Bimmerpost
3
/
4 Series
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Technical Topics Wheels and Tires Patching a Run Flat?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-20-2020, 01:12 AM   #1
premier3is
Major
premier3is's Avatar
1627
Rep
1,002
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 330i M-Sport
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Patching a Run Flat?

Has anyone successfully patched a Pirelli Pzero runflat? I know discount tires won't do it and I had to order a new tire, but someone did tell me some Indy shops may be able to do it?

Any feedback appreciated, never again will I be getting run flats. A total waste of money since patching isn't "recommended" on runflats.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 02:09 AM   #2
MacTec
Registered
3
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: Toyota 86 GTS
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Brisbane, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Had mine repaired a few weeks back after getting screwed (literally had a screw in it). It was only just in from the sidewall enough otherwise I was up for a new tyre. I’m in Australia though so not sure if there’s a legal difference for repair8 g run flats in US
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 10:55 AM   #3
Mb73288
Private
31
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: 2019 bmw 330i xdrive
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (0)

They won't patch it but they might plug it as long as there's nothing wrong with the sidewall. Most local gas stations with a garage will probably throw a plug in there without caring if it's a runflat or not. Ive had 2 plugs in one runflat before and it worked fine till it was time to get new tires.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 10:57 AM   #4
premier3is
Major
premier3is's Avatar
1627
Rep
1,002
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 330i M-Sport
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Come to think of it, it may be due to the fact it's close to the sidewall too. I'll post a picture of it shortly and get your feedbacks.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 11:04 AM   #5
19G20
Lieutenant
152
Rep
527
Posts

Drives: X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Florida

iTrader: (12)

Quote:
Originally Posted by premier3is View Post
Has anyone successfully patched a Pirelli Pzero runflat? I know discount tires won't do it and I had to order a new tire, but someone did tell me some Indy shops may be able to do it?

Any feedback appreciated, never again will I be getting run flats. A total waste of money since patching isn't "recommended" on runflats.
They can patch it. I have done it multiple times if it is in the tread portion of the tire.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 12:04 PM   #6
Skeewiff03
Private First Class
Cyprus
38
Rep
162
Posts

Drives: BMW 320i (G20)
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Cyprus

iTrader: (0)

I patched 4 runflats so far and took me till there end of life of them,
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 12:14 PM   #7
golferboy2312
Private First Class
United_States
78
Rep
101
Posts

Drives: 2020 M340i xDrive
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin, Texas

iTrader: (0)

Discount Tire fixed a runflat for me just 2 weeks ago
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 12:44 PM   #8
xlover
Colonel
No_Country
2191
Rep
2,554
Posts

Drives: 2023 X7 40i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Boston

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by premier3is View Post
Has anyone successfully patched a Pirelli Pzero runflat? I know discount tires won't do it and I had to order a new tire, but someone did tell me some Indy shops may be able to do it?

Any feedback appreciated, never again will I be getting run flats. A total waste of money since patching isn't "recommended" on runflats.
Here is the deal with patching runflats as it has been explained to me: Liabilty is the key reason it is refused. A runflat can definitely be patched much like a regular tire, for the most part. With a slow leak and nothing damaging the tire there is no reason it cant be. However, as it was told to me, if a run flat goes to 0 pressure and you drive on it for a period of time especially at highway speeds it compromises the tire, with a go-flat in the same scenario and you keep driving the rim will shred the tire and you are stuck (hence the reason for runflats)

The issue lies with being able to prove it hasn't been driven on at 0 pressure. Most major repair shop chains just wont take that risk. There are a few here and there that will follow manufacturer recommendations, if the manu allows it they will do it, BMW does not so you would be SOL from that angle. Thats why most recommend finding a small indy shop that can apply common sense from a conversation vs blanket corporate restrictions.
Appreciate 4
premier3is1627.00
themur67.00
EXE462097.00
      05-20-2020, 12:53 PM   #9
upsidedownfunnel
Colonel
United_States
1996
Rep
2,499
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2014 BMW 335i  [0.00]
I've plugged a RFT PZero without issues. While patch-plugs are the recommended way to fix a slow leak on the tread, a simple plug has never failed me. I've plugged at least a dozen tires and they've always lasted the life of the tire. It saves you the hassle of trying to find a garage that will do the work. You have to make sure you never let your tire go completely flat though, RFT or not.
Appreciate 1
Mb7328831.00
      05-20-2020, 02:10 PM   #10
premier3is
Major
premier3is's Avatar
1627
Rep
1,002
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 330i M-Sport
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel View Post
I've plugged a RFT PZero without issues. While patch-plugs are the recommended way to fix a slow leak on the tread, a simple plug has never failed me. I've plugged at least a dozen tires and they've always lasted the life of the tire. It saves you the hassle of trying to find a garage that will do the work. You have to make sure you never let your tire go completely flat though, RFT or not.
Never went flat. Only went down to 31psi and I was shown an alert on my dash.

Here's a picture of the nail. Is this considered sidewall? They took it off and showed me how it's angled outwards going towards the sidewall.

