335i Run Flat Tires

[ssedgh1]

Hello,

I am one month into my lease of an '07 335i, which has close to 18k miles. This is my first BMW and I am loving it. However, one of my 17 inch tires has a nail in it and I recently learned that (i) I can not have the hole plugged on run flat tires; and (ii) I either have to buy a new tire everytime I get a flat or buy insurance from BMW for my tires (covers rims too). The insurance costs about $700 and covers 5 years. My lease is only 27 months. BMW wants $250 to replace my tire without the insurance.

My questions are: should I get the insurance? If so, would it cover this flat? If no insurance, what kind of tires should I get and where should I buy them? Should I buy the tire myself and have BMW mount it? Is there anything I am missing or should know before making this decision.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

[Takashi]

The tire insurace covers the replacement of the OEM (and/or snows) run flat tires (RFT) due to road hazard which includes but not limited to pot holes, nails, screws, bolts (like the one I got the other time). It does NOT cover careless driving (curb rash, damage caused by someone shooting projectiles at the tire lead to rupture, ...etc).

I spoke to a reputable tire repair shop and they say run flat tires are repairable if the puncture is not on the side wall (similar to regular tires). Techs at BMW will NOT repair RFT and they will only replace them.

Should you get tire insurance? that's your call, buddy. Do you get a lot of flats from the area you drive? My first flat tire came from the bay at the handheld car wash. If you plan to ditch your car in 2 years, then you probably don't need it. If you plan to keep it for > 4 years, it's well worth it.

Note: There is a catch with the tire insurance. If you change tires at another tire shop, they might not honor your tire insurance.

[robmpulse]

Bmw Doesn't Repair Anything. They Replace It. It's The Nature Of Bmw.

You Want Things Repaired, Buy A Ford. Sorry, But It's The Truth.....lol

I Don't Agree With It...... But You Have To Pay To Play........

::shrugs::

[Blue330i2006]

go to wallmart and buy a plug kit and fix it yourself!!

I have plugged two RFTs on mine and had NO problems.

[robmpulse]

AND NOT TO BE A PRICK, BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SPEND ALMOST ALL OF THEIR AVAILABLE INCOME ON A CAR. THAT'S THE DUMBEST THING EVER. ALSO THE REASON I DON'T HAVE A NEW BMW. IT'S NOT BECAUSE I CAN'T BUY ONE, IT'S BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT. TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS.

IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A TIRE WHEN IT GETS DAMAGED, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE A 50k CAR. IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE......

YOU ARE LIVING OUTSIDE OF YOUR FINANCIAL ABILITY.....

[ssedgh1]

Thank you. The nail is not on the side of the the tire, so based on your response, the tire is repairable. The next question would be if BMW does not repair them, can i trust any tire shop to do the work. BMW service told me that they don't plug the hole because the pressure from the run flat tires while you drive would cause the hole to re-open. Do you know if that's true or are they trying to make an extra buck?

You are right that it probably doesn't pay to buy the insurance for a 27 month lease. Any suggestions on what tire to buy?

[ssedgh1]

The problem is not affording replacing the tires or getting insurance. It's about not paying more than necessary, regardless of cost.

[funk101]

If the preasure thing is true (I'm curious about this now) then a patch on the inside of the tire would probably work best. Iv'e never had RFTs before so I've always used plug kits which I did myself.

[nm335]

Thank you. The nail is not on the side of the the tire, so based on your response, the tire is repairable. The next question would be if BMW does not repair them, can i trust any tire shop to do the work. BMW service told me that they don't plug the hole because the pressure from the run flat tires while you drive would cause the hole to re-open. Do you know if that's true or are they trying to make an extra buck?

You are right that it probably doesn't pay to buy the insurance for a 27 month lease. Any suggestions on what tire to buy?

Hello "ssedgh1":

I am not believing that story.

However, I also do not know the answer. I e-mailed Bridgestone a couple of times and got no response. My concern is a high speed failure after a patch. Mine carry a W speed rating and unconfirmed stories tell that the stress on the tire caused by a puncture may result in a failure at speed.

