[mr perfect]

hi all, hope your all well ok well ive got a screw in my run flat and when i unscrew it i can hear air coming out. So i just screwed it back in for the time being. Can i get something to plug the hole? thanks in advance mr p

[AlexBRGCooper]

as long as your puncture is in the tread part of the tyre, and not too near the edge, then it can be repaired like a normal tyre. Just try and take it to someone compotent to do it otherwise they will probably scratch hell out of one of your alloys. And yes, I am speaking from experience!

Alex

[Buz999]

Special plug repairs are available for runflats but some firms do not use them. I would steer clear of the national companys ie kwik FIT and find a good local fitting bay. I used IAN JONES TYRES which is a local firm and they did an excellent job all for £9.99.

[The Tangman]

Kwik Fit reckon that it is 'illegal' to repair a run flat, to which i argued and he quickly changed his arguement from 'illegal' to the manufacturer don't recommend you repair it.

I got stung on Monday so annoyed about it, the tyre had only done around 1000 miles

[Streeters]

I nearly got stund in the same way, we did check with BMW who said you SHOULDNT repair runflats, and a tech friend of mine said the same. Went to K.F. who said they had a tyre, sat my wife down for and hour then said they didnt have a tyre. In the end she went to an independent tyre place near us who had some part worn stock and charged the princley sum of £40 to supply a tyre plus £25 balancing etc and its got more tread on it than my others.

Shop around locally see if you can get the same, lots of people ditch runflats accoring to our guy he has nearly always got one or two in for that reason.

[Shaun]

After the secoond puncture in the same tyre I used it as an excuse to by new wheels wich came with four spanking new tyres all for less than the price of four runflats.

[VeryRedMCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Tangman (original)

Kwik Fit reckon that it is 'illegal' to repair a run flat, to which i argued and he quickly changed his arguement from 'illegal' to the manufacturer don't recommend you repair it.

I got stung on Monday so p*ssed about it, the tyre had only done around 1000 miles

I think it's all a conspiracy to get us to buy new tires. I know that the MINI dealers display total horror at the notion of repairing runflats, but at least one manufacturer (Goodyear?) brags that their runflats are repairable with a conventional plug kit!

[adamos o3,cooper s]

can be fixed, go local trader, no problem. had it done myself, on two different tyres.
try it you have nothing to lose, if it work than great, if not you get new trye, either way do not leave nail in and drive about.

[3rdpillar]

Dose anyone know the 2nd hand value of nearly new runflats?

I am today replacing Dunlop runflats for 205/45R17 88W XL TL FALKEN ZE512.

£260 fitted balnced etc etc...

2 of my runflats are nearly new, should i be getting a rebate if i leave the tyres?

[coded2112]

You could always get the insurance on the tyres. Cost me £200.00 for a two year policy and max. no of 5 tyres. Had two punctures repaired already no bother so quids in now!!!

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by 3rdpillar (original)

Dose anyone know the 2nd hand value of nearly new runflats?

I am today replacing Dunlop runflats for 205/45R17 88W XL TL FALKEN ZE512.

£260 fitted balnced etc etc...

2 of my runflats are nearly new, should i be getting a rebate if i leave the tyres?

Ask for them back they are your property after all you can sell them on or keep them as spares.

[CooperS Turbo]

I have a new Cooper S Turbo fitted with JCWorks 18" alloys and 205/40/18 runflat tyres. The sensor shows there is a fault with a tyre and after checking the pressure it was down to 10psi. Blow it up, reset the sensor and all is weel....for 3 days, then sensor back on and tyre down to 10psi. Yes it has a very slow puncture. Take it to the local ATS and told they can't repair runflat tyres, no matter how slow the puncture is. I rang Mini and they confirmed this. The tyre has done less than 3000 miles and still looks brand new, but I am expected to throw it away and pay £175 for a new Bridgestone.
Does anyone know if I can fit normal tyres onto these rims and then just buy a spare, or have I got to replace the wheels to? Ridiculous situation to be in that if you ever get a puncture you have to buy a new tyre.
BOO to BMW runflats.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS Turbo (original)

I have a new Cooper S Turbo fitted with JCWorks 18" alloys and 205/40/18 runflat tyres. The sensor shows there is a fault with a tyre and after checking the pressure it was down to 10psi. Blow it up, reset the sensor and all is weel....for 3 days, then sensor back on and tyre down to 10psi. Yes it has a very slow puncture. Take it to the local ATS and told they can't repair runflat tyres, no matter how slow the puncture is. I rang Mini and they confirmed this. The tyre has done less than 3000 miles and still looks brand new, but I am expected to throw it away and pay £175 for a new Bridgestone.
Does anyone know if I can fit normal tyres onto these rims and then just buy a spare, or have I got to replace the wheels to? Ridiculous situation to be in that if you ever get a puncture you have to buy a new tyre.
BOO to BMW runflats.

