Tire Replacement Cost

[X5 Guy]

I got a nail in my right rear 20" sport tire.

I had purchased the road hazard protection when I bought the car.

Deluxe Plan $733.00... for 5 years coverage, $400 max for each tire, and $400 max for each rim with a $5000 lifetime benefit.

I was not aware of the details and was told the replacement price was covered by my plan. I learned about the $400 max afterward. My fault for not knowing the coverage. Run-flat tires cannot be repaired and must be replaced!!

35R20 Dunlap Tire = $648
BMW Labor = $122
Shop Fees = ??
Tax = $32.40

Total was $802.40 + because of one .10 cent nail.

My client advisor was good to me and knocked off the shop fees and gave me a credit voucher for $77.00 to help offset the total.

My price out the door... $325.40

I suggest to all others that get a nail to wait till your low air sensor kicks in so you can get the most out of your tire before being replaced.

[JCL]

I don't agree with your recommendation to run it when you get a flat, that can be very expensive.

I don't know if the Dunlops are different, but in general, run-flats can be repaired. The issue is that if a run-flat has been driven on for a period of time, it is weakened and can not then be repaired. If you get it to the side of the road and don't drive an extended distance on it, it is generally fine. My local tire store (a multi-brand store, but my tires were Bridgestone) is certified to fix run-flats. Their guidance was, not less than 21 psi, and they asked about speed and distance as well.

All this assumes that the nail is in the tread, and not the sidewall. The approved repair uses a 'mushroom plug' which is a combination of plug and inside patch (one piece). The tire must be dismounted to perform this repair.

BMW and other other car dealers will generally not be trained in repairing run-flats, you will need to deal with a good tire shop. There is also a liability issue at play here; it is safer for them to replace the tire. If they fix it, assuming they are trained to do so, then they need to satisfy themselves that you did not in fact run it to zero pressure and weaken it, due to the liability that they are assuming in repairing a run-flat and sending you on your way. My tire shop asked me what pressure it dropped to (I knew, as I carried a tire gauge) and asked how many km it had travelled. They inspected the tire, satisfied themselves, and proceeded to fix it. When asked, they responded that the speed rating was not reduced, and that the tire was functionally as good as new. Do a search on all the X5world forums and you will see several threads on this subject.

[X5 Guy]

I was told someplace they could not be repaired and also found an entry online stating the same. I saw nothing saying they could be fixed. I would have preferred to repair it but then.. I worry about a tire failure for some other reason and they discover the repair and not cover the warranty on the rim.

[watrob]

Originally Posted by X5 Guy

I was told someplace they could not be repaired and also found an entry online stating the same. I saw nothing saying they could be fixed. I would have preferred to repair it but then.. I worry about a tire failure for some other reason and they discover the repair and not cover the warranty on the rim.

On the Dunlop RFT it says they can be repaired, on most of the other brands it say on the sidewall unrepairable. If you get a nail in a Dunlop RFT you cannot allow the tire pressure to drop below 15lbs otherwise they will not do a repair, as the low pessure damages the sidewall.

[JCL]

See this post, it has a link to the type of patch that must be used.

http://www.xoutpost.com/other-bmws/30122-rft-repair.html