RFT

bmv_boy · 11-04-2009, 03:26 AM

Hi guys,

I recently had the distinct pleasure of getting a puncture on one of my RFTs. Having had the car for only 3 months, it was particularly painful for me to part with $800 bucks it cost to replace it.
Anyway, after ruminating about the countless lives the money could have saved, I've thought of something. There is a way to save your punctured RFT!

It all rests on the "intended use" of an RFT, i.e. to be able to keep running once a puncture occurs. The logic is as follows:
- Since the intended use of an RFT is to be capable of being run when flat...
- The manufacturer must assume that you HAVE run it flat...
- By running it flat, you would have damaged the side walls enough to...
- Render the act of repairing it pointless.

So, my question / theory is, what if you DON'T use the RFT like an RFT? Keep a spare in your boot, then replace the RFT the moment you know there's a puncture, just like any normal tyre. If you do this, would you then be able to safely, with a clear conscience, repair that RFT?

suff · 11-04-2009, 03:33 AM

Or.. ditch the RFT's and carry a can of Tyre Goo (self inflating and seals most punctures) Same end result as RFT's, half the price, twice the handling! (and you get to keep your boot space!)

mark325 · 11-04-2009, 03:37 AM

Friend of mine gave me the BMW Mobility kit, a really nice little setup, Ill grab some pics for those interested. Not sure what they are worth but includes everything to perform puncture repair.

Cadillac · 11-04-2009, 03:50 AM

I feel for you I have had a total of 5 in 3 years...total cost almost $4K!!!
Idiots at BMW reckon it is worth it from a safety aspect...maybe if I was doing 250KMH not 25 on the lovely NSW roads.
One more year to go and a new car and if BMW persists in this stupid RFT technology then it is my last BMW after having 3...love the car hate the tyres.
I would change to conventional tyres, but really want to get some value from all that new tread (I kept saying that as each puncture happened and I thought my last) I keep getting...was told it is very hard to get a flat since the tyres are so thick and strong...BS!

John_01 · 11-04-2009, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmv_boy

So, my question / theory is, what if you DON'T use the RFT like an RFT? Keep a spare in your boot, then replace the RFT the moment you know there's a puncture, just like any normal tyre. If you do this, would you then be able to safely, with a clear conscience, repair that RFT?

Even if your conscience is clear, there are still two problems:
1) The tyre manufacturer would dispute your point. For example Bridgestone state that their tyres cannot be safely repaired.
2) You might have trouble finding a tyre store that will do the repair.

peterd · 11-04-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadillac

I feel for you I have had a total of 5 in 3 years...total cost almost $4K!!!
Idiots at BMW reckon it is worth it from a safety aspect...maybe if I was doing 250KMH not 25 on the lovely NSW roads.
One more year to go and a new car and if BMW persists in this stupid RFT technology then it is my last BMW after having 3...love the car hate the tyres.
I would change to conventional tyres, but really want to get some value from all that new tread (I kept saying that as each puncture happened and I thought my last) I keep getting...was told it is very hard to get a flat since the tyres are so thick and strong...BS!

How unlucky to get 5 flats in 3 years. How did that happen?

samchuang33 · 11-04-2009, 04:36 PM

Has anyone successfuly fixed a flat with either the bmw mobility kit or other tyre goo? Be interesting to see how well they work.

I haven't heard anyone's experiecen yet using them.

F104 · 11-04-2009, 04:41 PM

The way cheaper option is to have it repaired anyway. I had a puncture (screw) on left rear which came thru on the inside just where the curve to the outer wall starts. Bridgestone tells you to replace the tyre. Had it repaired like a bicycle tyre (i watched the whole process) and have had no problems. Car has seen 110mph+ for long stretches since.

I really don't understand the hype around RFT tyres. These have the strongest side walls in the world (actually are cracking 19" rims without tyre damage) and you can't have a repair near to the outside, but only in the middle?

But do agree on knowing what happened between low pressure/puncture warning and action. I drove another 30 mls carefully (midnight), got home and took tyre pressure, only 30% pressure loss.

dtlv8 · 11-04-2009, 08:53 PM

I think everyone on this forum has felt your punctured RFT pain bmv_boy. Even if you can repair your RFTs, bmw and/or your car insurers will void your warranty/insurance claims should something untoward happed to your car.

bmv_boy · 11-05-2009, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the input, guys. I guess the biggest point is having the warranty/insurance voided. If that's the case, this idea is pointless.
I have considered switching to non-RFTs, but since the car had to come with the damned RFTs standard I thought the cheapest way to be rid of them would be to let those RFTs go through their usual lifespan, then replace them with normal tyres. That was why I thought of using a spare in the meantime.
I guess in my case I would have had to replace the tyre regardless of whether or not it was an RFT. Apparently the damage was on the sidewall. A big long nail had gone in between the rim and the tyre at an angle and pierced right through to the thread. Even took a chip out of the rim!

dtlv8 · 11-05-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmv_boy

...
Apparently the damage was on the sidewall.
...

I don't think you can safely repair sidewall damage tyre. This includes standard tyres as well.

John_01 · 11-05-2009, 07:43 PM

Runflat tyres have very thick sidwalls, but I am not sure if it makes them more resistant to damage. Probably the thickness of the rubber increases the stress on the outer portion of the rubber. Once there is damage or a crack on the sidewall I guess it could be likely to grow.

