Using Spare on 987.2

There are many reports regarding the downside of using the goop that Porsche supplies to fix flats. Reports are that it messes up the wheel and is totally ineffective if you have a large puncture or a sidewall puncture. I have some plugs with brass tips for smaller punctures in the tread. However, I do not want to get stranded and wait for a tow if I have a large or sidewall puncture. I decided to get a 2002 Boxster spare on eBay for $90 shipped to address the problem. The tire looked like it had never been used and had no dry rot or other signs of deterioration. You can get a new tire for around $100, but I figured since it held air without a problem it would be good enough for rare use over short distances. As can be seen in the picture it fits my 2009 Cayman . You will need to purchase a small very low profile jack, two wheel hangers, wheel chock, lug wrench and two small moving blankets to protect the interior when you haul the flat in for repair/replacement. I'm thinking about getting an RV exterior spare cover to use instead of the moving blankets. Remember that if the flat is on the rear tire you will need to put the spare on the front and move the front to the rear. I checked and the Porsche wheel that goes flat will fit under the closed back hatch over the engine compartment so no need to have to utilize the passenger seat for the tire. The Boxster spare will fit in the front trunk with the rest of the flat kit and other roadside emergency items. I have the valve facing out and up so that I can add air without taking it out. Good and inexpensive solution to a potentially aggravating problem. Having a jack is a good idea even if you use the goop as it is easier to pump up a jacked up tire. Keep in mind the jack must be low profile as the jack points will be VERY low when the tire is flat. Probably the best option is to purchase a used Boxster jack from eBay.

An air compressor and a $15 plug kit from car parts store should resolve 95% of issues.

Nice, didn't think it would fit in the frunk

When I had a 987, I mounted one of those spare tire / jack kits from Suncoast in the frunk. I used rivet nuts to install two eye bolts and used the strap that came with the spare kit to secure it. Only problem was after a year or so, the movement of the spare wore down the felt frunk liner and I had to change it out. Now, in my 981 I carry a plug kit but only carry the spare on long trips.

This is the 5% issue that a compressor and plug kit will not resolve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5sTTfCppLQ

Well, this topic gets endlessly discussed. For me, I play the odds. I've been driving for about 50 years and have suffered probably 20 tire incidents on various cars, only one of which was a blowout that destroyed the tire; all others could have been plugged. So I guess my personal number correlates with B8_RDC's 95% (the tire-destroying incident was my first, back in 1970, with some crappy uniroyal tires that my father told me not to buy because they had blow-out issues). The problem with taking a spare on long-trips (where you are apt to be further from help) is that it is on long trips where I need all the Cayman storage space. The problem with just carrying a plug kit is that it can be very difficult to access the area that needs to be plugged unless the car is jacked up, so I have been contemplating (for the 5 years I've had my Cayman ) getting just a jack to make plugging easier. I am shocked that a flat tire can fit in the back of a Cayman ! Sitting here on my couch I can't imagine it - will have to check later.

I actually had to plug a tire on my Toyota truck recently. This is no easy task if the puncture has not made a nice clean hole in the steel belts. On a Porsche you are likely to be in an awkward position with minimum or no leverage to ream out the hole and force the plug into the hole. You also may have to use more than one plug to completely stop the leak if you use the DynaPlug system like I do and possibly others. Trying get a plug to work can be a pain in the daytime depending on the puncture, and I would hate to have to do it a night. However, I would definitely try the plug before I resorted to my spare. I was also surprised that my fully inflated front tire fit in the back of the Cayman (keep in mind that it was on top of the engine cover and not in the luggage area). I am pretty sure that there was enough clearance for the larger back tire to also fit if needed. You might want to check using the back tire. Storage of the tire and tools needed does not have to take up the whole trunk depending on how you store your kit in the car. I suggest a used Boxster jack kit which may fit inside the spare. You will have a hard time finding a more compact jack that you will also be able to slide under the jack points on a Cayman with a flat.

I had plugs with me when I got a flat, but couldn’t get enough leverage/access to put the plug in, so I called AAA. We pulled the tire off and plugged it. Ever since then I’ve carried a $20 scissor jack in the trunk. Fingers crossed.

No spare tire or goop for me. I wouldn't take the chance of ruining the TPMS sensors with the goop - not cheap - and I like the room if needed for "stuff" in my frunk and trunk. First I have AAA Plus which means if they can't fix a problem I can be towed up to 100 miles if necessary. I do have the tire plugs and of course the Porsche compressor and some tools. Also I purchased this unused Porsche Boxster aluminum scissor jack which came in the rigid styrofoam sculpted to fit inside the Boxster spare tire on eBay for $60 when I purchased my car. Looking at eBay today I saw one similar for a 996 and the price was double what I paid five years ago. Anyway, it doesn't take up a lot of room in the frunk, weight is minimal, fits great in the bottom of the frunk, and I know it is a good one - it says Porsche ! Thankfully I haven't had to use any of the above to date. I would add a word of caution about an inexpensive scissor jack. Pay a little more and get a good one. You don't want this to fail and do damage to your beautiful car or injure yourself. According to the spec sheets my base Cayman weighs in at just shy of 3,000 pounds (curb weight 2,866 pounds. Trivia: A 1968 911R, 5-speed curb weight was 1,764 pounds. Of course no A/C, no heated seats, no Bose , etc. I would trade my Cayman even for one and suffer all the amenities ;-) )

You need a VERY low profile jack (like the Boxster jack) to get under the jack points as the car will be very low when the tire is flat. You also will need TWO wheel mounting bolts: https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/99957107430.html It will be VERY difficult to mount a wheel without at least one mounting bolt (especially if you have to remount the HEAVY Porsche wheel).

Good idea! I already have one in the car and will stop by my dealer today and add another. Decided on these instead. Sunset shipping cost was $8.45 for an aluminum $9.95 part and I didn't want to head out in the cold rain just for this! Now the one in the car can be an extra in my tool box or placed in my other German car. Amazon for $15.99 for a two pack: ABN | Wheel Hanger Alignment Pins Wheel Alignment Tools Automotive Guide Pin, Wheel Hangers Wheel Pin M14 x P1.5 2-Pack

Using Spare on 987.2 Additional Information I had a chance to try to fit the rear wheel in the back of the Cayman. Unlike the front wheel the rear will is too big to allow for the hatch to be closed. You will need to carry an appropriately sized bungee (I used one about 18"). Pictures are attached (sorry about the orientation, seems to have something to do with the size the file and the parameters of this forum). If it is raining the rear wheel will need to go in the front seat or be chained somewhere hidden on the side of the road if you have a passenger. If you have medical problems and/or are not in shape I would not recommend removing the wheel as you cannot just hang them on the lugs like a lot of cars. If you need to put the full size wheel back on the hub after you have plugged a leak, then place one of the wheel hangers in the hub and line up one of the holes on the wheel and hang the wheel. Once the wheel is hanging on the hanger line up a second hole in the wheel with a hole on the hub and insert the second wheel hanger. You can then thread in the wheel bolts with your lug wrench. I would guess the whole process may take about 45 minutes depending on your skill level. I sprayed my wheel lock and wheel socket with fluorescent orange paint so I can find them easily in dim light. The Boxster jack works perfectly on the Cayman. It is designed to be used with the crank handle parallel to the ground (see picture). It can be difficult the first few cranks because the ground interferes with the rotation, but once you get some elevation it cranks easily.