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[BLR]

RFT tire manufacturers and BMW has created a hysteria among RFT owners saying the it is not repairable.
I recently had a nail in my tire and got it fixed at discount tires for free.

When i bought this car i was asked if i need insurance for RFT for 3 years for $800.00. I opted NO and i am glad i did that.

Any input

[Prissy]

this is nothing new

[PeteW84]

Had mine right rear repaired at Discount Tire in the summer for free as well, and haven't had a problem since then.

[EMG E92]

Originally Posted by Takashi

Of course they are repairable.

My next question to the OP (BLR) is: Do you know WHY BMW refuse to repair RFT?

Note: There is a reason why RFT manufacturers and BMW tell their customers that their run flats are not repairable. Do you know what it is?

so they can buy new ones, which means more money and profit...ding ding ding correct answer!!! =D

[hun77777]

if sidewall of tire is undamaged, it is repairable whether it's RFT or not. This is nothing new...

[EZ_TUR90]

[zontos328i]

what if you get bubbles on ur tires the week after u get ur bmw, would someone other than bmw exchange them for new ones?

[Gary@TireRack]

Another possible reason is that runflats aren't supposed to be repaired if they are used at a zero pressure state (driven with no air pressure), and it would be extremely difficult for a shop to tell if this had been done.

[Dan335i]

RFT,s can be repaired with a plug the same way as non RFT.NO difference unless the side wall is damaged as stated already.And if you get a bubble in your tire right after purchasing your car your on your own unless you bought the warranty plan for 800.00.I didnt buy the plan and got a bubble in my front tire that was noticed buy a BMW tech when i was getting my first oil change.Luckly for me i pickedup an almost brand new front,identical to mine on here from a member for only 100.00.That was 3k miles ago and its perfect.

[bimmerFUD]

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

Another possible reason is that runflats aren't supposed to be repaired if they are used at a zero pressure state (driven with no air pressure), and it would be extremely difficult for a shop to tell if this had been done.

Exactly, so my BMW SA asked me whether I had driven it at zero pressure. I said no, so he repaired it. No big deal.

[halB]

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

Another possible reason is that runflats aren't supposed to be repaired if they are used at a zero pressure state (driven with no air pressure), and it would be extremely difficult for a shop to tell if this had been done.

I believe they can be used at zero pressure state for up to something like 100 miles at no more than 55 mph, beyond that they will no longer be safe, or can no longer be relied on to provide runflat service. The problem is, there is no way for the repair shop to tell how close to those limits (or whether it had gone over the limits) the tires had been since it ran out of air so they just treat them like used condoms just to be safe......

[BMW MotorSport]

nothing new here.

[GmanJeff]

On a related, note, is there any reason on couldn't safely use something like the AirMan, a SlimeSpair kit, or similar, with RFTs? If such a kit seals the puncture (non-sidewall), and inflates the tire, is that good indefintely? Even if it merely extends the distance one can drive on a punctured RFT until a replacement can be conveniently purchased (say you're on a trip a long way from anywhere), it'd be handy.

[e92law]

This really is great news. I have had a puncture in the past and couldn't find a reputable shop willing to repair it. Thanks.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by GmanJeff

On a related, note, is there any reason on couldn't safely use something like the AirMan, a SlimeSpair kit, or similar, with RFTs? If such a kit seals the puncture (non-sidewall), and inflates the tire, is that good indefintely? Even if it merely extends the distance one can drive on a punctured RFT until a replacement can be conveniently purchased (say you're on a trip a long way from anywhere), it'd be handy.

They have a tendency to mess up the TPMS, but I believe there are kits that are "TPMS Friendly" and water-soluble. Repair shops just look down upon it since they are messy to work with. So long as the sealant kits are TPMS friendly, they shouldn't be a problem.

[uberschnell]

OP, why are you disseminating bad info?

This has been hashed out here before. The integrity of the sidewall is degraded with each mile driven at 0 psi. This probably wont present a problem to you once the tire is repaired and filled with air.

BUT


If you lose pressure in that tire again you cant expect the original flat tire range to have been reset by the repair. You only have what you have left - range wise.

Example: Most runflats have a 50 mi @ x mph range at 0 PSI. Say you drive 40 mi on the flat the first time. Second time that thing goes you only have 10. Whats the point then of having runflats if you have a fraction of the range left.

That's why the dealership wont repair it.

[demosthenes]

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

Another possible reason is that runflats aren't supposed to be repaired if they are used at a zero pressure state (driven with no air pressure), and it would be extremely difficult for a shop to tell if this had been done.

+1

When I had a nail in one of my RFT's last year, I researched this topic and came up with the same answer Gary did. That's why some shops won't touch them (like my BMW dealer). I found an independent that repaired it AFTER I told him that the pressure never dropped below 28. It was a slow leak.