[smata67]

This can be frustrating and I have not seen it properly addressed on other posts. First, remove the carpet and rear trim piece from the trunk. The trim piece is the one held by three clamps with straps. Lift the black plastic tire compartment cover and hook onto its retainer hole on the backside of the trunk lid. Snap the jack out of its holder and remove.

Here comes the “trick.” Stand facing towards the right of the vehicle and grab the wheel with the left hand at the 12 o’clock position of the wheel and with the right hand at the 6 o’clock position (opposite hands if you are left handed, you want your strongest arm to be at the 6 o’clock position). Simultaneously tilt the rear of the tire towards the 45 degree position while lifting the 6 o’clock hand upwards and outwards, pulling the tire out in line with the centerline of the vehicle. You can see why you need to do it this way from the picture of the tire compartment with the molded plastic cover for the top pump. Trying to go left or right with the tire is futile, it has to be removed straight up and out in line with the centerline of the car.

After using the jack, it is important to remember to drive the engaging pin all the way to the bottom and inserting back in after the tire is in place.

 

[mintsaturn]

Thank you so much for the heads up!
As a R129 noob I am definitely going to review the spare and the jack when I pull her our of the garage here in a few weeks. I would hate to be in the pouring rain in the middle of the night and have try to figure this out for the first time.

 

[e-420]

I find it easier to lift at the 3 and 9 position grabbing in the wheel cutouts in the rim , but yes, you need to be able to lift straight up. I stand "square" with the back of the trunk and left at 3 and 9, then once up in the air, just step back.

BTW, similar process on my W210 spare removal.

 

[mikes129]

It's a squeeze, but it's a small price to pay for the assurance of a full sized spare.

 

[hattie]

Has anyone replaced their spare tire? Mine looks like new but is 1999 vintage...I'm thinking about getting a new one.

 

[mikes129]

Has anyone replaced their spare tire? Mine looks like new but is 1999 vintage...I'm thinking about getting a new one.

No, but I'm thinking about it. Like the OP's it's a Pirelli P6000. A good idea is to include the spare wheel in your regular tyre rotations if all the wheels/tyres are the same. So every year, or 6 months when you rotate you put the spare on the car, and make one of the wheels on the car the spare. Then you get even wear and age characteristics through all the tyres and you always have a compatible spare. Hard to do with directional tyres though.

 

[hattie]

I think when I get a chance I’ll bring the spare to my local Firestone. I’ve done it in the past they sometimes have a single oddball laying around I can get a good deal on.

 

[wlb50]

I think the best thing to do is when you're buying new tires have them put the best of the old ones on your spare. I have got to do that because I have the original spare and at 26 years old now I don't think I would trust it

 

[smata67]

My 27 year old tire still has that new tire smell. Looks great, clean as a whistle. Holds pressure like no other tire I own. Never been installed. What are the chances it will ever be needed, given it hasn't in nearly three decades? I only drive the car a few dozen miles a month anyway. It stays.

 

[Ken S]

at 26 years old now I don't think I would trust it

I guess it depends on what kind of driving one does with an old car. Mine is rarely on the highway and rarely more that 10-30km distance from home. I'm OK with my old air-tight spare, but I like wlb50's suggestion of swapping the spare when buying new tires. I wish I had thought of that when I bought new tires last year.

 

[e-420]

My spare is a OEM never used, hopefully I'll keep it that way.

 

[Photodude]

My spare is also original and it looks brand new. I’m not sure rubber actually deteriorates all that much, when not exposed to the heat, road elements etc. If I ever need it I’m sure it would do the job of getting me to a tire shop, few miles away.