Hi all.

Recently became the proud owner of a MK3 facelift VRS, having previously owned a MK2 (which had been around the planet multiple times).

It has come with 19" alloy wheels (I think they are referred to as "extremes" from my brief reading here so far?).

The spare wheel in the well in the boot is a 17" steel and I would like to replace it with one matching the existing 4.

My question before I buy one is: will this fit in the same space in the well of the boot?

I know I could just take one off and try it but hoped I could ask here and save myself the hassle :p

Not going to be possible I'm afraid. The maximum size of spare wheel is 18" - 19's won't fit.

Two things are important about whether a spare will fit:

1) The outside diameter of the tyre when inflated - an emergency spare should be within a few % of a normal tyre, so this is less likely to be a problem.

2) The width of the tyre - normally an emergency spare is much narrower than a full size tyre, so would likely cause the boot floor not to fit.

Wheel diameter is less important - a 19" with an ultra low profile tyre can have the same overall diameter as an 18" with a low profile tyre...

Thanks guys.

The tyres on the current 19" alloys are 225/35ZR19.

I mis remembered the spare, it's actually 125/70R18.

Any thoughts?

See attached comparison from tyresize.com

Diameter of the 19" is 16mm (0.6") more, but most significantly the width is 110mm (4.4") more - most likely too deep to fit in the spare wheel well.

12 hours ago, Al__Bundy said:

Hi all.

Recently became the proud owner of a MK3 facelift VRS, having previously owned a MK2 (which had been around the planet multiple times).

It has come with 19" alloy wheels (I think they are referred to as "extremes" from my brief reading here so far?).

The spare wheel in the well in the boot is a 17" steel and I would like to replace it with one matching the existing 4.

My question before I buy one is: will this fit in the same space in the well of the boot?

I know I could just take one off and try it but hoped I could ask here and save myself the hassle :p

Not a chance that it'll fit - as Dave says, a 235/35R19 is significantly larger than the 125/70R18 it was designed for.

I wouldn't bother lugging around a full size 19" wheel. That said, I'm still needing to pick up a spare for mine!

Hmm interesting...

Took a few measurements. The diameter of the 18" spare wheel is identical to the 19" alloys, no doubt due to lower pro tyres on the alloy.

In terms of depth when in boot well, the 225 wheel is a shade under 4" more than the 125 spare wheel.

The boot floor shelf sits level with top of the tool kit. Clearance from top of spare wheel to level of tool kit = 4" (see pic).

Unless I've missed something I'm thinking it might fit :)

37 minutes ago, Al__Bundy said:

Unless I've missed something I'm thinking it might fit :)

The measurements fit with the tyre calculator, the 4" space above the emergency spare to the top of the toolkit does suggest that it's worth a try with a full size wheel/tyre.

Maybe temporarily swap the space saver with one of your own wheels so you can try it before spending the cash?

@Al__Bundy Be a devil. Practice taking off a wheel using what kit you have and see if the wheel / tyre goes in the spare tyre well.

As it is if ever you need to put the spare on a cars wheel / tyre should really be able to get carried without taking up boot space with stuff out the boot stored in a spare tyre well.

Near post winter, time for Brake Servicing anyway, and checking wheel bolts can be loosened and Alloys not dissimilar metal welded to the hubs.

Not sure if the wide 19in rim fits as it is very wide / high when horizontal, but you can certainly fit even larger diameter 205/55/R17 wheel (Mk3 Scout size) into the spare wheel well.
I am driving on 17in "Crystal" 6jx17 alloys in this size and the spare is the same, fits just fine.
Mind you, the "Crystal" alloys are only 6in wide ("winter" alloys for the Mk3 vRS), the 19in alloys are I think 7.5in wide and so 1.5in higher in the boot. But you could put a large piece of thick felt cut out around the spare wheel well to match any difference in height above the boot floor.

Update:

I got hold of a decent 19" with a usable tyre for reasonable price.

It fits in the boot well perfectly and the shelf would sit down level except...

The tool kit. The polystyrene insert sits on the rim rather than down into the wheel, hence sticks up.

Looks like I'm going to have to carefully shave a little off the sides until it will sit down flush.