Emergency Wheel Kit

[NEW-CAR]

Help

Just purchased a 2005, Seal Gray, 997 C2 coupe, 19" S wheels, but don't feel OK without a spare. The can of goo just doesn't make me warm and fuzzy. I talked to three dealers but none have mounted the kit. Are there any problems with the installation or with the kit in general?

Thanks NEW-CAR

[White987S]

I don't have a spare either. I depend on my cell phone and Porsche's Roadside Assistance (800-767-7243) if ever needed. I also bought one of those emergency repair kits at the auto parts store. It is just a tire plug kit. But, it could help me get to a safer spot or the next town with an actual P-car dealership.

[NEW-CAR]

Either no one has cut a sidewall, has ever been out of cell range, always has a Porsche dealer within walking distance or just does not drive much.

Has anyone had any experience with using or mounting the emergency tire, jack, mounting bracket and assorted tools that come with this kit. Thanks New-Car

[RFM]

In some country's, Israel for example, is it obligatory by law to have a spare wheel. Try to contact a dealer or a forum, they know what to do.

[Loren]

Some dealers here in the US will sell you the spare from a 996 series C4. With the tool (jack, lug wrench, etc.) kit it will fit in your front trunk.

As I recall you will lose roughly half of your trunk space.

[Orient Express]

The official 997 spare tire is designed to sit in the back seat:

This is not a joke either.

[PAULSPEED]

Hi,

My spare tire fits in the trunk and takes

up about 25% to 33% of the space. I bought my from

the Oklahoma Junkyard. It took a few months

before they got one for sale.

Paul

[NEW-CAR]

Paulspeed

Interesting, What kind of tire did the yard have? Was it the emergency replacement collapsible tire or a doughnut? This had to be much more reasonable than going through your local Porsche dealer.

Thanks New-Car

[Loren]

The company he is used is actually Oklahoma Foreign, Inc.

http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/

[PAULSPEED]

Yeah,

It was like $200. It is a space saver spare and

it came with a jack. Here is a picture.

Paul

Edited March 29, 2008 by Loren
made image viewable

[White987S]

Hey, those red rims look great. I may need to order 4 of those! :D

[NEW-CAR]

The space saver would work for me. Do you know what type and year vehicle it came from? Do the original wheel bolts work? I'm assuming that you store it and the jack in the front luggage area. Did you try to obtain a Porsche jack vs the hydraulic one that is next to your car. When you spoke to the salvage area in Oklahoma did they know what you were looking for without going into a lengthly discourse. Thanks for your help. NEW-Car

[berty987]

The 987/997 cars have a slightly larger wheel diameter than the older 996/986 vehicles , but the emergency spare wheel from a 986/996 can be fitted to a 997 / 987 if its the pre inflated 17" rim type. This has a 105 90 r 17 section tyre. I beleive the official tyre supplied for 987/997 vehicles uses a 185 70 r17 wheel and tyre. The difference in rolling radius may cause some issues for the PSM but with a limited top speed of 50mph driving with PSM off and a slow speed may be a better procedure. The suggested spare for the 987/997 is is obviously wider , so takes up more space in the front trunk , but does use a collapsable belt rather than conventional pre inflated tyre. I beleive the main issue facing Porsche owners with 987/ 997 models , is finding the space to put the removed wheel in the car , especially if carrying luggage and a passenger. I do not beleive its possible to put a standard rear wheel in the front luggage compartment , even if the tyre is flat. When I asked abnout the opfficial spare I was quoted a figure somewhere close to 450 Uk pounds (900 Usd)

[PAULSPEED]

Hi,

The hydraulic jack takes lees time then the one that came

with the spare tire. The spare tire is for a 996 car. The

997 did not get the spare. Just ask them for a price for a 997

car. They will ship you a 996 spare if they have one.

