A little curious

[03MERCMARAUDER]

I just got my black MM on April 18th and was wondering if all of our cars come with the donut spare. I have seen a couple on the net that have the same rim that is on the car, some are chrome and some arent, Mine has the donut, Also if just comes with a donut does anyone know where i can get a rim to replace it. i would hate to drive around in this beautiful car with that ugly thing on it. Thanks:confused: :help:

[JamesHecker]

Originally posted by 03MERCMARAUDER
I just got my black MM on April 18th and was wondering if all of our cars come with the donut spare. I have seen a couple on the net that have the same rim that is on the car, some are chrome and some arent, Mine has the donut, Also if just comes with a donut does anyone know where i can get a rim to replace it. i would hate to drive around in this beautiful car with that ugly thing on it. Thanks:confused: :help:

The earlier production units (A) came with the full size spare with the unpolished rim.

The later units (B) were "decontented" and come with the donut spare, fuel door release and other items removed.

The good news is they come with the traction control and seat warmer (optional?).

[01 Interceptor]

Unpolished rim meaning the same as what's on the car...just polish and good as the rest? I know that sounds like a n00b question...but I want to be sure about things before I pick up one later on.

[JamesHecker]

I don't think you could finish it to match the polished rims. Not at a cost that would be worth it at any rate.

[RF Overlord]

There's one other issue that was brought up by "Brian"...the traction control is calibrated for the donut spare, so if you put the "full-size" spare on the back, the TC might not operate correctly...

[03MERCMARAUDER]

Man, I would much rather have the full size spare, anyone know where to get a rim?

[Blue Marauder]

Originally posted by 03MERCMARAUDER
Man, I would much rather have the full size spare, anyone know where to get a rim?

But what size tire do you use? A rear tire or front tire? They are different sizes, you know. Frankly, if I ever have to use the spare, donut or full, it would only be on the car at most one day until I got the tire fixed (maybe longer if it had to be replaced and ordered). I hate people that drive around on the donut for weeks. Looks so tacky.

[03MERCMARAUDER]

I know tell me about it, Im not sure which size you use or which size came on the early MM, I would like to know also

[Macon Marauder]

The front tire size is what's on the full size spare.

[Blue Marauder]

Originally posted by Macon Marauder
The front tire size is what's on the full size spare.

In any case, using a front sized tire or mini-spare on the rear will wreck havoc with the limited slip diff. The diff will sense the different size tires rotating at different speeds and try to compensate. Makes for squirrlly handling.

[TAF]

I believe that is why (even though it is a "full-size" spare) it is still only recommended for limited, emergency use for a short amount of mileage to your point of destination for a fix. I would feel IMHO that if you use it on the front...that could be stretched alittle farther.

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
There's one other issue that was brought up by "Brian"...the traction control is calibrated for the donut spare, so if you put the "full-size" spare on the back, the TC might not operate correctly... RF - I was thinking the same thing. I thought if you put a full size spare on the rear the two different sizes would effect the Traction Control . It seems all MM's (even Canadian) with traction control have the mini spare tire. IMHO. John

[RCSignals]

It was previously reported that the "mini" spare went with Traction Control to offset the price of Traction Control, since the MSRP didn't go up.
The full size spare does cost more than the mini.
The rest of the decontenting came later.