Many posts have dealt with issues like "repair kit v spare wheel", "will this wheel fit in the well", etc etc. My problem is slightly different.

 

My Superb 2 estate came with a repair kit, and I have replaced it with a skinny / space saver. The problem is that the polystyrene insert in the wheel well is designed for the repair kit, and this prevents me from stowing the skinny wheel in the well.

 

I have considered carving the foam to make room for the wheel, but fear that this will weaken the insert and make it unusable. I have also considered removing the foam altogether, but this leaves the boot floor without support. I could fit a wooden frame on top of the wheel, but want to see if there are more simple solutions before doing this.

 

I have searched Briskoda forums, Ebay, Skoda website and Google for suitable replacement foam inserts, but haven't found anything (other than the small insert for stowing jack / brace etc in the spare wheel). Has anyone else had this problem and found a simple solution?

Hi Ken and welcome to the board.

 

When you say you have replaced the (useless and guaranteed to get your wife killed at the side of a road) repair kit with a space saver - do you mean the "slightly skinny" standard Skoda Superb space saver that is a 16"  205 55 R16 or do you mean you got hold of one of the type that is a bit of a bicycle tyre (i.e. "really skinny")?

 

Just asking so that we know what you are trying to sort out...

46 minutes ago, TheRobinK said:

Hi Ken and welcome to the board.

 

When you say you have replaced the (useless and guaranteed to get your wife killed at the side of a road) repair kit with a space saver - do you mean the "slightly skinny" standard Skoda Superb space saver that is a 16"  205 55 R16 or do you mean you got hold of one of the type that is a bit of a bicycle tyre (i.e. "really skinny")?

 

Just asking so that we know what you are trying to sort out...

Thanks for this, TheRobinK.

 

The tyre is a Continental T125/70 R 18 99M, and the wheel is a VWAG 3 1/2 J x 18H2. Compared to the main tyres, it could well be a bike tyre!

 

Ken

I went through this process when I bought my own car. I went with the standard Skoda spare (205/55/16) and the foam insert for hte jack and toolkit and it supports the boot fine.

 

I don't see how you could make the spare fit in the big polystyrene insert. I'd suggest putting some plywood across the opening, but that'd interfere with the bit sticking out of the underside of the boot floor. Maybe rig something up as a spacer to sit on top of the skinny wheel so that it supports the middle of the boot floor?

I bought a 205/55 x16 full steel wheel off ebay and a skoda wheel change kit

1 hour ago, chimaera said:

I went through this process when I bought my own car. I went with the standard Skoda spare (205/55/16) and the foam insert for hte jack and toolkit and it supports the boot fine.

 

I don't see how you could make the spare fit in the big polystyrene insert. I'd suggest putting some plywood across the opening, but that'd interfere with the bit sticking out of the underside of the boot floor. Maybe rig something up as a spacer to sit on top of the skinny wheel so that it supports the middle of the boot floor?

I thought of something like that, chimaera, but wanted to see if anyone knew of anything easier. I'm not planning to sell the Superb (I think it's the tops!), but want to keep it looking reasonably pukka in case the day comes.

In your position I'd sell the narrow tyre and get a 16" one, which, unless you have the raised boot floor, should be just right to support the boot floor without needing the insert. Cost wise I suspect you might even make money on this one as 16" wheels and tyres are very common and therefore cheap. I never heard of a Superb II shipping with the 125 mm wide tyre anyway, so there won't be a Skoda specific foam insert available for this tyre anyway.

Edited 1 March, 20179 yr by psycholist

I've had the same problem but run 17's/19's on mine (winter/summer). I have the false floor too which does not help...

 

Ive ended up carrying a spare alloy in the boot....secured in with a cargo net thing.  If I need to use the boot area it goes vertical on the side 'Jeep Cherokee' style. Not ideal but, as someone has suggested, I prefer to have a proper spare rather than a plastic bottle of goo that will screw up a decent tyre if all that is required in it is a puncture repair at a specialist...

 

I even toyed with the idea of putting a spare on the roof......Land Rover style 

 

Dave.

I thought I read in a post somewhere that with the false floor the 17" wheel would fit in the wheel well directly. The consequences of something that heavy rattling around inside the car in a crash would put me off leaving it loose though. I suspect it would go through the parcel shelf easily enough if the car is bounced the wrong way. I'd definitely tie it down anyway.

On 3/3/2017 at 06:19, Wile7 said:

 

 

I even toyed with the idea of putting a spare on the roof......Land Rover style 

Now that would be quite a unique look

Thanks, everyone, for creative / innovative ideas. You've given me plenty to think about.

 

I'll come back "in due course" with details of my chosen course of action.

I'd go for the 205/55/16 spare as it fits right and is meant for the car. Plenty on eBay with the insert as well

You can also buy the insert and toolkit etc from Superskoda:

http://www.superskoda.com/Skoda/SUPERB-II/Superb-II-09-13-original-Skoda-kit-for-spare-wheel-change

 

Cheers,

Steve

Just make sure the tyre has a load rating of at least 92 (In 16" tyres I've only ever seen 91 or 94 on each side of the 92 you need) when you're buying a spare. If you find a spare from an Octavia for example it'll fit but have a 91 load rating.

On 03/03/2017 at 13:05, psycholist said:

I thought I read in a post somewhere that with the false floor the 17" wheel would fit in the wheel well directly. The consequences of something that heavy rattling around inside the car in a crash would put me off leaving it loose though. I suspect it would go through the parcel shelf easily enough if the car is bounced the wrong way. I'd definitely tie it down anyway.

 

Yes, I use cargo nets to hold it down tightly otherwise, agreed,  a risk in an incident.  I'll re check on the fitting with false floor. Thank you.

 

im actually thinking of moving to 18's all round (winter/summer) just to try and keep things simple tyre wise. We shall see.....

 

Dave