Tire repair system for non-RFT ?

[BugsBunny]

As many of us, I removed the RFT to install Standard tires. What would you recommend for tire repair system ?
I spotted the following options:
- BMW Mobility Kit at $127
- Continental ContiComfortKit at $88
- Slime Safety Spair kit at $35

If anyone has recommendations and/or experience with the above systems, please share.

Thanks.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by BugsBunny

As many of us, I removed the RFT to install Standard tires. What would you recommend for tire repair system ?
I spotted the following options:
- BMW Mobility Kit at $127
- Continental ContiComfortKit at $88
- Slime Safety Spair kit at $35

If anyone has recommendations and/or experience with the above systems, please share.

Thanks.

ditched my runflats. Since then, I've taken two nails. I have a $20 Slime Inflator and a bottle of slime (Target). Also have a $10 kit with plugs and a tool to insert the plugs. Haven't used the slime yet and don't know how good it is at sealing a hole; in both cases I managed to plug the holes.
Maybe others will disagree, but I'm thinking: if the hole is small enough for some sealant to work, I should be able to plug it. Otherwise, neither will be effective, at least not for long. So far, I haven't had to test the sealant.
An air compressor is a good idea. The one that came with the $20 kit seems adequate.
Only other thing I've considered doing is carrying a jack of some sort.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

BMW Mobility Kit

works great ... had it on my e46 and again on my e92. Don't mind paying a few more dollars. It is a quality set. Remember you get what you pay for, same as your Z great car

[BimmaDrew]

I haven't confirmed this, but I've been told to be careful with sealants such as slime because it can mess up the tire pressure sensor...

[zedguy]

It could mess up a tire pressure sender if the z had one. The new z's look at the differential of wheel rotation to determine a flat so there in no internal sensor to mess up.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by zedguy

It could mess up a tire pressure sender if the z had one. The new z's look at the differential of wheel rotation to determine a flat so there in no internal sensor to mess up.

Incorrect. There's a valve sensor in every wheel.

[Mick70]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

Incorrect. There's a valve sensor in every wheel.

So there is a difference between US and EU models or the newer models entertain valve sensors? My 2009 E89 still has only that speed difference sensor to detect flat tires.

Best regards

Mick

[tot]

In the user manual they describe both possibilities. It could be that sensors are used in US cars.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by Mick70

So there is a difference between US and EU models or the newer models entertain valve sensors? My 2009 E89 still has only that speed difference sensor to detect flat tires.

Best regards

Mick

I believe you're correct. US cars have the sensors, cars in other markets may not.

We mandate sensors in the U.S. because drivers over here are totally ignorant of the concept of checking one tires' pressure regularly...

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by BimmaDrew

I haven't confirmed this, but I've been told to be careful with sealants such as slime because it can mess up the tire pressure sensor...

You heard correct ... in addition once you did use it the tire is history and needs to be replaced. I saw the German weekly car magazine show only yesterday "drive it" on DW (Deutsche Welle on TV), they looked at all available options and that is what the experts say. So it must be true.

I assume the sealant that one injects inside must wonder around inside the tire (changing positions from time to time based upon temperature changes) this then would definitely affect the tier balance and render the tire no longer usable. Unless one can clean up the excess I am only assuming this to be the reason that the tire then can no longer be used.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

You heard correct ... in addition once you did use it the tire is history and needs to be replaced. I saw the German weekly car magazine show only yesterday "drive it" on DW (Deutsche Welle on TV), they looked at all available options and that is what the experts say. So it must be true.

I assume the sealant that one injects inside must wonder around inside the tire (changing positions from time to time based upon temperature changes) this then would definitely affect the tier balance and render the tire no longer usable. Unless one can clean up the excess I am only assuming this to be the reason that the tire then can no longer be used.

You're probably right.

However one must take the following trade-off into account:

• A tire costs USD $200 to $250 - say $300 mounted.
• Compare that to the cost and inconvenience of being stranded (possible hotel, missed plane etc.) Remember Murphy's law, you seldom get a flat in your driveway!
• Consider the safety factor. Again, per Murphy you'll break down at night in a rough area, not on Sunday afternoon at the country club!
• Any serious puncture, and ANY damage to the sidewal warrants a tire replacement anyway.

(per my own recent experience with flat tires: once late at night on the highway near a so-so New York neighborhood; once in pouring rain on my way to the airport - missed my flight - on the highway near a so-so Connecticut neighborhood. Damn Murphy!)

[teagueAMX]

Slime is OK, but only as a last resort.

The slime gets hard inside the tire and seals the leak, but gets all over you rim, too.

I wouldn't recommend it, but one could consider using it as a long term solution once a leak is fixed, but you'll have to get the tire balanced, if it's possible. Sometimes that's not possible to balance the tire effectively if the slime globs up in one spot. Once you've slimed a tire, it's really better to replace it ASAP.

I've plugged many leaks saving myself several hundred of dollars in tire replacements. Plugging should be done only in the flat tread area, never on the curve of the tread of the sidewall, although I was talking to a guy the other day who say he did a sidewall plug and it was OK. I'd be concerned that sidewall plug alters the radial structure so I wouldn't trust it high speeds.