I had a compact spare that I assembled for my E90 M3 lying around, and when I first started thinking about a Tesla I wondered if it would work on the Model S.
Short answer--as you can see in the pics which I'll upload shortly--is yes, it does.
The wheel is an 18" BMW steel wheel from an X5. It's BMW part number 36-11-6-768-861. I'm not sure about the policy w/r/t posting vendor links, but you should be able to order it through any BMW dealer.
The center bore is 74.1 mm, which is larger than the Model S center bore of 65 mm. That's not really an issue, especially with a temporary spare, since the center bore only provides alignment and the lugs are what holds the wheel on. But a set of 74.1 to 65 mm centering rings can be purchased from Amazon for about $5. You can see in some pictures I have a ring on, and in some I don't.
The wheel is narrow enough and the offset is sufficient that you don't have to worry about the steering knuckle on the bottom of the suspension. The front brakes clear easily. I haven't tried the rear, but it should fit--and even if it doesn't, I can just swap the other tire front to rear.
The tire that I have on the wheel now is left over from the M3. It's a Maxxis T135/70R18 104M, which is used on prior-generation Cadillac CTSs. It's diameter is 25.4 inches, which is probably too small for the Model S, so I may order a 145/80D18 space saver tire. That would give me a diameter of 27.1 inches, versus 27.7 for the stock 245/45 19. Not ideal, but for purely temporary work I think it should be fine. In all honesty, even with the 135/70 18 the ride height difference is barely noticeable.
With the 135/70 tire, the wheel fits in the frunk with room to spare. I suspect that a 145/80 18 will also fit.
I also bought a scissor jack from AutoZone for $30 and a T-handle lug wrench, which both store underneath the tire.
Edit: I've now gone with a 155 80 18 compact spare, which is very close in outer diameter to the stock tire. That fits fine in the frunk.
Edit to edit: after a test drive, I can report that the 155 80 18 tire does not produce any issues with ABS, traction control, or regen when you mount it on the car. The outer diameter is clearly close enough that it doesn't cause the car's software to get confused.
EDIT: Here's everything you need, summarized:
1 steel temporary spare wheel from a BMW X5, BMW part number 36-11-6-768-861. These are available from any BMW dealer, or online from www.getbmwparts.com. http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/in...1-6-768-861&action=oePartSearch&siteid=214672
Cost: About $75.
1 155/80 18 compact spare tire. These are available new for about $300, but you can find them used for a lot less. Look for the compact spare tire assembly from a Mercury Marauder or Ford Escape Hybrid. I found a number of them for sale at Automotix.net, a wrecking yard aggregator, for about $150. Note—the automotix search engine makes it seem like all you are getting is a wheel, not a tire. I received both when I ordered, but another forum member called and could not get them to confirm the tire would come, too. YMMV, as they say.
2007 Ford Escape Wheel (Used VIN H 8th digit, Hybrid 18x4 compact spare aluminum) For Sale - Buy Ford OEM Parts
1 74.1 mm to 65 mm centering ring adapter (basically just a piece of plastic with those diameters, respectively, outside and inside). I got a set of four from Amazon for about $5.
1 T-handle lug wrench with a 21 mm socket. Any auto parts store.
1 jack capable of lifting Model S weight. I bought a scissor jack at Autozone. Some carry bottle or floor jacks, but this seems like too much weight and space.
1 tire tote from TireRack. I think these are like $30 for 2. I had one lying around.
Once you get the tire and wheel, you’ll need to have the tire mounted on the BMW wheel. The local NTB did this for me; cost was about $25.
Of course, this is totally unapproved by Tesla and if you decide to follow this DIY you do so completely at your own risk. I make no warranty, express or implied, about the function or safety of this setup. Etc.
Short answer--as you can see in the pics which I'll upload shortly--is yes, it does.
The wheel is an 18" BMW steel wheel from an X5. It's BMW part number 36-11-6-768-861. I'm not sure about the policy w/r/t posting vendor links, but you should be able to order it through any BMW dealer.
The center bore is 74.1 mm, which is larger than the Model S center bore of 65 mm. That's not really an issue, especially with a temporary spare, since the center bore only provides alignment and the lugs are what holds the wheel on. But a set of 74.1 to 65 mm centering rings can be purchased from Amazon for about $5. You can see in some pictures I have a ring on, and in some I don't.
The wheel is narrow enough and the offset is sufficient that you don't have to worry about the steering knuckle on the bottom of the suspension. The front brakes clear easily. I haven't tried the rear, but it should fit--and even if it doesn't, I can just swap the other tire front to rear.
The tire that I have on the wheel now is left over from the M3. It's a Maxxis T135/70R18 104M, which is used on prior-generation Cadillac CTSs. It's diameter is 25.4 inches, which is probably too small for the Model S, so I may order a 145/80D18 space saver tire. That would give me a diameter of 27.1 inches, versus 27.7 for the stock 245/45 19. Not ideal, but for purely temporary work I think it should be fine. In all honesty, even with the 135/70 18 the ride height difference is barely noticeable.
With the 135/70 tire, the wheel fits in the frunk with room to spare. I suspect that a 145/80 18 will also fit.
I also bought a scissor jack from AutoZone for $30 and a T-handle lug wrench, which both store underneath the tire.
Edit: I've now gone with a 155 80 18 compact spare, which is very close in outer diameter to the stock tire. That fits fine in the frunk.
Edit to edit: after a test drive, I can report that the 155 80 18 tire does not produce any issues with ABS, traction control, or regen when you mount it on the car. The outer diameter is clearly close enough that it doesn't cause the car's software to get confused.
EDIT: Here's everything you need, summarized:
1 steel temporary spare wheel from a BMW X5, BMW part number 36-11-6-768-861. These are available from any BMW dealer, or online from www.getbmwparts.com. http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/in...1-6-768-861&action=oePartSearch&siteid=214672
Cost: About $75.
1 155/80 18 compact spare tire. These are available new for about $300, but you can find them used for a lot less. Look for the compact spare tire assembly from a Mercury Marauder or Ford Escape Hybrid. I found a number of them for sale at Automotix.net, a wrecking yard aggregator, for about $150. Note—the automotix search engine makes it seem like all you are getting is a wheel, not a tire. I received both when I ordered, but another forum member called and could not get them to confirm the tire would come, too. YMMV, as they say.
2007 Ford Escape Wheel (Used VIN H 8th digit, Hybrid 18x4 compact spare aluminum) For Sale - Buy Ford OEM Parts
1 74.1 mm to 65 mm centering ring adapter (basically just a piece of plastic with those diameters, respectively, outside and inside). I got a set of four from Amazon for about $5.
1 T-handle lug wrench with a 21 mm socket. Any auto parts store.
1 jack capable of lifting Model S weight. I bought a scissor jack at Autozone. Some carry bottle or floor jacks, but this seems like too much weight and space.
1 tire tote from TireRack. I think these are like $30 for 2. I had one lying around.
Once you get the tire and wheel, you’ll need to have the tire mounted on the BMW wheel. The local NTB did this for me; cost was about $25.
Of course, this is totally unapproved by Tesla and if you decide to follow this DIY you do so completely at your own risk. I make no warranty, express or implied, about the function or safety of this setup. Etc.
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