Another VERY BIG thanks to MJHeathcote for his excellent article.
Having recently bought a 4200CC Facelift I too am worried about having to rely on the pump plus slime kit, and am thus considering Mike's excellent solution.
As a starter I emailed TT Tools to get current pricing. They replied very quickly indeed, but they (still) only want to sell in pairs, their pricing is now £168 for the pair PLUS shipping, for which they've quoted £12 for mainland UK and a massive £60 to me in France (where I retired to).
Before taking the plunge, can anybody answer any of the following questions, please?
Has anyone found a cheaper source for the adapter - particuarly one that doesn't insist on selling you two...
Has anyone actually used Mike's set up, on the front or on the back, and are there any clearance issues?
Has anyone considered using Mike's set up but with the similar but smaller width equivalent wheel from certain Mercedes SLK's? The tyre size is 145/70-17 92P, giving pretty well the same diameter and weight limit as the 185/60 - 17 93P. The potential benefits could be : cheaper to buy, possibly might get a more recent one (rubber ages...) and should fit a little lower down in the 4200's spare wheel well (the rim is narrower too - 4.5x17 versus 6.x17), leaving more stowage space and perhaps making buying the humped boot floor less necessary.
Finally I am also considering the Ford Mondeo (suggested earlier) solution. This involves a "normal" space saver from a 2001-2007 Mondeo, 5x108, and in 125/85/16. This of course will not fit into the spare wheel well of a 4200, but (a) they are dirt cheap and (b) being 5x108 have the correct PCD. However has anyone actually used one of these? Potential issues I see are: 125/85/16's diameter is on the small size - problems with the car's electronic gismos ? "16" not "17" - will they clear the calipers? Centre bore size apparently 63.5mm versus 67.imm - won't actually fit on? And finally what is their "ET" - any problems with clearance?
I have also just found other space saver wheels in 5x108 but in 125/80 - 17 - a better size - from both Fords and Volvos which might be better - but still worried about their bore size and/or "ET". Anybody got any experience of these, please?
And one final question, please, relating to the correct "ET". Please could anybody with an actual original 4200 Maserati spare wheel tell me it's "ET" - presumaby stamped or molded on it somehere?
Many thanks to all,
Tony