Do not know for sure. I am still trying to find out. The thought of a tire fragmenting when you are running a buck fifty or so ....:headshot

[mryakan]

Note: There is a catch with the tire insurance. If you change tires at another tire shop, they might not honor your tire insurance.
Not if you get a tire hazard warranty from a reputable provider, it follows the car and will cover any wheels/tires on the car for the lifetime of the warranty. What you are talking about is probably the one you buy with the tires and covers only the tires that were bought.

[mryakan]

Thank you. The nail is not on the side of the the tire, so based on your response, the tire is repairable. The next question would be if BMW does not repair them, can i trust any tire shop to do the work. BMW service told me that they don't plug the hole because the pressure from the run flat tires while you drive would cause the hole to re-open. Do you know if that's true or are they trying to make an extra buck?

You are right that it probably doesn't pay to buy the insurance for a 27 month lease. Any suggestions on what tire to buy?
The problem with Runflats is not the repair (which btw according to all manufacturers recommendations should not be done no matter where the puncture is), it is the mounting/dismounting. You are highly advised to only do it at a tire shop certified for RFT replacement, otherwise you risk tire and/or wheel damage if you go with someone not familiar enough with them. I had to search quite a bit around my area to find a certified tire shop, my dealer wanted twice the price to mount RFTs vs regulars.

Keep in mind that a punctured RFT may have been driven with low air without you knowing (believe me you won't know. I couldn't tell which tire was low after I got the FTM warning until I used a guage). That means the sidewall may have been compromised and that is the biggest risk in repairing an RFT, not the actual plugging. Some claim that plugs are not advised on any tire period if you drive aggressively or at high speeds due to a higher probability of the plug failing in such condition, it is up to you to believe or disbelieve.

As for the tire insurance, it is worth it if you plan on having more tire incidents, but then who plans on those, so it is a matter of measuring your risk. Personal choice.

P.S. Search the forum for tons of information on this, and please next time post this kind of topic in the tire section, saves me the trouble of having to tow you. Thanks and Good Luck.

[samger2]

The reason that a runflat tire cannot (or should not) be repaired lies soley in the fact that it's a liability.

Since the tire never goes noticeably flat...even if there is no air in it...there's no way to tell how long it's been driven on without air. And if it's been driven on without air for a long period of time then the tire has been significantly comprimised and could be more prone to failure later.

So as a way to cover their own butts they make a blanket statement that runflats should not be repaired.

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[samger2]

sorry mryakan...I see now that I simply repeated a portion of your statement...at any rate, this is the reason why it's not recommended to repair a runflat.

And as far as buying a plug kit at walmart...I don't recommend that. Do you really want to stick an oversized strip in the hole hoping it doesn't stretch and come back out on your ultra high performance tire...on your BMW?

I've used these on my S-10...but never would I consider simply plugging a 17 or 18" UHP summer tire.

[ayc868]

In theory, the RFT tire will just regular air tire + solid support buffer. it will be just fine after patch the hole. dealer scare you because they find every way
to take money out of your pocket.

[samger2]

^^^^^

Not a fair or accurate statement AT ALL.

The dealer is NOT trying to scare you. The dealer is protecting themselves...there's a HUGE difference. Bridgestone plainly states they don't recommend repairing a runflat tire...regardless of whether many people have successfully done it, it's not recommended. Why then would the dealer go against Bridgestones recommendations?

It's not a scare tactic, it's a regulation set by the manufacturer of the tire that your dealer is smart enough to follow to avoid any potential damage, law suits or God forbid in worse case scenario, harm to their customer.

[TyKBlue82]

AND NOT TO BE A PRICK, BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SPEND ALMOST ALL OF THEIR AVAILABLE INCOME ON A CAR. THAT'S THE DUMBEST THING EVER. ALSO THE REASON I DON'T HAVE A NEW BMW. IT'S NOT BECAUSE I CAN'T BUY ONE, IT'S BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT. TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS.

IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A TIRE WHEN IT GETS DAMAGED, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE A 50k CAR. IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE......

YOU ARE LIVING OUTSIDE OF YOUR FINANCIAL ABILITY.....

+1

Also, if your car has 18k miles on it, how are the other tires? Are they original? If so, they are going to be in need of replacement/ big enough difference in tread depth that will compromise handling. I'm surprised someone hasn't brought this up...:shifty