Tyre questions

helix

Member
Hi guys,

Couple of things:

I have a slow puncture on my left front tyre. It is a run flat. Can a run flat tyre be repaired? I don’t want to replace with another run flat, as I hope to get non-run flat tyres when they all need replacing.

Secondly, does anyone know the policy on non run-flat tyres for a leased car from BMW? I would like to get rid of the run flats, but I’m not sure how BMW would take it when I return the car in 18 months with normal tyres.

Cheers,
Alex
 
Some on here have had their run-flats repaired successfully I think... some tyre outlets wont touch them though.

no idea about the lease question....
 
In the US leasee's get a brochure on the "how-to" turn in a lease car at lease end. It outlines details like minimum tread depth. I'm sure it is a few 32ths over the minimum. I don't know what it is for either the US or UK.
 
thanks guys. I guess I'm just wondering if BMW will insist on the car having run-flats when I return it?
 
helix said:
thanks guys. I guess I'm just wondering if BMW will insist on the car having run-flats when I return it?

I tend to believe that if it was originally supplied with the car at delivery, they expect them on the car at turn-in.
 
20ducks said:
helix said:
thanks guys. I guess I'm just wondering if BMW will insist on the car having run-flats when I return it?

I tend to believe that if it was originally supplied with the car at delivery, they expect them on the car at turn-in.

yeah that's what I thought :( Has anyone had direct experience of this? It would be a shame. Could the run flats be put back on before I hand her back?
 
Rather than post another subject,

I have just got a tyre warning as I was pulling off the motorway on the way home. I've checked the tyres and can't imediatly see which one is the problem. I don't have a tyre pressure gauge handy, although I do have an electric pump with a pressure cut off (although it's not hugely accurate) so I can try using it to see if any needed more air than the others.

Is there any way to know the tyre for sure? is it possible that the warning is wrong? (since the tyres look fine to the eye)
 
Herminator said:
Rather than post another subject,

I have just got a tyre warning as I was pulling off the motorway on the way home. I've checked the tyres and can't imediatly see which one is the problem. I don't have a tyre pressure gauge handy, although I do have an electric pump with a pressure cut off (although it's not hugely accurate) so I can try using it to see if any needed more air than the others.

Is there any way to know the tyre for sure? is it possible that the warning is wrong? (since the tyres look fine to the eye)


if you have runflats the tire will look fine even if it has 0 psi. Only way to check the tire is an air gauge. Did you fill the tire with air recently? That will cause the sensor to light up. Either way, stick a pressure gauge on your tires and verify. If they are all good then reset the system.
 
I found the problem, thanks to the inflator I have, the right rear needed a lot of air in it.
I pumped it up, reset the system and went for a quick drive (atleast I could enjoy the engine noise :driving: )
The warning didn't come back on but the tyre did need a little top up, then I could finaly see the problem, a nail right in the middle of the tyre, in one of the deep grooves to the side of the central block :headbang:

It should be in a repaeriable place (if anyone will repair a runflat around Darlington)

If it needs replacing I'll just go for a set of Falkens I think, although ironically the runflats have shown their worth today :roll:
 
Aebous said:
...if you have runflats the tire will look fine even if it has 0 psi...
Too true, that's why all cars with RFTs have to have the indicator.

Herminator said:
...It should be in a repaeriable place (if anyone will repair a runflat around Darlington)...
Think you'll be lucky though, as no-one wants to take responsibility for the fact that you could have driven for 100-200 miles with it flat and therefore damaging the tyre beyond repair, so they hate repairing them, even if it looks a simple plug.
 
Wondermike said:
Think you'll be lucky though, as no-one wants to take responsibility for the fact that you could have driven for 100-200 miles with it flat and therefore damaging the tyre beyond repair, so they hate repairing them, even if it looks a simple plug.

:headbang: Looks like getting into work is going to be a pain in the rear then. Lucky I'm on flexitime, so can get to the tyre places first thing in the morning.

I'm not sure what to go for if I need a new tyre. The left front will need replacing soon too. Making a whole new set a bit more feasable, but do I go for Falkens non runflats or some other runflat brand...
 
I need new ones soon and I'm going for Continental Sport Contact 3 because they look like good value, but the Goodyear Eagle F1 is popular here.

Have a look here, bit different to the usual internet suspects http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/

Remember not to mix tyres though, especially RFT and non-RFT, otherwise you might be acquainting yourself with a hedge shortly :D
 
Very useful tyre place thanks, I love the reg plate search.

A full set of Continentals is about £650.... not what I need two weeks after buying the car. Falken 452's at about £320 a set seem better value :wink:

I'll see what the tyre places say in the morning.
 
Yep just looking at the prices now, I only have baby 17s on my SLK so the Contis are far more affordable, there doesn't seem so much of a jump as there does with the 18" tyres.

£320 to £650 is crazy, I can get the Contis in my sizes for £480 which is worth the extra to me, but £650 is way too much :thumbsdown:
 
Yeah, the jump in price is pretty extreme, considering the praise Falkens get on this forum and the fact if I get another puncture, it's yet another saving, I think the Falkens are the ones for me. I'm doing quite a lot of miles (with a smile on my face thanks to the Z) so don't want a massive tyre bill every year.
 
HI, i had misfortune to have a nail in rear tyre last week , nearly new tyre, but was repaired ok , it seems they will repair once only, i was expecting to have to buy a new one, so it was a nice surprise, they had quoted me £190 for new Bridgestone ( 255/35/18 ) Bridgestone normal were £155 but i would have needed 4, the other point that was made to me was how it might effect the insurance, any thoughts.hope this is of use to you.
 
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