C70 2006 Space Saver Wheel Advice Wanted

[foofighter]

Hello all, I have recently purchased a 2006 Volvo C70 SE D5 which didn't have a space saver wheel, just the compressor and tyre sealant.
So my question is, is it worth buying the space saver wheel given the limited boot space in a C70?, there is a shallow well for the space saver wheel in the boot.

My local garage have advised me to rely on the compressor / sealant, but I'm not entirely convinced.

Have been looking at this option http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-C30-...p2047675.l2557

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Proghound]

I've got the exact same model as you on an '08 plate, and one of the reasons I chose that particular car was that it came with the spare wheel. IMHO the compressor and sealant is no solution, and I've read stories of them not working even when the puncture was of a nature that it should supposedly be able to patch up. I believe the sealant also has a shelf-life so you need to replace it at intervals if unused. In your shoes I'd be looking at buying the spare - if you think about it, it's only going to be something in the order of 2% of the price of the car.

The spare sits an inch or two proud of the recess in the boot floor, because the recess is shallow. But you can still get the shopping or a reasonable sized suitcase on top of it and get the roof down. I don't think you could really get much more under the load cover without it there. I think the biggest difference is in getting the things out again without having to put the roof up. The 'raise it in the boot' function doesn't seem to give you much extra room for unloading with the spare in place. But hey, it only needs 30 seconds with your finger on the roof button to get full access.

Being the SE your car would have the windbreak as standard. I'm leaving mine fitted this Summer, which avoids using more boot space and also makes the back seat quite useful for carrying things. You might also want to look for the Volvo optional rear seat cover, which is excellent protection for the leather (another reason I chose my car!).

The C70 being what it is, if you're more than 2 up with luggage then chances are the boot's full and the roof's up anyway, spare or no spare!

[Mikethelaserman]

Well worth having a proper spare wheel!

My wife ran her C70 over a hammer in the road - and the wedge shaped end of the head went through the tyre. Even the super-sized bottle of gunge in the mending kit wasn't going to fix that.

Luckily she was only a couple of miles from home and the space saver from my V70 fitted OK.

[foofighter]

Many thanks for your advice both

I'm not convinced on the goop solution, so will look at sourcing a space saver, if it's going to happen, it will happen in the middle of nowhere and although the space saver comes with limitations I want to have it as an option.

Sadly the wind deflector wasn't included with the car, the previous owner hadn't given it to the garage when she part exchanged the car, so I had to buy one from a 2012 C70 (ebay)

These forums are a mine of information, part of the problem seems to be that you dont see that many C70's around, most people I work with have never seen one before, but that may be a good thing because it makes them even more envious lol

Thanks again to you both for your help and advice.

[iantowil]

Just be aware the spare wheel kit including the wheel, tyre, jack, polystyrene moulding and bag is over £400 brand new from Volvo.

Personally, I hate the hump in the boot with the spare wheel, so put mine in the car only for long journeys - shame it doesn't fit flush as I'd prefer a proper spare.

[EricMe]

You can eliminate the 'hump' by raising the floor level of the rest of the boot by covering it with a sheet of (say) 'Kingspan' cut to fit boot floor and with a large round hole cut where you 'mini-wheel-well' is. Fit a couple of layers and you'll get a full size wheel in. ( Indeed, fit half a dozen layers and you can carry two spares )

Downside is of course that this reduces luggage space.

[foofighter]

Certainly the cost of accesories from Volvo is questionable, in excess of £400 for the space saver wheel kit?, that is madness.

The bag for the space saver wheel is around £80, I managed to source one on ebay for £25 which is still in the original sealed plastic bag

many thanks for the information, it all helps.

[EricMe]

Originally Posted by foofighter

Certainly the cost of accesories from Volvo is questionable, in excess of £400 for the space saver wheel kit?, that is madness.

That's not 'questionable' , it's outrageous !

A space saver wheel was a no-cost option when I bought my V50 and frankly, no-cost is just about what it's worth ! It allows you to drive no more than 50mph and no further than 50 miles - I'd say that facility is pretty 'questionable'.

I bought an extra Spartacus wheel and full size tyre from supplying Volvo dealer for a lot less than £400 !

[gimpmeister]

For anyone not wanting the investment of a spacesaver may I suggest Halfords tyre repair cylinder as at least some form of improvement over the slime provided by Volvo in both cost and effectiveness. It is about £12 for the largest size and being under pressure will inflate the tyre at the same time as sealing it. The same as mentioned above there will be some major punctures it won't seal, of course.

[iantowil]

Originally Posted by EricMe

That's not 'questionable' , it's outrageous !

I bought an extra Spartacus wheel and full size tyre from supplying Volvo dealer for a lot less than £400 !

I have the 18" mirzam alloys on my C70. Was going to get them refurbed this summer for £50-£60 per rim, so considered buying a new set and fancied the morpheus rim. Rang Volvo for a price - way over £400 and with some discount about £380 per rim and without the tyre of course. Every time I've rang Volvo for a price on anything its been ridiculous - Bi-xenon bulbs being another great example.