Space saver wheel - what size?

lisa701

Just replaced my car with a 14 plate Astra 5 door hatch 1.4 petrol and I want to purchase a spare wheel, either full sized steel or a space saver.

The standard wheels on the car are 205 60 R16, 5 stud, but all the space savers I've seen so far are 115 70 R16. I know the 115 is the width which is going to be narrower than the standard wheels, but its the 70 bit I'm not sure about.


Also, I believe there are two different braking systems and it depends on the braking system too.


Can anyone help me please?


Thanks

tykesi

lisa701 wrote: »

Just replaced my car with a 14 plate Astra 5 door hatch 1.4 petrol and I want to purchase a spare wheel, either full sized steel or a space saver.

The standard wheels on the car are 205 60 R16, 5 stud, but all the space savers I've seen so far are 115 70 R16. I know the 115 is the width which is going to be narrower than the standard wheels, but its the 70 bit I'm not sure about.


Also, I believe there are two different braking systems and it depends on the braking system too.


Can anyone help me please?


Thanks

Have you tried Vauxhall?

Inner_Zone

lisa701 wrote: »

Just replaced my car with a 14 plate Astra 5 door hatch 1.4 petrol and I want to purchase a spare wheel, either full sized steel or a space saver.

The standard wheels on the car are 205 60 R16, 5 stud, but all the space savers I've seen so far are 115 70 R16. I know the 115 is the width which is going to be narrower than the standard wheels, but its the 70 bit I'm not sure about.


Also, I believe there are two different braking systems and it depends on the braking system too.


Can anyone help me please?


Thanks

The Astra J has two different PCD's depending on engine. The only other wheels that may fit are from some Chevrolet's, Holdens and the Opel / Vauxhall Mokka.

As above contact your Vauxhall dealer.

Car_54

It will be cheaper to simply get a matching (except looks don't matter!) alloy, from eBay or a scrapyard.

You will then have no speed restriction, as you would with a spacesaver or (possibly) with a steel wheel.

I've always been able to get a wheel with serviceable tyre for less than the dealers would charge for a wheel.

Iceweasel

A full size spare is great - if you have the room in the boot for it - and don't mind giving up that room.

I have a spacesaver (the clue is in the name LOL)

But there are too many variables to just buy one of the many advertised on eBay.

The wheel need to be the correct PCD and of a diameter big enough to clear the brake calipers.

As for the size of the tyre - the most important thing is that it as near as possible matches the overall diameter of the normal tyre.

If the standard tyre is 205/50 16 (620mm diameter) then the correct 16" spacesaver would be 125/80 16 (614mm diameter)

A 115/70 16 spacesaver is a bit small compared to the original - it's only 574mm diameter.

I'd be surprised if Vauxhall/Opel recommend a spacesaver with such a big difference.

Go ask your local friendly dealer and get the exact correct specification - then have a search on eBay.

lisa701

Thanks everyone.


There is a well under the boot carpet for a spare but not sure if its deep enough to accommodate a full sized one, will check.


Sounds like a suitable space saver isn't going to be easy or cheap, so I might get a full sized one to store at home and keep the sealant in the car. Not ideal, but at least the sealant should get me home, and then I can use the full sized spare for a few days until I can get the original wheel repaired.


Vauxhalls quoted £243 for a new space saver kit. Even the guy I spoke to said it was a bit excessive considering you may only use it a handful of times max in the lifespan of the car.

lisa701

Car_54 wrote: »

It will be cheaper to simply get a matching (except looks don't matter!) alloy, from eBay or a scrapyard.

You will then have no speed restriction, as you would with a spacesaver or (possibly) with a steel wheel.

I've always been able to get a wheel with serviceable tyre for less than the dealers would charge for a wheel.

Thanks. All the Vauxhalls we have owned to date have had a full sized steel spare with no speed restrictions. Typical I get the one with a can of gunge. Not bothered what the spare looks like, so long as it works for a few days that does me.

lisa701

Iceweasel wrote: »

If the standard tyre is 205/50 16 (620mm diameter) then the correct 16" spacesaver would be 125/80 16 (614mm diameter)

A 115/70 16 spacesaver is a bit small compared to the original - it's only 574mm diameter.

I'd be surprised if Vauxhall/Opel recommend a spacesaver with such a big difference.

Go ask your local friendly dealer and get the exact correct specification - then have a search on eBay.

Vauxhall didn't recommend that size, its just the ones I've seen on eBay which they suggest will fit my age of vehicle.


I was so shocked by the price Vauxhall quoted for a new one I didn't bother asking for the spec. Guy who served me said it was a bit much for a spare and suggested eBay. Might go back and find out the spec.

jbainbridge

My Megane didn't come with a spare but does have a wheel well for a full sized wheel. I bought -

- steel wheel from http://www.oponeo.co.uk/ (£45)
- part worn from some dodgy local place (£20)
- Renault jack from ebay (£10)

I already had an extending wheel brace. The same from Renault would have been £250+ (dealer fit). Had my first puncture on Easter Sunday just gone and was very glad to have the spare!!

forgotmyname

The 60 and 70 figures are the tyres sidewall height in a % figure.

The 60 one will be 60% of the tyres width so 123mm

the 70 will be 70% of 115 = 80.5cm.

the 115/70 sounds like its a bit small.

agrinnall

lisa701 wrote: »

Not ideal, but at least the sealant should get me home...

Well, maybe it will and maybe it won't. The last puncture I had was caused by a nail and sealant probably would have worked, but luckily I was at home anyway. The one before that ripped a huge gash in the inner wall of the tyre and you could have pumped sealant for ever without having any effect, so I was glad that I had a space saver at that time (especially as it took 2 days to get a replacement tyre).