Author Topic: Stuck in middle of nowhere with a flat Runflat tire (Read 15594 times)

Ottawa · « **on:** July 03, 2020, 10:35:17 pm »

Hi
Long story short....on an extended Canada day vacation in the mountains in Quebec. Car has a flat and on spare ( runflat tires). It is Friday night and I am running out of options. BMW care center says they can tow the car to dealer close to Montreal. We live in Ottawa. Need to be back to work on Monday. Tire has a screw in the middle of the tire. (Nowhere near the walls). Not too many options where I am. Any advice? Distance to home : 180 kms

HeliDriver · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2020, 10:51:40 pm »

Have a local tire shop put a plug in it. Might not be a proper fix, but should get you home if you take it easy. Buy a new tire once you’re home if necessary.

You could even buy a plug kit at Cdn Tire & do it yourself. Again, not a proper fix, but I’d give it a go just to get me home.

Gurgie · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2020, 10:53:32 pm »

Guessing you're around Tremblant, call someone tomorrow at a garage in Tremblant & they can send someone to patch your tire. If you drive on it to a shop the tire I'm pretty sure the tire will be toast. But you can go around 80kms on it while keeping the speed below 80km/hr.

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

Slow_lane · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2020, 02:58:26 pm »

More proof that %4*#@% runs flats are a really stupid idea. Not only because of situation you are in. They are expensive, rough riding and poor wearing.

Give me regular tires and a spare any day. My BMW is a 2011 but I am sure BMW is still sticking with this idea. In future will not buy a car that has no spare tire (or at least room to put one in).

With regards to your situation I agree I would get it plugged and drive home.

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2020, 04:01:07 pm »

i'm pretty sure BMWs run run flats...one of my coworkers had to replace their tires and the factory tires were run flats (and that's what they sold her to replace them).

Allen · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2020, 04:08:33 pm »

BMW and Mini use nothing but run flats now. One of the reasons I won't consider BMW

HeliDriver · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2020, 04:26:45 pm »

Quote from: Allen on July 04, 2020, 04:08:33 pm

BMW and Mini use nothing but run flats now. One of the reasons I won't consider BMW

Meh, it’s just tires. Twice I’ve taken crappy OE tires off a brand-new car and replaced them with something good. And I bet you’d even get decent money on Kijiji for the run flats.

2JDM · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2020, 05:47:15 pm »

Yep, got a bubble in each of my rear Goodyear run-flats 2 days after I bought my car. Replaced all 4 with Michelin Pilot Sport AS2's, and sold the 2 fronts for $100, with 45k on them. The tires were so much quieter and rode much better with little sacrifice for handling.

dkaz · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2020, 05:51:17 pm »

Although I carry a spare in the event of a blowout or I've been driving on a flat tire for too long, I prefer carrying a portable air compressor and a plug kit.

Allen · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2020, 06:09:45 pm »

There is no accommodation for a spare on a BMW, weight reduction to meet stupid mpg claims

ktm525 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2020, 06:21:48 pm »

Quote from: DKaz on July 04, 2020, 05:51:17 pm

Although I carry a spare in the event of a blowout or I've been driving on a flat tire for too long, I prefer carrying a portable air compressor and a plug kit.

x2. Try to fix with plugs and compressor, if not then spare. Run flats are stupid and autos without spares are even stupider.

Even temp donuts are ridiculous. Full size spares only.

dkaz · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2020, 07:07:20 pm »

Quote from: ktm525 on July 04, 2020, 06:21:48 pm

x2. Try to fix with plugs and compressor, if not then spare. Run flats are stupid and autos without spares are even stupider. Even temp donuts are ridiculous. Full size spares only.

Most cars only have room for compact donuts unfortunately, so with a plug kit and compressor, we're not hobbling along at 80 km/h.

