XC70: Wheels/Brakes - Spare wheel??? - Page 2

Rick Barton · Jun 14th, 2012, 11:20

On the latest price list the space saver wheel and jack option is priced at £150 inclusive of VAT, whereas if you try to order one from the parts department it's nearer £300!

I have been told by the dealer that the deletion of the space saver wheel was due to shortages of rubber (yes, really!) and also as a result of research that found that the average incidence of punctures is one in eight years. I also suspect that the weight saving of using a compressor and sealant helps to improve mpg and CO2 emission figures. The sealant supplied by Volvo is the Continental brand. It is quoted somewhere near £300 from the Volvo dealers but is available retail for about £50-£60!

I really don't 'get' the pricing on these items - it really leaves a bad taste in the mouth (no pun intended in respect of the GrantA's experience).

Auldgit · Jun 14th, 2012, 11:47

Yes as I said before it's a policy that's hardly likely to win any friends- can't understand it. No doubt it all makes sense to the bean counters. Sad really, but they seem to get in everywhere.

GrantA · Jun 14th, 2012, 19:52

Just spoke to my son who has a new Vauxhall Insignia (sorry to mention that here but it is a company car) anyway he was shocked that I didn't have a spare or jack and decided to check his (new) car and low and behold Vauxhall don't supply them either. All he has is a can of squirty goo sealant, no compressor nothing else.

So do I detect a trend here, I wonder how many other vehicle manufacturers now do the same and put it down to err umm "shortage of rubber".

Auldgit · Jun 15th, 2012, 19:06

Sent an enquiry to Volvo, they confirm that a spare wheel is no longer offered even as an option. They understand that it may affect my choice of vehicle, but hey-ho who cares I'm only a customer. Words fail.

To all those out there with the space saver wheel, hang on to it at all cost, it's going to be a big selling point in the future..............

PJC

GrantA · Jun 18th, 2012, 11:24

Taking my sad tale of gooey sealant one step further I decided to order a replacement bottle of sealant until I can source a jack and space saver wheel. Luckily for me (on a pension) I found a replacement bottle of sealant for my "Continental ContiComfortKit Compressor" on Fleebay for only £17.48, if I had had a Volvo Compressor with the same set up (with a bottle of sealant) the replacement bottle would have cost £41, what's all that about? does the same job or is it all in the name??

I had to clean out the old goo sealant from the compressor, not a problem but if you don't have a small Torx screwdriver you'll have a problem getting the bottle out of the compressor housing!!

What's next............. ah those bloody headlights and adjusting for continental driving......

apersson850 · Jun 20th, 2012, 09:06

Looks like I should be happy that there's a wheelbarrow wheel supplied with my 2012 XC70!

GrantA · Jun 20th, 2012, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by apersson850

Looks like I should be happy that there's a wheelbarrow wheel supplied with my 2012 XC70!

Bloody 'ell that looks a bit small!! No wonder you have a speed restriction on its use.

Auldgit · Jun 20th, 2012, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrantA

Bloody 'ell that looks a bit small!! No wonder you have a speed restriction on its use.

Looks a hell of a lot more useful than a tin of goo though.................. I've been telling my mates about this and I'm sure they don't believe me. Expect a drop in Volvo sales when the word gets around....

Chaddie · Jun 20th, 2012, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by apersson850

Looks like I should be happy that there's a wheelbarrow wheel supplied with my 2012 XC70!

How do you fit that big full sized wheel where that space saver is stored in the car?

clivea · Jun 20th, 2012, 16:06

You don't so if your car is loaded as mine is when caravanning it would have to go into the caravan, or on OH's lap! They really have thought this one through, it would not be so restrictive if you could stow the punctured wheel or a full size spare in the well by having some blocks that allow the odds and sods shelf and boot floor to be raised, but the well diameter needs increasing. Or perhaps you could keep your full size spare uninflated and then inflate it using the compressor and goo!

I don't object to space savers per se but at least give the owner the facility to buy his own full size spare and stow it safely. More flexibility in the underfloor area of the boot is needed; heck my wife's Nissan Note achieves better with its flexible load floor and fore/aft movement of the rear seats.

