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Sun 18 Nov 2012 19:28

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - mattie_uk

Hi all

We've only recently got our new car, a 520D with 90ish K on the clock. It's fitted with run-flats, which I'm no fan of, but even less enthusiatic now that I've found a nail sticking in the tyre and giving slow puncture and have researched replacment tyre prices. To make it even more irritating, the tyre's only got about 500 miles on it.

A few things I'd apprecaate advice on:

- Can the tyres be repaired? The nail is very much to the side, still within the treated area but only just. My understanding is that this is a no-go, but keen to repair if possible. Is it possible to do this as a DIY job, or is it for properly trained and equipped persons (i.e. garage) only?

- Can I replace the tyres with non-run-flats? Not sure if dynamics would be unduly impacted, or whether the inflation warning system would be unhappy (run-flats generally operate at higher pressures). There's a spot in the well of the boot for a spacesaver which would be preferable to wrecking a tyre by having to drive it to the garage. I must admit I struggle to see the point of run-flats.

- I was planning upon replacing with the same tyre - A Goodyear Excellence - however any thoughts on alternatives would be useful.

All advice gratefully received

Cheers

Edited by mattie_uk on 18/11/2012 at 19:30

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Sun 18 Nov 2012 20:00

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - monian

I have a mini cooper with run flats and I picked up a nail which caused a slow puncture some time ago. I had the tyre repaired with no further problem. (Cost a fiver I seem to recall). This slow puncture showed up on the 'in car' display which I later reset.

Although I understand that you can replace run-flats with ordinary tyres and research on Google will quote drivers who successfully have done this, advice from BMW is that is that the set up is specifically designed for run-flats and any other set up can affect the handling dynamics. BMW are also quoted as not acknowledging under warantee clains in such cases.

Hope that this helps.

Ian

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Sun 18 Nov 2012 20:07

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - mattie_uk

Thanks Ian - I'll be going with a run-flat this time in order to get some use out of the other tyre (they were replaced as a pair) but I might opt for non run-flats as the car leaves warranty. I'll have to check the usual T&Cs for this, and couch around for opinion from other 5 series owners to hear if they've noted any undue handling characteristics.

Was the nail damage to the central part of the tyre, do you know? I gather the decision as to whether a tyre can be repaired is dictated in part by where the damage is, and anything on the sidewall is automatically a write-off. The damage on the tyre on my car is in a bit of a grey area by that criteria.

Edited by mattie_uk on 18/11/2012 at 20:08

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Sun 18 Nov 2012 21:30

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - gordonbennet

Was the nail damage to the central part of the tyre, do you know? I gather the decision as to whether a tyre can be repaired is dictated in part by where the damage is, and anything on the sidewall is automatically a write-off. The damage on the tyre on my car is in a bit of a grey area by that criteria.

A local tyre fitter will not be permitted nor equipped to repair a sidewall/shoulder and nor should he try to or advise on suitability, but a tyre repair specialist is a different case entirely, very few and far between though.

An online search might bring one up for you, if not i can recommend a company to at least enquire from about this subject...couple of companies i know of based in Northants where some of the early experts hailed from.

Its not something i can really advise about specifically, runflats were (sensibly imo) not in production when i learned the trade....though generally if any tyre has been run flat for more than a few yards then its for the scrap pile.

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Sun 18 Nov 2012 22:33

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - mattie_uk

Ta Gordon - as it happens, there's a place in Wick on the outskirts of Bristol that does this, and I live about 15 mins away so will give them a ring.

No idea how I'll get them the tyre though, as there's no spare wheel!

Any idea how the tyres drive after such a repair? I'd also be interested in costs, but I'll be ringing them anyway so should get an idea.

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Sun 18 Nov 2012 22:50

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - gordonbennet

Any idea how the tyres drive after such a repair? I'd also be interested in costs, but I'll be ringing them anyway so should get an idea

You won't notice anything different if its repaired properly, as for costs its been years but will depend on the severity of damage whether the repair is classed as major or minor, will definately be cost effective for a new tyre.

Glad to hear you have a local tyre repair service, hope they can sort it for you.

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Mon 19 Nov 2012 17:43

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - mattie_uk

The tyre repair place reckon they can repair it, but it's a bit of a mission with no spare as I'd have the leave the car up on blocks at the tyre fitter and get the wife to drive the removed tyre to the repairer. They're in adjacent towns, but a bit of a faff.

The fitter has agreed but is a touch reluctant, and has advised me that it will negate any warranty I might have with BMW.

