Is there a run-flat racket going on ?

[Number5]

I've just picked up a nearly new ex-demo 5 series from BMW just two weeks ago with 6,000 miles on.

I had a puncture yesterday so stopped the car as soon as the warning came up. Parked it and took the wheel to a tyre dealer. The puncture was bang in the middle of the tyre, so I thought I'd get it repaired as its still got 6-7mm all round

Now this as thrown up two issues :

A) On previous occasions I've been refused repairs at various garages due to:-
i) Its too near the wall of the tyre, it must be in the middle third
ii) Whilst the puncture is in the middle Sir, the tyre walls have been damaged whilst driving it flat ( I hadnt)
iii) Yes we can repair some, but thats the wrong type of hole Sir, Its a slight cut not a straight hole
Yesterday they said the tyre already had a repair and they couldn't do another unless directly opposite the first.


B) This is an extract from BMW's on website from Hints & Tips to looking after your vehicle
http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/footer/q-and-a/faq/hints-and-tips.html
Punctured tyres.
Can I repair the punctured tyre? BMW recommends that a Run-flat Tyre is not repaired as additional forces and wear have been incurred within the tyre whilst being driven deflated.
Could I repair a non Run-flat Tyre? BMW also recommends that non Run-flat Tyres are also replaced and not repaired, as it is difficult to know exactly what damage has been caused to the tyre once deflated or when the damage was caused.


Therefore, If I buy an ex BMW Management Car, from BMW, with BMW shown as the first owner on the log-book, would you expect it to have a repaired tyre on ? I wouldn't , so at £200 a tyre, it looks like I've got a phone battle on my hands either with the Dealer (Coopers Croydon who gave me the worst service ever) or, BMW UK.

Now my theory on Run-Flat repairs is that Tyres dealers are possibly
i) Always out to sell you a new tyre ( obviously more profit)
ii) Running a second hand market ( probably on ebay) selling your repaired tyre on ebay.

Any similar experiences ?

 

[Mister T]

I was on the BMW management scheme for years.

When you need a new tyre they just send out a local mobile fitter, it'll have been the tyre fitter who decided to do the repair not BMW.

 

[TR4man]

I had a puncture yesterday so stopped the car as soon as the warning came up. Parked it and took the wheel to a tyre dealer. The puncture was bang in the middle of the tyre, so I thought I'd get it repaired as its still got 6-7mm all round

Isn't the whole idea of run flats that you don't have to stop? You could have carried on driving for up to 50 miles at a steady speed and driven straight to the garage/tyre fitting place.

 

[Paulwirral]

My missus drove around for a couple of weeks on a flat run flat , it was fine , she's still breathing ! Fifth gear once drilled holes in the sidewalls on a 5 series and threw it around a track , it was fine .
Run flats do what they say on the side wall .

 

[Number5]

I had a puncture yesterday so stopped the car as soon as the warning came up. Parked it and took the wheel to a tyre dealer. The puncture was bang in the middle of the tyre, so I thought I'd get it repaired as its still got 6-7mm all round

Isn't the whole idea of run flats that you don't have to stop? You could have carried on driving for up to 50 miles at a steady speed and driven straight to the garage/tyre fitting place.

I didnt have to stop but I was only 500 yards away from Work, so it was easier and I didnt want to give them the excuse not to repair the tyre as the side walls were damaged.

 

[steveyorks]

Both wife's 5 series and now my new (to me) Z have run flats. I am assuming you can feel or see when its punctured can you in the same way as a normal tyre?

 

[Z4M-2006]

Would be better to have normal tyres and a spare...

Inconvenience, yes but so much better to drive..

We have customers who have driven around for months on punctured run flats, but they " must be ok as non of them have go down"

Ffs..

 

[cj10jeeper]

My missus drove around for a couple of weeks on a flat run flat , it was fine , she's still breathing ! Fifth gear once drilled holes in the sidewalls on a 5 series and threw it around a track , it was fine .
Run flats do what they say on the side wall .

Perfectly true that you can drive on them flat for miles, however the tyre is sacrificial with the rim eating the sidewall and/or chunks rolling off and rubber granules breaking off the inner sidewall, hence its scrap.

Big difference between will it get you around until a replacement, or should I repair a run flat.
No way if driven any distance should it be repaired even if you can patch it air it and it looks nice on the outside..

 

[Paulwirral]

My missus drove around for a couple of weeks on a flat run flat , it was fine , she's still breathing ! Fifth gear once drilled holes in the sidewalls on a 5 series and threw it around a track , it was fine .
Run flats do what they say on the side wall .

Perfectly true that you can drive on them flat for miles, however the tyre is sacrificial with the rim eating the sidewall and/or chunks rolling off and rubber granules breaking off the inner sidewall, hence its scrap.

Big difference between will it get you around until a replacement, or should I repair a run flat.
No way if driven any distance should it be repaired even if you can patch it air it and it looks nice on the outside..

Depends on how daring your local tyre fitter is :lol:

 

[cj10jeeper]

My missus drove around for a couple of weeks on a flat run flat , it was fine , she's still breathing ! Fifth gear once drilled holes in the sidewalls on a 5 series and threw it around a track , it was fine .
Run flats do what they say on the side wall .

Perfectly true that you can drive on them flat for miles, however the tyre is sacrificial with the rim eating the sidewall and/or chunks rolling off and rubber granules breaking off the inner sidewall, hence its scrap.

Big difference between will it get you around until a replacement, or should I repair a run flat.
No way if driven any distance should it be repaired even if you can patch it air it and it looks nice on the outside..

Depends on how daring your local tyre fitter is :lol:

While I agree that tyre fitters make up rules about what they will repair, replace, etc. at will and depending on how they make there money, I don't think repairs for the user are about 'daring'. If you have a run-flat, stop immediately and change it, no problem. If you drive on it any considerable distance it's scrap and I'd never then use that tyre on a performance car.

The fact you often never know the history from punctures to cord pinches by bumping up kerbs is a reason I change all tyres soon after buying a second hand car.