For the warranty and insurance aspect, I think it is only going to be a problem if the tyre actually fails. Otherwise it seems unlikely they would ever find out that the tyre had been repaired. If it wasn't the cause of the incident I think it would be irrelevant anyway. There is a theroetical risk here, so it is a choice for the individual.

11-04-2009, 03:26 AM	#1
bmv_boy Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	RFT - theoretical question... Hi guys, I recently had the distinct pleasure of getting a puncture on one of my RFTs. Having had the car for only 3 months, it was particularly painful for me to part with $800 bucks it cost to replace it. Anyway, after ruminating about the countless lives the money could have saved, I've thought of something. There is a way to save your punctured RFT! It all rests on the "intended use" of an RFT, i.e. to be able to keep running once a puncture occurs. The logic is as follows: - Since the intended use of an RFT is to be capable of being run when flat... - The manufacturer must assume that you HAVE run it flat... - By running it flat, you would have damaged the side walls enough to... - Render the act of repairing it pointless. So, my question / theory is, what if you DON'T use the RFT like an RFT? Keep a spare in your boot, then replace the RFT the moment you know there's a puncture, just like any normal tyre. If you do this, would you then be able to safely, with a clear conscience, repair that RFT?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-04-2009, 03:33 AM	#2
suff On the hunt for PSI 42 Rep 778 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Perth, WA iTrader: (0)	Or.. ditch the RFT's and carry a can of Tyre Goo (self inflating and seals most punctures) Same end result as RFT's, half the price, twice the handling! (and you get to keep your boot space!)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-04-2009, 03:37 AM	#3
mark325 Europhile 15 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 06 E90 325i Manual Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sunny Coast, QLD, AU iTrader: (0)	Friend of mine gave me the BMW Mobility kit, a really nice little setup, Ill grab some pics for those interested. Not sure what they are worth but includes everything to perform puncture repair. __________________ '06 E90 325i 6MT \| Full M3 Kit \| H&R Euro Race \| VMR V710 \| Colour Kidneys AusBMW :: My Tutorials
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-04-2009, 03:50 AM	#4
Cadillac Lieutenant 382 Rep 459 Posts Drives: 2022 M2 Competition DCT BSM and 2025 M4 Competition G83 Convertible LCI in skyscraper Grey Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	I feel for you I have had a total of 5 in 3 years...total cost almost $4K!!! Idiots at BMW reckon it is worth it from a safety aspect...maybe if I was doing 250KMH not 25 on the lovely NSW roads. One more year to go and a new car and if BMW persists in this stupid RFT technology then it is my last BMW after having 3...love the car hate the tyres. I would change to conventional tyres, but really want to get some value from all that new tread (I kept saying that as each puncture happened and I thought my last) I keep getting...was told it is very hard to get a flat since the tyres are so thick and strong...BS!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-04-2009, 04:36 PM	#7
samchuang33 Captain 41 Rep 781 Posts Drives: MY 16 440i & MY20 X7 30d Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane AUS iTrader: (0)	Has anyone successfuly fixed a flat with either the bmw mobility kit or other tyre goo? Be interesting to see how well they work. I haven't heard anyone's experiecen yet using them. __________________ 2020 BMW G07 X7 3.0d M Sport 2018 Audi FY Audi SQ5 2016 BMW F36 440i GC M Sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-04-2009, 04:41 PM	#8
F104 Captain 19 Rep 732 Posts Drives: E92 320D M-sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: belgium iTrader: (0)	The way cheaper option is to have it repaired anyway. I had a puncture (screw) on left rear which came thru on the inside just where the curve to the outer wall starts. Bridgestone tells you to replace the tyre. Had it repaired like a bicycle tyre (i watched the whole process) and have had no problems. Car has seen 110mph+ for long stretches since. I really don't understand the hype around RFT tyres. These have the strongest side walls in the world (actually are cracking 19" rims without tyre damage) and you can't have a repair near to the outside, but only in the middle? But do agree on knowing what happened between low pressure/puncture warning and action. I drove another 30 mls carefully (midnight), got home and took tyre pressure, only 30% pressure loss.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-04-2009, 08:53 PM	#9
dtlv8 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 36 Posts Drives: E90 325i and G6E Turbo Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	I think everyone on this forum has felt your punctured RFT pain bmv_boy. Even if you can repair your RFTs, bmw and/or your car insurers will void your warranty/insurance claims should something untoward happed to your car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2009, 06:30 PM	#10
bmv_boy Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input, guys. I guess the biggest point is having the warranty/insurance voided. If that's the case, this idea is pointless. I have considered switching to non-RFTs, but since the car had to come with the damned RFTs standard I thought the cheapest way to be rid of them would be to let those RFTs go through their usual lifespan, then replace them with normal tyres. That was why I thought of using a spare in the meantime. I guess in my case I would have had to replace the tyre regardless of whether or not it was an RFT. Apparently the damage was on the sidewall. A big long nail had gone in between the rim and the tyre at an angle and pierced right through to the thread. Even took a chip out of the rim!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2009, 07:43 PM	#12
John_01 Colonel 241 Rep 2,643 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Runflat tyres have very thick sidwalls, but I am not sure if it makes them more resistant to damage. Probably the thickness of the rubber increases the stress on the outer portion of the rubber. Once there is damage or a crack on the sidewall I guess it could be likely to grow. For the warranty and insurance aspect, I think it is only going to be a problem if the tyre actually fails. Otherwise it seems unlikely they would ever find out that the tyre had been repaired. If it wasn't the cause of the incident I think it would be irrelevant anyway. There is a theroetical risk here, so it is a choice for the individual.
	Appreciate 0 Quote