Australian MINI2ers not using runflat tyres: Compressor & goo pack on sale at REPCO

[minigolf]

I already had a can of goo in case I got a puncture, but after Eden I, and afew others, discovered that a portable air compressor would also come in handy. So, thanks to AndrewH for putting me on to this nifty little number. I picked it up from Repco the other day and RRP is around $65, but I got it on sale for $45. I think it is new on to the market and Andrew bought one just before Christmas and may have got his even cheaper from memory. I'm not sure if any other retailers carry this, or similar products.

I just tested the compressor on our wheel barrow tyres and while it is not the most sophisticated air compressor you'll ever use (it has no power switch for example) it does the trick and should be just the ticket in an emergency situation.

In the event of a puncture you need to remove the tyre's valve core to allow the Slime to flow in through the valve stem and seal the tyre. Put the valve back together and pump your tyre back up.

Here's a couple of pics. The evian bottle is just to give an idea as to scale. Note the extension cord attached to the compressor that enables you to reach all four tyres with ease. Oh, the best part is this little pack fits neatly into the void behind the removeable cover in the right hand side of the boot. How good is that!









Cheers Liam

[Todd!]

Looks good to me Lima - might have to look into it for my Michelins...

[minigolf]

Well, hopefully I never have to use it, but at least I am better prepared now than I was before.

[IML337]

Thanks for the tip Liam - I've had non runflat tyres for over 12 months without any kind of pump or sealant in the car, but I suspect I'm tempting fate - for $65 it's worth getting!

Quote: Originally Posted by Red&blackS

Looks good to me Lima - might have to look into it for my Michelins...

I just rememberd you have my rims and tyres

[IML337]

hmmmm, but that slime will ruin the tyre I deploy it into, won't it?

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by IML337

hmmmm, but that slime will ruin the tyre I deploy it into, won't it?

Hi,

I think once you have used "goo" it does cause problems in repairing a tyre. If you have a slow leak, eg a nail or something similar, and are within reasonable distance of home, you would be better pumping to tyre up, driving again until the light comes on, then pumping up again etc. At least that way the tyre can be fixed.

Cheers

Robbo

[IML337]

Quote: Originally Posted by robbo mcs

Hi,

I think once you have used "goo" it does cause problems in repairing a tyre. If you have a slow leak, eg a nail or something similar, and are within reasonable distance of home, you would be better pumping to tyre up, driving again until the light comes on, then pumping up again etc. At least that way the tyre can be fixed.

Cheers

Robbo

I agree. In which case I could use service stations instead of spending $65 on a kit... This must have been the logic I applied when I first ditched runflat tyres

Think I'll buy the kit anyway, I'll be out of town next week

[minigolf]

Quote: Originally Posted by robbo mcs

Hi,

I think once you have used "goo" it does cause problems in repairing a tyre. If you have a slow leak, eg a nail or something similar, and are within reasonable distance of home, you would be better pumping to tyre up, driving again until the light comes on, then pumping up again etc. At least that way the tyre can be fixed.

Cheers

Robbo

Yeah agree Robbo. For a slow leak driving to your local tyre outlet would be a far better option that using the goo. As I said, hopefully I'll never need to use this goo. Although, it is worth noting that the instructions for the Slime say it will last up to two years, implying that all will be right with the world once your tyre has been sealed. But I don't really trust that theory too much. I'd only ever use the goo in the instance of severly punctured tyre with no garage in sight. Like out the back of Thredbo for instance.

*Touch wood*

Also, after Eden when some bozos had let our tyres down completely it would have been great to have had a portable air compressor handy. That way we could have at least had some of the tyres pumped up before the NRMA guy arrived!

[OZChris]

Well spotted Liam.

Let's hope you never have to use it.

Chris

[AndrewH]

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf

I already had a can of goo in case I got a puncture, but after Eden I, and afew others, discovered that a portable air compressor would also come in handy. So, thanks to AndrewH for putting me on to this nifty little number. I picked it up from Repco the other day and RRP is around $65, but I got it on sale for $45. I think it is new on to the market and Andrew bought one just before Christmas and may have got his even cheaper from memory. I'm not sure if any other retailers carry this, or similar products.

