Can runflats be repaired?

gugin · 06-13-2019, 07:45 PM

I got my first flat tire today. My tires have four "grooves" around the perimeter and there is a nail or screw stuck in the outermost groove. On my wife's car with non-runflats, I would have a local shop take the nail out and plug the hole. When I bought my X3 last December, the sales guy told me that runflats always need to be replaced irrespective of the damage. Is that true or is it a BMW marketing ploy? Not sure if it matters, but my car has about 3,800 miles on it.

shemazar · 06-13-2019, 07:51 PM

Yes. My shop repaired mine pretty much with a nail in the same spot. It’s generally safe if not in the sidewall. Our tire had ~6k on it.

My next one ended up with a sidewall bulb/bubble tho. Playing with fire there - I replaced that one, which cost me 2x actually since I ended up replacing both fronts to keep the suspension balanced.

Jeepersjoey · 06-13-2019, 08:37 PM

I got a 6" nail sticking out of the sideway after less than 10 miles after switching from winter to summer tires.

Yup. 10 miles.

The 275x30x21 Pirelli P-Zero replacement was $589.

10 miles.

Nearly cried.
Paul

AngeloUCF · 06-13-2019, 09:33 PM

You definitely can patch them, but not all tire places will do it. It's not recommended by the manufacturer which is why a Pirelli dealer probably won't patch a Pirelli but will patch a Michelin. Tires plus has done mine, and only refused once when it was the 3rd patch on that tire.

My wife gets them constantly....

chicagofan00 · 06-13-2019, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepersjoey

I got a 6" nail sticking out of the sideway after less than 10 miles after switching from winter to summer tires.

Yup. 10 miles.

The 275x30x21 Pirelli P-Zero replacement was $589.

10 miles.

Nearly cried.
Paul

Henrie · 06-13-2019, 10:32 PM

Yes. Use a mushroom plug from inside the tire. Over the last 8 years I have had my run flats repaired in this way with no issue.

Replicant · 06-14-2019, 04:11 PM

Technically Pirelli does not "endorse" patching them. I will find out when I get my inevitable puncture and take it to Discount Tire. As for the one with refusing at 3, pretty much all manufacturers say it is unsafe past 3.

335i nthehouse · 06-14-2019, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugin

I got my first flat tire today. My tires have four "grooves" around the perimeter and there is a nail or screw stuck in the outermost groove. On my wife's car with non-runflats, I would have a local shop take the nail out and plug the hole. When I bought my X3 last December, the sales guy told me that runflats always need to be replaced irrespective of the damage. Is that true or is it a BMW marketing ploy? Not sure if it matters, but my car has about 3,800 miles on it.

Yes they can, needs to be in the main tread and importantly not 'run on flat' - If run flat then you need to replace I believe

gugin · 06-14-2019, 08:48 PM

Thank you to everyone who responded. I took the wheel+tire to a local Goodyear. They consulted some kind of "manual" (whatever that means) and told me that my runflats allow for one repair as long as the hole is in the main tread. Fortunately, mine was. They patched it from inside the tire. In the process, they scratched my wheel a little, so I am a bit pissed. But at least the car is functional again. I'll get over the scratch in a week or two.

GL · 06-14-2019, 09:34 PM

I think the reason many tire shops won't repair RFTs is because they don't know how many miles the tire was driven while flat. There is a short life limit to the tire while driving on it flat. 50 miles I think is typical.

Alias1431 · 06-15-2019, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL

I think the reason many tire shops won't repair RFTs is because they don't know how many miles the tire was driven while flat. There is a short life limit to the tire while driving on it flat. 50 miles I think is typical.

I feel like that would be true of any tire.

gugin · 06-15-2019, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias1431

I feel like that would be true of any tire.

True. I have seen so many cars limping at 15 mph on major roads with a clearly completely deflated non-runflat rear tire. I always wonder what it does to the wheel and suspension.

Wgosma · 06-15-2019, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias1431

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL

I think the reason many tire shops won't repair RFTs is because they don't know how many miles the tire was driven while flat. There is a short life limit to the tire while driving on it flat. 50 miles I think is typical.

I feel like that would be true of any tire.

I think there is more downside/potential liability for a service facility in repair of a runflat type. Those tires are designed to be able to be safely driven if air pressure is very low or absent, once they have been driven on w/o inflation pressure the internal structure that supports it in 'flat' condition can be damaged - it's potentially not a run-flat after being repaired.