Full size spare, I'd use the spare.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2020, 07:44:47 pm »

The GTI has a full-size spare, but it’s still got a giant, yellow “limited to 80 km/h” sticker on it. It’s a totally normal tire, so not sure why, but probably because it’s a 205/55R16 and not a 225/45R17 like the others. I only had to use it once, and didn’t feel like I was being too crazy reckless driving at 100 km/h for an hour or so to the next tire shop.

A spare is nice to have, but I think I’d be comfortable enough with a 12V compressor and plenty of tire goop instead.

ktm525 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2020, 01:14:42 am »

Small cars with massive wheels strikes again.

Slow_lane · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2020, 09:10:19 am »

Quote from: Allen on July 04, 2020, 06:09:45 pm

There is no accommodation for a spare on a BMW, weight reduction to meet stupid mpg claims

The crazy thing is I do not think there is any weight savings at all. I do my own seasonal tire change overs and I can tell you the run flats weigh a ton thanks to thick side walls. I suspect have run flats and no spare end up in, a weight gain. It makes no sense. I suspect BMW likes them as many BMW owners source out replacement tires from the dealer. So it is a cash cow.

You are correct that just changing tires on BMW does not resolve the problem as my 328 has no place to put a spare. I have a compact spare suspended by straps in the trunk. Reduces an already small trunk. Makes folding seats almost impossible.

Quote from: DKaz on July 04, 2020, 05:51:17 pm

Although I carry a spare in the event of a blowout or I've been driving on a flat tire for too long, I prefer carrying a portable air compressor and a plug kit.

Living in Montreal I have had at least 4 flats since around 2010. Three tires were blown thanks to potholes and one was due to hitting road debris on highway. in every single instance the sidewall of the tire was sliced open. So a plug kit and an air compressor would have done nothing.

Interestingly, the road debris I hit was a 6 foot piece of angle iron on the highway. Tire blew out and I was on side of highway with 4 or 5 other cars who hit the same item. I had my old Mazda which had a spare and I was on my way in 10 minutes.

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2020, 10:07:17 am »

Quote from: ktm525 on July 05, 2020, 01:14:42 am

Small cars with massive wheels strikes again.

massive wheels aren't exclusive to small cars...it's the norm now...but i agree, it's silly.

dkaz · « **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2020, 10:13:21 am »

Quote from: HeliDriver on July 04, 2020, 07:44:47 pm

The GTI has a full-size spare, but it’s still got a giant, yellow “limited to 80 km/h” sticker on it. It’s a totally normal tire, so not sure why, but probably because it’s a 205/55R16 and not a 225/45R17 like the others. I only had to use it once, and didn’t feel like I was being too crazy reckless driving at 100 km/h for an hour or so to the next tire shop.

A spare is nice to have, but I think I’d be comfortable enough with a 12V compressor and plenty of tire goop instead.

Both my cars run 205/55R16. Maybe it’s not a proper tire? I’d slap a cheap tire on speed rated for your vehicle. Or get a fifth alloy wheel and do a five tire rotation pattern. This is better if you have an asymmetrical or non directional tread pattern.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2020, 10:20:21 am »

^^ Yep, it’s a totally normal tire. Can’t remember exactly, but some kind of all season mounted on an also normal steel rim. Nah, I’m not going to change it out. It’s more than adequate for the purpose.

Quote from: ktm525 on July 05, 2020, 01:14:42 am

Small cars with massive wheels strikes again.

I went through the whole thread again and can’t figure this comment out. You talking about my 17” rims?

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2020, 10:44:11 am »

Quote from: HeliDriver on July 05, 2020, 10:20:21 am

Quote from: ktm525 on July 05, 2020, 01:14:42 am
Small cars with massive wheels strikes again.

I went through the whole thread again and can’t figure this comment out. You talking about my 17” rims?

it's likely about cars like my Kia Rio5 with 205/45/17 tires...they look cool, but it really is dumb.

dkaz · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2020, 11:11:47 am »

They do handle better with less sidewall flex to contend with, but at the incremental cost of comfort, acceleration, and fuel economy. The last one is the main reason I stick with the smallest wheels I can get for my cars. I also don't like having to be paranoid about not curbing my wheels.