Replace inflation kit with a space saver spare wheel

[rockhopper]

I've looked at various comments and videos on this type of thread and am a tad confused so wondered if anyone could help please ?

I have a Sept 2022 A4 Avant Technik 35 Tdi with the usual tyre inflation kit.  I'm keen to install a space saver spare wheel instead.  Given the date of manufacture, I though I had a B9.  However, the plate on the car states  "Typ B8"  and the Owners Manual states  "8WD"  so am now not sure whether I have a B8 or B9  (please excuse the ignorance).  The car is a mild hybrid with additional small MHEV battery in the boot.

It looks as though there would be space for a 125/70/19 if I remove the inflation kit and moulding but am just not sure.

My questions are as follows:

1  any ideas on whether I have a B8 or B9 please ?

2  can I remove the tyre inflation kit and moulding then fit a 19" 125/70 space saver in the space and use the large threaded nut to hold it in place without the need for a special moulding piece - am a bit concerned about the cables from the battery and MHEV smaller battery but may be OK ?

3  or do I need have a moulding before installing the wheel  (I'm not concerned about how I carry the scissors jack and wheel brace)

4  would this tyre fit which is for a B8 but no mention of a B9     Audi A4 B8 (08-present day) 19" | Space Saver Wheel | The Wheel Shop

I am generally competent when it comes to cars, DIY etc but am a very recent first time Audi owner.  For recreational reasons I can find myself in areas of Scotland with no phone signal and am worried I get a tyre rip/similar which can't be fixed with an inflation kit hence the reason I'd prefer a spare wheel.

Any help and views on whether this is doable or needs additional parts/moulding would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

 

 

[Stevey Y]

11 hours ago, rockhopper said:

I've looked at various comments and videos on this type of thread and am a tad confused so wondered if anyone could help please ?

I have a Sept 2022 A4 Avant Technik 35 Tdi with the usual tyre inflation kit.  I'm keen to install a space saver spare wheel instead.  Given the date of manufacture, I though I had a B9.  However, the plate on the car states  "Typ B8"  and the Owners Manual states  "8WD"  so am now not sure whether I have a B8 or B9  (please excuse the ignorance).  The car is a mild hybrid with additional small MHEV battery in the boot.

It looks as though there would be space for a 125/70/19 if I remove the inflation kit and moulding but am just not sure.

My questions are as follows:

1  any ideas on whether I have a B8 or B9 please ?

2  can I remove the tyre inflation kit and moulding then fit a 19" 125/70 space saver in the space and use the large threaded nut to hold it in place without the need for a special moulding piece - am a bit concerned about the cables from the battery and MHEV smaller battery but may be OK ?

3  or do I need have a moulding before installing the wheel  (I'm not concerned about how I carry the scissors jack and wheel brace)

4  would this tyre fit which is for a B8 but no mention of a B9     Audi A4 B8 (08-present day) 19" | Space Saver Wheel | The Wheel Shop

I am generally competent when it comes to cars, DIY etc but am a very recent first time Audi owner.  For recreational reasons I can find myself in areas of Scotland with no phone signal and am worried I get a tyre rip/similar which can't be fixed with an inflation kit hence the reason I'd prefer a spare wheel.

Any help and views on whether this is doable or needs additional parts/moulding would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

 

 

Hi, as long as the cables for the extra battery don't go inside the wheel tub you should be fine measure the O/D of your existing wheels on your car and marry that against the I/D of the wheel tub, the moulding for the cr@p inflation system is removable and just leaves you the threaded spigot which will anchor your space saver, you can get round the possible noise of the wheel against the floor by buying some cheap stick on insulation, about 4mm thick from eBay and sticking it around the tub, if you mount the wheel face down you can use the space inside the wheel for your jack wrapped in an old towel or similar, just did this on my new Passat cab and found to my joy that the wheel tub was deep enough to take a full size spare.

Steve.

 

[rockhopper]

Stevey  Y

Many thanks for your reply – the detail is very helpful.

I had another look and think it should be OK.  The width across the batteries and a black cable comes to under 18” so think a 19” wheel should fit round it.  Have attached a couple of photos which show it.  As you say, I think I’ll need some insulation or padding to cope with the various cables and stop them being affected by the tyre.

Sorry to be a pest but I wasn’t sure what you meant when you said “...as long as the cables for the extra battery don't go inside the wheel tub...”. 

Thanks

[Stevey Y]

7 minutes ago, rockhopper said:

Stevey  Y

Many thanks for your reply – the detail is very helpful.

I had another look and think it should be OK.  The width across the batteries and a black cable comes to under 18” so think a 19” wheel should fit round it.  Have attached a couple of photos which show it.  As you say, I think I’ll need some insulation or padding to cope with the various cables and stop them being affected by the tyre.

Sorry to be a pest but I wasn’t sure what you meant when you said “...as long as the cables for the extra battery don't go inside the wheel tub...”. 

Thanks

Hi its pretty tight in there I would definitely check the depth of the recess more than any thing to make sure the tyre width wont exceed the height of the floor cover a good quality rubber boot liner would take care of any chafing issues, my A6 was never even close to the amount of boxes and wires you have.

Steve.

[rockhopper]

Just to say that I bought a space saver 19" wheel from The Wheel Shop along.  As Stevey noted above, I then stuck several sections of polystyrene using gaffer tape (pic 1) to support the wheel and keep it off the battery cables to the left and right.  Enough space underneath the wheel to store the compressor and tyre repair bottle (pic 2) (just in case). This raised the spare wheel but there was still just enough thread available on the centre to allow me to use the normal large plastic nut to hold the spare in place (pic 3).  Although the spare was a little higher than normal due to the polystyrene, there's still enough space to allow the top cover to sit flat in the boot.  Lastly the tools including jack fit in the plastic tray (pic 4) between the battery and the back of the rear seats (blue towel round them to stop rattling).

 

[Delberthot]

I've just recently bought a new A4 Avant and plan to keep it long term so I decided to go for the pricier foam moulding under the wheel.

It features cut-outs to store the tools that come with the car.

I also bought the same spare from the Wheel Shop and a scissor jack.

The scissor jack lives in the other compartment along with an extendable wheel brace that I've had in every car I've owned since about 1994, disposable gloves and a black bin liner to put the wheel I would need to take off in the event of a puncture to stop everything getting filthy in the boot.

It's not until you see how little space there between the top of the batteries and the boot cover that make you understand why there are so many threads on the various Audi forums questioning if you can actually fit a spare in the boot or not 😊