A regular tire is not intended to ever support the car when deflated; it's condition if damaged/punctured is normally easily determined. Runflats are near impossible to assess condition (will it run flat safely after repair ?) after they have been driven on in flat condition.

youngdoc1 · 06-15-2019, 09:37 AM

Have had runflat repaired with similar puncture. I had also driven on it for a good 20-30km after while fully flat. No issues after two seasons. I think it depends on the location of the puncture and whether the tire shop is willing to fix it. I paid about $50 CAD at a local tire shop.

Good luck!

Fast400 · 11-25-2019, 07:55 PM

The plug from the inside is probably the best way. I did this:

06-13-2019, 07:45 PM	#1
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Can runflats be repaired? I got my first flat tire today. My tires have four "grooves" around the perimeter and there is a nail or screw stuck in the outermost groove. On my wife's car with non-runflats, I would have a local shop take the nail out and plug the hole. When I bought my X3 last December, the sales guy told me that runflats always need to be replaced irrespective of the damage. Is that true or is it a BMW marketing ploy? Not sure if it matters, but my car has about 3,800 miles on it.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-13-2019, 07:51 PM	#2
shemazar Private First Class 81 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 2006 e46 m3 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: nor cal iTrader: (0)	Yes. My shop repaired mine pretty much with a nail in the same spot. It’s generally safe if not in the sidewall. Our tire had ~6k on it. My next one ended up with a sidewall bulb/bubble tho. Playing with fire there - I replaced that one, which cost me 2x actually since I ended up replacing both fronts to keep the suspension balanced.
	Appreciate 1 JoshV14.50 Quote

06-13-2019, 08:37 PM	#3
Jeepersjoey Stay Tuned! 297 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 m40i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: North Denvah iTrader: (0)	I got a 6" nail sticking out of the sideway after less than 10 miles after switching from winter to summer tires. Yup. 10 miles. The 275x30x21 Pirelli P-Zero replacement was $589. 10 miles. Nearly cried. Paul
	Appreciate 1 JoshV14.50 Quote

06-13-2019, 09:33 PM	#4
AngeloUCF Private 5 Rep 50 Posts Drives: '19 X5 40i, '19 X4 M40i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: SoFla iTrader: (0)	You definitely can patch them, but not all tire places will do it. It's not recommended by the manufacturer which is why a Pirelli dealer probably won't patch a Pirelli but will patch a Michelin. Tires plus has done mine, and only refused once when it was the 3rd patch on that tire. My wife gets them constantly....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2019, 10:32 PM	#6
Henrie Enlisted Member 10 Rep 38 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i (G01) Join Date: May 2019 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Yes. Use a mushroom plug from inside the tire. Over the last 8 years I have had my run flats repaired in this way with no issue. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-14-2019, 04:11 PM	#7
Replicant Second Lieutenant 92 Rep 251 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Technically Pirelli does not "endorse" patching them. I will find out when I get my inevitable puncture and take it to Discount Tire. As for the one with refusing at 3, pretty much all manufacturers say it is unsafe past 3.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-14-2019, 08:48 PM	#9
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Thank you to everyone who responded. I took the wheel+tire to a local Goodyear. They consulted some kind of "manual" (whatever that means) and told me that my runflats allow for one repair as long as the hole is in the main tread. Fortunately, mine was. They patched it from inside the tire. In the process, they scratched my wheel a little, so I am a bit pissed. But at least the car is functional again. I'll get over the scratch in a week or two.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-14-2019, 09:34 PM	#10
GL Private First Class 121 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2022 X7 M50i, 2019 540i Join Date: May 2018 Location: NW Arkansas iTrader: (0)	I think the reason many tire shops won't repair RFTs is because they don't know how many miles the tire was driven while flat. There is a short life limit to the tire while driving on it flat. 50 miles I think is typical.
	Appreciate 1 Wgosma806.00 Quote

06-15-2019, 09:37 AM	#14
youngdoc1 Private First Class 34 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2019 X4 M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Have had runflat repaired with similar puncture. I had also driven on it for a good 20-30km after while fully flat. No issues after two seasons. I think it depends on the location of the puncture and whether the tire shop is willing to fix it. I paid about $50 CAD at a local tire shop. Good luck!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-25-2019, 07:55 PM	#15
Fast400 Major 683 Rep 1,123 Posts Drives: iX M60 Join Date: May 2014 Location: ... iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW [0.00]	The plug from the inside is probably the best way. I did this:
	Appreciate 0 Quote