Official Dunlop response on repairing their RFTs
 

I received this from Dunlop when trying to ascertain their postion on repairs. Looks fairly clear cut to me.

Attachment 20473

This part is why some tire centers will not repair Run Flats:

"· If the tyre has been run at low or zero pressure (with warning alarm active) for a long distance or at
too high speed. This can be identified through driver feedback, worn appearance of the external tyre
shoulder or upper sidewall."

Some places simply do not want to take the liability risk of relying upon "driver feedback," fixing the tire, and then having the fixed tire fail and cause an accident shortly thereafter, because it was run farther/faster than the driver said and there was internal damage to the sidewall. Other places are willing to take this risk, figuring the risk of an untruthful driver and internal sidewall damage that is not visible is low enough.

Finally got our X5 back after over 2 weeks waiting on a replacement Bridgestone 315x35x20 Run flat tyre.

My original request was for the dealer to replace all 4 with a tyre brand that they could source e.g. Dunlops but they responded that the Bridgestone is arriving within the week - they didn't say which week!

I was provided with the dealers rental X5 for the entire duration and BMW UK paid the dealer the rental fee for this period. At £770/week!! I reckon the dealer could have returned my car within 2 days had they opted to replace all 4 tyres. Average cost of a tyre would be £300, plus one happy customer back on the road.

In fairness BMW kept us on the road in an X5. Thing is I didn't pay to drive around in someone elses X5 and quite frankly it was embarrassing after a week never mind 2 weeks to have to tell people that I was still waiting on a new tyre. BMW also choose to ignore the technical info that could have seen the puncture repaired. Overall it has been a very dissappointing experience and it may not be over yet. I have not seen the car yet as I work away from home but I am informed that they have scratched the wheel rim replacing the tyre.

Am I being unreasonable to expect BMW to have the most up to date technical information on RFT technology (and the repairs thereof), for BMW to be able to replace a tyre within a reasonable time - I would suggest 48hrs as reasonable and for BMW to take more notice of customer satisfaction in after sales?

It's a great car but not such a great company.