BMW does not make the tires, Bridgestone does so why boo BMW? Run Flat technology is fairly new but the prices are starting to come down which is good for us MINI owners that don't have room for a spare.

As for the tires, yes, you can run normal tires on the rims as there is nothing special about them but depending on where the puncture is, you might be able to repair the tire that is going flat as well. Some shops will do this some won't, you will have to ask around.I also think you can find that tire for much cheaper.

[jggimi]

Do a little research, too:

Bridgestone U.K
Bridgestone House, Athena Drive, Tachbrook Park
Leamington Spa CV 34 6UX - UK
Tel : + 44 / 1926 / 48.85.00
Fax : + 44 / 1926 / 48.86.00
E-mail: ukcontactcentre@bridgestone-eu.com

[CooperS Turbo]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

BMW does not make the tires, Bridgestone does so why boo BMW? Run Flat technology is fairly new but the prices are starting to come down which is good for us MINI owners that don't have room for a spare.

As for the tires, yes, you can run normal tires on the rims as there is nothing special about them but depending on where the puncture is, you might be able to repair the tire that is going flat as well. Some shops will do this some won't, you will have to ask around.I also think you can find that tire for much cheaper.

After much research I have now found that the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A (as fitted OE by Mini) is the only manufacturer that DOES allow repairs. The criteria for repair is exactly the same as for a normal tyre.
As for getting someone to repair it, thats a different matter altogether. After trying many local places and constantly being told bluntly "You cannot repair runflat tyres", despite me finding on Bridgestones website information that contradicts this (runflat-system.com [look in Q&A section]), I finally managed to find one place willing to look at the tyre. They stripped the tyre from th rim; found a nail in the middle of the tread that could easily be repaired, then told me that the sidewall was showing signs of creasing so they were unwilling to make a repair. They put the tyre with nail still embedded back on and reinflated the tyre - Great!!! I am now looking for someone else who will actually carry out a repair.
The lessons to be learnt from this:
1. If buying runflats, insist on Bridgestone as they appear to be the only manufacturer that allows repairs.
2. If you get a puncture in your Bridgestone runflat, don't believe them when they say it can't be repaired and always get a second opinion.
3. The handling and road noise from the Bridgestone is very acceptable.
4. The majority of tyre depot's appear to be ill informed of new technologies and want to try to rip you off by selling you a new tyre.
I welcome any comments; recommendations or suggestions.

[KenL]

Goodyear told me that you can, in theory, repair runflats but BMW/MINI advise against it.

He also told me that Vauxhall (I think) fit the same tyres as mine (Excellence) and that they do not insist on them not being repaired.

There is nothing in the construction that makes them any less suitable for a repair than a normal tyre.

[DaFlake]

The idea of a run flat is that if it should go flat that it will hold. The problem with that is once the tire surface is compromised, there is a possibility it will shred with low pressure and if that happens it is the same as having a non run flat. This opens the doors for lawsuits and that is something that most companies are not willing to do.

Because I have ADAC and couldn't wait for the Kuhomo run-flats to come in, I decided to get normal tires for my summers. Frankly, I have good road side assistance so I am not worried about it. I also, know of many people in the USA that have ditched the run-flats and bought a flat repair kit (slime and pump) which is another option as well.

Tires are tires and one will likely get a puncture no matter what kind they are. It is part of owning a car.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

Tires are tires and one will likely get a puncture no matter what kind they are. It is part of owning a car.

Too true I have had cars were I never had punctures and on the current S two in the same tyre. Have been ok with the non runflats so far I have a pump and can of foam in the boot.
I have a car for work use and since taking it over from the rep that used to use it. It has had three punctures and the spare wheel holder assembley has fallen apart.

[ButtonIt]

Right.... a definitive answer

I've just been to ATS-Euromaster in Portsmouth with the runflat from my mum's MINI. It had a nail through the tyre. They have repaired it, as they would with a normal tyre, for £18.

As long as the tyre hasn't been driven flat or deflated it will be fine.

[ONED]

I would totally agree Chris!

The reason a repair is not recommended is because the tyres are constructed to drive flat for a limited distance at a limited speed. Now if you get a puncture, then drive a significant distance, then repair the tyre, this then means that you will have shortened the life of the tyre, and the manufactures cannot guarantee how the tyre will perform.

If however you have a slow puncture, or a complete loss of air, then so long as you don't cover a massive mileage or drive at excessive speed, it should then be no worse than repairing a standard wheel!

.....I've done it with no problems!!