weight saving
 

some may say i am mad but i have just bought an audi tyre compressor and tyre sealent so i can now remove my spare wheel +++ has anybody felt the weight of the spare ? its a full size 18" avus. hoping over a year it will pay for its self in increased fuel economy.

Hmm lightening before Germany methinks!
Good idea though it will be good to understand how much you think it's saving +++

tomorrow my car will be going for a few bits of work doing. it will take about two weeks to complete and at a cost in excess of £2000. when i get her back she will be lighter, faster, more powerfull, stop better and she will be in a lot better condition with not a mark on the paintwork or wheels.
looking forward to this year +++

Hey Darren

I hope the weight saving pays dividends, but I doubt you'll get payback for some time.

On a related topic, I've been keeping a very detailed log on apparent fuel savings on 'premium' fuel in my S8 for over 6 months now and have to conclude that it's a total myth (a view supported by recent media reports) that the additional cost of premium fuel pays for itself on better mpg.

I ran mine down to 15 miles range after collecting from the bodyshop and decided to stick 98 Octane in for a change. Will see if my 18-20mpg average improves as a result. Paying a 7p/litre premium down here, so it'd have to be pretty spectacular to pay for itself!

I'll probably run 2 tanks like this and then swap back - probably just as the weather improves and cold starts aren't just pouring unburnt fuel out the back!

Darren those tyre sealants are ok for the short term but once used in a tyre it cannot be repaired as the repair patches react with the sealant and won't stick.

So basically once used new tyre is required and in that case carrying a full size spare and not new tyres is cheaper.
But how many times have you had to change a wheel because of puncture while on route?

i think i would only use the tyre sealant in an emergency. if its just a slow puncture i have the compressor and can get it repaired +++

Wouldn't risk it mate.

Ripped my front tyre to shreds only the other day. Would have been fooked if I didn't have a spare.

Same happened in the E60 3 years ago, and a Renault 19 16v 16 years ago.

What I'm trying to say is... You just don't know when a tyre will shred.

Up to you mate, but personally to save a few KGs, I wouldn't bother.

just out of curiosity, the 18" 6-spoke avus wheel with tyre weighs 24kg (depending on tyre) :)
wheel itself is 12kg

That's nothing! :)