Andrew Dwyer

While carrying a spare is not strictly on topic to Electric Vehicles it does have some relevance … so here goes. Most regular posters on this thread are EV owners or, like myself, on the verge of buying an EV ( the Yorkshireman in me being the cause of my procrastination). EV’s, Hybrids and PHEV’s are already carrying the bulky and weighty battery so the spare tyre is a rarity, in fact a rarity in ICE cars also, being replaced by a light and diminutive air pump and foam. So, the question of carrying a spare is common: Cons : Weight ( with range at the forefront losing a few kilos is paramount) Space ( early EV’s, and now HEV and PHEV utilising the all important space under the boot ) Necessity ( with the pump/foam and roadside assistance offered on some new EV’s is a spare even required ?) Pros : Piece of mind ( knowledge that a flat will not cause a lengthy wait cutting in to your well earned weekend away if the rim is damaged or sidewall damage rendering your pump/foam fix ineffective) So, risking travelling without the spare, jack and tools etc is the easiest option but obviously some are still going the spare wheel route. Disclosure: my Honda Jazz came with a donut and I used it twice in 4 1/2 years. I bought a donut for my ZS ( ICE ) 2 1/4 years ago, still unused. Will i buy a spare/donut for my EV ? I am still on the fence. As it’s looking like an Atto 3 a full size spare is the cheapest and easiest option as there’s plenty of tyre/wheel combo’s available on FB for around 4k baht a set, due to the dubious quality of the Batman tyres and many owners going for new rims ( seen some going up to 19” and 20” ! ), but it’s doubtful the 18” will actually fit in the space. A quick search for an emergency spare, donut, brought up nothing and as it seems Toyota RAV 4 wheels are compatible a 17” spare could be utilised, albeit on a slight angle as in the photo I posted earlier. So, finally !!, a couple of questions: Have you gone the spare or donut route ? How small can you go with a donut ( my official MG donut is 16” on a car using 17” wheels ) can you go smaller ?

3 x BYD showrooms opening March/ April Damn you temptation !! I live 5 mins away from the Ayutthaya site.

This is a little older ( 2nd Dec 2022 ) and haven’t seen any further update on it. https://topcarnews.net/aiways-to-set-up-car-and-battery-assembly-plant-in-thailand-s181435.html Interestingly the initial order for the U5 are destined to be taxis here in Thailand and might cause a drop in interest by the general public but hot on its heels is the U6, which as we have come to expect from Chinese EV’s, is another sporty, space age, multi coloured car brimming with the latest tech. Hopefully both these Aiways ev’s, the BYD Seal and the Neta U Pro will be represented at the Motor Show later this month. I have a feeling there’s going to be a few surprises in store.

BYD breaks ground on Thailand plant. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/13/WS640e7f7da31057c47ebb40c2.html?fbclid=IwAR23xPVySQKZV7NmVxsAGNJ3g6zcnjzejXUAKlR5Cb5K6DasJcwV3QtzqyY

Seen a “ new “ BYD Atto 3 ext range for sale on a FB page 1.2 million baht down to 1.1 million. Straight away saw a few offering 1 million, don’t know the outcome.

Not illegal and very common to change visa status from tourist visa to non imm O visa, or apply for a non imm O visa from a visa exempt entry. Google TM 86 and TM 87 for the required documents.

So, just to add more temptation to EV enthusiasts here’s the pricing for the new MG ES ( EP facelift) , less than anticipated + register between March 13 -19 with 10k deposit gets 20k discount!

I left all my cd collection to the ex in a divorce settlement several years ago. Of course they were all pretty worthless except for this gem I bought in Korea in the early 90’s

Sounding a bit disgruntled yourself there Owl ! But, as a Leeds fan i have more than good reason to be disgruntled !!

Free at Ayutthaya Immigration office and issued on the spot.

Wonder if you have tried your full size spare ( 18” ) in the hole ? Read a report of a guy using a Rav 4 wheel and tyre as a spare and it fit in on an angle, but it’s only 17” .

Not quite. Enter on a 30/45 day exempt, and apply for ( not convert to ) a non imm visa at your local Immigration Office. Takes around 10 days, on average, and your passport goes nowhere, you return to your IO for the non imm O visa stamp to be applied.

“ Like I keep saying “ Ah, the early symptoms ??

Personally I would have used a thinner larger piece of wood, bevelled the edges, stained it to a colour of my choice and glued the numbers to it, eliminating all the excess black steel which, imho, spoils it. But then we all have different tastes.

@BKKBike09 Regarding these in the tyre well: I wonder if they are studs screwed into body of the car ( captive nuts ) ? You could try a couple of nuts tightened together and see if you can unscrew them, look like M6 ( 6mm ) to me.

On my frequent trips ( Ayutthaya to Lat Yao, Nakhon Sawan ) on the 32 highway I like to try and spot some of the newer released cars to see what they look like in the wild ( beats talking to the wife ! ) Today, saw no Atto’s and only 1 Good Cat, finally spotting a MG4 X in white, looking splendid !! I did see a car transporter loaded with Neta V ‘s headed North. Then I saw a lone Neta V in blue, couldn’t help noticing from the back how tall and thin it looked ( it isn’t that tall but quite narrow ). Made me remember when i lived in Brazil and the Fiat Idea was released and they advertised it as “ the tallest car in its class “ …. guess it didn’t have any other redeeming features !! Funny what your mind brings up when stuck on those long straight highways !! Should probably get myself a new hobby.

That’s great, was going to recommend another one at 5,000 baht but it’s not a patch on the one you have bought and looks like it would move around. I would say this Promax Auto version is pretty damn inventive, here’s a video with the owner/inventor ( i am guessing ) , it’s in thai but pretty self explanatory. There is another video about a guy taking his car for a 20,000 km service and he removes the Frunk , not sure why, in a couple of minutes, couldn’t find that video again .

Yup, wait until a thread has gained a few posts then reply to them all stating the bleeding obvious ……. seems to work for a few on here.

Have no advice on this as am not a big lover of CC, much less the ACC and haven’t used it in 7 years here. But your comments are familiar, GWM owners were also trying to remove the A from ACC when it landed in Thailand.

Apparently it was on sale, first 100 units, at 8,990 but normal price is 12,990 baht, seems to be selling well and shipped to Malaysia also. Gathering a lot of interest in the Aus and NZ gb groups , but they are a little set back by the price never mind the shipping. Anyway, based in Pathum Thani .

No, but if you had read the thread you would have realised my info is to assist another poster who is looking at carrying a spare.

I returned to this FB post and it appears the owner is “ butchering “ his car for a stereo ( read ridiculously over the top loud stereo ) so no help in the spare tyre department.

Wonder if they are trying to eliminate those 4 threaded bolts in my previous photo. I would find a big washer and nut and cut off the excess level with the nut. As for a Frunk, there’s a Thai version that looks pretty good and been used for a while. It’s made by a company called Promax Auto, will try and find the info with the all important price !! Also a 2 x gas strut mod to replace the “ holdthebonnetlidopen” thingy.

For those lovers of Pinnipeds ( google it ???? ) here’s one in the wild , RH drive .