Help needed with Vito spare from someone in the know !

[Gez2312]

Hi , first of all many thanks for any help you can give !

I've been given the task of sourcing a space saver spare wheel for a vito van . I am starting to think its a bit like trying to find Bigfoot !

My pal has a 2007 vito van with 17" alloys .

At the moment it has a tin if tyre weld as a spare and he's after a spacesaver wheel to keep in the back.

I looked and searched but couldn't find a 17" soace saver with the right offset etc.

I eventually rung dronsfields , who said the had one but on the Vito's it was a 16" version , I said fine and they posted it out . It arrived today and it's 195/65/16 !!! Far from space saving!

So my question is is there a space saver available to do the job and if so , where! And what other vehicles is it off ? I thought any 17" mercedes saver would do because surely offset won't matter on such a skinny wheel ! I'm £50 in at the mo and no better off ! So anyone that can point me in the right direction , your help would be greatly appreciated and I can guarantee you'll go straight to heaven ! Many thanks

 

[BTB 500]

I doubt you can get a genuine space-saver with the correct load rating for a Vito. I'm afraid your pal will be stuck with a standard 16" steel spare on a bracket somewhere inside.

Presumably this is for a compact Vito (the shortest length). The other two sizes have room for an under-slung carrier behind the back axle so have a full-size spare wheel there.

 

[Gez2312]

Yes it's a short one! Now been told it would be illegal to drive on a 16" spare! By dronsfields the same people who sold me it! They are being very unhelpful and have asked me to return it at my cost ! Bit unfair seeing how I bought it from their advice ! They also told me the minibus Vito's come with a 17" spacesaver but are obviously very rare! Still lost in. Confusion to be honest !

 

[sherco450]

the compacts came with a factory 16 inch, even if you had 17 fitted from factory. Then placard has the info. lm sure many cars would be illegal for not running the same wheel size .My compact has the factory 16 and its pretty much out of the way ,unless you want a window or seating there. l use the tyre wheel steel slots to hold screwdrivers . pliers even a paint brush handle slides in ..hang my jacket over it as well.

 

[Dieselman]

Try Nick at Euromerc. He's a really helpful chap and might have one.

 

[BTB 500]

My Long Vito has factory 17" alloys and a (full size) steel 16" spare - this is quite normal and not a problem so long as the rolling radius is the same. My SL has 18" wheels and a 16" spare.

The point about a 'space saver' is that I doubt you would find a small rim/tyre combination with a load rating adequate for a Vito, which has a gross weight of 2.77 or 2.94 tonnes (depending on spec.). Otherwise I'm sure M-B would offer one as an option or accessory.

 

[Dieselman]

My old cars came with 195 width tyres for the road wheels and 175 width spare tyre.

As it's just for a spare, fit a tyre, fit a tyre of the correct size to give the correct rolling circumference then paint the wheel with a day-glo marker, to it signify as a spare.

In my experience, space-saver wheels have been smaller diameter and make the car lean over.

Don't forget, if you use a steel wheel, you will need shorter bolts, with no shouldered section.

 

[Giantvanman]

Just been down this route myself and after some deliberation, I concluded although genuine steel spare wheels can be bought (new via tyre companies who supply winter sets for example or used via Ebay), for a little extra I bought a used matching alloy wheel via Ebay.
A £40 part worn tyre added that is the same make and load rating as on the van, saving all the potential problems mentioned and giving much greater practical usage.
A little patience and perseverance is all it takes. Hope this helps.