... Especially if weather is cold for you this time of year. I dropped my Cooper’s spare yesterday. It was totally deflated and the rim was covered in rust. We use a lot of salt this time of year, every year. Sadly, the rust was at the most critical welded points and around the valve stem. The really big, flaking deep rust, not just a little surface stuff. I took off the rust with the wire wheel, spayed on rust converter and then a good top coat of Rustoleum. A few more years and I do not think it would have been roadworthy even if it could hold air. I also disconnected the additional inflation line as I suspect it was the cause of the deflation.

It was also a good time to remind my son of the importance of knowing what to do before you are stuck on the side of the road.

 

Also, even if the wheel, valve, and tire
look OK, strongly consider replacing
the tire when it’s 6-8 years old by the
DOT date code.
New valve, too.
The rubber doesn’t last forever.
TireRack sells replacement tires for
compact spare wheels.
Just search by tire size.

 

Yep, mine is rusted on my R52 and the tire is all cracked, thanks for the Ohio brine they spray on the road. I have to get a new one. I cleaned it, removed it, waxed, and treated the tires but after a while it gets pretty bad as it seems to be a big collector on the underside and holds the salt.
We carry kits now..

Also the stem extension is stuck rusted on the stem, i greased it and after a while it rusted shut. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...106783425~oem/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1150916411570/

 

Where do you store a spare wheel on an R52 that it's exposed to the road salt?

 

Its factory on the underside for the R50 and R52 Cooper.