[xdnbc]

I recently bought a 2016 328ix wagon with RFT 19" tires. My worry comes from hearing that the RFT tires can only be driven about 80 km [50miles] when deflated, and they can NOT be repaired even if kept partially filled [15-30psi] after being punctured.
What do you do if you are driving on a highway and the nearest town is over 100 km away; and that town is small and nobody has a high performance 19" Pirelli tire to match what I have?
Is there any way to save a punctured tire if it is pumped with goop before it goes too flat? Should I just buy a spare wheel and tire and keep it in the back of my wagon? There seems to be no room to store it under the rear floor.
Is there any other way? All suggestions welcome

I still don't understand the thinking behind BMW forcing buyers to use RFTires.
Unfortunately, only BMW and Volvo make decent handling wagons available in North America. I just got back from the UK and I am jealous of the hatchbacks and wagons in so many engine choices they have there. But even there, BMW only offers RFTs.

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by xdnbc

I recently bought a 2016 328ix wagon with RFT 19" tires. My worry comes from hearing that the RFT tires can only be driven about 80 km [50miles] when deflated, and they can NOT be repaired even if kept partially filled [15-30psi] after being punctured.
What do you do if you are driving on a highway and the nearest town is over 100 km away; and that town is small and nobody has a high performance 19" Pirelli tire to match what I have?
Is there any way to save a punctured tire if it is pumped with goop before it goes too flat? Should I just buy a spare wheel and tire and keep it in the back of my wagon? There seems to be no room to store it under the rear floor.
Is there any other way? All suggestions welcome

No doubt you are aware that BMW is not alone in equipping their cars with RFTs. Many Mercedes models now come equipped with RFTs.

I always carry a TireFit kit (Plan A) and for longer journeys through remote areas, I stash one of my mounted snow tires (Plan B) behind the driver's seat, together with a tire jack and tool kit.

There's no point carrying a space saving type spare, since such tires are restricted to 80 km distance and 80 kph - same issues as per RFTs.

I have used a Tirefit kit once when my car developed a flat in the mountains of SE Utah, 200 km from the nearest tire garage in Moab. Filling the tire with air + goop did the trick. Once I arrived @ the tire shop, the goop was cleaned out, the tire (non-RFT) was patched and my car was good to go.

It's a myth that RFTs cannot be patched. They potentially can be repaired @ independent tire shops, providing that the puncture is within the tread area and that the tire has NOT been driven any great distance in a deflated condition. To protect themselves from liability issues, BMW dealers will NOT repair punctured RFTs.

[eluded]

i just put my full size spares in the trunk for road trips, sure there is no room for luggage, but safety first.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Get AAA/CAA's "Plus" service.

[JamRWS6]

Agree with the above. RFT can be repaired at individual shops. Have personally had one repaired. RFT if anything are just added security if you need to get to a tire shop; don't treat them like a crutch as they definitely aren't. The two things I carry are a cheap tire rope plug kit and a portable tire inflator; if I get a flat this is likely enough to get me down the road without completely ruining a tire. You could carry a space saver spare but it just takes up too much room for me.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by xdnbc

I still don't understand the thinking behind BMW forcing buyers to use RFTires.

It's either that or a can of fix-a-flat and a pump, which you should carry even if you have RFT, so you can fix a leak before sidewall damage occurs. That, BTW, is what renders an RFT DOA. If the sidewalls are OK they can be patched like any other tire.
The advantage to an RFT is that if it's damaged to the point that a quick fix wouldn't work you at least should be able to get to a tire shop, if not home. All things considered I'd prefer regular tires and a compact spare, but I don't have any issues with changing a tire. That's not true of most drivers these days. And it's not that BMW 'forces' anyone to use RFTs. They're standard on most models because for most drivers they're the better choice. If you don't want them you can order something else.

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by DerekS

To protect themselves from liability issues, BMW dealers will NOT repair punctured RFTs.