I just tested the compressor on our wheel barrow tyres and while it is not the most sophisticated air compressor you'll ever use (it has no power switch for example) it does the trick and should be just the ticket in an emergency situation.

In the event of a puncture you need to remove the tyre's valve core to allow the Slime to flow in through the valve stem and seal the tyre. Put the valve back together and pump your tyre back up.

Here's a couple of pics. The evian bottle is just to give an idea as to scale. Note the extension cord attached to the compressor that enables you to reach all four tyres with ease. Oh, the best part is this little pack fits neatly into the void behind the removeable cover in the right hand side of the boot. How good is that!

Yeah, like he said

I did remember seeing another product that you actually put into a tyre before you get a puncture, ie as soon as you get a new tyre, so that when you do get a puncture, it seals it without you having to do anything. The bottle said something like it would not have any impact on the tyre compound and could remain in the tyre for the life of the tyre. They also claimed that it helped to balance the tyre as it remained liquid until it came in contact with atmospheric air. Not sure that I believe this though - it could just as easily unbalance the tyre but hey, I'm no tyre expert.

Oh and I got mine for $35 as they hadn't programmed in the bar code when I got mine so they just plucked a figure out of the air. Terribly nice of them I thought.

Quote: Originally Posted by IML337

I've had non runflat tyres for over 12 months without any kind of pump or sealant in the car, but I suspect I'm tempting fate

I'd say that's more like asking for it big time

Cheers

Andrew

[Magictux]

Quote: Originally Posted by AndrewH

Yeah, like he said

I did remember seeing another product that you actually put into a tyre before you get a puncture, ie as soon as you get a new tyre, so that when you do get a puncture, it seals it without you having to do anything. The bottle said something like it would not have any impact on the tyre compound and could remain in the tyre for the life of the tyre. They also claimed that it helped to balance the tyre as it remained liquid until it came in contact with atmospheric air. Not sure that I believe this though - it could just as easily unbalance the tyre but hey, I'm no tyre expert.

Oh and I got mine for $35 as they hadn't programmed in the bar code when I got mine so they just plucked a figure out of the air. Terribly nice of them I thought.



I'd say that's more like asking for it big time

Cheers

Andrew

I've spoken to a bloke who sells that kind of stuff for motorbike tyres and he reckoned it had no adverse effect on the balance or performance of the tyres. It was pretty expensive stuff though. I guess every time I ride my bike I'm tempting fate as I haven't carrried a spare ever!


Have most of you guys ditched the run flats? If so is it because they are expensive or not up to the job?

Tux

[AndrewH]

Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux

Have most of you guys ditched the run flats? If so is it because they are expensive or not up to the job?

Both. While I took some convincing, in the end it was pretty hard to justify $300+ per tyre for the runflats when really good performance tyres are around $200. The difference in grip between the runflats and my new tyres is a lot more noticeable than I initially thought it would be.

[Magictux]

Quote: Originally Posted by AndrewH

Both. While I took some convincing, in the end it was pretty hard to justify $300+ per tyre for the runflats when really good performance tyres are around $200. The difference in grip between the runflats and my new tyres is a lot more noticeable than I initially thought it would be.

The Mini salesman told me they were about $40 more for the rf's.

I'd like to do some track days so will probably need to buy a second set of rims and tyres anyway I guess. How many Km's can you expect out of the first set of rf's?

Tux

[IML337]

17" runflats are upward of $500 each and as a tyre they are atrocious.

You'd probably see 30000km or so (depends how often you rotate them) out of a set of runflats. I took mine off at 27000km and they still had a bit left.

[AndrewH]

Quote: Originally Posted by Magictux

The Mini salesman told me they were about $40 more for the rf's.

I'd like to do some track days so will probably need to buy a second set of rims and tyres anyway I guess. How many Km's can you expect out of the first set of rf's?

Tux

I rang round Canberra tyre places in December and the cheapest I could find the OEM runflats for was $275 and that was H rated Dunlop 3000A DSST's. The proper V rated Dunlop’s were $300 while the Goodyear NCT 5's in the V rated were more expensive again. I got my Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's (W rated) for $195 and so far they have been great.

I got 45,000 from my NCT 5 runflats and they still had a bit left on them but from what others have said, that seems to be unusual - must be cause I drive like a nanna