Hello,

        I am thinking about replacing my 2013 Fabia tsi estate with a Mark Three tsi estate. Ok, not until next spring but I am trying to get all my ducks in a row. The problem I have got is the spare wheel or the lack of it to be more accurate on so many cars now. I was fortunate enough to negotiate a full size steel spare as part of the deal when I bought my present car and its a "must" for me to have a spare wheel. The goo supplied with the Mark Three Fabias I have looked at just doesnt work in so many circumstances as has been well written up by many people. So the goo is no good; my first preference is always to press for a full size spare as I did before. Hopefully, the dealer I buy from will agree. It will be a dealer by the way, not a private seller. OK, I will walk away if they dont agree but it might be a good buy otherwise. I could offer to buy one from them but that goes against the grain. They might offer a "doughnut", a temp spare wheel but that isnt anything like as good as a full size. Yes, I could go to  the scrappies but I am wary of buying wheels from them as there could be undeclared damage and thats unacceptable to me. I am considering buying a 16 or maybe a 17 plate estate with the cheap road tax of £20 so pre April 2017. Did any of these come out of the factory with a full size spare or do they all have the goo? Is there a particular model that I need to go for or is it all a matter of "hit and miss" amd negotiating each time I go to look at one?  Many thanks.

Just keep the spare wheel you have now for the next car, just do not include it in the trade in unless the car you are getting has a spare wheel.

19 hours ago, Offski said:

Just keep the spare wheel you have now for the next car, just do not include it in the trade in unless the car you are getting has a spare wheel.

 

I think the mk3 may different size tyres/wheels to mk 2 so check compatibility.

Edited 4 June, 20187 yr by xman

Same spare wheel with 195/55 R 15 will fit the Mk2 that comes with 15,16 or 17" wheels,

or the Mk3.

Mk3 Fabia comes with 15,16 or 17" wheels with various size tyres, the biggest being 215/40 R 17 tyre on the Mk3 Fabia is the same size as some Ibiza, Polo & A1 have had since 2009 and the OEM or option spare wheel has a 195/55 R 15 tyre.

http://kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual-tyre-size-calculator 

Edited 4 June, 20187 yr by Offski

Mk11 and Mk111 wheels are not identical but have different ETs-offset for the same size wheel/tyre combination. This is explained here-https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-article/wheel-width-and-et-offset. The ET is marked on the wheels, 43 or 38. In general this does not make much difference as I run Mk11 wheels with winters on a Mk111 90Tsi estate and there is no noticeable difference in the handling. 

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said you'd walk away!  They really won't want that, especially if they have spent an hour or two with you looking at the car, perhaps test driving it, checking its specs/service history, etc. They will most likely be making a few quid on the sale anyway so finish off the negotiation with an added look in the boot and an "Oh-No full sized spare! I didn't realise that!  Then,

 

(A) I refuse to drive on the fluid stuff supplied as my partner had a heart fatal collision after he used some and it went agin, soon as he got to 50MPH!

 

Or, (B), I really don't have the time to swap to a skinny spare, drive home, get puncture sorted, change wheel all over again! Plus, they can only be driven at 50MPH so I won't want it on for weeks!

 

"What I really need, is a matching wheel and tyre to the ones fitted. If you can do that, the deal is on"!  This is where you decide to walk... Doubt they'll let you reach the exit without at least offering to supply the spare at cost. Perhaps, if no luck, press just for the wheel. They will come boxed, no need to fit the tyre.  You can then get one fitted yourself at the best cost effective tyre shop you can find. The wheel will be in the boot, ready to fit. (Might even save a few quid by the fitter not having to remove and re-fit the wheel as they will just put it back in the boot)!

1 hour ago, mrgf said:

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said you'd walk away!  They really won't want that, especially if they have spent an hour or two with you looking at the car, perhaps test driving it, checking its specs/service history, etc. They will most likely be making a few quid on the sale anyway so finish off the negotiation with an added look in the boot and an "Oh-No full sized spare! I didn't realise that!  Then,

 

(A) I refuse to drive on the fluid stuff supplied as my partner had a heart fatal collision after he used some and it went agin, soon as he got to 50MPH!

 

Or, (B), I really don't have the time to swap to a skinny spare, drive home, get puncture sorted, change wheel all over again! Plus, they can only be driven at 50MPH so I won't want it on for weeks!

 

"What I really need, is a matching wheel and tyre to the ones fitted. If you can do that, the deal is on"!  This is where you decide to walk... Doubt they'll let you reach the exit without at least offering to supply the spare at cost. Perhaps, if no luck, press just for the wheel. They will come boxed, no need to fit the tyre.  You can then get one fitted yourself at the best cost effective tyre shop you can find. The wheel will be in the boot, ready to fit. (Might even save a few quid by the fitter not having to remove and re-fit the wheel as they will just put it back in the boot)!

What they are likely to do is reach into the nearest Fabia Mk3 with a spare in it on the forecourt and put it into the one you are buying. Some  poor unsuspecting s*d gets the gunk instead.

Make sure you get the toolkit too, jack and wheel brace. Goo equipped cars don't have the toolkit.