[Guest]

Hi All,

I did see a thread on this a while back, but now that I guess more of you have taken delivery, I wondered what your experiences have been with either the space saver or foam?

I've specced the foam (may change though) as I read that the sub fits anyway, however I'm still not sure what the best bet is. Here in CH it's no cost difference for either, so that's not an issue - plus I just ordered today.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

[stevepen]

I thought about the same issue too and finally went for the foam. The main reason was why carry around the weight of the spare, jack and wheel wrench for very little use. It must of been 20 years ago that I last had to change a wheel beside the road. I've only since had slow punctures that I've drove to the nearest kwik-fit to get repaired. The only reason for the spare is for peace of mind where you can get dirty and be back on your way in half an hour or wait for the RAC my be a couple of hours in the unlikely event the tyre needs changing on the road.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I also thought about this, but went for the space saver for a couple of reasons:

1. If you get a blow out the foam is of no use and how long it would take to get towed to a garage or wait for someone to turn-up with a replacement tyre is in the lap of the gods.

2. I have heard that if you use the foam there is a risk it will ruin the tyre, meaning that even a slow puncture that could have been repaired by a garage will require a new tyre if the foam is used.

3. We take our car to France every year, and the prospect of missing a ferry due to an untimely puncture that could not be repaired by the foam is to risky with little children on board.

So of all the options I purchased, ?110 was well spent, even if it just means I sleep a little easier at night. One of the reasons I moved over from BMW to Audi is because BMW have stuck to this daft Run Flat tyre with no spare philosophy.

Rgds
Secret Squirrel

 

[Guest]

For exactly the same reasons I also purchased the space saver tyre. There are times when the repair kit will not work and I do not want to be stranded. At least changing a tyre only takes 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure you have tried it in daylight and know where all the bits are (locking nut extractor, tyre inflator, wheel chocks, jack etc) and know how to use them (jacking points, tyre inflator). Carry a decent light because in my experience the blowout will occur at night on a hill when it's pouring with rain and in my case when you are towing a horse with your daughter on board. At least she will be able to listen to her ITouch though through the AMI!!

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I think if you order the Space Saver the foam comes as well, certainly the compressor comes with the space saver, as it achieves it spaced savedness by being flat. Worse case, you have to buy some foam and then you'll have both options.

 

[guyguyke]

My Q5 was delivered with the inflatable spare, but I bought the foam as well, even if I certainly will call the rescue-team if I feel they will come soon...
Foam is only for small punctures
If you can choose, order the spare as factory-option, because it's VERY expensive as accessory

 

[Guest]

Hi All,

Thanks for the feedback.

I rang my dealer this morning and discussed it, he said that 99% of the people here go for the foam.
It's not a price question, as here in Switzerland (couple of hundred KMs from the Audi HQ) there's no extra cost for the space-saver.

We change the wheels over in the winter anyway, and if you have a problem (flat, blow-out etc.) there's mobility (like RAC) cover, and they'll immediately come out and fix you up.

I'll see how goes though, when it arrives in March.

I have a Mk2 TT S-line at present, also with foam (no room for a spare), and in two years of driving have yet to have a problem. Admittedly at the moment, i've swapped my 19"s for 17" pram wheels and big fat tires for the winter, but that's another story.....

 

[jb747]

A weakness of the Q5 (and most other European cars for that matter), in Australia, is their reliance up either foam, run flats, or space savers. Having a tyre deflate may not be an issue in much of Europe, but in Oz, you can easily be a very long way from any assistance, and finding a replacement tyre may well be a 'place an order and wait 6 weeks deal'. Punctures are pretty common (I seem to average one per year per car), mostly because the roads seem to be littered with nails and screws.

I'm just about to order a Q5, and I expect that I'll have to track down a fifth wheel for it, as I simply would not be game to set off for anywhere outside the major cities relying only on the space saver that the car comes with.

 

[moonan]

I agree with JB's colonial experience here in OZ. You'd be out of luck trying to match any OEM tyre on any euro vehicle within a month of getting a flat here, particularly if away from Sydney or Melbourne!

Hey JB,
I negotiated a matching 5th wheel into the price when I ordered mine, and had them include a slightly more agressive tyre (Pirelli scorpion of matching size) as part of the deal. Turns out the original tyre would have added $900 OEM and there were none in the country anyway!
When I bought the thing, I had four small sections of 50x100mm steel tube cut (100mm long) with holes drilled/ tapped to match the tie-down points and raised the floor of the boot by 100mm. Added a ply rear lip trimmed in grey automotive carpet from Bunnings and the full-size spare fits nicely...
Hope you enjoy your Q5 when you get it

cheers,

..Neil

 

[jb747]

I negotiated a matching 5th wheel into the price when I ordered mine, and had them include a slightly more agressive tyre (Pirelli scorpion of matching size) as part of the deal. Turns out the original tyre would have added $900 OEM and there were none in the country anyway!

What size wheel did you go for? I was considering the Scorpion, as I have them on another vehicle, but they aren't available in 19".

When I bought the thing, I had four small sections of 50x100mm steel tube cut (100mm long) with holes drilled/ tapped to match the tie-down points and raised the floor of the boot by 100mm. Added a ply rear lip trimmed in grey automotive carpet from Bunnings and the full-size spare fits nicely...
Hope you enjoy your Q5 when you get it

Thanks for that, I was wondering just how tight a fit the full sized wheel would be. Can you post a pic?

My plan at the moment is to remove the spare when I'm in town, and to install it only for trips. I think I'll have the local auto trimmer make me up a something to cover it up, but I don't think I'll raise the floor. I just use a soft cover with my R32, and it works ok.