Technical Wheel Help Please

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Technical Wheel Help Please

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I have a new Fiat 500L Trekking with 17" rims.
The dealer says that Fiat doesn't have a spare tire kit for this car yet... even though you can build one that has it as an option.

SO I am even willing to get another full size tire, matching what is on the car, it will actually lay flat in the boot.

BUT again, they can't seem to get me one.
And to think that I almost traded my mini for a second 500L... NOT HAPPENIN...

SO I need your help.

Where can I get a 17" rim that will fit this car.
Tire Rack doesn't have one.

I love the car, but right now, Fiat lost an easy sale, and I will go where I can to get a spare for trips...

Thanks for any help :)
 
I have a new Fiat 500L Trekking with 17" rims.
The dealer says that Fiat doesn't have a spare tire kit for this car yet... even though you can build one that has it as an option.

SO I am even willing to get another full size tire, matching what is on the car, it will actually lay flat in the boot.

BUT again, they can't seem to get me one.
And to think that I almost traded my mini for a second 500L... NOT HAPPENIN...

SO I need your help.

Where can I get a 17" rim that will fit this car.
Tire Rack doesn't have one.

I love the car, but right now, Fiat lost an easy sale, and I will go where I can to get a spare for trips...

Thanks for any help :)

As you are in the US it's hard to answer that one from the UK but two thoughts spring to mind.

eBay may be one option - you will need to know the offset

Explained here

and the exact distance between the studs which is easy to measure.

You might be (very) lucky and find one in the breakers but's it's early days for that and there are very few around at the moment.

One further thought though, the 500L in the UK is supplied with a space saver wheel and tyre (unless it has the upgraded Beats Hi-fi system), this would mean a standard 17" inch alloy rim would be unlikely to fit in the under boot space, unless you sacrificed some of the space in the lower compartment and were prepared to accept the bottom compartment floor carpet didn't sit flat. It would be worth double checking one would actually fit before buying.
 
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I am in the US

I measured and a normal wheel with tire is aprox 26 inches and will fit in the boot. It does have a Beats system so it would have to sit on the carpet above it, which is ok. I'm planning on it being back there for trips.
Not everyday driving to work etc....

But measured 28 inches back there so a full tire will fit.
If the dealer clould get me exactly what is on the car, I'd be happy.
Not sure why this is such a problem.

When I bought my Mini Countryman, I wanted a full tire, they had it ready for me when I picked up the car. For trips, toss it in the back, strap it down for safety and on our way.

Is it really that much to ask of Fiat?
Its not like I'm asking for a free tire either.. I will pay for it....
So what is their problem?
 
Since Crysler is owned by Fiat, I even tried to find a rim there. The Dodge Dart has 17" but even tire rack doesn't have it.

Anybody know of anywhere that would sell a universal rim, maybe if a must...a custom rim... I'd only need one....

I know this is supposed to be the dealers job but not so sure that they even know how to do this..

I have a month to get one for a road trip to Boston...
If no spare by then, I will take the mini....it rocks, but I did want to take the new Fiat to see how it does and to break it in nicely with a road trip.

BUT I won't take it on that trip without a spare..
Again lovin the car, starting to really hate the dealership... Tryin not to but its getting tougher each day....
 
As its a spare it doesn't need to be a 17" wheel rim you could get a 15" wheel with a tire that keeps the rolling circumference the same (higher profile) this is a perfectly acceptable spare and would save trying to find a 17" steel wheel which may not exsist.

Really the dealer should be able to get you a matching alloy but given its such a new car in the us and so far from where its made parts like this might not have made it to your side of the Atlantic yet
 
As its a spare it doesn't need to be a 17" wheel rim you could get a 15" wheel with a tire that keeps the rolling circumference the same (higher profile) this is a perfectly acceptable spare and would save trying to find a 17" steel wheel which may not exsist.

Really the dealer should be able to get you a matching alloy but given its such a new car in the us and so far from where its made parts like this might not have made it to your side of the Atlantic yet

This sounds like a plan..... but

I would have concerns about fitting a non standard wheel.

It could of course be argued that a space saver is a non standard wheel but (presumably) they are fully tested and found to be to be suitable for the vehicle they are intended for, they also come with speed limits and other restrictions.

Thinking worse case and the OP has an accident with one non standard wheel fitted I wonder what view an insurance company would take??
 
I would have concerns about fitting a non standard wheel.

if we're talking 'standard' we are talking about something manufactured for use on that particular car, in this instance a 15 or 16inch 500L wheel is 'standard'

for safety sake they always say stick to a maximum speed of 50mph to take slight differences in circumference into account especially if used on the driving wheels. and takes into account the different handling characteristics of the difference in tire profile, in many US states you'll struggle to find a speed limit above 50/55mph

you also have to consider that insurance works differently in the USA to how it works in the UK some states only require a very minimal level of cover and others don't require insurance at all insurance companies also don't always need to know about modifications, essentially the insurance issue is something for the OP to worry about dependent on his circumstances

I am pretty sure that fiat don't make a 17" steel wheel and that the factory fit option is most likely some sort of 15-16" space saver.
 
if we're talking 'standard' we are talking about something manufactured for use on that particular car, in this instance a 15 or 16inch 500L wheel is 'standard'

for safety sake they always say stick to a maximum speed of 50mph to take slight differences in circumference into account especially if used on the driving wheels. and takes into account the different handling characteristics of the difference in tire profile, in many US states you'll struggle to find a speed limit above 50/55mph

you also have to consider that insurance works differently in the USA to how it works in the UK some states only require a very minimal level of cover and others don't require insurance at all insurance companies also don't always need to know about modifications, essentially the insurance issue is something for the OP to worry about dependent on his circumstances

I am pretty sure that fiat don't make a 17" steel wheel and that the factory fit option is most likely some sort of 15-16" space saver.