Jun 14th, 2012, 11:20	#11
Rick Barton Master Member Last Online: Oct 8th, 2020 21:28 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bedfordshire	On the latest price list the space saver wheel and jack option is priced at £150 inclusive of VAT, whereas if you try to order one from the parts department it's nearer £300! I have been told by the dealer that the deletion of the space saver wheel was due to shortages of rubber (yes, really!) and also as a result of research that found that the average incidence of punctures is one in eight years. I also suspect that the weight saving of using a compressor and sealant helps to improve mpg and CO2 emission figures. The sealant supplied by Volvo is the Continental brand. It is quoted somewhere near £300 from the Volvo dealers but is available retail for about £50-£60! I really don't 'get' the pricing on these items - it really leaves a bad taste in the mouth (no pun intended in respect of the GrantA's experience). __________________ 2012 XC70 D5 SE Lux Geartronic Polestar Last edited by Rick Barton; Jun 14th, 2012 at 11:49.

Jun 14th, 2012, 19:52	#13
GrantA Master Member Last Online: May 10th, 2019 09:02 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inverness, Scotland	Just spoke to my son who has a new Vauxhall Insignia (sorry to mention that here but it is a company car) anyway he was shocked that I didn't have a spare or jack and decided to check his (new) car and low and behold Vauxhall don't supply them either. All he has is a can of squirty goo sealant, no compressor nothing else. So do I detect a trend here, I wonder how many other vehicle manufacturers now do the same and put it down to err umm "shortage of rubber". __________________ 2009 XC70 Geartronic SE Lux (185HP at the moment......) Porsche sold looking for a P1800.......

Jun 18th, 2012, 11:24	#15
GrantA Master Member Last Online: May 10th, 2019 09:02 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inverness, Scotland	Taking my sad tale of gooey sealant one step further I decided to order a replacement bottle of sealant until I can source a jack and space saver wheel. Luckily for me (on a pension) I found a replacement bottle of sealant for my "Continental ContiComfortKit Compressor" on Fleebay for only £17.48, if I had had a Volvo Compressor with the same set up (with a bottle of sealant) the replacement bottle would have cost £41, what's all that about? does the same job or is it all in the name?? I had to clean out the old goo sealant from the compressor, not a problem but if you don't have a small Torx screwdriver you'll have a problem getting the bottle out of the compressor housing!! What's next............. ah those bloody headlights and adjusting for continental driving...... __________________ 2009 XC70 Geartronic SE Lux (185HP at the moment......) Porsche sold looking for a P1800.......

Jun 20th, 2012, 16:06	#20
clivea clivea Last Online: Dec 10th, 2014 12:38 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: West Country	You don't so if your car is loaded as mine is when caravanning it would have to go into the caravan, or on OH's lap! They really have thought this one through, it would not be so restrictive if you could stow the punctured wheel or a full size spare in the well by having some blocks that allow the odds and sods shelf and boot floor to be raised, but the well diameter needs increasing. Or perhaps you could keep your full size spare uninflated and then inflate it using the compressor and goo! I don't object to space savers per se but at least give the owner the facility to buy his own full size spare and stow it safely. More flexibility in the underfloor area of the boot is needed; heck my wife's Nissan Note achieves better with its flexible load floor and fore/aft movement of the rear seats. __________________ Cheers Clivea April 2014 Subaru Forester XE Lineatronic. 2010-April 2014 XC70 SE Premium 205ps D5 Geartronic AWD 2010MY Oyster Grey

Jun 14th, 2012, 11:47	#12
Auldgit Master Member Last Online: Mar 12th, 2024 15:11 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester	Yes as I said before it's a policy that's hardly likely to win any friends- can't understand it. No doubt it all makes sense to the bean counters. Sad really, but they seem to get in everywhere.

Jun 15th, 2012, 19:06	#14
Auldgit Master Member Last Online: Mar 12th, 2024 15:11 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester	Sent an enquiry to Volvo, they confirm that a spare wheel is no longer offered even as an option. They understand that it may affect my choice of vehicle, but hey-ho who cares I'm only a customer. Words fail. To all those out there with the space saver wheel, hang on to it at all cost, it's going to be a big selling point in the future.............. PJC

Jun 20th, 2012, 09:06	#16
apersson850 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 21:40 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Traryd View Photos By: apersson850	Looks like I should be happy that there's a wheelbarrow wheel supplied with my 2012 XC70!

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