Nail in runflat!

[Dr C]

Hello folks. Just noticed a nail in my rear nearside tyre. See attached pic...I assume this can't be fixed because (1) it's right at the edge and (2) it's a run flat? Next question - will I need to replace BOTH rear tyres to avoid potentially knackering the differential/transmission? I should add there are no tyre pressure loss warnings in the iDrive TPMS system. Here's a pic anyway...any opinions/experiences would be appreciated.

Cheers
Scott

[Denis O]

The fact it's a run-flat doesn't mean it can't be repaired although it can be difficult to find someone to repair it.

The fact it's so near to the tyre wall probably means it can't be repaired.

As for replacing 2, it really depends how much tread is on the other side. If it's almost new I would be happy to replace just 1 tyre. There's probably a rule about the mm differential on the same axle but I don't know what that is.

Let's hope you come out of this with a relatively cheap option.

[sid10]

Hi quite alot of garages wont fix them but some will , I think it will be a new pair as the transfer boxes dont like uneven wear on either side so could cause a lot of trouble if they are even slightly out . Are they 20" ? did you take out tyre insurance when you got the car ?

[X5Sport]

Had my front tyre fixed after something similar happened.  Tyre lasted another 4 years..

[Dr C]

Many thanks folks. Yeah I have tyre insurance but I guess they will only cover the damaged wheel and not the other one if I decide to replace both. I've spoken to BMW who advised no more than 2 mm tread difference difference on the same axle. All my tyres have 5 mm.

Richard - I'm tempted to try to get it fixed like you mentioned but no one will do it..God knows how long it's been there and the tyre pressure has been rock solid. Thing is the wife and kids are heading up the A9 to Nairn on Monday and I'm a bit concerned that if I manage to get it repaired it won't last, but I suppose if it goes pop at 70 mph there won't be too much drama as its a run flat? Or is that naive bollox?

[Denis O]

What's the reason, no one will repair it. Too close to sidewall or won't repair run flats, period. If your going into the national chains, most won't touch them. Try to find a small independent who will do the job.

If BMW say 2mm differential, I think 3mm will be fine.

If you've got tyre insurance, why worry. Just get both tyres on that axle changed.

Run flats will get you "home" at the prescribed speed. I ran 1 for about 12 miles on a Z4. It was shagged by the end of that run. Full of black bits of sidewall where it had broken down.

[fenj66]

If the tyre is not loosing air then its possible the nail is shorter than you think and possibly not even gone right through the rubber. In which case you could prize it out , if it is short and tyre stays up then result!  You've nothing to loose checking before committing to a new tyre

[Dr C]

Thanks again all.

OK so all tyres have 4 mm tread, which would mean a 4 mm difference across the rear axle if I only changed the damaged tyre, so I've gone and got two new ones (the nail was all the way through), quoted £740 for two on the phone but a quick check of tyre leader and camskill got that down to £570 for both fully fitted Pirelli P Zeros. Tyre insurance claim is in for two, but the guy I spoke to thinks I will only get paid out on one which I can't really moan about as there is nothing physically wrong with the other tyre. I'm still hoping though!

[Denis O]

You can offset the cost of the new one you have to pay for by getting the puncture repaired and putting them both on eBay as a matched pair. Probably get £150 to £200 back.

Every little helps.

[shadrack]

out of interest if the tyre insurance covers the nailed one and not the other side, would it not have been very unlucky if you were to run over a nail with the other side..........

[X5Sport]

[quote="shadrack"]
out of interest if the tyre insurance covers the nailed one and not the other side, would it not have been very unlucky if you were to run over a nail with the other side..........
[/quote]

Especially with the way the local builders chuck em about around their vans........ ::)

[shadrack]

[quote="X5Sport"]
[quote="shadrack"]
out of interest if the tyre insurance covers the nailed one and not the other side, would it not have been very unlucky if you were to run over a nail with the other side..........
[/quote]

Especially with the way the local builders chuck em about around their vans........ ::)
[/quote]

my point exactly.... )

[Tommy]

Pull it out, if it leaks, get it vulcanised .

[X5Sport]

Bring back solid tyres!  No punctures, probably as comfortable a ride as RFTs and take a decade or more to wear out....

[Mpower]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Bring back solid tyres!  No punctures, probably as comfortable a ride as RFTs and take a decade or more to wear out....
[/quote]
You will over time notice your car sits lower to the ground as the mileage builds up,lol!