Big screw in RFT tire - options?

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JHZR2

JHZR2

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Heard a tapping when driving down the road, thought it was a stone in the tread. Nope. Big old beefy screw. Right in the center of the rear rft tire on my 135i. Big old screw with a giant head.

So I've heard that runflats must be treated different for removal/install, so, how about that and the patching of rft tires? Will I lose run flat capability?

The car has 10k miles and the tread is around 90%.

What would you do? I can get a new pair, but it seems like kind of a waste.
 
I'd just plug it and save $350. I was in a pinch and had Walmart plug mine for $10 less than a year ago. The tires were only a few months old and a sharp piece of hard plastic was lodged in there somehow. The tech said he's only seen that a few times before. Link:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514383

Or take it to Costco and see if they'll plug it for you. Call first.
 
Call around to see who can fix it and fill the tire up before you leave. If the first place says it cant be fixed check a few more. If they all say it cant be fixed check to see if there is a manufacture warranty.
 
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
If it's right in the middle? Get thee to a Discount Tire!

They used a patch-plug on my last repair
I don't think Discount Tire works on run flat tires. I love Discount Tire. That's the place to get tires. They helped a friend of mine replace her run flat tires with some regular tires.
Fix it yourself or pay some bucks at the stealership!
 
No discount tires around here. Only a few indys I trust, plus Costco is IMO trustworthy here, but these are OE tires. I think Costco sells them, but only two. Not sure if its smart to hold on to a tire like that if it's a runflat - car doesnt have a spare.
 
I would find someone to install a plug/patch as long as you didn't already run it while significantly under inflated.
 
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Sorry, but I'm afraid you might be screwed.
frown.gif


(Hey, somebody had to say it!)
 
Originally Posted By: jjjxlr8
I would find someone to install a plug/patch as long as you didn't already run it while significantly under inflated.


Its not been underinflated enough to trip a TPMS, and it has only had maybe 30 miles of operation on it.

Basis of question is if it is suitable to use a plug, patch or whatever on an RFT tire, and what are the compromises.
 
Here's the deal with repairing RunFlat tires:

In ordinary tires, there is evidence the tire has been operated with little are no inflation pressure - sidewall damage. Tires with sidewall damage are likely to fail.

But in RFT's, the evidence that the tire has sidewall damage is covered by the insert that makes the tire a RFT. So a tire can be repaired that shouldn't have been and it will fail later.

So how do tire manufacturers deal with this? Some say you can not repair a RFT (and thereby shift the legal liability off their shoulders), and some accept this liability and say to treat RFT's just like regular tires.

So at the tire dealer level, it gets really confusing. These guys aren't rocket scientists and many don't know about what I stated above - they only know about "The Rules".

And just to complicate matters: Since the tire dealer doesn't know if the tire ever lost inflation pressure - and even if he asks, he might not get a truthful response - it becomes a legal liability if he repairs the tire- and some do not want to accept this liability.

So there you have it.
 
I really don't see what the great concern is. The puncture doesn't compromise the structure of the tire any more than it would a normal non-runflat tire. If there's no damage to the belts and the repair is done properly you get to continue using your tire normally until it wears out. If the repair is unsuccessful and the tire leaks you get a little yellow light to tell you about it within a couple of weeks.
 
I'd find a place that would do a plug+patch repair, or a mushroom.
Since you didn't run the tire at low pressure and you also didn't run it very far, the tire should be okay.
A competent repair will last for the life of the tire with no issues.
 
I would take it to a regular tire shop and just not tell them it's a run-flat.

Yet another reason I will NEVER use them!
 
Thanks all! Going to take it to an Indy to fix when I have time. The car won't be used for a number of days, so I'll just make sure it has more than enough air in it when I go, and see what theyll do for me.

Apparently rft tires are harder to mount, so it will be a more expensive job...

Thanks again!!!
 
Quote:
Can a puncture in my RFT tire be repaired?
No tire, regardless of its design or quality, is indestructible. RFTs can be rendered unusable due to a puncture or other road hazard as well as from improper tire pressure maintenance. Some punctures may be repaired under certain restrictions and prescribed procedures. In addition to low pressure, the factors affecting ability to repair an RFT include: vehicle speed, load, and maneuvering; the amount of inflation pressure loss; and ambient temperature. In any situation, the extent and location of a puncturing object or other road hazard are also critical factors. Run-Flat Certified Retailers will fully inspect your tire, inside and out, to determine if the tire can be repaired. Tire damage is not always visible from the outside and the tire must be removed from the wheel for a complete inspection. Note: Some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using repaired tires. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer before operating a vehicle that has a repaired tire.

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/customer-care/faq
 
Why are run-flats even used?
The one series BMW is not particularly efficient in either weight or space utilization and the premium paid to mount OEM run-flats over the cost of the middling performance tires that would otherwise be used, a jack, a lug wrench and a donut can't be saving much money for BMW.
Run-flats also feature a rock-hard ride and cornering performance inferior to regular tires.
Also, if the run-flat feature is actually used, the tire is trash, just like any other tire.
What's the point?
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Why are run-flats even used?


Run-flats are for people who may strongly want to avoid having to stop to repair or to wait for a tow truck. This could be people who drive though areas where stopping is problematic, or for people who's time is more valuable than a replacement tire. This might include people who respond to critical emergencies.
 
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