NOT equivalent.

 

Superb III wheels are bigger in diameter, for example:

 

215/55 17" instead of 225/45 17" -> 34 mm bigger

235/45 18" instead of 225/40 18" -> 31.5 mm bigger

I've edited my original post to show 'steel' wheel in the body of the message.

Are the steel spare wheels for the series III a different size from the series II?

I think the wheel is the same, but the tyre is larger.

Of course, just checked and the old one is 205/55.

 

Mind you, a lot of manufacturers went through a phase (maybe still do) of supplying 'skinny' space savers so maybe still good as a spare.

 

After all, as the steel is of different construction to the alloys it's restricted to 50mph anyway due to the difference in the dynamics of the wheel so I'm not sure that the wheel still isn't perfectly safe to use temporarily as a spare.

They are NOT equivalent.

 

Superb III wheels are bigger in diameter, for example:

 

215/55 17" instead of 225/45 17" -> 34 mm bigger

235/45 18" instead of 225/40 18" -> 31.5 mm bigger

 

Well, I visited a showroom today and looked at the spare under the boot of an SE L Exec, and guess what it was;

 

A 16" steel (no surprise there) fitted with a 205/55 - same as my series II.

 

So it appears they ARE immensely suitable.

I did try to tell you 

 

For those that still think this is wrong (just because non of the trim levels are fitted with a 205/55/16... hence why it’s a space saver)

 

Is a different size and type of spare supplied with a 280 because 16" doesn't fit?

That's a good point .... I've ordered the spare and asked the dealer to double check it was compatible with the variable boot floor. He said it was. To be honest I don't care what size it is as long as I have a spare and the vbf.

Well, I visited a showroom today and looked at the spare under the boot of an SE L Exec, and guess what it was;

 

A 16" steel (no surprise there) fitted with a 205/55 - same as my series II.

 

So it appears they ARE immensely suitable.

 

Obviously they are suitable. Even a space saver is suitable. But the ABS sensors (and therefore the tyre pressure warning) will go crazy if you use it. I tell it from my own experience.

I imagine you will get the super skinny 18” steel wheel and tyre found in many VW’s

Obviously they are suitable. Even a space saver is suitable.....

 

That is exactly what it is though... a space saver!

I did try to tell you 

 

For those that still think this is wrong (just because non of the trim levels are fitted with a 205/55/16... hence why it’s a space saver)

 

 

You didn't try to tell me Gizmo, you told me but someone attempted, erroneously,  to distract me from the simple truth.

 

However, it reminds me of a true story of a few years ago when I was an active aviation pilot of a fatal incident in Spain where the Spanish Captain of a commercial freighter had apparently mis-set his altimeter and was too low on his approach to his destination airport.

 

Cockpit voice recorder revealed the auto system (radar fed) warning 'terrain, pull up, pull up, terrain, pull up, pull up....'.

 

The words uttered just before the sound  of the crash was the Captain uttering the words..."Shut up Gringo!"

 

I too will switch off the warnings, and go home........at less than 50mph.

 

You didn't try to tell me Gizmo, you told me but someone attempted, erroneously,  to distract me from the simple truth.

 

However, it reminds me of a true story of a few years ago when I was an active aviation pilot of a fatal incident in Spain where the Captain of a commercial freighter had apparently mis-set his altimeter and was too low on his approach to his destination airport.

 

Cockpit voice recorder revealed the auto system (radar fed) warning 'terrain, pull up, pull up, terrain, pull up, pull up....'.

 

The words uttered just before the sound  of the crash was the Captain uttering the words..."Shut up Gringo!"

 

I too will switch off the warnings, and go home........at less than 50mph.

 

Interesting Claymore. Who did you fly for ?