Punctured RFT: Which brand can be repaired?

X5JDX · #1 11-09-2007, 04:14 PM

So the alarm sounds and the warning is displayed - do not exceed 50mph. After much cursing I have to come to terms with the nail protruding from the middle of the the rear tyre and off to the dealer I slowly go.

I am reliable informed Bridgestone Dueller Sport RFT's cannot be repaired. My 315x35x20 tyre with less than 4000 miles is confined to the recyle bin. I then do a bit of searching around X5world and discover that had my car been fitted with Dunlops then the tyre could have been repaired. WTF!! I check the X5 parked next to mine on the dealers forecourt - Dunlops. I am p***ed off that I am now having to pay for a new tyre all because of pot luck regarding which brand of tyre my car was delivered with. If you are about to take delivery of a new X5 I would insist on RFT's that can be repaired.
I'm sure you would like to know which brand to ask for...

What I would like to ask for is some technical data on which RFT's can and cannot be repaired. I am not prepared to risk my family by driving a car with a repaired tyre that "should be OK" - hence my request for valid info. I need to be armed with some exact details before I continue my rant with BMW.

BTW: Thanks to BMW Customer Care for sorting me out with my dealers rental X5 as a loan car - but 7 days to get a new tyre is bloody ridiculous! The cost of lost rent is probably more than 4 new Dunlops!!!

marcx5 · #2 11-09-2007, 04:38 PM

do the runflat tires have that steel belt in them that the Michelin Diamarias tires used to have? it seems more people are getting flats with these runflats than they did on previous versions of the x5 without runflats.... who knows.

nynd · #3 11-09-2007, 05:32 PM

Can you actually repair a Dunlop RFT?

X5falcon · #4 11-09-2007, 05:33 PM

Well, can you replace the puctured run-flat with non-run-flat?

So in that case, 3 tires will be run-flat and 1 will not.

Is it possible?

Denalio · #5 11-09-2007, 06:16 PM

I have been told by a reputable tire shop that they can be repaired if the tech is certified by the manufacturer. They were going to repair my Dunlops, but I have the Tire & Wheel protection so I just got a new tire.

JCL · #6 11-09-2007, 06:36 PM

My Bridgestone RFT was repaired by a certified repairer. Bridgestone publish a set of conditions for that repair to be permitted. Perhaps your tire did not meet those conditions? Also, I am not sure about your specific model of Bridgestone.

Essentially, if you drive on a RFT for any distance, with less than x psi, or if the puncture is on or near the sidewall, you need to buy a new one. If the tire has not been weakened by driving on it, and the dealer can determine that to his satisfaction (it is his liability he is worried about) then it is repaired with a combination plug/inside patch that looks like a mushroom (not sure of the real name).

In my case, with a Z4 with RFT, it was a minimum of 22 psi. My post with my experience fixing RFTs is on this site if you search.

I just got a new vehicle with RFTs, and did not buy the insurance. I expect to monitor any low pressure situations or flats, and expect to be able to fix them, subject to where the puncture is.

Wagner · #7 11-09-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

My Bridgestone RFT was repaired by a certified repairer. Bridgestone publish a set of conditions for that repair to be permitted. Perhaps your tire did not meet those conditions? Also, I am not sure about your specific model of Bridgestone.

Essentially, if you drive on a RFT for any distance, with less than x psi, or if the puncture is on or near the sidewall, you need to buy a new one. If the tire has not been weakened by driving on it, and the dealer can determine that to his satisfaction (it is his liability he is worried about) then it is repaired with a combination plug/inside patch that looks like a mushroom (not sure of the real name).

In my case, with a Z4 with RFT, it was a minimum of 22 psi. My post with my experience fixing RFTs is on this site if you search.

I just got a new vehicle with RFTs, and did not buy the insurance. I expect to monitor any low pressure situations or flats, and expect to be able to fix them, subject to where the puncture is.

In general it is best to replace RFT, not repair them.

nynd · #8 11-09-2007, 06:48 PM

Denalio - which tire package do you have for Canada (if you don't mind me asking)?

Penguin · #9 11-09-2007, 07:57 PM

> Well, can you replace the puctured run-flat with non-run-flat? So in that case, 3 tires will be run-flat and 1 will not. Is it possible?

Possible, but extremely ill-advised.

Due to the great difference in sidewall stiffness, the handling would probably degrade to the point it would be dangerous.

pikeman · #10 11-10-2007, 05:02 PM

I had my 20" Dunlop RFT puncture repiared. No problems after some 16k km.