Superb Mk3 spare wheel

[JDEE]

Hello all, this is my first post since joining the forum since finding it (when querying spare wheels). W'eve had our car 2 weeks now but prior to delivery I'd done my homework re.wheels and did not like the look of the space saver. Our car came complete with bottle of "goo", locking wheel nut key and I think a wheel brace and inflating pump. On delivery I removed a road wheel (18") and tried it for size in the wheel well, it was a tight fit as tyre is too wide really, but nonetheless it went in but stood tall causing the boot carpet to lift. Next I did research to find data for VAG steel rim and found 2006 onward Passat (16"rim) to be same regarding bore and PCD. Next came a decision of what size tyre on a 16" rim would equate to a 18" original? More online research led me to a superb (I know) website called Tiresize.com (their spelling). This lets you enter (tyre 1) your current size and alongsie that (tyre 2) what you would like. Click on "compare" and it gives a graphic of both tyres side by side with loads of data. A suggested "equal" size was 205 65 16 but for me that was too fat and would sit above the wheel well, 215 60 16 was also listed but thats fatter still. On another page is data listing all tyre sizes currently manufactured and I happened upon 195 65 16 (car fitment NOT van) BINGO. I purchased a used wheel and a used polystyrene tool tray and jack I've attached photos of the result. Just one more thing ....... I carry a breaker bar and plastic wrapped wheel nut socket in the boot, that tiny original wrench doesent look up to the job!      Regards

[naster]

Congrats on the superb! I got a standard spare with steel rim and 205/55/16 tyre. Yes I did get confused by the size but I can check tomorrow if I’m wrong.

Hope this helps. Cheers

[JR RS]

My Superb came with a 16" spare tyre as standard - 205/55/16.

I've since bought a 5th 19" wheel (to match those on the car) and use that as a spare.

 

The boot floor sits up an extra 20-25mm or so, but that was resolved by putting a thick foam around the edges, above the sound deadening material.

 

[MartiniB]

@JDEE

threads are more than enough

by simple board search "full diameter spare wheel" i can't even find my posts in the first list

-> https://www.briskoda.net/forums/search/?q=full diameter spare wheel&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=299

 

i found one of several

-> https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/509471-would-you-take-a-superb-estate-over-passat-estate-if-passat-is-cheaper/?do=findComment&comment=5719561

 

 

diameter comparison to regular 215/55r17 and 225/55r17:
OEM     205/55r16 _ -5.3% _ -6.7%, this huge size difference cancels usage of cruise control

custom 195/65r16_ -1.1% _ -2.6%

custom 205/65r16_ +0.8%   -0.7%

custom 205/60r17   +1.5%    0.0%

 

Spare Wheel options, pros and cons:

 

a)  same size as all other wheels

-> https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/493502-full-sized-tyre-as-spare/

 + can be installed on any axle
 + can be used for unlimited distances
 + no size diff = no speed limits
 + Cruise control will be available
 - boot floor will be pushed few cm up
 - most expensive

 

b) custom 205/65r16, full diameter (my choice for 220ps)
-> https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/442912-full-size-spare-wheel/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-5040470

 + minor width diff will provide safe driving on + 30% of speed printed on spare disc. Important note, when installed on rear axle.
 + can be used for longer distances
 + minor circumference diff will provide ability of Cruise control usage. In theory, i haven't had to test it after OEM 205/55r16 were replaced.
 + fits in it's place, doesn't change size of boot.

 - !!! doesn't fit on 272/280ps even on rear axle !!!

 

c) custom 205/60r17, full diameter (my choice for 280ps)
Pros are equal to b and fits on 272/280ps, which has bigger brake discs, 340/310, while all rest have 310/298 (front/rear)

 

d) OEM 205/55r16
 + lot wider than 'd' = safer than 'd', but don't think printed speed limit can be exceed more than + 10%, even when installed on rear axle.
 + fits in it's place, doesn't change size of boot
 - huge circumference difference disables usage of Cruise Control

 - huge circumference difference isn't healthy for 4x4

 

e) OEM 125/70r18
 + fits in it's place, doesn't change size of boot
 - huge width difference = absolutely unsafe, even when installed or rear axle.
 - huge circumference difference disables usage of Cruise Control

 - huge circumference difference isn't healthy for 4x4

 

 

[Dieselgate]

What potential issues are caused with running 'D' for the 4x4 system (or anything else)?

I did probably 150 miles on this going back a bit (was rear axle). Probably at speeds of up to 75mph a good amount of the time.

[MartiniB]

@Dieselgate

Google for 'Haldex and different sized wheels'

i found recommendation, 4% between axles,

if you have time, do some deeper research and share us info about % between Left/Right

 

 

 

[Summerhillred]

JR RS, How did you manage to fit a 19" alloy in there? I've tried fitting a 5th 18" alloy in mine and it doesn't fit. Too wide to fit in the space. Cheers

[MartiniB]

@Summerhillred

look to pictures, rear plastic trim must be cut

 

[Summerhillred]

Ah OK. Thanks very much. Not keen on cutting anything but if it means I get a full size spare then I might.

 

Cheers

[MartiniB]

8 hours ago, Summerhillred said:

Not keen on cutting anything

 

this cut can be made invisible, here is lost just bottom part of L trim

 

damaged regular, +1.5% oversized, 225/55r17 on 7.5J alloy

 

as spare i took 205/60r17, but currently it is mounted on same 7.5J alloy and it pushes up floor for ~20mm

later will replace disc to 6.5J ?metal? with same tire
 

[Summerhillred]

MartiniB, I did think of putting a 17" wheel in there but I didn't know what tyre to get and no one I spoke to knew either.

