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? I don't understand why you need to be able to put a space-saver spare on the rear, but don't care about not being able to in the front? I'd think the front being the drive wheels would be more important.
__________________ Factory '09 JCW:DS/DS, Pkgs#1,2,3, Carbon Lounge Leather, Gray Line,
NAV, HD-Premium Sound, Xenon, other stuff...ooh & Mud Flaps! <hahaha>
...he goes by the name Lil'Buddy...
As long as the spare will fit over the rear calipers, it doesn't have to fit over the front calipers.
If you have a flat on the front, you use one of the rear tires to go on the front, then you put the space saver spare on the rear. This is why it only has to clear the smaller rear calipers.
There are a few cars besides Mini's out there where you have to do this.
I still don't know if this will work on the JCW though.
I'm surprised this question hasn't been discussed more.
Jim, I was willing to roll the dice on the JCW with no spare tire. In my 44 yrs of driving I have only had one flat and feel the risk is small. And the fact that I love my JCW.
As long as the spare will fit over the rear calipers, it doesn't have to fit over the front calipers.
If you have a flat on the front, you use one of the rear tires to go on the front, then you put the space saver spare on the rear. This is why it only has to clear the smaller rear calipers.
You obviously are more clever than me! Gotchya.
__________________ Factory '09 JCW:DS/DS, Pkgs#1,2,3, Carbon Lounge Leather, Gray Line,
NAV, HD-Premium Sound, Xenon, other stuff...ooh & Mud Flaps! <hahaha>
...he goes by the name Lil'Buddy...
? I don't understand why you need to be able to put a space-saver spare on the rear, but don't care about not being able to in the front? I'd think the front being the drive wheels would be more important.
The space-saver has a smaller outside diameter and you would not want two different diameter wheels on the front of a FWD car.
As far as "the front... being more important", you want the best of your tires on the rear of a FWD car for safety and control.
__________________ 28April2008, 'Trixy' Cooper Automatic+Sunroof+AutoAir+HiFi+CruiseControl+15" Rotator Six Spoke
Mods: European Center Armrest+Wet Okole w/Lumbars over 4" Memory Foam(see Gallery)+XM-Radio+ScanGauge II
This and related topics have been discussed ad nauseum. For better or worse, lack of spare tires is becoming the norm. Manufacturers do it not only to save money, but to save weight and space. Many cars, including ours, don't really have a good place to transport the "take off tire" even if you had a spare to replace it. My first car without a spare was a 2003 E46 M3, then a Cayman, then three MINI's. Not saying it can't happen but in that timeframe, I've only had one issue on the Cayman where I had to call for roadside assistance. On my current JCW, I ditched the runflats for some good performance tires and made my own emergency inflator/plug kit for the boot. If not having a spare is a dealbreaker for you, your car choices are going to continue to get slimmer in the future.
mtbscott.....I agree with you on the issue of RFT's and spares being discussed ad nauseum. I am not trying to bring that debate up again . I frequent many different boards BMW, Porsche etc. and it does come up alot. I'm not looking to debate it again, they just aren't for me. I do like the idea of the plug/inflator kit for the trunk, and that could be the route I have to go. I've owned 5 Porsche's and the Cayman is also on my short list. I realize I'd have the same issue with a Cayman as with the JCW.
If I get a JCW or a Mini S for that matter I will replace the RFT's as soon as they wear out (maybe sooner) with non-RFT's in order to do that I would prefer to have a spare. In addition, I would be getting a JCW clubman, so there would be room for the flat tire!
I am only trying to determine if a space saver spare on a JCW. To this point I haven't been able to get a clear answer on it.
Does anyone definitely know or not?
If I can't get an answer, I guess I will obtain a space saver spare and bring it to the dealership and try fitting it (if they let me....which would probably be a NOT!)
...I am only trying to determine if a space saver spare on a JCW. To this point I haven't been able to get a clear answer on it.
Does anyone definitely know or not?
I know definitely:
I have an '09 Cooper Clubman JCW, and the space-saver spare will NOT fit. Not on the rear, of course not on the front, Chad!
Close, very close, no cigar. The wheel can be made to turn, but drags on the brake caliper - "DetroitTuned" assurances notwithstanding.
It's so close to working that it's madening.
Well, that and the $132 it cost me to run this little test.
Next question: can I install a wheel space spacer to solve the clearance problem? And what is the minimum spacer thickness to accomplish this?
Anyone have a single wheel spacer (and longer lug bolts) they could part with?
I'll keep you posted on what I learn.
- R
I started a thread here on Factory JCW Talk on April 19 titled "JCW Spare Tire" asking this same question. There is a reply from someone who had done it. He said the space saver would fit the rear of a JCW and clear the caliper with a 5mm spacer. There is also a reply listing dozens of other cars that have a space saver spare that will fit a JCW with a spacer. I don't know how to add a link to that thread here, maybe someone else can do that.
I remember reading the numerous threads about this a while back and I was very concerned about this issue after suffering a flat on my current car (this was my first flat ever and prior to this flat I've never given any thought to having a spare with any car I've owned)...
I'd think the front being the drive wheels would be more important.
Gotchya.
28April2008, 'Trixy' Cooper Automatic+Sunroof+AutoAir+HiFi+CruiseControl+15" Rotator Six Spoke
2011 JCW Coupe
. I frequent many different boards BMW, Porsche etc. and it does come up alot. I'm not looking to debate it again, they just aren't for me. I do like the idea of the plug/inflator kit for the trunk, and that could be the route I have to go. I've owned 5 Porsche's and the Cayman is also on my short list. I realize I'd have the same issue with a Cayman as with the JCW. 
...thanx "Spinned"...
