I'm back in the Smart Car :(

chrismann85

Active member
 West Midlands
So was driving back from Coventry to Birmingham on my way home yesterday when I hit a mother of a pothole. My tyre pressure warning came on about 10 mins later. Got out to check and everything seemed fine so continued the 10 miles, stopping off every 5 mins to check I had enough pressure to see me home. The tyres seemed fine so I just put it down to the sensor being screwed up from the bump, or the fact that I ditched the runflats.

After being parked at home for a couple hours, I came out the house to find the rear passenger side tyre completely deflated :x This is so annoying as they are pretty much brand new tyres. I panicked as I knew I had to travel 30miles to work in the morning and it was now 7pm. Had a look online for a mobile tyre fitter, they wanted £200 to come out and they didn't stock Falkens. Besides that, they only operate between 8am-5pm so absolutely useless to me. Looked into using Holts Tyre Weld but the warnings put me off (30mph max speed, replace asap, etc.)

Anyway, long story slightly shorter, I ended up borrowing the car from SWMBO, my old Smart Forfour. It's a stupid little car but it still puts a smile on my face when I drive her. :driving: It's like a little go kart, not fast but very willing.

So I'm looking at getting the tyre repaired, has anyone had this done, would it be more likely to fail in the future? I'm really worried about it but don't really want to fork out another £100+ for a new one. Is there some department in the Coventry local council I can complain to and maybe claim back some of the losses?
 
Bummer. Depending on where the puncture is it could be an easy repair and no need for a new tyre.

A friend of mine is looking to get a Forfour brabus. Are they good then? Whats the cost of replacement parts like? I hear they share the same underpinnings of a Colt but i dont know how many parts they share. Any advice welcome :)
 
chrismann85 said:
Is there some department in the Coventry local council I can complain to and maybe claim back some of the losses?

Highways. Write or email them including a photo of the pothole you hit. Also send a pic in of your damaged tyre.

Fingers crossed they'll contribute towards the cost of a replacement :)
 
I would suggest your tyre would be knackered it was caused by a pot hole as it didn't deflate straight away it is unlikely to be a hole that can be plugged ad most likely wall damage has been received.
 
Dreamer said:
Bummer. Depending on where the puncture is it could be an easy repair and no need for a new tyre.

A friend of mine is looking to get a Forfour brabus. Are they good then? Whats the cost of replacement parts like? I hear they share the same underpinnings of a Colt but i dont know how many parts they share. Any advice welcome :)

Yeah, my brother has the Brabus Version, they are really good. They share the same platform as the colt but the parts are completely different. Parts are from Mercedes and are priced as such!

DaveRom said:
chrismann85 said:
Is there some department in the Coventry local council I can complain to and maybe claim back some of the losses?

Highways. Write or email them including a photo of the pothole you hit. Also send a pic in of your damaged tyre.

Fingers crossed they'll contribute towards the cost of a replacement :)

don't know how easy it would be to take a picture of it, it was in the middle of a busy intersection. And I don't have a picture of the damage to the tyre. The tyre will hopefully be repaired by the time I get home today.
 
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