This is all complicated by the fact that no stock of the replacement tyres are due into the country until the 29th (nicely done BMW, make us reliant upon a single source!) This is for the 98W load-rated Goodyear excellence, I could instead go for a Goodyear NCT5 Eagle (or something similarly named) with a load rating of 94W. This would be about £190 instead of £220 for the 98W, and although I could get that done in a few days it would mean odd tyres across the car which I'm not that comfortable with.

Tyre repair, all up, would be about £50, with some chance of lack of success. I could just inflate the tyre every time I need the car and hold on for the 29th. I'm also inclined to get a replacement but then get the old tyre repaired as a spare, to swap on should one of the others go.

I may be over-thinking this a bit!

Edited by mattie_uk on 19/11/2012 at 17:44

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Mon 19 Nov 2012 19:05

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - 659FBE

Your last comment speaks volumes.

The fact that BMW and some other manufacturers have contived to make a simple everyday misfortune (nail in tyre) into a logistical nightmare coupled with disproportionate expense speaks volumes.

Technology should never overwrite common sense. I'll stick to a commonly available tyre which is the same as the ones on the road, mounted on a wheel in the boot.

Same problem - overcome without comment or drama.

659.

Maybe we should run an automotive idiocy thread - anyone want to kick off? Maybe:

Run flat/no spare.
Electric handbrake.
Keyless entry/start.
Coded spare parts.
Service intervals which are not in the interests of longer term owners.
Diesel engines unfit for purpose (idling, 70 mph in 6th gear etc = DPF blockage).

Edited by 659FBE on 19/11/2012 at 19:07

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Mon 19 Nov 2012 19:32

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - madf

All of the above can be avoided by owners who do some research before buying. And if they did, makers would be forced to change..

As most owners don't even think about any research.. eg what is the cost of a new tyre - blame owners.

(See the Technical pages for examples of people who buy cars with NO research whatsoever)

Edited by madf on 19/11/2012 at 19:32

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Mon 19 Nov 2012 19:38

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - mattie_uk

Well, thanks for that, highly constructive.

It's actually an ex-fleet from my work, I suppose I could have opted to work for a company that doesn't buy cars with run-flat tyres. I'll remember to ask that at my next interview, maybe then BMW will get the message.

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Mon 19 Nov 2012 22:20

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - galileo

Well, thanks for that, highly constructive.

It's actually an ex-fleet from my work, I suppose I could have opted to work for a company that doesn't buy cars with run-flat tyres. I'll remember to ask that at my next interview, maybe then BMW will get the message.

Presumably as it was ex-fleet from your employer it was a bargain price, which is why you bought it? The saving you made may cover the cost and hassle of your current misfortune?

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Mon 19 Nov 2012 23:01

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - mattie_uk

To some extent, yes - but if I'm honest I wouldn't have chosen this car in the first instance,it's a really comfortable car but a bit big and not that nimble, it was only because we got such a generous price that we went for it.

Anyway, I think we may have reached a decision - we'll go for the 94W tyre (which will mean different across the car, but we'll have to live with it) and keep the old tyre to see if we can fix it and keep it for when the fronts need replacing. Just can't get the tyre to the repair centre, and can't wait until a week on thursday for the equivalent spares to become available.

Edited by mattie_uk on 19/11/2012 at 23:02

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Mon 19 Nov 2012 22:35

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - unthrottled

Diesel engines unfit for purpose (idling, 70 mph in 6th gear etc = DPF blockage).

As a diesel engineer I'm surprised to hear you say this. 70mph in 6th gear gives higher EGTs than 70 mph in 4th gear. Higher EGTs means less post injection requirement. Diesel EGTs are heavily dependant on load and only weakly dependant on RPM. Driving round at little more than a fast idle is a nightmare for DPFs, yet people purposely drive around in a low gear thinking that it will help the DPF regenerate. It makes the problem worse!

it's no good saying that DPFs are unfit for purpose. The only alternative is to remove diesel engines from sale entirely because without DPF they haven't a cat in hell's chance of meeting the emissions standards. It would be a shame to lose the efficiency of diesel just because some people can't resist buying an engine based upon their aspirations rather than their actual use.

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Fri 23 Nov 2012 15:07

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - mattie_uk

Hi all

Just to close this off - I had the 94W fitted and the garage gave me the damaged tyre to take for repair.

I'll be doing that in next few weeks - the front nearside tyre is getting a bit thin so it'll go back on there.

Cheers to all for comments.

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Fri 23 Nov 2012 18:17

BMW 520D (2009) - Run-flat tyres - repair and possible alternatives - gordonbennet

And thanks for coming back with the most important post, too few do.

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