Check That Spare Tire & Buy A New Spare When Buying New Tires

[Steppy]

The 2004 2720SL I bought last December still had the original 2003 vintage Marathons on it. I pulled the spare in order to measure what mods I'll have to make to allow the new 15" Maxxi spare to fit. The spare had never been on the road judging from the rubber whiskers still on the tire. The sidewall that rested on the spare support roads had 2 grooves worn in the tire so I don't know how safe the sidewalls would have been on the road. In moving the spare, I accidently brushed against the rubber valve stem and it broke off by the tire! I would have been in quite a pickle if I had had to rely on that spare by trying to save approx. $116 and keep the old "never been used" spare.

Let the readers beware.