If I can get my 18" in there which I should then I'll be happy. Failing that, I might opt for the 17" but that would mean selling the 18" tool kit and buying the 17" one

[JR RS]

14 hours ago, Summerhillred said:

JR RS, How did you manage to fit a 19" alloy in there? I've tried fitting a 5th 18" alloy in mine and it doesn't fit. Too wide to fit in the space. Cheers

 

It's a small cut out of the plastic trim - easy to do.

There is enough room in the wheel well to fit a 19" wheel.  

 

 

[MartiniB]

14 hours ago, Summerhillred said:

I did think of putting a 17" wheel

why do focusing on disc inches?
when most important is circumference, which depends on tire size
 

OEM sizes Diameter/Circum. mm
215/55r17 -    668    2098    0%    
235/45r18 -    668    2101    0%
235/40r19 -    671    2106    +0.4%
215/60r16 -    665    2085    -0.4%
215/50r18 -    673    2111    +0.8%
235/50r17 -    668    2093    0%
235/35r20 -    673    2111    +0.8%

out of manufacturer approval
225/55r17 -    678    2134    +1.5%   my choice
235/50r17 -    668    2093    0%
240/45r18 -    673    2113    +0.8%
245/45r18 -    678    2129    +1.5%
245/40r19 -    678    2131    +1.5%
245/35r20 -    681    2134    +1.9%

 

Spare Wheels:
OEM
125/70r18 -    632    1986    -5.3%
205/55r16 -    632    1984    -5.3%
optimal, out of manufacturer approval
195/65r16 -    660    2073    -1.1%
205/65r16 -    673    2113    +0.8%
205/60r17 -    678    2129    +1.5%
195/55r18 -    671    2108    +0.4%
205/50r18 -    663    2080    -0.8%
 

14 hours ago, Summerhillred said:

that would mean selling the 18" tool kit and buying the 17" one

i think that foam edges can be easily cut

 

OEM 18"

[Summerhillred]

MartiniB, my apologies but firstly I haven't a clue to what all those figures mean. Secondly, that doesn't look like a full size 18" alloy and tyre in your picture

[naster]

Good advice if no spare tyre or foam spray only. But I’d not bother at all if oem spare size is 16”.

[Summerhillred]

Naster, you wouldn't bother doing what?

[naster]

Cutting plastic trim of a perfectly working vehicle to supposedly match tyre size on an axle just to get it to the nearest shop. Was meant for the previous comment however there was another post in the meantime. Cheers.

Edited 13 January by naster

[Summerhillred]

Naster, for me it's not just to get to the nearest tyre shop.

 

I'm a self employed taxi driver and if I'm on a fare and have to put on a space saver then my fare terminates there and then. I also can't continue working at all until I have the tyre is repaired. And there's a good chance that my tyre would have to be ordered which means I can't work until the tyre arrives. All this time I'm losing money.

 

Not only that, I tow a caravan and don't want to be towing it with a poxy space saver on my car if I was to have a blow out.

 

I  wasn't keen on cutting the trim but I've come round to the fact that I'll get a full size alloy in there and no one but me will know or see that the trim has been cut.

 

If I come to sell the car then I'll explain why I did it and the new owner would have the choice of leaving it as it is or sourcing a new trim from a breaker or whatever.

[Summerhillred]

And there we have it. A full size 18" alloy with 235/45/18 tyre and no cutting of trim to be done.

Yes it sits a few cm above the level of the boot floor but that's easily remedied with some foam or the like.

 

What I can't understand though is that the 18" tool kit from Skoda doesn't fit flush inside the wheel.

 

Never mind, I've got a spare scissor jack that can sit inside the wheel.

 

Job done although it is a shame to lose the storage that was in the foam insert.

[naster]

Fits like a glove! A friend of mine had 2 sets of wheels for summer/winter tyres and did use one of his other set’s as a spare. For towing defo a no no with the space saver.

[Summerhillred]

naster, it has gone in but only just. No need for cutting the trim.

 

Pity the Skoda tool kit doesn't fit even though it's supposed to be for an 18" wheel.

[naster]

lol this looks odd. Could it have been designed for an 18” space saver? Or that was in place of the spare? You could trim it to fit?

[Summerhillred]

It's supposed to be designed to fit inside the spare wheel but it wouldn't have gone inside a skinny space saver.

 

I don't want to trim it unless I make a mess of it and can't take it back. They have a 16" toolkit in stock so I'll try that first.

 

This will do for the meantime.

[naster]

That’s not too bad. The 16” I have is quite a snug fit. Good luck and send some pics.

[fr1nklyn]

Hello guys, I’m following this thread with interest and had read @MartiniB’s original thread as well.

 

I’m wondering, wouldn’t the 195/55r18 tire be the best option for cars coming with 18” space saver 125/70r18?

(like the 4x4 Scout that I have)

 

If the tire of the space saver can be replaced, it will mean that not only the diameter will be optimal, but also the spare kit will fit inside.
Also no foam cutting will be required and the trunk floor won’t be lifted.

 

The space saver remains mystery for me: is it a tire with special compound? What about the high inflation pressure it is required for those tires?…