It's not a liability thing, they just would rather sell you a $250 RFT than perform a $25 repair. My local tire shop repairs RFTs all the time, no special caveats (beyond those for go-flats; i.e. can't have sidewall damage); same price even. It's mildly more difficult for the technician to dismount/mount, but that's the only difference.

I say this all the time, but there is no functional difference between go-flats+donut and RFTs if you get a flat:
-If you get a nail/screw in the tread with either tire type, you slime it and go about your merry way
-If you get sidewall damage with either tire type, at best you will be limping a few miles to the nearest tire shop at 50 mph (max speed for a flat RFT or a donut). At least with RFTs you don't risk being flattened by a big rig on the side of the road while you are installing the donut.
-The only major difference is the (very rare) case of a full blowout, where the RFT driver has to call roadside assistance, but the donut guy can limp to the nearest tire shop. Either way you're at the mercy of the local tire shop having your tire size in stock, or you are going to be in a rental for a while.

A full-size spare is the only way to mitigate the risk of having your vacation ruined with either tire type; and pretty much only pickups and body-on-frame SUVs come stock with a fullsize spare these days. RFT+slime kit and goflat+donut are functionally equivalent in 99% of tire incidents.

[Pauleebe]

I've had two of my RFT's repaired both for nail that caused punctures, and they have been completely fine for many months since the repair. The theory that RFT's cannot be repaired is a myth, at least with newer RFT tires.

[fecurtis]

Have it towed, BMW will cover it, at least here in the US.

[Beowulf65]

I will use Slime (keep in mind that Canadian vehicles do not use a TPSM, so nothing to get gunked up). During holidays when we are over 300 km from the nearest BMW dealer, IF the tire could not be repaired and the local tire shops did not have a replacement in stock, I'd order one and have them put on a cheap equivalent as a temporary fix until the replacement arrives.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by the_phew

It's not a liability thing, they just would rather sell you a $250 RFT than perform a $25 repair.

Not exactly. If an RFT sidewall is damaged then after it's been patched sudden catastrophic failure is a good possibility. A good tire specialty shop should be able to identify sidewall damage and then decide whether or not the tire should be fixed or replaced. They would avoid any liability issue by informing you of the possibility that the tire still could fail, having you sign a waiver. A BMW dealer typically would not be a tire specialist, so it's just not something they'd want to bother fooling with.

[nicknaz]

If the nail is on the tread it's ok to repair. You can diy with a $7 kit from Amazon. I did that on my wife's old 328 and it was fine

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by xdnbc

...
I still don't understand the thinking behind BMW forcing buyers to use RFTires.

From BMWUSA, a useless reply to my asking them why RFT's can't be repaired:

"Dear Mr. Rogers:

Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding your 2010 BMW 3 Series. We appreciate your inquiry.

BMW considered several factors when making the decision to utilize run-flat tires on our vehicles. A predominant influence was the added safety provide to our customers. These tires have special sidewall and bead designs that are intended to keep the tire securely on the wheel in the event of pressure loss. They also offer the added benefit of allowing you to drive up to 50 miles at 50 miles per hour after pressure loss, so that you can reach a safe and secure location for tire replacement.

The inherit safety features of these tires can be compromised in the event of a puncture, however. For this reason, we cannot recommend that a run-flat tire be repaired. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you have any further comments or questions, please respond to this e-mail or contact the Customer Relations and Services Department at 1-800-831-1117, Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. Again, thank you for contacting BMW.

Sincerely,

Aaron Gillum
Customer Relations and Services Representative"

[pjkbrit]

"It's a myth that RFTs cannot be patched. They potentially can be repaired @ independent tire shops, providing that the puncture is within the tread area and that the tire has NOT been driven any great distance in a deflated condition. To protect themselves from liability issues, BMW dealers will NOT repair punctured RFTs."

True...it is a myth...I have repaired a few with total long term success....BUT in New York at least NO tire shop can legally repair a run flat...

