Run Flat with a nail in it... now what?

Krockit · 05-05-2007, 12:12 PM

Tire pressure monitor gave me the exclaimation mark - left rear was down 4 lbs. The culprit- a small nail (1/8 inch dia. maybe) nearly dead center in the tread (not in a channel) on the REO50A. Tire is losing about 3 lbs of air a day. My question is, can this tire be fixed? I am getting mixed signals from BMW, national tire chains and local tire shops. Trying to weigh the options...

1. Fix it if it's do-able.
2. Replace the one tire at a cost of $319.
3. Replace all the tires with non run flats- either PS2 or REO50A. After running the winter without the RFT, I would love to ditch them.

Anyone had a successful fix on one of these tires? If so have you put alot of miles on the patched tire?

Thanks in advance. I've been away for awhile... it's good to see alot of familiar names still here.

HyperM3 · 05-05-2007, 12:37 PM

Ive been told by pretty much everyone that its not advisable to patch/plug an RFT type tire. That being said, Id be the asshole who does it anyway because a $5 plug is more justifiable than $315 for a new tire.

uberschnell · 05-05-2007, 12:48 PM

-Let me preface this by saying any time a tire has been patched it's safety has been compromised to a degree-

If you drive on an "empty" run-flat tire for any period of time you compromise the integrity of the sidewalls, hence can't be repaired. You have a slow leak so it should be fine, unless you let it get down super low and drove like that for while.

Read more about how runflats work:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6631748.html

TRICKE90 · 05-05-2007, 01:23 PM

I had a run flat patched, same thing, had a screw in the middle of the tread.
I had it patched by a national tire chain, they didn't even wince when I told them it was a run flat. I have about 6000 miles on the tire (left front) and haven't any problems. I have even run them up to around 135 mph.

j|rz44 · 05-05-2007, 03:09 PM

i had mine pluged...
not many will do it for you though....

Jaws · 05-05-2007, 06:13 PM

Get it plugged. You only lost a little bit of pressure, so the integrity of the tire has not been compromised. But if it was me, I'd throw those RFT POS in the garbage

Krockit · 05-05-2007, 06:17 PM

I know, I'm with that thought. Ran the winter in non run flat radials and the difference in ride quality was stunning. So far the only guy that willl plug the tire is my dealer. I'll be calling him Monday.

I'm told the tire has to come off the wheel and get an interior patch/plug? That sound right?

khafner · 05-05-2007, 07:08 PM

If it is not near the edge I'd have no problem patching it or doing a patch and plug (from the inside) but the plug only mode is a no-no in radials. They just do not hold up. You also usually have to make the hole bigger to get the plug in and that just makes it easier for water to get to the metal belts and then they rust.

just4kickz · 05-05-2007, 07:18 PM

if you get it plugged and an accident occurs because of that plug... i doubt any tire companies will want to be blamed for that. if i were a tire company i wouldn't plug tires that explicitly say not to plug or repair...

SteanLV · 05-05-2007, 09:27 PM

lol this happened to me about 2 weeks after I got my car.. I brought it to big O tires and payed like 10 or 15 $ to get it patched

ROCKETRON · 05-06-2007, 03:10 PM

If the nail is in the middle of the tread and you have not run the tyre completely flat then it is perfect for a patch and it will be just as good as new. Even in the very unlikely event of the patch blowing out it is still a run flat tyre and would support the weight of the car anyway. If you dont have tyre insurance then get it patched.

combatcarry · 05-07-2007, 05:39 PM

I got one of my tires patched and its been fine.

j|rz44 · 05-07-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krockit

I know, I'm with that thought. Ran the winter in non run flat radials and the difference in ride quality was stunning. So far the only guy that willl plug the tire is my dealer. I'll be calling him Monday.

I'm told the tire has to come off the wheel and get an interior patch/plug? That sound right?

i found a guy (kiwi guy) he plugged for me from the tread side in like 2 min. for free (cause my GF is a kiwi aswell) but i told him i just needed it to get me by till my dpe's came in....
but if your going to run with them for a while.... spend the money and get it done right!

GL

E90330iS · 05-07-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmramos44

i found a guy (kiwi guy) he plugged for me from the tread side in like 2 min. for free (cause my GF is a kiwi aswell) but i told him i just needed it to get me by till my dpe's came in....
but if your going to run with them for a while.... spend the money and get it done right!

GL

What is a Kiwi? I would have it patched too!

chicagolab · 05-08-2007, 12:06 AM

This happened to me about a year ago on one of my RFT, I was expecting to get it replaced and the dealer was honest enough to just patch it for me and said it would be an easy fix. It was true for me. I have driven about 18,000miles since then with no problem, the patch was fine.

montreal_bimmer · 05-08-2007, 08:12 AM

i think the majority votes to get it patched....

Jaws · 05-08-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90330iS

What is a Kiwi? I would have it patched too!

New Zealander

koreez88 · 05-08-2007, 07:55 PM

Patch! I did it myself a few weeks ago, but I'm still getting it patched by some service center, because my patch leaks air. Oh well.
Run flats are ridiculously expensive, I'm going for a new set of wheels.

cburton · 05-09-2007, 12:36 PM

Got a nail in one of mine. Been running about 5000 miles with the patch, no issues.

MacAttack · 05-09-2007, 02:00 PM

Plug and play brother.

Krockit · 05-09-2007, 03:55 PM

Yep, gonna get plugged and patched tomorrow. Found a Bridgestone dealer that says no prob, just a PITA to get the tire off the rim and back on. Evidently they've done this a bunch of times.

I know one thing... the second these tires are worn out I'm going to non run flats and never look back. I'm already carrying the inflator and minicompressor in the trunk. Why put up with the shitty ride and hassle. Straight line performance diff is very noticable after coming off the winter with non RFT, too.

Thanks for all your help.

05-05-2007, 12:12 PM	#1
Krockit Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 06 330i, 03 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Run Flat with a nail in it... now what? Tire pressure monitor gave me the exclaimation mark - left rear was down 4 lbs. The culprit- a small nail (1/8 inch dia. maybe) nearly dead center in the tread (not in a channel) on the REO50A. Tire is losing about 3 lbs of air a day. My question is, can this tire be fixed? I am getting mixed signals from BMW, national tire chains and local tire shops. Trying to weigh the options... 1. Fix it if it's do-able. 2. Replace the one tire at a cost of $319. 3. Replace all the tires with non run flats- either PS2 or REO50A. After running the winter without the RFT, I would love to ditch them. Anyone had a successful fix on one of these tires? If so have you put alot of miles on the patched tire? Thanks in advance. I've been away for awhile... it's good to see alot of familiar names still here. __________________ Ordered- 4/6, Pro#- 4/8, Vin#- 4/15, Build date- 4/17, Completion date- 4/25, At port- 5/2, Loaded @ Bremerhaven- 5/4, on the water- 5/5, docked NYC- 5/18, Docked SC and released to carrier- 5/23, arrived Milwaukee -5/25! YEAH BROTHER! Drove it home- 5/31 330i SG/Beige 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, Comfort Access, Htd seats, Sirius, 35% tint.
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05-05-2007, 12:37 PM	#2
HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 342 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	Ive been told by pretty much everyone that its not advisable to patch/plug an RFT type tire. That being said, Id be the asshole who does it anyway because a $5 plug is more justifiable than $315 for a new tire. __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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05-05-2007, 12:48 PM	#3
uberschnell Brigadier General 675 Rep 4,080 Posts Drives: Wide Body 1 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (48)	-Let me preface this by saying any time a tire has been patched it's safety has been compromised to a degree- If you drive on an "empty" run-flat tire for any period of time you compromise the integrity of the sidewalls, hence can't be repaired. You have a slow leak so it should be fine, unless you let it get down super low and drove like that for while. Read more about how runflats work: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6631748.html
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05-05-2007, 01:23 PM	#4
TRICKE90 Private First Class 3 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2008 335i coupe, montego blue, Join Date: May 2006 Location: carson city,nv iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 e92 335i coupe [0.00] 2008 335i coupe [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	I had a run flat patched, same thing, had a screw in the middle of the tread. I had it patched by a national tire chain, they didn't even wince when I told them it was a run flat. I have about 6000 miles on the tire (left front) and haven't any problems. I have even run them up to around 135 mph.
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05-05-2007, 03:09 PM	#5
j\|rz44 Lieutenant Colonel 43 Rep 1,683 Posts Drives: 335i\|E92 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lost iTrader: (2) Garage List 07 335i [0.00]	i had mine pluged... not many will do it for you though.... __________________ Life is Good
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05-05-2007, 06:13 PM	#6
Jaws Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: 2006 325i mt Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Get it plugged. You only lost a little bit of pressure, so the integrity of the tire has not been compromised. But if it was me, I'd throw those RFT POS in the garbage __________________ 2006 325i - Sparkling Graphite 2000 S2000 - New Formula Red 2007 Chev Silverado crew cab Z71
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05-05-2007, 06:17 PM	#7
Krockit Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 06 330i, 03 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	I know, I'm with that thought. Ran the winter in non run flat radials and the difference in ride quality was stunning. So far the only guy that willl plug the tire is my dealer. I'll be calling him Monday. I'm told the tire has to come off the wheel and get an interior patch/plug? That sound right? __________________ Ordered- 4/6, Pro#- 4/8, Vin#- 4/15, Build date- 4/17, Completion date- 4/25, At port- 5/2, Loaded @ Bremerhaven- 5/4, on the water- 5/5, docked NYC- 5/18, Docked SC and released to carrier- 5/23, arrived Milwaukee -5/25! YEAH BROTHER! Drove it home- 5/31 330i SG/Beige 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, Comfort Access, Htd seats, Sirius, 35% tint.
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05-05-2007, 07:08 PM	#8
