Tom Pinkston

I've got a scuffed rim that I'd like to put to use as a full-size spare. I am running Pirell P7000 SuperSports, which have a unidirectional tread design. <p>Question: Should I purchase a spare tire with a non-directional tread, or buy another P7000 and hope I get a flat on the "correct" side of the car? Which alternative would compromise handling the least?<p>Tom P.<br>

CraigB

You'd only leave the spare on long enough to get the flat repaired, so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, the mini-spare has got to be worse for the quattro than a different type tire of the same size as the others. HTH.<p>CraigB

Jim Simone

I had the same dilemma with the unidirectional SP8000Es when I bought a full-size wheel/tire from a fellow A4 owner upgrading to 17" wheels.<p>I figured the right-side tires would be exposed to more roadside debris and potholes being closest to the shoulder of the road. So, I took one from the passenger side.<p>Since April I've gotten two flats driving through the Santa Cruz mountains on my daily commute - both were on the passenger side. Just lucky(?), I guess...<p>Jim

Tom Pinkston

Re: Good point; passenger side tire was my thinking too