Going to chuck my factory 17'' Dunlop run-flats on my 06 S cabriolet soon. Have searched the web and read pages of advice for an affordable space saver tire and how to store it.
Here's the scoop. A chevy 2007 Cobalt 15" space saver with a four lug pattern does work for me. Cost, $35 at the local salvage yard. Have read that we should use a space saver on the back only for the Mini so I tried it on the front out of curiousity. It fits on BOTH front and back and rotates as it should. Still, knowing that, I would use it only on the rear as recommended by those who know more than I.
For some reason the space saver when placed up front drops the front end about an inch and if placed on the rear there is only about a quarter of inch difference.
The space saver tire will store in the boot without the shelf in an annoying up position. It lays flat if you place the tire on an angle and use a narrow board to hold the tire upright in about 45 degrees.

 

I just ditched my runflats a couple of days ago. It was my intention to make use of my AAA membership if I did get a flat and carry a tin of tire sealant for emergencies.

The sealant isn't great, but it gives the same kind of speed & mileage limitations that a crappy space saver tire has.......yet is much less intrusive.

 

gjd -

The recommendation to use the space-saver wheel only on the rear and not the front is to maintain handling/steering integrity of a front-wheel-drive car.

Can you take a picture of the spare in the trunk?

I've also heard/read that it will fit in the foot-well behind the passenger seat.

Right now, I have a plug kit & compressor in the trunk... plus AAA membership. However, considering the long road trips to where there's no reception, it's good to have a spare.

 

Cadena - you seem like an knowledgeable and well prepared kind of person, so this is directed at that certain type of driver who seems to drive around on these type of tires for days (not us conscientious NAM users):

From wikipedia: "They are typically smaller than the normal tires on the vehicle and can only be used for limited distances because of their short life expectancy and low speed rating. As well, due to the different size of wheel compared to a regular wheel, electronic stability control and traction control systems will not operate properly and should be disabled until the original wheel is restored. Space saver spare tires also severely compromise the braking (especially on cars not fitted with anti-lock brakes) and handling of the car"

Most of that was taken from an article from an Australian version of AAA http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/conne...s/space+savers