[Mike Schumacher]

i've got a dirty big fat screw in one of my tires! just over 2 weeks old an i've been told it needs replacing by BMW

I'd just like to check with people that this is true? Is it because they are run flats they can not be filled or repaired like other tires?

i've been quoted about 170 to replace it. It's a dunlop.

i dont want to get stung any more by these greedy bmw b@$#@&*s any more than what i have been

thanks guys

[Paul]

Depends where the hole is, but something like that can usually be plugged/repaired by a reputable tyre place.

[sel]

i collected my cooper the other day...

and they said that after a puncture bmw RECOMMEND a REPLACEMENT not a repair on runflats!!

(the week b4 a screw was in my ONE tyre (not R/Flat) and i had it repaired)

[neilobe]

I had a screw in my runflat tyre and got it repaired / plugged, as long as its not in your sidewall any other trye dealer should be able to repair it for you....

[Scrogg]

Although run-flats can be repaired in the same way as 'normal' tyres BMW/MINI have instructed their dealers not to carry out the work, as any liability rests with the repairer. They aren't even supposed to recommend anywhere to have the repair done!

If you want it repaired you will have to find a specialist that is willing to do it and accept the liability for any issues arising from the repair.

[wildchild jules]

I have had runflats repaired in the past at Kwik Fit and another local tyre place - both were fine about repairing them and the tyres were then fine afterwards.

[Purple Dave]

I had a puncture plugged in the tread area on my R53, by my local tyre supplier. It was fine.

However, I had a situation where I had a different puncture in the tread area and Kwik fit refused to repair it. I questioned this, because I thought they were trying to rip me off.
Once they took the tyre off the rim, they showed me the inside of the tyre.
There was wrinkling of the rubber inside the tyre, where the sidewall meets the tread area. It looked awful. This damage is caused by driving on a flat tyre. This is why they only suggest you drive for a limited distance and speed.

It was enough to convince me that a repair is not worth the risk IMO. However, each to their own.

[Mike Schumacher]

hey guys,

thanks very much everyone for the advice.

if mother can go without a mothersday present and meal out, i think i'll replace the tire. Purple Dave has got me thinking now

i'll only be wandering about it every time i drive if i just get it repaired.

mini2.com, you've done it again!!

[wildchild jules]

I'd get them to check the tyre and see before going for a new tyre. I had one of mine replaced early on and never had a single bit of trouble with it again as it was on the flat bit of the tyre. no point paying out for a brand new runflat if they can repair it.

[jez_MCSc]

There are 2 main circumstances under which you shouldn't repair a runfat:
1) The puncture is in the side wall, or very close to it - just as a non runflat shouldn't be repaired if this is the case.
2) The tyre has been run on flat. If that makes sense! If the tyre has lost pressure and be driven on or even left standing then it shouldn't be repaired as the side wall will have been damaged under the weight of the car.

If the tyre has a nail in it and you happen to notice the nail before there is any loss of pressure and the nail is within the middle 75% of the tyre and not near the side wall then you can have it repaired.

In this case if the repair failed and air was lost then the tyre would function as it would with any other puncture in that the reinforced sidewall would allow you to travel to a garage to get the tyre replaced.

Hope that makes sense - I'm pretty sure of my facts but if anyone else knows better feel free to correct me Anyway you can understand BMW's reluctance to fix these tyres as it not worth the hassle to them.

[Mike Schumacher]

here's a couple of pictures. excuse the shine of the flash on the screw.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/DSC00104.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...r/DSC00105.jpg

[smartbomb]

I'd get a new tyre and swallow the cost knowing that it won't be prone to failure. I've had 2 punctures and replaced both tyres, my local tyre specialist was anti repair due to the possible damage caused by the foreign body.

[ru81]

Better to spend the money on a new tyre and be safe rather than sorry! You'd be kicking yourself if you had an accident due to a faulty tyre repair. Shop around for new tyres. From my experience the dealer's are a lot more expensive than specialist tyre places.

[MINImeat]

3 repairs and no problems.
If it's done correctly, there should be no trouble.
In aviation our overriding concern is whether the tire was operated in a severely underinflated condition.
If the tire didn't lose air or only developed a slow leak so that it never lost more than 5psi, the tire structure should still be sound.
Of course, the first step in the repair should be a close inspection of the tire structure for signs of exessive deflection or heat, which highlights the other major factor in the decision which is whether or not there's a repair facility you have confidence in....
As an engineer my standard caveat is that if you have any doubt about the part or the repair, replace it.

[Mike Schumacher]

once again everyone,

thanks very much for all the advice you've given.

i really do appreciate all your comments

[KenL]

If anything it should be safer to repair a runflat than a standard tyre

A fault in the repair which causes a blow-out will be a lot safer with a run-flat.

If you do decide to get a new tyre check out black circles or mytyres. Don't know what wheels/tyres you have but black circles do runflats for <£100 fitted.

This is one reason I got a spare wheel with my Cooper. If I get a puncture I will have time to shop around for a new tyre

[Tonyt3]

Normally i'd say get it repaired, but in this case, its close enough to the sidewall to potentially have done some damge, so I'd say get it replaced.

However, dont be a tight git, buy your mum a mothers day present. There is NO excuse for not doing it.

[Mike Schumacher]

just a quick update,

two garages have told me that they wont repair the tire. they are both going to charge the same as mini, i think i'll use one of these rather than give bmw any more money

thanks again for your advice guys