Part # 99636202004 for emergency spare $650 (PCA disc) + $25 ship. Not sure worth it. If CD changer present, probably won't fit in front trunk and would have to carry the thing in the back seat. Also on highway would need jack + tire wrench + some energy. Most likely would call road service anyway, and then they will tow you to a friendly neighborhood Porsche dealer who should have a tire and get you on the road. I guess if you would add the time to change the tire, it would amount to somewhat less than the time for a tow truck, but with a lot of added work and inconvenience hauling the damn spare around in the back seat. Seems like more than 25 miles or so on the spare would be a bit exhausting too. Something to think about anyway. Opinions??

 

I bought the space saver spare for my 997 C2S. It does take up half of the trunk. It is held in with shock cords. I have the factory tool kit & scissor jack, but a lug wrench & jack from an auto parts should only be about $50. You will need the furnished air compressor to fill the spare, as it is uninflated so it will fit in the trunk vertically.

My logic in buying the spare is that a flat low profile tire is very likely to be unrepairable. There would have to be a dealer nearby, open at that time and with a matching tire in stock. No guarantee on any of these. The emergency spare will at least get you on your way, without having to locate a rental car, with the same potential problems as finding a Porsche dealer. By all means, call roadside assistance to change it out.

 

I still feel driving on the small tire would not be good for even 20-30 miles, would probably prefer the tow and then wait at dealer if tire was not there. With this tt, did buy the tire insurance for $600 that quarantees replacement of the tire, cost free for the life of the tire. I think the only rationale for the small spare is if you have your own tire changing equipment with you and you don't want to wait for the tow truck and you feel that you would have better luck at a near by gas station on ordering you in a new tire. Which ever, it is still a tough decision. I had a space saving spare for my M3, but that was because no insurance was offered to replace the tire. With the M3 you were on your own and you could find a tire one hell of a lot cheaper at a tire store than going thru a BMW dealership. But with Porsche, having the tire-insurance I guess dictates my reluctance for the emergeny spare difference.

 

I had a BMW Z3 prior to my Porsche. Hit a severe pothole(unfinished roadway repair) and ruined both tire and wheel. Roadside assistance put the donut on and I was home an hour later. Without a spare, the car would have been flatbedded to the dealer(all dealers are closed at night) and I would have had to get a $50 taxi ride home. It would have taken me 2 taxi rides and a train ride to retrieve the car from the dealer, once it was repaired. This would also have taken several days, as a wheel had to be ordered. The convenience of an emergency spare is worth it, even if it is used only once in the life of the car. Limp home is certainly better than the other options.

By the way, putting the donut on was a riot. The tow truck operator & I had to read the owner's manual with a flashlight to figure out how to get the donut out. Had to empty out the trunk & use 3 separate tools from the toolkit(At least it was included with the car, instead of being an option-Porsche charges $235 for the tools & $177 for the jack). You couldn't change the tire in the dark at the side of the road without practicing it beforehand.

 

[quote=MichaelL]I had a BMW Z3 prior to my Porsche. Hit a severe pothole(unfinished roadway repair) and ruined both tire and wheel. Roadside assistance put the donut on and I was home an hour later. Without a spare, the car would have been flatbedded to the dealer(all dealers are closed at night) and I would have had to get a $50 taxi ride home. It would have taken me 2 taxi rides and a train ride to retrieve the car from the dealer, once it was repaired. This would also have taken several days, as a wheel had to be ordered. The convenience of an emergency spare is worth it, even if it is used only once in the life of the car. Limp home is certainly better than the other options.

I was thinking a motel until morning. However, you have a good point if they do not have the tire in house...would not like to stay at a place for two or three days. This alone may be worth the spare...I may call around to several dealerships within a 1000 mile radius from my home and check if they keep tires in stock. However to drive on the small spare for 3-400 miles doesn't seem like a lot of fun. Instead of a spare which with my tt with CD changer would have to be carried in the back seat, may be as good idea to just carry a spare front tire which can be fitted to the rim at any gas station. I used to do this with my M3 when I strayed more than 500 miles from home. However, appreciate your ideas/opinion, some points well taken.

 

How bout a can of fix a flat, alot cheaper and lighter

 

is tire/wheel insurance available at dealer or insurance co?

 

We are talking here about a shredded tire that cannot be fixed by a "can of fix a flat."

 

sorry about that, I was just trying to be funny

 

I also will keep my spare (from my 997S) and hope it works on the 07 TT? I didn't order the optional CD changer so (hopefully) it will fit in the front trunk? I think the Turbo's trunk space is smaller so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. On long trips there is nothing like carrying a spare just in case. The only drawback is the spare takes up most of the available space. Another idea is carrying a plug kit in case the flat can be repaired on the spot. Anyone recommend a good one?

 

Is this the same part that is an option on the UK 997TT as a spare? I didn't get the changer either, it might just fit.

 

Griots garage has one that comes with a small bag for tools, etc.

 

I knew that

 

Chris, what's the PN on your C4S spare? I wonder if it would fit a 997TT??

 

I did get Griot's lug wrench to change a tire but was not aware of a plug kit for flats. I'll look into it. I'm a big Griot's fan, thanks.