[george daly]

I Dec 05 I picked up a nail in one of my runflats. I took it to the dealer and was advised that runflats can not be repaired. I was charged $350. In Jan 06 I picked up a nail in a different tire. I want to a Goodyear store and was told that it can be repaired and it was verified by the Goodyear factory. Cost was $27. Complained to the Mini dealer and was advised that Minni's position is that runflats are not repairable. What a rip off. Anyone else experienced this.

[Paul]

I have heard similar stories on here about this sort of conflicting advice.

[Jammy Dodger]

I had an unrepairable bubble on the sidewall of my pirelli runflats. I would imagine the nail wasn't on the side wall. http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...q_faq_puncture-

[Annette S]

Quote: Originally Posted by george daly

I Dec 05 I picked up a nail in one of my runflats. I took it to the dealer and was advised that runflats can not be repaired. I was charged $350. In Jan 06 I picked up a nail in a different tire. I want to a Goodyear store and was told that it can be repaired and it was verified by the Goodyear factory. Cost was $27. Complained to the Mini dealer and was advised that Minni's position is that runflats are not repairable. What a rip off. Anyone else experienced this.

Yes, I can completely understand what you're going thru!!! See a similar thread - "runflat repairs - should I be worried?" which has tons of great info on these %$#$% tires, however it's all conflicting info as well. I am worried at the moment, because a few months ago I had the exact same problem - nail in tire, tire sensor light on - and ended up replacing it for almost $400 because I was led to believe it was unrepairable. Now - same nightmare - just last week I noticed another nail in a different tire!

So far, light hasn't come on, so I'm just pretending I didn't see it...! But everyday I worry, I know that very soon I will either have to replace it ($$$), or look around for someone who will...and hope that the repair is possible and holds together for all the driving I do... so now I'm driving like a little old lady, nice and slow, easy on the turns...for that, maybe I should just consider a different car.

Just curious - where did you get your repair done? I live in Vegas, not many tire places around here even carry runflats or have experience with changing them, much less repairing. The last time, it took 2 guys a couple hours just to change the tire! (And they needed special tools-???) Hmmmmm.....

[:: Jon ::]

take alook here

all about the runflat

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109056

[Richard Crofts]

They are repairable...same as any other tyre. As with any tyre if its too close to the edge of the tread or in the side wall then do not repair...replace! If its in the centre of the tread its fine to repair.

A runflat is no different to a normal tyre...it just has special sidewalls to keep it, I say this with the principle in mind, not reality, "inflated". As with anything else if the damage is to the important bit of the object then replace it.

R

[beken]

I am told that if your tire has lost air, then it should not be replaced because the sidewall strength may have been compromised. MINI will not repair runflats for this reason...especially in the lawsuit happy US.

However, my car picked up a nail but did not lose any air pressure and the nail was in a place where the structure of the tire would not be compromised (in the tread area). I took my car to a local Pirelli dealer and they repaired it "properly". That is, they did an inside patch as opposed to a plug. They actually have to remove the tire off the wheel. MINI's only option was to replace the tire. In Canada, that's $600CDN plus a load of taxes.

[:: Jon ::]

Quote: Originally Posted by beken

I am told that if your tire has lost air, then it should not be replaced because the sidewall strength may have been compromised. MINI will not repair runflats for this reason...especially in the lawsuit happy US.

However, my car picked up a nail but did not lose any air pressure and the nail was in a place where the structure of the tire would not be compromised (in the tread area). I took my car to a local Pirelli dealer and they repaired it "properly". That is, they did an inside patch as opposed to a plug. They actually have to remove the tire off the wheel. MINI's only option was to replace the tire. In Canada, that's $600CDN plus a load of taxes.

this is true..

if you ever have something in your tyre never pull it out..

ive had a few nails in my tyres some of which ive pulled out and its not too good when your trying to get to somewhere to have it repaired but you keep having to stop off to put some air in the tyre so it doesnt run flat..

[gtshnzr]

There are lots of threads on here about RF's. Search them out. They can be repaired if the damage is not near the sidewall, just like any other tire. The shops do need a different type of mounting machine as the sidewall/bead is different. I had one of mine fixed at about 6K, and drove another 24K or so with no problems. Once I wore out the tires, I replaced them with regular tires. And then you get into comparisons, and that's another story ....

[lionofpurity]

I have had 3 flats on my "runflats" All have been repaired.
The information that my tire guy gave me is that these are technically not runflats but a different technology. Can't remember what he called them.
But I have had them fixed each time for $10.
However I am still going to dump them when it is time to change tires.

[kosman26]

I have had my Mini for four years and on two occasions the flat tire warning light went on. The first time, I went immediately to the dealer and was told that I had a nail in the tire. They replaced the tire and I drove out and in a few minutes the warning light went on again. I returned to the dealer and I think they replaced the sensor or something. On the second occasion, when the warning light came on I went to a filling station and had the tire pressure checked. It was OK so I ignored the light and drove the car for over a month with no problems. When it was time for my first inspection, I went to the dealer. Again they claimed to have found a nail in the tire so I reluctantly agreed to buying a new tire.

I'm a suburban driver and find it hard to believe that I have picked up nails in my tires on two occasions. I wonder if the flat tire sensor doesn't just malfunction sometimes. A friend of mine went to a tire store when her warning light went on and they just adjusted the sensor.

[PMB]

I am sure this novice question has been asked many times, but can the run flat tyres simply be replaced with regular tyres? In other words, they are the same sort of fit and not like the old Mini Metro anti-blow out tyres which had a double lip so if you wanted to change to regular tyres you had to replace tyres and wheels.

I ask this as when it comes time to change I will be buying a space saver spare and ordinary (better handling and half the price) tyres, but I don't want to have to buy new wheels as well.

[Simpa]

My local dealer were going to charge me £170 for 1 run-flat tire which had been punctured by a screw, I spoke to a tire company opposite where i work and they fixed the puncture for £5.

What a Joke!!!!!

[Richard Crofts]

I have had RFs repaired. They are the same as any other tyre with regard to what can and can't be repaired. Its the proximity to the sidewall thats the issue not the type of tyre. The reason for most RFs not being reapired is that removal and refit can cause damage to the sidewall if not done properly so rather than risk this some places (BMW dealers included on occasion) will just thropw the tyre away and say you need a new one. i think this is the reason for not repairing in many cases.

R