Welcome to the first of many questions I have about my impending purchase of a set of Zu alloys

Im hoping to buy a set of Zu alloys soon, clad with new 265/70/16 tyres. But rather than buying a set of 5, can I get away with just buying a set of 4, and having one of my existing modular steel wheels with a 7.50x16 tyre as a spare? Or do I really need to buy a set of 5?

If I got a puncture, would I be asking for trouble using the different sized spare for a day or so?

it will drive horribly with it on as its a taller profile!

Thanks G-man.

So your saying I need to stop being a tight arse, and get my wallet out?

LeadFarmer said:

Thanks G-man.

So your saying I need to stop being a tight arse, and get my wallet out?

Click to expand...

did i say that

it is always advisable to have the spare the same size as the other tyres (have you driven a car with a space saver on? its horrible!)

if all else fails get a part worn the same size and stick it on a steelie

G-man said:

did i say that

it is always advisable to have the spare the same size as the other tyres (have you driven a car with a space saver on? its horrible!)

if all else fails get a part worn the same size and stick it on a steelie

Click to expand...

Excellent advice, much appreciated.

Stand by for my next thread which will be asking for inspiration on which colour Zu's to buy for my newly resprayed Bonatti Grey 110 - Anthracite/Matt Black/Gloss Black.

Mis-matched spares suck!
I've got 265/75x16 BFT AT's on ZU's but run with a full set of five, I hate the thought of the spare being a different type and/or size of wheel as it means you can't rotate the spare to put some use on it and also in the event of a puncture you have to swop tyres again. My wife also has a set of five matching alloys on her Freelander.

When I changed from 7.50x16 XCL's to my 265/75x16 BFG AT's I measured the (inflated) diameter of the different tyres and found them to be within just a few mm of each other so assuming your spare was as equally matched you could drive without risking any transmission damage (long term use of different sized tyres on the same axle can't do the diff any good). Of course different tyre types and/or tread patterns will do nothing for the grip & handling.

Don't forget that if carrying a steel spare you will need an extra set of wheel nuts as the two different types aren't interchangable.

Thanks Litch, and you make a valid point about needing a different set of nuts. I probably wouldnt have thought of that, and would be feeling quite embarrased with myself when tyring to fit the steel wheel at the roadside. And I would then become yet another amusing story for the AA man to tut about

Looks like I really ought to be buying a set of 5. Makes sense I guess.

As long as the diameter is the same you should get away with it to get home. The problem is when you have different diameter wheel because the differentials will be working overtime to correct the difference.

Its tempting to make do with the different spare, but If im miles from a tyre garage when I get a puncture then I guess Id be regretting not having a matching spare.