Of course that may well be true - but I guess my main concern is that somebody on reading the thread in the UK (or indeed any other country) and thinks 'that's a good idea' and carry it through. Over here as you will know they are much more stringent about being notified about mods. or making your car 'non standard' in some way.

If I was going down this route in the UK I would certainly talk to my insures about any possible issues they might have with the proposal - they may very well be fine about it but at least you will have the reassurance of knowing that they have the call on record and have 'OK'd it, should the worst happen.

My personal motto when it comes to insurance is never ever give 'em wriggle room.:)
 
Appreciate the responses.
15" with larger profile to adapt sounds like it should work if I can't get the 17". Not something that I thought about.... Thanks :)
 
If one of the car's wheels was damaged would the dealer be unable to get a replacement, ever?

I can't see how Fiat America can be so stupid as to refuse to sell a customer an extra wheel if he wants it. This really is maddening, because here Fiat's dealerships hardly have the best reputation and it seems the company policy is to replicate our standards in the US.

Fiat has just dropped out of the top ten European makers by sales, and if it weren't for the 500 the company would probably be gone by now.

So Fiat, sell the man a wheel, then he might just buy another car... how uncomplicated does that sound!
 
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Appreciate the responses.
15" with larger profile to adapt sounds like it should work if I can't get the 17". Not something that I thought about.... Thanks :)

Please remember to post back with your final solution - it could help other members - many thanks.(y)
 
MJG - I will absolutely post whatever solution we find.


I've been calling the manager and sales guy every day.

They came back with a price of $1,320 for one rim, tire and I'm assuming pressure sensors.......which is nuts.

When I bought my mini, I payed $450 for the 17" rim (exact rim thats on the car) with sensors not yet installed, tossed a $150 tire on it and it gets tossed in the back for long trips with the mini cooper.

THEY can't convince me that a Fiat rim/tire and sensor is more than a Mini/BMW car... So he's going to investigate further...

He then mentioned getting a steel rim from a Pop and I could have a tire guy get a tire that would fill out the 17"... I'm ok with that... He hasn't come back with a price or availability yet...

So, I expecty to hear something today...

But it seems that if YOU don't keep calling, they ignore it.

WHEN I purchased the car, the manager extended his hand for a Deal handshake. I backed off and discussed the spare tire. I didn't even push for a free one, I'd pay. BUT I wanted one or it was a deal breaker. He agreed. Said "Absolutely"!

Then I had to go through all of this silliness just to get a spare?
THAT is what ticked me off.
I WILL find a spare, one way or the other...
But WE had a deal.. Intergrity is important in the business world.

If he does the right thing and I get a functional spare, I will post the results and thank him.

IF I DON'T and I have to go do all this myself....
I will post THOSE results HERE and everywhere else that has the name Fiat on it, everywhere that I can find, AND I will name them for the world to see.

The WEB is a powerful tool...especially for customers.

I will be fair, good or bad, I will post....
I really hope its good.... I kind of like these guys and it would cut deep to have to do the "bad"...
 
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Update:

Since I had to call about the check engine light anyhow, and since the service and parts numbers are the same and I had the guy on the phone, I ASKED about a spare.

He let me know that he may have a few options and will get back to me.

Yeah, skipping the sales guys...they are worthless.
I just re-confirmed that a handshake from any sales guy is worthless.
Integrity is zero with these guys. And because of this case, I will never buy another car from them. They had their shot, they screwed it up.

There are two other fiat dealerships within driving distance. If I get another, it will be from one of them. AND I will not take delivery until its complete...everything is in/on the car before I sign anything...
 
Latest Update:

Skipped sales and now directly interacting with Parts.

First off let me say, these guys have a LOT more class and integrity than the sales slime...

Down to business:
Fiat hasn't even begun to manufacture the spare donuts NOR the kits to hold the spare.

An OEM Alloy rim is $1350
Not a typo... Over a grand and thats the cheapest one.

I also own a Mini Cooper Countryman and I purchased the exact same alloy rims with sensors, add tire and less than half this. Fiat is way out of line.

So the parts guy, after stating that I definitely would not be the last customer to ask for a spare are working to find me a REASONABLE solution.

Again, Parts and also the service manager are trying to help.

The sales guys, I will be posting that info on another thread such that nobody else gets burned by their lack of integrity and con artist hand shakes.

So WARNING! If you want a spare for the new Fiat 500L that you WERE considering (maybe not any more) just know, it will cost you a TON just to find anything that will fit your car.

At least I got the scum sales out of the middle and can now work with the parts guy to hopefully find a solution...
 
Ok, after the nat reps have come and gone, there are NO spare tires available for this car anywhere in the US of A!

The service manager has been doing everything in his power to find something that will work but nope, none.

I have asked for a spare, an OEM rim that is already on the car, I will handle the tire and sensors, they asked if a steel rim would be ok?
YES YES YEEEEEES!!!!! BUT of course, they don't have them either.

The nat rep, supposedly a VP...if that matters, not to me, anyhow, tried to pin her down on a date/time and nope, no ETA for anything.

I almost traded my mini in for another 500L cause I really like the car.
GOOD THING I DIDN'T!!!!!!!!!

WARNING! If you want a spare for the new Fiat 500L that you WERE considering (maybe not any more) just know, THEY DON'T HAVE THEM AND CAN'T GET THEM NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU ASK! DON'T EXIST!
 
When the Japanese, and later the Koreans, began selling cars in Britain they set up spare parts infrastructure before the cars went on sale. The rest is history.

I really can't understand this at all, and I wonder if it is the same here.
 
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