[TodmordenLad]

Got a slow puncture in one of my RFTs and, as I was passing, got it checked out at my local dealer yesterday. There was a screw embedded in lower tread. A new tyre was recommended at a cost of over £200.

Suspecting that they were talking nonsense, I went to my local indie tyre fitter instead, who charged £15 + VAT to repair it. Took 30mns, and he was really careful with the wheel too as I could see him working whilst I was waiting.

They're not called stealers for nothing…

[DB118D]

General rule is RFT is non-repairable and dealer's will stick to this

Reality is, as long as it's not compromised the sidewall and is in a repairable area, it's fine to do

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by DB118D

General rule is RFT is non-repairable and dealer's will stick to this

Reality is, as long as it's not compromised the sidewall and is in a repairable area, it's fine to do

Precisely
Which is what my indie said. Puncture was nowhere near sidewall

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by DB118D

General rule is RFT is non-repairable and dealer's will stick to this

Reality is, as long as it's not compromised the sidewall and is in a repairable area, it's fine to do

Have just checked online and the majority of manufacturers say that repairs to RFTs are okay, provided that the puncture is in a repairable area (not sidewall) and that the tyre hasn't been damaged whilst being driven flat for any significant distance. Exceptions are Continental and Pirelli.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

Have just checked online and the majority of manufacturers say that repairs to RFTs are okay, provided that the puncture is in a repairable area (not sidewall) and that the tyre hasn't been damaged whilst being driven flat for any significant distance. Exceptions are Continental and Pirelli.

Some specify only one repair, according to the relevant BS standard.

Having discussed this issue with a couple of tyre shops. The insurance liability is a major problem, even if a repair is possible. One manager told me that no way could they repair a RFT, even if the user had just driven off with a new tyre earlier the same day and come back with a slow puncture. Wouldn't matter what the driver told them, how he'd kept the pressure up, etc., they couldn't repair due to their insurance liability.

May seen unreasonable, not all will or can take the risk.

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Some specify only one repair, according to the relevant BS standard.

Having discussed this issue with a couple of tyre shops. The insurance liability is a major problem, even if a repair is possible. One manager told me that no way could they repair a RFT, even if the user had just driven off with a new tyre earlier the same day and come back with a slow puncture. Wouldn't matter what the driver told them, how he'd kept the pressure up, etc., they couldn't repair due to their insurance liability.

May seen unreasonable, not all will or can take the risk.

What insurance liability? Repairing a tyre is not illegal if done correctly.

I can understand dealers not doing repairs as there policy is replace rather than repair.

[The Lum]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

Have just checked online and the majority of manufacturers say that repairs to RFTs are okay, provided that the puncture is in a repairable area (not sidewall) and that the tyre hasn't been damaged whilst being driven flat for any significant distance. Exceptions are Continental and Pirelli.

So 2 of the 4 manufacturers used by BMW dont repair RFT with Goodyear and Michlin saying its ok?

If this is the case then surely if half the manufacturers say its not safe and the other half say its safe you can see why the dealer might not want to do it. Not exactly 99 vs 1 is it?

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by The Lum

So 2 of the 4 manufacturers used by BMW dont repair RFT with Goodyear and Michlin saying its ok?

If this is the case then surely if half the manufacturers say its not safe and the other half say its safe you can see why the dealer might not want to do it. Not exactly 99 vs 1 is it?

Funny thing is, some dealers will repair RFTs and others won't. I've had minor repairable punctures fixed before. One was a Pirelli and one was a Goodyear from memory. There's no BMW UK policy on the matter in my experience. Depends entirely on the dealership

[teaston]

This is why you shouldn't buy run flats! Pay more for a tyre that drives worse and can't be repaired if you use it for it's intended purpose, no thanks! :

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by E60525d

What insurance liability? Repairing a tyre is not illegal if done correctly.

I can understand dealers not doing repairs as there policy is replace rather than repair.

In the case I illustrated, their own insurance didn't cover third party liability for RFT repairs. Guy was very specific, no way would they perform a repair, even though they could physically repair a RFT within the scope of the BS recommendation.

That may have changed since I talked with these guys, hopefully so, but wasn't the case at the time.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by teaston

This is why you shouldn't buy run flats! Pay more for a tyre that drives worse and can't be repaired if you use it for it's intended purpose, no thanks! :

Yeh, they're not great although they've got a lot better over the years. Bridgestone Potenzas are the worst I've had and Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 2s are the best I've had - the latter are as good as regular non RFTs IMO although not as good as non RFT performance tyres, naturally

[XK140]

It's just me but I don't totally trust any puncture repair,especially if your use includes high speed motorway stuff.

My thinking is that you have a hole in your tyre and some method plugs that hole,is it logical to think that the tyre has 100% the same structural integrity as before?

So if a tyre is more than half worn I'm inclined to scrap it. In the good old days of proper spare wheels the repaired item would be relegated to the boot.
Bring back the full size alloy and spare tyre,please.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by XK140

It's just me but I don't totally trust any puncture repair,especially if your use includes high speed motorway stuff.

My thinking is that you have a hole in you tyre and some method plugs that hole,is it logical to think that the tyre has 100% the same structural.integrity as before?

So if a tyre is more than half worn I'm inclined to scrap it. In the good old days of proper spare wheels the repaired item would be relegated to the boot.
Bring back the full size alloy and spare tyre,please.

I know where you're coming from
However my puncture was very slow, very small and in repairable tread with zero wear (lower tread)
I have looked with an inspection light and I cannot even see the repair.
Worst thing that could happen is that I get a leak in the same place which is very very unlikely

[doncarlyon]

By saying "local dealer" do you mean a BMW dealership?

If so, why on earth would you ask a main dealer about tyres? They will always have your pants down.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

By saying "local dealer" do you mean a BMW dealership?

If so, why on earth would you ask a main dealer about tyres? They will always have your pants down.

Yes, BMW dealer
I was passing and asked for an opinion, plain and simple

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

By saying "local dealer" do you mean a BMW dealership?

If so, why on earth would you ask a main dealer about tyres? They will always have your pants down.

Not really my dealer will repair a tyre if it's within the repairable zone and always matches the online quotes I give them.

I only buy elsewhere if they can't get the tyres, they have struggled with winters on occasions but they still fit them for £40.
They matched Oponeo this week on some sottozero 3 inc fitting.