Buying a spare wheel for my C-Class

[puffin]

Hi all-

I'm planning a trip on the continent in a few weeks and wanted to buy a spare wheel and tyre in case of emergency.

My car is a 2018 AMG-line C250d with different types front and back (225/45Z R 18 and 245/40 R 18 respectively). I understand that I can get a standard 18-inch space saver that will fit both, but I'm concerned about the longevity of the tyre, particularly if I get a puncture in the middle of nowhere. So I then thought about buying a second hand wheel and tyre. Plenty of places offering them but not sure what size to get.

I can only buy one size of course, so what would people recommend ? Assuming that the puncture was in the 'different size' wheel, would I be better to drive with a 225 on the rear or a 245 on the front for say a few hundred miles ?

Thanks.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Hello and welcome , I can't really answer your question , but if you ever have to drive with wheels of a different circumference never fit them on the axle that has the differential.

 

[puffin]

Thanks. Thinking further, the 245 may be too wide and may not fit on the front.

 

[st13phil]

So I then thought about buying a second hand wheel and tyre.

I would be surprised if either of the standard wheels & tyres will fit in the spare wheel well, hence the supply of a space-saver as a spare.

 

[Rubyred]

Read spare wheel. Post by bigdrew!

 

[puffin]

I would be surprised if either of the standard wheels & tyres will fit in the spare wheel well, hence the supply of a space-saver as a spare.

There's no space-saver tyre nor a well in the car

 

[tony gee]

if you are buying a full size spare with staggered wheels then buy a front. a rear could effect steering or foul on suspension parts, but plenty of room on the rear driving wheels where you wont feal any difference.

 

[DSM10000]

There's no space-saver tyre nor a well in the car

Then where are you going to store the spare wheel, wheelbrace, lifting jack, wheel chock?

 

[puffin]

Read spare wheel. Post by bigdrew!

Thanks, great info

 

[tony gee]

Then where are you going to store the spare wheel, wheelbrace, lifting jack, wheel chock?

simple, you bolt the wheel on the front bumper/grill.

 

[puffin]

Then where are you going to store the spare wheel, wheelbrace, lifting jack, wheel chock?

There's only two of us in the car so plenty of room in the rear footwell. As I said, it's only really as 'insurance' for a trip around France.

 

[st13phil]

it's only really as 'insurance' for a trip around France

If you’re just travelling around France then my advice would be to not bother carrying a spare wheel. If the worst comes to it you’ll just have to use the sealant gunk and compressor that came with the car.

And as an aside, it’s never a good idea to carry a wheel and inflated tyre in the passenger compartment.

 

[BTB 500]

With a 'staggered' setup buying the narrower front wheel as a spare would only give you a 50% chance that you could carry on driving normally. TBH you might as well get a slimmer space saver - you can get these as a kit complete with jack & wheelbrace etc. in a carrying bag. This is the one I've got watchlisted for my 2019 C300:

Pardon our interruption...

 

[tony gee]

With a 'staggered' setup buying the narrower front wheel as a spare would only give you a 50% chance that you could carry on driving normally. TBH you might as well get a slimmer space saver - you can get these as a kit complete with jack & wheelbrace etc. in a carrying bag. This is the one I've got watchlisted for my 2019 C300:

Pardon our interruption...

you've lost me their !!! why would a front wheel only give you 50% chance to carry on driving ?

 

[DSM10000]

simple, you bolt the wheel on the front bumper/grill.

 

[BTB 500]

you've lost me their !!! why would a front wheel only give you 50% chance to carry on driving ?

Because being a different size you couldn't (legally) drive normally with it fitted on the back. Using mismatched tyre sizes on the same axle is restricted to 'temporary use' (often interpreted as a maximum of 50 miles) and a maximum speed of 50 mph (or lower if a space saver is so marked). Basically you can continue to your destination if close, or otherwise to somewhere you can get the punctured tyre repaired or replaced.

 

[tony gee]

Because being a different size you couldn't (legally) drive normally with it fitted on the back. Using mismatched tyre sizes on the same axle is restricted to 'temporary use' (often interpreted as a maximum of 50 miles) and a maximum speed of 50 mph (or lower if a space saver is so marked). Basically you can continue to your destination if close, or otherwise to somewhere you can get the punctured tyre repaired or replaced.

but who would be able to tell that a front wheel is on the back that looks the same as the rest ? and you wouldn't be restricted to 50mph. and at the end of the day its on the back because of a rear puncture and you would be on your way to a tyre shop !!!!! ive used a front on the back with no issues on a BMW and know one could tell.

 

[BTB 500]

but who would be able to tell that a front wheel is on the back that looks the same as the rest ? and you wouldn't be restricted to 50mph. and at the end of the day its on the back because of a rear puncture and you would be on your way to a tyre shop !!!!! ive used a front on the back with no issues on a BMW and know one could tell.

All true but it's the sort of thing that Police or an insurance company engineer would almost certainly spot if you were involved in a significant accident (even if not your fault) - they always go over tyres with a fine tooth comb. Just something to be aware of.

I once had a main dealer put the (50 limited) spare on our Vito without telling me - it was fitted on the nearside and parked close to a wall so I had no idea. Drove back as usual down the M4 at 'normal speed' without noticing a thing - it was only when I parked up at home that I saw it