New Boots and Panties; Space Saver Wheel & Tyre

[duncan]

Part 1
Title, apologies to [the late] Ian Dury.
On inspection the un-used OEM space saver tyre on my car was that after 15 years distress and cracking was visible on the sidewalls and didn't really provide comfort that 50 miles could be covered whilst not exceeding 50 mph.
My understanding was that the wheel and tyre had to be replaced as one, with a HUK price of £1,500 + VAT for those of us in the cheap seats an alternative was sought.
From the US Porsche sites it was apparent that with effort tyres could be mounted/re-mounted [space saver tyres on steel rims from 944' and 911's to alloy 911 rims].
Vredestien list a range collapsible tyres under their name of 'Space Master' though they do not supply them for retail sales.
Vresdestien list the following sizes and uses; some of which I assumed were newer, more common and cheaper than HUK.

165/80-15 89 P Mercedes-Benz C-class sportcoupé
195/80-17 106 P Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg
185/75-17 98 P Mercedes-Benz GLK
195/75-18 106 P Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg, Audi Q5,Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz R-class
165/70-16 92 P Mercedes-Benz C-class sportcoupé, Porsche 911 Carrera 4(S), Porsche 911 Turbo
145/70-17 92 P Mercedes-Benz SLK, Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG
185/65-19 104 P Mercedes-Benz M-class AMG, Mercedes-Benz R-class AMG
195/65-19 106 P Porsche Cayenne
145/60-20 95 P Ferrari 599 GTB Fiurano
185/60-17 93 P Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche Cayman S, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz SL
205/60-17 99 P Audi A6 Allroad
175/55-18 95 P Mercedes-Benz SL Biturbo, Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG, Maserati Quattroporte
175/55-19 95 P Audi A4 Allroad
175/50-19 97 P Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG

Additionally to the above, the 165/80-15 size is fitted to SLK's.
Mercedes have a 5 bolt 112mm PCD, which is not too far from Honda's 114.4 PCD.
Some of the Audi's will have a 112mm PCD

From Ebay for about £65 the following wheel & tyre was purchased, shown compared to the OEM deflated, inflated and compared to a full size rear wheel & tyre. The options were to have the tyre remounted on the OEM rim or to use the wheel and tyre complete.

See next post