garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 So, it had to happen. Feckin' big fat 19 inch tyres and I go and get a slow puncture. Advice around the internets can be a bit contradictory. Given the following, and assuming it's repairable (no idea, haven't found the source yet), would you repair or replace? - BMW fit Bridgestone RE050A 19" rear run flat tyre - slow puncture - lost just over 1 bar overnight (from 2.7) - I do quite a lot of motorway miles - tyre is nearly 2 years old, has done 22k and has 4-5mm tread depth (so would be replaced before winter anyway) - I did possibly 5 miles with it under-inflated (i.e. down to about 1 bar) then inflated to normal pressure and did 20 miles home. I think I know what the correct answer is, especially given the relatively short life left in the tyre... just want a few views. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 4-5mm is still a fair bit left considering a new one is 8mm, probably another 10-11k miles until it gets down to around 2mm based on your wear rate history. However, for peace of mind I would just buy a new pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 I'm impressed how far they've done actually. Granted it's mostly motorway. But I wouldn't want to go through winter with less than 4mm so I would be swapping in 2/3 months time anyway (up to 5k miles). I doubt I've done any real damage to the reinforced sidewall, but there's just that back of the mind thing about a repair and not wanting to be stranded on the M6 when I'm meant to be in a meeting. However that's set against spending nearly 600 quid two months earlier than planned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 ISTR that repairing run-flat tyres is a no-no :nono: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 ISTR that repairing run-flat tyres is a no-no :nono: Some fitters will point blank refuse to. Apparently it all depends on how far the tyre has been driven on while deflated and thus what, if any, damage there is to the structure. BMW advise the Bridgestones can run as far as 100 miles at under 50 mph ... of course they're screwed by then, but after only 5 miles with still 1 bar or so of pressure they could be ok... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Hmm, not sure about this, I've seen the inside of a non runflat tyre after covering less than a mile with similar pressures, and it was fecked, the inside of the tyre was covered with rubber shavings, yet outwardly, it looked fine. Obviously having a stronger sidewall, you'd be able to go farther without damage, but 5 miles? I think I'd replace them personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Oh yes - I remember the conversation with the fitter, now. His take was that no matter how certain the customer was about how far it had gone while under-inflated, he personally had no idea how true that was, he suspected it would always be an underestimate, and he had no way of inspecting the tyre to see internal damage. He did know, though, that if he repaired it and it went pop taking someone with it, he'd be in the firing line. So there was no way he'd touch that work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Hmm, not sure about this, I've seen the inside of a non runflat tyre after covering less than a mile with similar pressures, and it was fecked, the inside of the tyre was covered with rubber shavings, yet outwardly, it looked fine. But the fitter can inspect that and see that it's not repairable. Or, to put it the other way round, if the tyre looks otherwise ok inside and out, they know it's pok to repair it. It seems a RFT can look ok inside and out but still be fecked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 I was told, by two places, that repairing RF's was not something they'd be prepared to do. I had a puncture on the RE050A's on the 645 - within 2 weeks of getting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Can the run-flats and get a pair of proper tyres, then replace the pair on the other axle when you puncture them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 I think it's time to bite the bullet. Thanks chaps. One thing this does lead me to reflect upon - if you drive like a girl and mainly on motorways, these rft rears are good for 30k miles (if you don't puncture them )! (And the fronts are a mm better!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Look on ebay for new Bridgestones. They'll be a damn sight cheaper than £600 for 2. More likely, half that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Can the run-flats and get a pair of proper tyres, then replace the pair on the other axle when you puncture them A popular move, I know. However, on this car (E92 330d) with these wheels and tyres (19" RE050A RFTs) I'm more than happy with the ride, handling and comfort, not to mention the wear. And I can't help thinking the strength of the RFTs has saved the alloys from pot hole damage on more than one occasion. So I'm going to stick with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 One thing this does lead me to reflect upon - if you drive like a girl and mainly on motorways, these rft rears are good for 30k miles (if you don't puncture them )! Probably true, but why would you want to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Look on ebay for new Bridgestones. They'll be a damn sight cheaper than £600 for 2. More likely, half that. Sadly not. Nothing on eBay much if any cheaper than the retailers. Haven't checked BMW price yet...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Forget mainstream retailers, apart from getting your price - PLEASE go to your local tyre shop and support your local business Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 I do have a local place I would go to ... unfortunately he couldn't get them in til the middle of next week. And he's just about the only genuinely independent local in the area! Job done, booked in tomorrow. Quite surprised how far I managed to nail BMW down in the end ... nobody else could do it til after I need to be back down the M6 on Tuesday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Forget mainstream retailers, apart from getting your price - PLEASE go to your local tyre shop and support your local business Observation: Mook has never been to Oldham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Ahem. Or Wilmslow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Ahem. Or Wilmslow. Have you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Once 18 years ago. Didn't leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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