My daily '86 190D has the original spare tire sitting in the trunk. From experience when needed these don't last long. I know it adds to the originality of the car but if I can't use it I'm literally carrying around dead weight. I'm going to be needing tires pretty soon so I was going to swap the spare with one of my better ones and use that as a newer spare.

What do you guys think?

Old tires are dangerous.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

+1

Unless you're doing some ultra original restoration, why would you care about the original spare? Originality won't keep you going or pay for a tow truck when you get a flat.

Just my 2¢

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Milan Brown 1979 240D, rebuilt OM617.952 turbo diesel, rebuilt 722.315 transmission (my only daily driver)

Instagram: @maximed93

No. Would you trust a 30 year old fan belt?

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

If you ever sold the car, finding a buyer who is excited to see the original spare tire would be very useful because it would let you know that they're psychotic and you shouldn't sell it to them.

-Rog

Or at least, don't take a check from them! Cash only!

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

All of my cars have their original spares. I have an '86 Bronco with it's original spare. I recently used it to get me rather slowly to a tire shop so I could fix my flat tire. The original tires will hold air better than will one that has seen time on the road. Less chance of it being flat when you need it. I would never run the spare like a normal tire, of course.

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'97 E 300 D

Excellent point. I had the original spare on my 1980 BMW 528i replaced and someone at a car show said I should have kept the original for authenticity sake. Come to think of it he was a Porsche guy.

Keep the original spare if it is unused and the car is nice; but, do not rely on it as a spare for the road. Get a used rim and use a good tire for the real spare.

My 2¢

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer