Run Flat Tires: OK to Patch?

[bossfan61]

2009 328i coupe
purchased 3/25/09
current mileage: 12,400 miles

I took my car in for its first service today. They told me my RR tire had a nail in it and needed to be replaced. With tax, disposal fee, and mount/balance, the cost for this one replacement "run flat" tire would be a whopping $475!!! I called a local tire store I've used before, and they had a slightly reduced final cost of $405.

I ended up taking it to the local tire store and, after inspecting the damage, they ended up patching it up for $13. They told me I can continue to drive on it until it really needs to be replaced.

Is there some sort of warranty on such an expensive tire? It's only 14.5 months old and only 12,400 miles. Also, has anyone actually patched their "run flat" tire and not had any problems afterwards?

All feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[xumba]

Costco said they are allowed to have one patch, just one only.

[livef4st]

Patching a run flat is not a problem. I've done several, and seen them come back when they needed a whole new set with the same patch. No worries.

[samger2]

Patching it isn't a problem so long as the tire was dismounted and inspected to make sure there was no internal damage due to it being driven on with no air.

[Midnight Oil]

According to BMW patching a run flat tire is not legal. This is according to BMW. I have patched a couple of run flat tires. It appears to have been ok. I would definelty make sure it is a proper patch job and not a tire plug.

[Jim@tirerack]

They just can not be driven on flat. Once they are the sidewall is compromised. That is why a lot of shops won't even do it. I did my cousing Corvette with a plug kit while the tires were on the car and he drove them for two years with no issues.

[snikwad]

ive got one on the back of my car right now... been on there a few thousand miles and up to 130mph... :dunno:

[bossfan61]

According to BMW patching a run flat tire is not legal. This is according to BMW. I have patched a couple of run flat tires. It appears to have been ok. I would definelty make sure it is a proper patch job and not a tire plug.

Yes, the BMW dealer here would not patch it. I don't remember him saying anything about it being legal or not; they just wouldn't do it. Reading between the lines, I got the impression that patching it somewhere else was an option - and that's what I did.

Thanks for all the replies. Very much appreciated!

[samger2]

I don't know of anywhere that states on our literature here that it's illegal by law to patch a runflat. I've even brought it to our director's attention that Bridgestone approves it if done correctly, and his response was that BMW doesn't "recommend" it...so that's why we stick with not repairing them.

[Jim@tirerack]

It is not against the law. They just don't want to repair a tire that may have been driven on flat. Once they are driven on flat I would not recommend repairing them.

[Chazwick05]

it's a liability issue on BMWs end. all it takes is "one time" out of thousands and a lawsuit to put a sour taste in the public's mouth. so to cover their own butts and ensure there will never be a freak accident, they just refuse on all run flats. personally, i wouldn't blame them. today's society is all too eager to slap someone with a lawsuit.


...omg, my hot coffee is hot! and it burned me because i'm an idiot! :shifty

[samger2]

it's a liability issue on BMWs end. all it takes is "one time" out of thousands and a lawsuit to put a sour taste in the public's mouth. so to cover their own butts and ensure there will never be a freak accident, they just refuse on all run flats. personally, i wouldn't blame them. today's society is all too eager to slap someone with a lawsuit.


...omg, my hot coffee is hot! and it burned me because i'm an idiot! :shifty

Couldn't have said it better myself. I think too many people think that their dealership won't repair the tire just because they're trying to "rip them off" by making them purchase a new one...when in all actuality it's all about the above post...

[Rocket99]

They just can not be driven on flat. Once they are the sidewall is compromised. That is why a lot of shops won't even do it. I did my cousing Corvette with a plug kit while the tires were on the car and he drove them for two years with no issues.

Are you saying you used a plug to repair a RFT? While I know it's not the best way of doing it, and the "safe" answer is to say, "Don't do it", why can't you use a plug if you're on the road and you have a problem?

There are many people who say you shouldn't plug ANY tire. I've done it numerous times and never had a problem after. If the plug doesn't work for whatever reason, you could always then go to Plan B, but why not try the $15 solution before you use the $500 solution?

[Kennetic]

What sound funny is a $13 dollar patch
If you went to a National company like GoodYear or BigO Tires an Actual Patch will and Should cost you more than $13 to have it done properly. Sounds like they Just plugged the damn tire and sent you on your way. Plugs Leak - eventually in most cases and then the low air will damage the tire
A proper Patch on a run flat tire in that profile will normally cost $29.99 to $50
Run Flats are a BITCH to dismount! and then remount and balance on the rim.
And thats what needs to be done when Patching a Tire- You dismount the tire from the rim - Patch it up from Inside out - and then Remount tire on RIM!! then Balance.
You can Properly Patch a tire up to 3 Times only on AnyTire -(DOT regulations)

Also - A Dealership doesn't want to waist there time on Patching - Its not in there best interest at all. No real money to be made so why bother. Been there - Done that and my Good friend is a BMW service Manager. They don't patch tires Period!
thats a job for someone else to deal with. lol

It is what it is.

-Kenny
__________________________________________
TireKingdom Wheel & Tire guy @ NewSmyrna Beach FL (same company as Big O, NTB, Merchants)

[Rocket99]

Sounds like they Just plugged the damn tire and sent you on your way. Plugs Leak - eventually in most cases and then the low air will damage the tire

So if you get a flat while away from home, why can't you plug it for $15, let that get you on your way, keep an eye on it. and if it eventually starts leaking you can always patch it at that later time. You're right -- some plugs leak, but a lot of them don't.

Is there really anything wrong with a plug for a small hole? I've done it numerous times over the years on high end performance tires and I've never had a problem and I never had one leak that had to be replaced.

[cooleric2000]

Can you run on the patch like its a new?

[lkchris]

Can you run on the patch like its a new?

Think of the lowest speed rating.

[sunbrn]

So if you get a flat while away from home, why can't you plug it for $15, let that get you on your way, keep an eye on it. and if it eventually starts leaking you can always patch it at that later time. You're right -- some plugs leak, but a lot of them don't.

Is there really anything wrong with a plug for a small hole? I've done it numerous times over the years on high end performance tires and I've never had a problem and I never had one leak that had to be replaced.
Runflats seem like the best tire to plug. If it leaks you can still drive to a shop and have it replaced.

[samger2]

I still wouldn't use a rope plug on any tire anymore. That used to be the technology 15 years ago, but now with patch plugs, pay the extra money to have the tire dismounted, fully inspected and repaired properly.

[ddsski]

Had a small nail puncture a tire on my Elise while away recently. Went to Advance auto parts stoe, bought the "heavy duty" plug kick which is for truck tires and able to handle more heat. Took 5 minutes to plug, I'm fine 6 months later and never loses a speck of pressure. The adhesive on that plug material was a true bitch to use and adhesive technology is so good now I am not the least bit worried. I'd patch a track tire just for added insurance though.

[HFe36]

yes, it is ok if it is patched right.

[Jim@tirerack]

Rocket99,

We used a plug kit from a place like PepBoys and it worked untill the tire was worn out. He did not run on the tires flat though.

[Rocket99]

Rocket99,

We used a plug kit from a place like PepBoys and it worked untill the tire was worn out. He did not run on the tires flat though.

That's the point !! If you use the plug repair kit right away and reinflate the tire with a 12v pump while the tire is on the car, you don't have to run flat for a 100 miles (or whatever). Seems to me that there's a safety advantage to using a plug in that scenario.

[x6ing]

Yes, the BMW dealer here would not patch it. I don't remember him saying anything about it being legal or not; they just wouldn't do it. Reading between the lines, I got the impression that patching it somewhere else was an option - and that's what I did.

Thanks for all the replies. Very much appreciated!




I bought the tire protection and you would think since they want you to buy a new tire they would not patch mine. I have had two flats and both time dealership/tire protection, have just patched my run flat tire!

[Jim@tirerack]

As long as they are not driven on flat you should be fine. If you have to drive on them flat you need to replace the tire.