Paul

The space saver would work for me. Do you know what type and year vehicle it came from? Do the original wheel bolts work? I'm assuming that you store it and the jack in the front luggage area. Did you try to obtain a Porsche jack vs the hydraulic one that is next to your car. When you spoke to the salvage area in Oklahoma did they know what you were looking for without going into a lengthly discourse. Thanks for your help. NEW-Car

[PAULSPEED]

The tire is expensive if you do not buy it from a wrecker. I think you can do

60 or 70mph but the tire only has about 50 miles on it. I think the

tire pressure of the spare is 90psi. I bought the tire to get to a big town. The

track I track at is in Willows, CA. and it is about 50 miles south of

Red Bluff. Just enough distance to get a new tire.

Paul

The 987/997 cars have a slightly larger wheel diameter than the older 996/986 vehicles , but the emergency spare wheel from a 986/996 can be fitted to a 997 / 987 if its the pre inflated 17" rim type. This has a 105 90 r 17 section tyre. I beleive the official tyre supplied for 987/997 vehicles uses a 185 70 r17 wheel and tyre. The difference in rolling radius may cause some issues for the PSM but with a limited top speed of 50mph driving with PSM off and a slow speed may be a better procedure. The suggested spare for the 987/997 is is obviously wider , so takes up more space in the front trunk , but does use a collapsable belt rather than conventional pre inflated tyre. I beleive the main issue facing Porsche owners with 987/ 997 models , is finding the space to put the removed wheel in the car , especially if carrying luggage and a passenger. I do not beleive its possible to put a standard rear wheel in the front luggage compartment , even if the tyre is flat. When I asked abnout the opfficial spare I was quoted a figure somewhere close to 450 Uk pounds (900 Usd)

[Loren]

From the Owners Manual...

"The spare wheel must be used only over short distances in cases of emergency. After repair or replacement, re-mount the road wheel and tire as soon as possible.

Avoid rapid acceleration, hard braking and high cornering speeds to prevent loss of vehicle control. The maximum permitted speed is 50 mph / 80 km/h and must not be exceeded because of altered driving characteristics and for reasons of wear. The tread depth of the spare wheel is subject to the same laws as the original tires.

The vehicle must be fitted with only one spare wheel."

[NEW-CAR]

Paul, Loren, Berty;

Thanks for your input. I called Oklahoma yesterday; however, they had a major phone line cut and will get back to me. The 996 spare from a used vehicle source seems to be the best option from a space, convenience (tire is already inflated) , time to replace and cost factor. My friendly dealer, after much negotiation, brought the complete collapsible tire package (tire, jack, tools, case, cover and mounting hardware to just over $850.

If there are any more suggestions out there or good/bad experiences in using this spare please let me know. If Oklahoma or another major supply source has the 996 spare, I will probably buy it within the next two weeks.

Thanks again NEW-CAR Ed

[PAULSPEED]

Hi,

May take longer then two weeks. I called for about two months

until they had one. They do not mind you calling

them every week.

Paul

[PAULSPEED]

Hi,

The tire is so small that I would only drive it faster then 50 if I was on a freeway. There

is no way to go fast in a turn with the spare on.

Paul

[mglobe]

I was fortunate enough to find a 996 spare tire kit on eBay about two years ago. I paid I think about $300. It is what folks are calling the "pre-inflated type", ie it does not fold down flat against the rim. It came with the full kit of scissors jack, lug wrench, cover for the tire, and plastic bag to put the flat tire in. I deflate it to get it to fit better in the luggage compartment. I leave it in there virtually all the time. I've not bothered to secure it in any way, but it's not been an issue.

I've actually used it twice. Once I got a flat on a rear tire. I put the spare on, and was able to fit the rear spare in the back seat. Another time I was at the track, and a fellow in the garage next to me had a tire go bad. I gave it to him to drive home to Houston on. He returned it a few days later (track people are the best).

[berty987]

If you buy used , just make sure its the 17" wheel you get , these do clear the brakes on the S models, (probably not the GT3 PCCB though ). There are also 16" options available but I think it may be an issue fitting these on the front.