Bongo Fury

Is it possible to get a 'new' Bongo space saver, maybe from another Mazda model? Mine looks OK and holds pressure, but after 15 years exposed to the elements.....well, it doesn't exactly inspire trust so I also carry a tyre repair aerosol.

Why dont you carry a normal size tyre as a spare ?

Dump the spacesaver and get a full size tyre and wheel.

daveblueozzie wrote:Dump the spacesaver and get a full size tyre and wheel.

I decided not to dump the spacesaver when I realised that I couldn't back the 215 tyres onto my ramps.

If you are doing something like the exhaust, it is worth popping the space saver on to get it up on the ramp and have a bit more room to work.

Just don't use it as a spare. Get something that matches whatever tyres you have on the front. Keep the spacesaver in the shed.


Frank

Diplomat wrote:

daveblueozzie wrote:Dump the spacesaver and get a full size tyre and wheel.

I decided not to dump the spacesaver when I realised that I couldn't back the 215 tyres onto my ramps.

If you are doing something like the exhaust, it is worth popping the space saver on to get it up on the ramp and have a bit more room to work.

Just don't use it as a spare. Get something that matches whatever tyres you have on the front. Keep the spacesaver in the shed.


Frank

wider ramps ,or a jack & stands (which you would need to change the spare anyway)?

That's what I did .. picked up some wider / taller Transit van type of ramps from a car boot sale for £10

Must admit I haven't actually used it for that yet.

Perhaps it's the hoarder's justification: "It will come in useful some day"!


Frank

I still have my Space saver .. the tyre must be over 12 years old yet it is still (looks) to be porous / crack free ..

Using the spare wheel space for the LPG tank .. I kept the Space saver .. as full size spare wheel takes up a lot of 'boot space' ...

How do you drive up a pair of 'narrow' ramps ... with only one Space saver wheel fitted .. surly that would 'twist' the chassis / body ??

I remember years ago a mate jacked up his Austin Allegro (Allagro) using a 'wrong' jacking point ... and the windscreen popped out ..!!

mikeWalsall wrote:I still have my Space saver .. the tyre must be over 12 years old yet it is still (looks) to be porous / crack free ..

So did mine until I tried to inflate it - the valve had hardened and snapped off when I tried to attach the pump

I'd guess a trawl of the tyre suppliers might turn up a skinny, they probably fit something else.

daveblueozzie wrote:Dump the spacesaver and get a full size tyre and wheel.

Does a full size tyre/wheel fit in the same place as the space saver then? I wasn't aware of that.

sure does, I have a 235/50/18 as my full size spare, fits in nice and snugg.

Its a no brainer really 12 to 16 year old skinny tyre on a 2 ton bongo , accident waiting to happen if you have to use the skinny .

The skinny is a get you to the nearest garage tyre not a get you home/continue your journey tyre. Its recommended limitations according to Mazda are 50 miles at a maximum speed of 50mph. A bit awkward if you have a puncure on a Sunday or miles from anywhere.

Tony

borntobag wrote:sure does, I have a 235/50/18 as my full size spare, fits in nice and snugg.

Excellent! Thanks for that.
Does make one wonder why Mazda put a skinny under there in the first place.