Nail in run flat tyre query...

sid40

So I had a nail (a screw actually) in my tyre (F10 520d) which kept going soft. My local guy here, on asking him to fix it, said by right you are not meant to plug a run flat, ie get it expensively repaired or buy a new one?! Seems a bit excessive. Anyway he was happy enough to plug it and thinks it will be fine. What do people think?

Drummerboy08

Yeah, I've always told people that Runflats shouldnt be repaired.

As the whole idea of a runflat depends on how strong the whole structure is, when it gets damaged it can impede on that strength.

It's one of the downsides I suppose.

bazz26

I got one of my run flats plugged back in December and have had no issues with it. I drove the car to the tyre centre though once I got a tyre presure loss warning so the tyre wall wasn't really under alot of stress.

Run flats are the devil, the cons outweight the pros for me.

Nissan doctor

Road tyres, especially runflats, should never be plugged. If they are going to be repaired they should be patched properly inside. This way the tyre can be inspected properly before repair.

The tyre manufactuers specify that runflats should not be repaired as the integrity of the sidewall is reduced once the tyre is driven with reduced pressure.

Drummerboy08

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Road tyres, especially runflats, should never be plugged. If they are going to be repaired they should be patched properly inside. This way the tyre can be inspected properly before repair.

The tyre manufactuers specify that runflats should not be repaired as the integrity of the sidewall is reduced once the tyre is driven with reduced pressure.

That's what I was trying to say, but I couldnt remember how to spell integrity.....:o

mickdw

I think the manufacturer advice of not repairing them is down to the fact that any given tyre may well be driven long distances flat. Tyres such as these would be unsafe to reuse without a doubt.
Most people would be of the opinion that if they are not driven on flat for any significant time that they are safe to repair but of course the manufacturers have to cover their arses.
Im of the opinion that if bmw persist with offering these as the only tyre option on most of their cars, they should be offering tyre insurance as part of the service inclusive packages. I feel an randomly occuring cost of €300 or so is not really acceptable. Many buyers of new cars rely on having zero costs related to repairs over the 3 years (often) of ownership.
If I was the OP, I would have it repaired as long as its not in a dodgy area. I would them dump the runflats at next tyre change.

CrowdedHouse

I got one mended a few months ago, the guy did ask me how far did I drive it - about 20 Km. He did comment that it was good it wasn't completely flat and on inspection said it was OK to repair(with a patch inside).

BTW the same morning it was pissing rain and cold - I was glad to be able to stay going even if only at 80 km/h

PaulKK

Aren't plugs illegal anyway? I assume you chaps mean patched?

Nissan doctor

PaulKK wrote: »

Aren't plugs illegal anyway? I assume you chaps mean patched?

They aren't illegal, but they are not designed for modern high speed capable tyres. Especially on lower profile tyres, at high speed, high temperature or hard cornering the plug can easily pop out as the rubber in the plug has different properties to the rubber in the tyre.

Again, the other main reason for plugs being bad practice is that if you don't remove the tyre to patch the inside correctly, you can't see any possible interior damaged caused by the nail/screw or by running the tyre at low pressure.