Yes. You just unscrew the plastic tray by turning it anticlockwise and pull it out. You can remove the spare wheel. There is a small plastic piece which is threaded under there for holding the tray. It will also slide out of the metal holder.

 

Why is the spare no longer valid? Changing to a larger rim size should be accompanied with a lower profile tire to keep the same diameter. Other than maybe the style of the rim, it should still function as a valid spare.

 

Yes, I keep the same overall diameter. Original is 225/50R16, changed to 225/45R17 for the front and 245/40R17. The ET also doesn't change, no spacer or whatsoever.

However, I don't want to spend money (and weight) on keeping a spare tyre to fit the new rim. I learn that some new MB/BMW doesn't come with the spare tyre anymore, because of the run flat feature or they provide the bottle of emergency sealant.

I would prefer to have extra luggage space over the spare tyre.

 

Checked the EPC. Cannot determine if there is a supporting structure for the spare wheel tyre holder. Just afraid once i removed it, there is no supporting in the bottom.

 

So you actually want to remove the spare wheel well part, too? Why? Just remove the tire, and use that now empty space for more storage. Of course storing stuff in there will add weight, which is what you want to get rid of by removing the spare, so I'm not really sure what you are looking to gain here.

I'm with Schumicat - I don't want to be without a spare. I can change a tire in about 15 minutes vs. waiting hours for help, and then when the help comes, all they can do is tow you, and even that might be difficult if a tire is totally destroyed. Run-flat tires are specifically designed with an internal structure that can driven on even if the outer rubber is gone. And "Fix-a-Flat" inflation glue won't seal but the tiniest nail holes.

If weight is a big concern, go buy a limited-use spare and put in there instead of the heavier full-sized spare. That's what we get over here in the US these days. My C240 has a full-sized tire, but on a plain steel rim. It weighs a little less than the alloy rim. My CLK has a compact spare. It's the correct diameter, but very narrow and the rim is very light - probably less than half the weight of any of my allow rims. I can drive on it up to 50mph to get somewhere to have my full-sized tire repaired.

 

My primary goal is to save more space for luggage.
I cannot make effective use of the space due to the curved shape of spare wheel well, so I am thinking to remove the spare wheel well along with the spare tyre.

 

Does anyone know if removing the spare tire will compromise the safety crush zone? Was the "zone" designed with/without the spare tire in place? Do cars without spares have a space for one?

 

Get a station wagon. Have you looked in your trunk and underneath the car? If you remove the spare wheel well, you will have no floor in your trunk. You cannot fabricate a deeper one that will span all the way across because the muffler is on the opposite side.

 

I think I was confused.

1. Just realized remove the spare wheel well, there would be no floor in your trunk.

2. The curved unused space in the spare wheel well is actually covering the catalytic converter. It is not an unused space indeed. So, replacing/removing the spare wheel holder can't help my issue.

3. The original spare tyre comes with the 16" plain steel rim, so I can use it even after i change the rim/tyre set. However, I am not prepared to use the original spare tyre, so planning to sell it to the tyre shop.