khafner Private First Class 6 Rep 123 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: fulton, ny iTrader: (0)	nail in tire If it is not near the edge I'd have no problem patching it or doing a patch and plug (from the inside) but the plug only mode is a no-no in radials. They just do not hold up. You also usually have to make the hole bigger to get the plug in and that just makes it easier for water to get to the metal belts and then they rust.
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05-05-2007, 07:18 PM	#9
just4kickz boku no namae ha... 336 Rep 11,025 Posts Drives: 2006 BS 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	if you get it plugged and an accident occurs because of that plug... i doubt any tire companies will want to be blamed for that. if i were a tire company i wouldn't plug tires that explicitly say not to plug or repair... __________________ looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes "Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull**. Where the are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother**er!!"
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05-05-2007, 09:27 PM	#10
SteanLV 249 Rep 2,856 Posts Drives: Liberty Walk M3 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (5)	lol this happened to me about 2 weeks after I got my car.. I brought it to big O tires and payed like 10 or 15 $ to get it patched __________________
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05-06-2007, 03:10 PM	#11
ROCKETRON 320D M-sport le-mans blue 12 Rep 152 Posts Drives: E90 320D M-Sport le-mans blue Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: N.W London UK iTrader: (0)	If the nail is in the middle of the tread and you have not run the tyre completely flat then it is perfect for a patch and it will be just as good as new. Even in the very unlikely event of the patch blowing out it is still a run flat tyre and would support the weight of the car anyway. If you dont have tyre insurance then get it patched. __________________ ROCKETRON MAZDA CX5 2.2D 175 AUTO AWD SPORT NAV. E90 320D M-Sport Lemans blue/beige leather/wood/auto/lumbar support/folding mirrors/through load/bluetooth/pro satnav,i-drive/voice control. NOW SOLD
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05-07-2007, 05:39 PM	#12
combatcarry Private First Class 24 Rep 177 Posts Drives: '06 325i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Utah iTrader: (3)	I got one of my tires patched and its been fine.
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05-08-2007, 12:06 AM	#15
chicagolab Lieutenant 30 Rep 407 Posts Drives: E90 330i 2006 TiAg Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (7)	This happened to me about a year ago on one of my RFT, I was expecting to get it replaced and the dealer was honest enough to just patch it for me and said it would be an easy fix. It was true for me. I have driven about 18,000miles since then with no problem, the patch was fine. __________________ E90 330i \| Titanium Silver \| Black/Aluminum \| Step \| Idrive \| Sunshades \| PDC \| Heated Seats \| M3 Lip \| Roof Spoiler \| Front Splitters \| Lux 5.0 \| Blacklines Link to my European Delivery write up: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=143486
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05-08-2007, 08:12 AM	#16
montreal_bimmer OEMconcept 174 Rep 5,593 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada \| USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2006 325i [10.00]	i think the majority votes to get it patched....
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05-08-2007, 07:55 PM	#18
koreez88 Всем привет ;) 146 Rep 3,358 Posts Drives: Tesla Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (12)	Patch! I did it myself a few weeks ago, but I'm still getting it patched by some service center, because my patch leaks air. Oh well. Run flats are ridiculously expensive, I'm going for a new set of wheels.
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05-09-2007, 12:36 PM	#19
cburton Private First Class 9 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Larkspur, CA iTrader: (2)	Got a nail in one of mine. Been running about 5000 miles with the patch, no issues.
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05-09-2007, 02:00 PM	#20
MacAttack Colonel 29 Rep 2,134 Posts Drives: fast enough Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Afghanistan iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW [0.00]	Plug and play brother. __________________ 2007 E92 335i Coupe: Monaco Blue/Premium/Sports/Winter Package/Nav/CA/6MT/TT/Active Cruise/Active Steering/iPod/Rear Shade/Tint/Short Shifter/OEM Alum Pedals//
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05-09-2007, 03:55 PM	#21
Krockit Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 06 330i, 03 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Yep, gonna get plugged and patched tomorrow. Found a Bridgestone dealer that says no prob, just a PITA to get the tire off the rim and back on. Evidently they've done this a bunch of times. I know one thing... the second these tires are worn out I'm going to non run flats and never look back. I'm already carrying the inflator and minicompressor in the trunk. Why put up with the shitty ride and hassle. Straight line performance diff is very noticable after coming off the winter with non RFT, too. Thanks for all your help. __________________ Ordered- 4/6, Pro#- 4/8, Vin#- 4/15, Build date- 4/17, Completion date- 4/25, At port- 5/2, Loaded @ Bremerhaven- 5/4, on the water- 5/5, docked NYC- 5/18, Docked SC and released to carrier- 5/23, arrived Milwaukee -5/25! YEAH BROTHER! Drove it home- 5/31 330i SG/Beige 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, Comfort Access, Htd seats, Sirius, 35% tint.
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