Generic spare wheel

Malcyb

Member
Ok, so I’ve learned over the past day or 2 that pukka A2 collapsible spare wheels are both rare and expensive, so I’d like to consider a cheaper option. As I said in my “wanted” post, I’ve got the bolt for the spare under the false floor. With this in mind, can anybody recommend a good value spare wheel/tyre combo (ideally a space saver) that could be secured by the bolt? For what it’s worth I’ve got standard SE wheels with 185/50 R16s. Measuring up, it seems like there’s just space for an inflated wheel centred on the bolt though pretty tight. However, maybe this is a daft question but is there any reason why a non-collapsible spare couldn’t be deflated to fit? Would this ruin the tyre?
Thanks
 
You would not be able to inflate the tyre I guess (need a shock filler)


Thanks this thread certainly seems to help however leaves me with a couple of questions...

the reference to ET (35 in my case?) confuses me. Looking up a random selection of eBay listings for A3 spares, I found a few 125/70 R16s for reasonable prices which looked promising, however no mention of this ET rating which is something I’ve never heard of, so what exactly am I looking for?

I see you have this sitting loose in the boot (though seems to be wedged by your rubber mat), but do you know of any reason why it wouldn’t fit on the bolt? It looks like it should.
 
If the tyre is from A3, the offset (ET) does not matter as it will fit the A2 s shown in the thread.

Do not have the bolt, and do not know if will fit. But the tyre will not move in case of collision; it is totally wedged down there except sideways. I would be more concerned of a lose cellphone or bag from grovery...
 
A space saver from an A3, or TT will fit. I have an A3 space saver in my boot. From a local breaker. They are so skinny, the ET is not an issue.
I've fitted a retainer strap to keep it safe.
Mac.
 
Mk3 golf GTI / VR6 also come in 5x100 stud pattern and had skinny space savers but the tyres size may throw out your rolling radius

The genuine A2 audi spare are 5" x 15" (i think) Anything bigger depth and the floor does not sit right??
 
You can fit a full-size A2 wheel in 15" or 16" with the standard tyre sizes (175/60x15, 185/50x16) behind the rear seats and under the false floor, without having to deflate it. The 17" wheel with 205/40x17 tyre will also fit in the space but is too deep to allow the false floor to go over it. Only thing with the full size tyre is you have to move it partially out to rest against the boot sill in order to access the handle to remove the rear seat on that side (assuming you've got a 4-seater).
 
Thanks for all the help guys. A3 space savers of that size are common as muck, and a lot going fairly cheap, so just looking round for the best price for a decent one.
 
They are common as muck but don't forget you want one from a pre-2004 car for the right PCD.

? Ah I missed this subtlety... so if an ad doesn’t tell me which A3 (many don’t) is there a way of finding out the PCD? Is there some part number on the wheel that I can cross reference?
 
The PCD will be printed somewhere on the inside of the centre of the wheel - you need 5x100. Later A3's and I believe later TT's are 5x112, although earlier models of both shared the same PCD as the A2.
 
Oh hang on, nobody spotted my mistake.. I said 125/70 R16 but @Olerype used 125/70 R18. Which do I need again??? I was tearing my hair out finding every eBay ad was for 5x112 but eventually found a 125/70 R18 5x100, this is what I need isn’t it?
 
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6Jx16 ET35 5/100 57.1 Steel Rim (14-hole design)

VW 6664

Alcar 6664

Magnetto 2066

There are two versions of the Vredestein Quatrac 5 in size 185/50R16 81H. One version has rim protection, the other version doesn't. Both versions have Euro labels E C 69dB.

vredestein.co.uk
 
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So I collected my TT mk 1 spare just now (lovely bloke, gave me a VCDS cable and disk as a freebie :)). I was a tad disappointed at first to find it didn’t sit over the hole for the securing bolt, however subsequently very pleased to find that I could secure it with the bolt used to hold it down in the TT - the same as mine but with a longer shaft - through one of the holes for the hub bolts. So this might be a handy hint for anyone else wanting this wheel...
CD090B81-BEEF-4611-9E83-8B66816275EC.jpeg

However, I offered the wheel up and it looked massive, larger diameter than the other wheels, almost seemed to fill the arch, though at least the PCD does look right. Are you sure this is right? I’m guessing it is because the way it fits in the boot looks exactly the same as @Olerype ’s. I’m probably just being paranoid!
 
So I collected my TT mk 1 spare just now (lovely bloke, gave me a VCDS cable and disk as a freebie :)). I was a tad disappointed at first to find it didn’t sit over the hole for the securing bolt, however subsequently very pleased to find that I could secure it with the bolt used to hold it down in the TT - the same as mine but with a longer shaft - through one of the holes for the hub bolts. So this might be a handy hint for anyone else wanting this wheel...
View attachment 62154
However, I offered the wheel up and it looked massive, larger diameter than the other wheels, almost seemed to fill the arch, though at least the PCD does look right. Are you sure this is right? I’m guessing it is because the way it fits in the boot looks exactly the same as @Olerype ’s. I’m probably just being paranoid!

Yes, look in the link in the #2 post and you will see its all good!
 
Put in your current size and your new size and you will see that the rolling radius is too large.

Assuming its 185 50 16 (current) and space saver is 125 70 18 its a 6.45% error for your speedo and 40mm increase is diameter.


TBH I’m not bothered about this causing an error in the speedo, it’s just to get me home and a lot safer than tyre goo that never works. I just looked at it and wondered if it was even driveable but @Olerype’s experience suggests it will be.
 
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