Wonder if an Indy shop can patch this...
Attached Images
  
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 02:23 PM   #11
upsidedownfunnel
Colonel
United_States
1996
Rep
2,499
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2014 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by premier3is View Post
Never went flat. Only went down to 31psi and I was shown an alert on my dash.

Here's a picture of the nail. Is this considered sidewall? They took it off and showed me how it's angled outwards going towards the sidewall.

Wonder if an Indy shop can patch this...
The problem is that is likely too close to apply a patch-plug without hitting the sidewall. The patches are usually over an inch in radius and they need to be completely on the tread. However, a plug repair on its own would be just fine. The problem there is that no shops just do plugs anymore. At some point, tire shops stopped plugging tires and only do patch-plug repairs now. So unless you do it yourself, you probably won't easily find a shop willing to repair that.

If this was my own car, I would plug that in my garage and be on my way.
Appreciate 1
premier3is1627.00
      05-20-2020, 02:29 PM   #12
premier3is
Major
premier3is's Avatar
1627
Rep
1,002
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 330i M-Sport
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by premier3is View Post
Never went flat. Only went down to 31psi and I was shown an alert on my dash.

Here's a picture of the nail. Is this considered sidewall? They took it off and showed me how it's angled outwards going towards the sidewall.

Wonder if an Indy shop can patch this...
The problem is that is likely too close to apply a patch-plug without hitting the sidewall. The patches are usually over an inch in radius and they need to be completely on the tread. However, a plug repair on its own would be just fine. The problem there is that no shops just do plugs anymore. At some point, tire shops stopped plugging tires and only do patch-plug repairs now. So unless you do it yourself, you probably won't easily find a shop willing to repair that.

If this was my own car, I would plug that in my garage and be on my way.
Thanks for the information! I also found one more thing:

https://images.carid.com/pirelli/inf...i-warranty.pdf

I called Pirelli and they told me if discount tire submits a road hazard claim for your tire you should get it replaced at no charge under warranty. Now this is only because the car has tons of tread left and it is "unrepairable". Only have had it for 8-9 months.

I spoke with them and they said they'd have to make sure it falls I'm under every category as warrantied, and they should be able to. My question. Why the hell would anyone want to replace it for free under warranty if they have nothing to do with the original tire on the car? Just because they would count it as a sale?
Appreciate 1
      05-20-2020, 03:19 PM   #13
Mb73288
Private
31
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: 2019 bmw 330i xdrive
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (0)

Looks like a plug would work just fine on that tire. The key is finding a gas station or small garage that is willing to do it. I live in NJ and most small garages will plug a tire no questions asked and most do it without even taking the tire off .
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 03:50 PM   #14
upsidedownfunnel
Colonel
United_States
1996
Rep
2,499
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2014 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by premier3is View Post
Thanks for the information! I also found one more thing:

https://images.carid.com/pirelli/inf...i-warranty.pdf

I called Pirelli and they told me if discount tire submits a road hazard claim for your tire you should get it replaced at no charge under warranty. Now this is only because the car has tons of tread left and it is "unrepairable". Only have had it for 8-9 months.

I spoke with them and they said they'd have to make sure it falls I'm under every category as warrantied, and they should be able to. My question. Why the hell would anyone want to replace it for free under warranty if they have nothing to do with the original tire on the car? Just because they would count it as a sale?
That's interesting. Maybe Pirelli just partners with Discount Tire to avoid having to set up a consumer shipping center for warranty repairs. Good catch, though.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2020, 03:54 PM   #15
premier3is
Major
premier3is's Avatar
1627
Rep
1,002
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW 330i M-Sport
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by premier3is View Post
Thanks for the information! I also found one more thing:

https://images.carid.com/pirelli/inf...i-warranty.pdf

I called Pirelli and they told me if discount tire submits a road hazard claim for your tire you should get it replaced at no charge under warranty. Now this is only because the car has tons of tread left and it is "unrepairable". Only have had it for 8-9 months.

I spoke with them and they said they'd have to make sure it falls I'm under every category as warrantied, and they should be able to. My question. Why the hell would anyone want to replace it for free under warranty if they have nothing to do with the original tire on the car? Just because they would count it as a sale?
That's interesting. Maybe Pirelli just partners with Discount Tire to avoid having to set up a consumer shipping center for warranty repairs. Good catch, though.
Actually it's a tire warranty through any of their authorized dealer not just discount tires. Even discount tires isn't 100% aware of it and wants to double check with Pirelli but Pirelli told me they should. Lol
Appreciate 0
      05-21-2020, 06:24 AM   #16
CrownRoyal79
Lieutenant
CrownRoyal79's Avatar
United_States
283
Rep
402
Posts

Drives: BMW 435i
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

I agree with an earlier poster.... Once you drive on a RF tire, the integrity of the tire is compromised and shops aren't supposed to patch it. Having said that, my local dealer said they don't patch any tires, of any type, but they will sell you a new one.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:12 PM.




g20
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST