Space saving wheels ???

[GPG]

My newish second hand Vectra LIFE, 06 reg, comes equipped with a "space
saving spare wheel". I do wish that it came with a 'real' one !!! What if
one is travelling some distance for an important appointment, and this
inferior spare cannot travel at any speed for any distance?? The mind
boggles !!!!!

What's the idea? Punctures seldom to never happen, these days??

Anyway, does anyone know, or has tried, replacing this nonsense with a real
wheel? Is there a problem in the boot, size-wise (or any other-wise)? Any
comments would be greatly appreciated.

GPG

 

[Martin]

My newish second hand Vectra LIFE, 06 reg, comes equipped with a "space
saving spare wheel". I do wish that it came with a 'real' one !!! What
if one is travelling some distance for an important appointment, and this
inferior spare cannot travel at any speed for any distance?? The mind
boggles !!!!!

What's the idea? Punctures seldom to never happen, these days??

IME, punctures are indeed very rare these days.

If you're driving to an "important appointment", how much extra time do you
allow for M-way jams - which are far more likely than a puncture? And do
you also allow extra time for a wheel change, cos you think a puncture is
quite possible? Or a breakdown?

To encounter M-way delays AND a puncture on the same trip seems to me most
unlikely. And if it's that important a meeting, surely they'll wait for
you - especially if you phone ahead.

Bear in mind that if you had to travel 100 miles at 50mph instead of 70mph,
you only lose about 1/2 an hour. And how often can we cruise at 70 for 100
miles on a typical business trip?

Incidentally, I don't think "space saving" tyres have a distance limit -
only a speed limit.

All of the above said, I agree it's irritating but think of all the things
you can store in the saved space...

Anyway, does anyone know, or has tried, replacing this nonsense with a
real wheel? Is there a problem in the boot, size-wise (or any
other-wise)? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

You could take off a normal wheel and try it....

 

[airsmoothed]

IME, punctures are indeed very rare these days.

If you're driving to an "important appointment", how much extra time do you
allow for M-way jams - which are far more likely than a puncture?  And do
you also allow extra time for a wheel change, cos you think a puncture is
quite possible?  Or a breakdown?

To encounter M-way delays AND a puncture on the same trip seems to me most
unlikely.  And if it's that important a meeting, surely they'll wait for
you - especially if you phone ahead.

Bear in mind that if you had to travel 100 miles at 50mph instead of 70mph,
you only lose about 1/2 an hour.  And how often can we cruise at 70 for100
miles on a typical business trip?

Incidentally, I don't think "space saving" tyres have a distance limit -
only a speed limit.

All of the above said, I agree it's irritating but think of all the things
you can store in the saved space...


You could take off a normal wheel and try it....  

Space saver??? luxury - many cars you just get a can of foam these
days! Some cars seem more prone than others, SWMBO's Zafira picks up a
puncture about every 10K, whereas I've done 200K since my last one.