Spare wheel check

Daz999

Daz999

Zorg Addict
Supporter
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Points
53
Location
Dromore, Co.Down
Model of Z
BMW Z3 2.2 Sport
Hi Folks, i decided to check on the condition of my spare wheel. It was not as bad as i thought but still not sure if i would be happy to use it.





I found this rubber item in the plastic wheel carrier. Any ideas as to what it is?


 
Looks like a butt plug
 
At a guess I'd say the tyre is as old as the rest of the car?

Tony.
 
You have a spare wheel?? :stop: :wtf: Where's mine? :grumpy:

I was once told (probably by a guy hoping to sell me tyres) that you shouldn't trust tyres over 6 years old.
 
I've spent a bit of time cleaning up the wheel and it appears to just surface rust. I think i will take it down to my local tyre place and ask them to remove the tyre so i can check the area around the beads more clearly.
The tyre itself "looks" remarkably good for 12 years old with no cracks at all but i will change it if i can save the rim.

Yeah Jack i thought that too, :wideyed:

Is it supposed to be attached to the wheel cradle mechanism in some way?
 
I'd go with the line of replacing it through not knowing how old the tyre is. That said, I've ditched the spare tyre and carrier and put the BMW tyre inflation kit in the boot of the car.

I've driven using the spare and it's not a pleasant experience, plus you have the problem of where to put the road tyre when it's fitted.

Jack Ratt said:
Looks like a butt plug
Click to expand...
Go and sit in the naughty corner for 30 minutes :slaphead:
 
Cheers Gaz, Is the inflation kit a compressor and goo type? Do you know if the tyre can be repaired properly after using those?

I also have an E91 currently on runflats and was thinking of switching it to normal tyres, so a kit may be the solution for both cars.
 
Daz999 said:
Do you know if the tyre can be repaired properly after using those?
Click to expand...

Yes, its a myth that the tyre can not be repaired after using the gunk.
At my mates garage he cleanes them out, repaires them and puts them back on the car.
Most other places will just want to sell you some new rubber.
 
Daz999 said:
Is the inflation kit a compressor and goo type?
Click to expand...
Essentially yes. This is the kit, except this is branded MINI but it's identical.
upload_2015-2-21_18-46-56.webp

Daz999 said:
Do you know if the tyre can be repaired properly after using those?
Click to expand...
I've never checked, but I would still use this in preference to the space saver any day.
 
Agreed, but it's horrible s*** to clean out and if you were charged a fair amount of labour to do that it probably wouldnt be cost effective though.

Tony.
 
Shirl's MX5 had that type of kit but the "fill" does have a limited shelf life.

Tony.
 
Forgot I had this picture, which explains why using a space saver is impractical unless you are on your own in the car.

Oh, and while I remember: There was a recorded incident of a passenger in a Z3 carrying a road wheel on her lap which had a bulge in the side wall, but hadn't deflated. It burst in her lap and she died from internal injuries.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8600833.stm

Ok, that's at the extreme end of the scale - but could you really ask your passenger to sit with a wheel on their lap while you drive?

full
 
t-tony said:
Agreed, but it's horrible s*** to clean out and if you were charged a fair amount of labour to do that it probably wouldnt be cost effective though.

Tony.
Click to expand...

Bullshit Tony, use a steam HP cleaner........
 
Ok guys, thanks very much, i will probably go down the mobility kit route as it saves me having to buy a 17inch space saver for the tourer and a new tyre for Zed .
:drinks:
 
Yeah, but the gunk repair kits can't do much for a big gash can they..... I remember (I think) Mike Fishwick saying he drove ok on a spacesaver spare. ...I got a virtually new wheel and tyre on Ebay for £80 some time ago. I waxoyled the rim well and it's still fine, and just needed a wee bit of pressure after checking it yesterday.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
hard top said:
Bullshit Tony, use a steam HP cleaner........
Click to expand...
Not many tyre centres will have a steam cleaner Mike, and it's still horrible s***.

Tony.
 
Evening all, just tried to zoom in on the tyre pictures up above but I can't quite make it out, if you look at your tyres you'll find a date code on them. This particular tyre seems to be 4301, this means the tyre was made in the 43rd week of 2001, like I said I can't quite make it out but if this is correct the tyre is way past it's use-by date (generally reckoned to be about 5 or 6 years). You'll have to have a close look yourself, but this will tell you how old the tyre is.
 
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