Bad day for the X5

[MPowerFarmer]

We purchased a 35d about 2 weeks ago. So far I have put oem 214's on it. Put GP Thunders in for the angel eyes and fogs and LED tag lights. I really love the car it handles so much better then out GL diesel. Today though I got a tpm warning and look and theres a screw thru my drivers side front tire. Shortly after I was driving on the highway and a rock hits and dents my windshield. Not sure what I did to deserve all this but what are the options as far as repairing a run flat?

[Bodaddy]

Runflats can be repaired in some cases, but its not recommended in most. At the end of the day, I say just replace it because you and your family's safety is in question, and there is no price that can be put on that.

[RSA12]

most tyre places will not repair a run flat tyre when the object pierced close to the side wall / close proximity of the edge of the tyre. Happen to
me on my 3 series yesterday. they informed me that they will only repair if it is close or centre of the tyre.

Need to replace the tire, or otherwise, if it is losing pressure very slowly , just keep driving it until you have to replace the tyre. The run flat side walls are reinforced and the worst thing that could happen is a full on puncture. Then you will still be able to drive to get the tyre replaced under the specified conditions.

good luck

[RTC]

Tires with a speed index above H should NOT be repaired, no matter where the damage/how minor it is. In Germany, you would even loose insurance coverage if you do that. I know that the US is speed limited but you never know, I wouldn't do it.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by RTC

Tires with a speed index above H should NOT be repaired, no matter where the damage/how minor it is. In Germany, you would even loose insurance coverage if you do that. I know that the US is speed limited but you never know, I wouldn't do it.

Sure they can, it just means the speed rating is dropped. If you never drive over 85 MPH, there's no reason not to do a tire repair, as long as (a) the puncture is suitable,(b) the repair is done properly (patch/plug from the inside) and (c) you don't plan to drive over the lowered speed rating. Even the tire companies agree with this, and they are paranoid about liability:

Dunlop Tires | Care & Maintenance | Tire Repair

Goodyear Tires | Support | FAQs | Care

[ABMW]

I've personally participated in legal cases involving firestone lawsuits. Reading autopsy reports of a large family is very bad, gut wrenching, sad and in this day in age: PREVENTABLE. The tires can be fixed, in theory, but they're going to "possibly" be weakened and could fail.

For $300.00, don't take the risk. BMW forbid, if something happens with that tire and you survive, you'll be in a very sticky situation legally, especially if you injure someone else (a likely prospect).

I'm by no means promoting litigation, but simply saying it's best to put your safety and the safety of the drivers around you first and foremost.

Yes, people here have replaced their run flats with no issue what so ever. But they know, and we know, in the back of our minds that there's absolutely zero chance that tire is as structurally strong as it is designed to be. The risk is unwise vs. the rewards.

If you're in an absolute pinch, in a small town, I might consider it, but I'd limp straight to a proper tire dealer and have a brand new tire installed.

Reading the stomach contents of an 8-year old kid, is not fun. I disagree with the individuals who say the companies are paranoid about liability.

I believe the companies are paranoid about people being injured. They can absorb the liability quite easily, trust me. But, believe it or not there are not evil little men working in tall towers cranking out crappy tires.

Take their word for it, and get a new tire, you never know when that emergency brake and snap-turn at 75 miles per hour, on a 100-degree road,is going to put just the right amount of stress on your tire for it to fail at the worst possible time.

Not only that, but you're relying upon the workmanship of some guy at a tire repair shop, who probably took an entire 2-hour course on patching tires and an exam written at a 11th grade reading level. Think people...get a new tire!

[mtech8]

I feel for ya. Same thing happened to me when my car was less than 6 months old. Luckily I had tire and wheel insurance. (Something to definitely consider if you run Dunlops. Since Bridgestone's cost less, the chances of getting enough flats to cover or benefit from the insurance might not be worth it).

Yeah. Run-flats are repairable in some situations. But it will not be structually as sound as a new tire. Think of how and where you drive the car. If there is any chance that you will stress the tire (especially on a turn). Then just get a new one.

[Diesel Guy]

ABMW:

Are you one of the bastard lawyers that took the $25 million dollars from Ford or are you one of the Ford customers that got the $500 discount coupon ?

[DSE]

Originally Posted by MPowerFarmer

We purchased a 35d about 2 weeks ago. So far I have put oem 214's on it. Put GP Thunders in for the angel eyes and fogs and LED tag lights. I really love the car it handles so much better then out GL diesel. Today though I got a tpm warning and look and theres a screw thru my drivers side front tire.

I understand that Bridgestone runflats are repairable and that Discount Tire will do such repairs, assuming the particular punture is repairable (e.g., in the center of the tread). I would repair a runflat if the circumstances were appropriate.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by ABMW

Take their word for it, and get a new tire, you never know when that emergency brake and snap-turn at 75 miles per hour, on a 100-degree road,is going to put just the right amount of stress on your tire for it to fail at the worst possible time.

But when you say "take their word for it," that implies they do not approve of repairing tires, which is untrue, e.g., Goodyear:

http://www.mastertechmag.com/pdf/200...lattirePDF.pdf

Tire Tech Information - Flat Tire Repairs

And Page 27 of this brochure from Bridgestone:

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/warra...anty_US_EN.pdf


There is nothing wrong with repairing a puncture on a Run Flat tire as long as the damage is suitable for repair, the tire has not been run outside the tire manufactures' recommendations, and the repair is done properly. Even the tire manufacturers acknowledge this in writing.