The space saver spare for the new - to us - Mazda arrived yesterday just before lunch but daughter in law was working so it had to wait for today for me to go out to their house and try it on the car. There was a choice of 14, 15 and 16 inch diameter rims. The 14 was only fitted to the earlier version so it was a choice between the 15 and 16 inch. The supplier recommended the 16" as the car runs on 195/45R16 tyres. It would seem he got it wrong because the 16" option won't fit in the spare wheel well. The wheel itself fits the hub, stud PCD and boss etc all fine, just won't fit the wheel well:
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I measured the wheel well:
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Which you can see comes in at around 22 inches and then the 16" space saver which is 23 inches in diameter. Quart in a pint pot comes to mind? I'm guessing it's the 15 incher I'm needing then? Anyway I just fired off a polite email to the supplier, pointing out that this was his recommendation and could he please sort it all out for me. Fingers crossed for a good outcome.
I've mentioned earlier in this thread about us thinking the number plate light lenses were missing - or so my son told me after he'd been giving it a good wash. So my young protege - aka grandson - and I lay on the ground at the rear of the vehicle and closely examined the number plate lights. At first glance they do look a bit unusual but they definitely have their lenses fitted. I think there is a small closing panel missing though. Not a big problem though as every thing is water tight with regard to electrics - it's just a cosmetic panel which can only be seen from underneath. I'd like to find one just to make it perfect but it'll be no big deal if I can't. Anyway I rang John at the garage where we bought it (I'd rung him this morning just to let him know we thought the light lenses were missing and ask if he had them) to let him know the lenses were intact and fitted to the car and also mentioned at the same time that the N/S/R window wasn't working. Is the child lock engaged on that door? he asked. I believe so I said. I think the window operation is disabled if you activate the childlock said he. I've never come across this before but said I'd check. Let me know how you get on and get back to me of you need further help he said. I'm impressed with his support. of course you would wish for this to be so when you've just bought the car but, sadly, it's not always the case. Of course when I was out there this afternoon mucking about with that spare and looking at the number plate lights I completely forgot to check on the child lock situation and whether the window works if I turn the lock on again, Doh! never mind, we're out there childminding again on Tuesday so I'll check it then.
Oh, and just to finish, here's the car:
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The paint finish is pearlescent white which looks amazing at night under strong street lights. Just hope she never has need of a partial respray what with it being pearlescent!