Tire options

Wiles · 05-15-2012, 09:07 AM

Bad news, with only 2500 miles I picked up a nail in the OEM runflats rear tire on a trip. The tire is not yet flat, 25psi, but the other side is 40 psi. Found Nail. It's located in between tread blocks.

Options:
1. Find a shop to patch it. I know it can be patched and since it was not run while flat it would be fine. Problem is many shops would rather sell new tire, claim liabitiy etc.

2. Patch it myself, I have a run flat tire changer and balancer. (It is long story). But have never patched a tire. How hard can it be.

3. Buy one new OEM tire, 389 bucks plus shipping from tirerack

4. Buy whole set of not runflats, costs is a bit more but could get wider rears, and try to get more front width too. Thinking 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 or maybe 275/30/19 rear.

Lastly, I have been happy with the Runflats, I have the 19" 296 rims, and yes I checked the rims and they are both fine.I am leaning towards trying both options 2 and 4.

jparnes1 · 05-15-2012, 09:09 AM

If you've been happy with the RFT's then why change? Surely patching and keeping tires you're happy with is the cheaper option.

KCSchoey · 05-15-2012, 09:56 AM

I'd just get the tire patched. I took a wheel/tire combo from my 335i to a Wal-Mart service center and they patched it for $10, no questions asked.

tranquility · 05-15-2012, 12:54 PM

I've had something similar happen, my tires were relatively new also and I had a nail in the tread: luckily it kept the air in so I didn't notice until I switched to my winters. I just took it to the shop to have it patched up - good as new. You'd probably patch it up yourself since you know what you're doing and save some $$$. No point wasting a set of almost new tires.

rfx45 · 05-15-2012, 01:19 PM

Definitely have it professionally patched if possible. It cost ~$20 in my area and can be done in less than 30 minutes.

Unless of course you just want a more comfortable ride, then i'd suggest replacing all 4 with nonRFTs.

z4z4z4 · 05-16-2012, 03:54 AM

I had good luck with plugging nail holes that were in between and in tread blocks.
Don't need to remove wheel or unmount/mount tire. That was for steel belt radials. No idea if RFT can plug.
The plug vs patch vs both debate is endless.

05-15-2012, 09:07 AM	#1
Wiles Private First Class 53 Rep 178 Posts Drives: Z4 3.5i MSport manual, 2020X3M Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Midwest USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW Z4 [0.00]	Tire options Bad news, with only 2500 miles I picked up a nail in the OEM runflats rear tire on a trip. The tire is not yet flat, 25psi, but the other side is 40 psi. Found Nail. It's located in between tread blocks. Options: 1. Find a shop to patch it. I know it can be patched and since it was not run while flat it would be fine. Problem is many shops would rather sell new tire, claim liabitiy etc. 2. Patch it myself, I have a run flat tire changer and balancer. (It is long story). But have never patched a tire. How hard can it be. 3. Buy one new OEM tire, 389 bucks plus shipping from tirerack 4. Buy whole set of not runflats, costs is a bit more but could get wider rears, and try to get more front width too. Thinking 235/35/19 and 265/30/19 or maybe 275/30/19 rear. Lastly, I have been happy with the Runflats, I have the 19" 296 rims, and yes I checked the rims and they are both fine.I am leaning towards trying both options 2 and 4. Last edited by Wiles; 05-15-2012 at 01:24 PM..
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05-15-2012, 09:09 AM	#2
jparnes1 Colonel 243 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	If you've been happy with the RFT's then why change? Surely patching and keeping tires you're happy with is the cheaper option. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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05-15-2012, 09:56 AM	#3
KCSchoey Private First Class 1 Rep 147 Posts Drives: 2011 Z435i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO iTrader: (2)	I'd just get the tire patched. I took a wheel/tire combo from my 335i to a Wal-Mart service center and they patched it for $10, no questions asked.
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05-15-2012, 12:54 PM	#4
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I've had something similar happen, my tires were relatively new also and I had a nail in the tread: luckily it kept the air in so I didn't notice until I switched to my winters. I just took it to the shop to have it patched up - good as new. You'd probably patch it up yourself since you know what you're doing and save some $$$. No point wasting a set of almost new tires.
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05-15-2012, 01:19 PM	#5
rfx45 Lieutenant 39 Rep 560 Posts Drives: E89 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW Z4 [8.50]	Definitely have it professionally patched if possible. It cost ~$20 in my area and can be done in less than 30 minutes. Unless of course you just want a more comfortable ride, then i'd suggest replacing all 4 with nonRFTs. __________________ *2012 Z4*
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05-16-2012, 03:54 AM	#6
z4z4z4 Lieutenant 45 Rep 547 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: mild mediterranean breezes iTrader: (1)	I had good luck with plugging nail holes that were in between and in tread blocks. Don't need to remove wheel or unmount/mount tire. That was for steel belt radials. No idea if RFT can plug. The plug vs patch vs both debate is endless. __________________ Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3 PM for various e89 parts 4sale.
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