Emergency tyre repair kit.

[Hacko]

Hi, just bought our dstyle about 3weeks ago,being a bit long in the tooth I've always been used to a spare wheel in the boot and am totally new to this concept of a " polyfilla " kit to get you home, are they any good or am I better off getting a spare wheel and tyre as in the " good old days ", ???

[Mike_]

I hope the following helps your question(s) which I located;

These kits really do work and they are certainly easier than changing a wheel. However, they do have a number of disadvantages over a full-size spare wheel and are not even as good as a space-saver spare wheel, in my opinion.

Advantages

It’s much quicker, cleaner and easier than changing a wheel – anyone can do this, no physical strength, tools or skills are required.

Disadvantages

Unlike a full-size spare wheel, the repaired tyre isn’t as good as new and you will need to replace it ASAP.

If the tyre has a large hole, a cut in the sidewall or a complete blowout, the puncture repair kit probably won’t work – meaning your car needs breakdown recovery to a nearby garage.

You will be limited to a lower speed than usual (perhaps 50mph or less) and even once you have had the tyre replaced, you will need to get a new bottle of ‘gloop’ for your repair kit (they don’t seem to be standardised, so often have to be bought from main dealers). Until you do this, you won’t be able to fix another puncture, unlike with a real spare wheel.

Finally, these repair kits are a bit wasteful and expensive. Not only do you have to buy a new canister of ‘gloop’ once you’ve repaired a puncture (often £30-£50), but many tyre places don’t like to repair (plug) tyres that have been sealed and insist on replacing them, instead. A new tyre is much more expensive than having a tyre plugged (although not all punctures can be plugged, anyway).

[cyclone]

Do not forget that the repair sealant has an expiration date. So even if you do not use it you have to periodically get a new bottle. Just one more cost.

[Hacko]

Thanks for the info, will probably see how I get on with the gloop kit for now, cheers.

[lfcrule1972]

I bought a spare wheel kit asap when I got my first DS3, too many friends had issues with the repair kits and with the long journeys I do it wasn't worth the grief.

You can often find the whole kit for sale on ebay for a good price

[Kat]

Disadvantages
If the tyre has a large hole, a cut in the sidewall or a complete blowout, the puncture repair kit probably won’t work – meaning your car needs breakdown recovery to a nearby garage.

Yeah, my Dad had a blowout on the way to Oxford, and only has the gloop in his car - had to be taken back to Northampton as the gloop wouldn't have worked on his completely blown tire. My DS3 came with the gloop, but after this incident I decided a spare wheel would be a good idea in case the same happened to me!

[lfcrule1972]

Ah is that my well travelled first DS3 spare Kat ? Sold to Beefy and then onto you ?

[Kat]

Ah is that my well travelled first DS3 spare Kat ? Sold to Beefy and then onto you ?

Indeed! I think Patrick sold it to Wes, and then Wes sold it onto me!

[lfcrule1972]

Ha ha, I'm not sure it's ever been fitted ! It wasn't when I owned it anyways...

[maxi77]

We also bought a real wheel, full size steel with the proper tool kit and holder. The boot floor is an inch higher but feel much more secure. Our motorhome has no spare but with 4 wheels on 1 axle we can limp with one duffwheel on that axle and did so earlier this year after a blowout.

[Hyperkev]

Is it a straight swap on all models?

[lfcrule1972]

The spare wheel kit ? If so, yes it fits all the DS3 models.... (probably the C3's too as that's what our cars are based on)

[Bigfeet]

People make lots of noise and fuss over the kits and to be honest with you a lot of them are a little unjustified.

Look at it this way, if you are the kind of person who would roll up their sleeves and swap the wheel then get a spare, otherwise stick with the kit.

[maxi77]

People make lots of noise and fuss over the kits and to be honest with you a lot of them are a little unjustified.

Look at it this way, if you are the kind of person who would roll up their sleeves and swap the wheel then get a spare, otherwise stick with the kit.

Yes the gunge stuff works up to a point and does let you limp home withoutgetting as dirty as you woul changing a wheel. The last time I used the gunge it was not an absolute seal, the tyre deflated overnight, and I had to buy a new tyre as well. With the full size spare on the DS3 I can drive as normal till I find it convenient to get the tyre fixed, and yes I am paying for that extra convenience.

[Bigfeet]

When I had my DS I just paid the £20 to upgrade the assistance to cover me for the tyre, if I got a puncture then a man in a van would sort it out for me