According to the manual, there are both full size spare and the mini-spare tire. I got a mini. Has anyone got a full size from factory?
I'm interested in buying a full size wheel from tirerack but am not sure if it would fit in the spare compartment.
Any advice is appreciated.
Regards,
David

 

I have a mini only. Doubt a full size would fit in there.

 

Yes, mine came with full size (Canada).

 

To be sure, just take one of your wheels off and pop it in the trunk. May need different "lock down" bolt?

But, on the other hand, why would you want the extra weight? There is nothing wrong with the smaller tire?

Mark

 

Thanks for the tips.
Isn't there still a limit on how long and fast we can drive with the spare tire on? If still true, this day and age, 55 mph is kind of unsafe on the highway and sometimes I go for strecth of 60-80 miles before the next town.
Another thing is I'm curious about the effects of the mini spare on ESP and the SC brake.
David

 

The mini-spare is strictly a cost-cutting measure by MB. I guess that we should be thankful that Benz didn't put a pressurized cannister of tire goo back there instead, like some other companies have. The happy news is that a FULL sized spare will fit. That isn't always the case now days.

 

I agree, it's a joke that a car like this doesn't come with a 5th wheel. Are you sure A full size will fit? I had a flat a few months and while changing I kinda eye balled it and didn't think I'd be able to completely close the cover in the trunk. I hope it does, as I will buy a 5th wheel when I change to AMG wheels.

 

As I said above, yes, we in Canada HAVE the full size wheel. So obviously yes it fits

 

I think this is kind of lame, too. My friend has a 2001 S430, and he has gotten a few flats, and sure enough, it has the mini-spare in a 80K+ car. When I told him my Lexus had a full-size spare (and I believe all Lexuses and BMW's have one), he almost couldn't believe it. While you do save on weight, it is a cost saving measure.

I guess for Canada, maybe there are some regulations that require a full-size spare?

 

my bmw comes with full size tire with the same aluminium cast wheel but I have not used it so far. (kind of waste ?) i know for these levels of cars should come with a full size of tire but it is a spare tire and you always call roadside assistance to help you changing flat tire and replacing it back as soon as you can -- i can understand and accept mb in saving cost of spare tire. (i don't buy reduce weight and save fuel issue because trunk does need weight to get a better 50/50 weight balance. actually, mb moves battery to trunk to get the better 50/50 balance. fuel saving is a joke in these levels of cars because most of owners talk about horse power.)

 

Maybe the cover is a different model?

 

Just as an aside- When we took delivery in March- I asked the dealer about the tire- He replied by pointing to the Mechanical AID Tele Connect button in the center console- He said " Doesn't matter what size tire it is - your not going to change it" Call MB..... Now I can't remember what tire size our is.....

 

Well, unfortunately there are dead spots where no cellular phones or Tele-Aid willl work.

 

And they're not going to give you a new tire on the spot. This means you have to deal with the blown tire immediately instead of waiting until you get to your destination or back home.

My dealer tried to give me a story that it was for safety reasons. He said the alloy wheels used on the car don't absorb as much energy at impact and so MB uses these undersized spares which absorb more. Yeah right.