I was wondering if anyone thought of buying a donut for a spare instead of the full size tire? The full size tire takes up too much room in the trunk and the fix it kit seems like an act of desperation.

I was going to shop around for a donut spare and install it myself; has anyone done this already?

 

I've never looked, but good luck finding a donut spare with a 17" diameter wheel! (required to fit over the front brakes)...

(You do NOT want to run a donut spare on a rear position, because of the limited slip differential - the smaller diameter than the full-size wheel on the other side will cause serious issues with the LSD if you drive it very far like that)

Regards,
Gordon

 

Hmmm, it does seem like it might be tough, but I will call around. Surely with so many sports cars with 17" wheels, there must be some sort of temporary 17" tire out there that doesn't take up as much room as a small child.

 

Mazda offer the temporary spare as well as a mounting kit for the trunk. I have it and recommend it. Or, is this what you are referring to as "the full size spare"?

 

Unfortunately they really hose you if it's not a factory installed option. As a dealer option it's $450 for the kit PLUS $200 for the actual tire. My dealer told me it was ridiculous to pay that much for a spare tire and suggested I search the aftermarket. If anyone has any info please post it and if i find anything I'll do the same.

 

You can get the whole kit for $384 + shipping from Trussville and install it yourself in less than an hour with hand tools. Also post in the for sale forum, I got mine through this board for under $300. I am sure you can find somebody willing to sell theirs.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ght=spare+tire

http://www.trussvillemazda.com/PartsStore

 

The official Mazda spare tire kit is a donut. Previously mentioned that a 17" wheel is required. The donut has a little more sidewall height than the standard 18, but it is still about 1" less in diameter. You might find a less expensive 17" temporary wheel and a less expensive tire to put onto it but you are still going to need a mounting hardware kit.

 

Glazed, or powdered, huh Starbucks?

 

Just coffee, black, no sugar or cream, but only freshly brewed.

I'll look for a 17" donut TIRE. I'd feel better about not getting stranded. Sure Mazda offers roadside service but who really wants to risk getting stranded on the wrong side of town or in some remote location out in the boondocks?