[RobUK]

Picked up this little beauty for my sister the other day, an '03 E46 318i that the other half's mum used to use as a run around but which has been mostly garaged for the last 5 years. Only 40K on the clock and it's mint, but... no-one can find the spare wheel or jack/brace! Found someone on ebay selling a clean set of wheels and was willing to split so that's sorted, but need recommendations for a good quality jack/brace set to go in the boot? Did offer my sister a mobility kit but she's adamant she wants the spare wheel setup.

PS - drove it 30 miles when I picked it up, dual carriageway and some country lanes and it's an absolute peach. Loved it! Something about that era of car that was very simple and rewarding.

[teaston]

Why not an E46 jack & brace?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F153519290345

[ian332isport]

If you want a set of winter wheels for it, give me a shout. I’ve got them left over from when I had my E46. I think the wheels are actually the same as the ones already on it. The rims are quite rough, but the tyres are decent enough.

We’re both in the same area, so no issues with collection/delivery

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by teaston

Why not an E46 jack & brace?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F153519290345

I might do that. Had just assumed that there might be better options via Amazon or something.

Originally Posted by ian332isport

If you want a set of winter wheels for it, give me a shout. I’ve got them left over from when I had my E46. I think the wheels are actually the same as the ones already on it. The rims are quite rough, but the tyres are decent enough.

We’re both in the same area, so no issues with collection/delivery

Thanks for that. My sister is a bit clueless when it comes to things like winter tyres but as this is her first RWD car I'm planning to start convincing her of the wisdom. Expect the rims wouldn't take too much to tidy up if she's worried about aesthetics (seeing as it'll be me paying)

[ian332isport]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Expect the rims wouldn't take too much to tidy up if she's worried about aesthetics (seeing as it'll be me paying)

I bought them used, and the previous owner had made a poor attempt at a diy refurb. You could certainly improve them with some sanding and a silver rattle can. I was planning on a full refurb, but never quite got around to it, and then replaced the E46 with my F31.

They're in the way more than anything else. You can have them if you don't mind collecting.

I'm south of Horsham if it helps.

[muniz_ri]

Nice! I loved my 2004 E46 in steel blue metallic. I bought it new and drove it for 190k miles. I regret getting rid of it and should have kept it as a project car.

[tiw30]

Did you check were the spare wheel lives its a space saver and it and jack etc sit below a plastic cover that look like the base of the well, most people look and think they have no spare wheel

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by ian332isport

I bought them used, and the previous owner had made a poor attempt at a diy refurb. You could certainly improve them with some sanding and a silver rattle can. I was planning on a full refurb, but never quite got around to it, and then replaced the E46 with my F31.

They're in the way more than anything else. You can have them if you don't mind collecting.

I'm south of Horsham if it helps.

Well I've spoken to her again today - aside from not knowing what winter tyres are all about, storage is a problem for her at the minute (I've already got 6 wheels in my garage and her indoors has eight!), but we shall see

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by tiw30

Did you check were the spare wheel lives its a space saver and it and jack etc sit below a plastic cover that look like the base of the well, most people look and think they have no spare wheel

I got her to have another look and you are indeed correct!

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by tiw30

Did you check were the spare wheel lives its a space saver and it and jack etc sit below a plastic cover that look like the base of the well, most people look and think they have no spare wheel

Good call.

When I was a service advisor, the amount of calls we got to say the jack or spare was missing was amazing. They would always check after the car has been serviced and then accuse us of nicking them!