Space-saver spare wheel

[dogsbody]

I've thought for many months about the merits (or not) of having a spare wheel for my R50. Yes, I've got run-flats but what happens if I had a side-wall blow-out? It was when I stopped to take in a view in the middle of Exmoor a few weeks ago that decided the issue! I checked my mobile 'phone for messages, discovering that there was absolutely no signal (nor any sign of a red telephone box) and I thought that if this had been a drama then I'd be really stuck!

I know that there are several posts on these forums dedicated to this very issue, but I just wanted to reassure anyone contemplating doing this that it is simplicity itself, even for a seventy-year-old like me!

I purchased all the bits from Westerly BMW in Bridgwater (incidentally, they are brilliant and most helpful) at a cost of £202.50 for everything and it took me a total of about 20 minutes to fit (without jacking up the car) using just a Philips screwdriver and a small socket set. Peace of mind - at last!

[The Nun]

As I said before, there isnt really a substitute for a spare wheel, if you can carry one and its out of the way, I would say its the best thing to do, like you said a run flat tyre is not good either if something slashes to sidewall.
Of course not all spare wheels can be carried under the car due to the centre exit exhaust system types.
If I had one it would have to be carried in the boot thus reducing its capacity by at least a half.

[mab01uk]

Here is the link to retrofit the spacesaver spare for any others thinking about it:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/wheels-ty...are-wheel.html