I hate run flats...they SUCK....noisy, wear quickly, poor wet grip....and ruin the ride. Worse still BMW suspensions are softened to accommodate these damn tires so if you swop and have std suspension, a shock upgrade will be needed also on the F30 at least!

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by pjkbrit

"It's a myth that RFTs cannot be patched. They potentially can be repaired @ independent tire shops, providing that the puncture is within the tread area and that the tire has NOT been driven any great distance in a deflated condition. To protect themselves from liability issues, BMW dealers will NOT repair punctured RFTs."

True...it is a myth...I have repaired a few with total long term success....BUT in New York at least NO tire shop can legally repair a run flat...

I hate run flats...they SUCK....noisy, wear quickly, poor wet grip....and ruin the ride. Worse still BMW suspensions are softened to accommodate these damn tires so if you swop and have std suspension, a shock upgrade will be needed also on the F30 at least!

Not true. My dealer just repaired my run flat tire.

[ashpal19]

Has anyone tried the BMW roadside assist? (if you have a new car) The service rep told me that they will come to rescue you, even in some remote hilly areas (where you do not have cell phone coverage) I have not tried it, but would like to know if this works.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

My dealer just repaired my run flat tire.

In that case he probably is smart enough to know the difference between
The inherit safety features of these tires can be compromised in the event of a puncture, and
The inherit safety features of these tires will be compromised in the event of a puncture,

Don't lose track of the fact that for a long time there's a been a large gulf between car and tire manufacturers. Witness the Ford Explorer and Firestone debacle, where neither party wanted to take responsibility. Ask yourself why the tires on your car have for all intents and purposes no warranty, and you have to pay for damage insurance, while the same tires bought at a tire store have both a warranty and a no-charge road damage policy.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by ashpal19

Has anyone tried the BMW roadside assist? (if you have a new car) The service rep told me that they will come to rescue you, even in some remote hilly areas (where you do not have cell phone coverage) I have not tried it, but would like to know if this works.

BMW Assist is done via the embedded cell phone, which I believe uses Verizon. If you're out of cell phone coverage, you're pretty much out of luck.
"Due to wireless carrier coverage, services may be limited in certain geographic areas."

See http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ilability.aspx

[ashpal19]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

BMW Assist is done via the embedded cell phone, which I believe uses Verizon. If you're out of cell phone coverage, you're pretty much out of luck.
"Due to wireless carrier coverage, services may be limited in certain geographic areas."

See http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ilability.aspx

Thank you for the response, then I should be looking for other options for a spare tire,etc.

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Ask yourself why the tires on your car have for all intents and purposes no warranty, and you have to pay for damage insurance, while the same tires bought at a tire store have both a warranty and a no-charge road damage policy.

Good post. If I could order a discounted car sans tires (and have the dealer install a tire of my choosing, complete with tire OEM road hazard warranty), I'd be all over that deal.

I think dealers love the status quo though. Their clueless customers think the tires are somehow "special" for that make/model, so they pay inflated prices for tires and labor at the dealer. I buy my tires online and go to the cheapest redneck-ass tire shop I can find to mount/balance/repair them. I've found these types of shops usually do better/faster work than the dealer anyway.

[nedmon]

I just bought a 17" donut off an M3 and will keep it in the trunk.

I'm not up for the hassle of dealing with a flat on the runflats.

Next up will be to dump the tires and get non runflats.

Ned

[CalCarNut]

An innovative car person could make a new 'floor' for the trunk to cover a fullsize spare and still have cargo capacity. In theory, a well cut piece of plywood covered in automotive carpet and secured would work. My GC has some small storage under the cover..too bad its not deep enough to hold a spare. I'll bet many of us would cut the 'dividers' out to hold a true spare if that were the case. At some point I'll have a couple of 'spares' once I swap the rear wheels to 8.5" so i can run wider tires in the back.