Run Flat Tyre - A Bulge has Appeared.

[Geneve]

I've noticed a bulge in the o/s rear tyre wall on my 56 Cooper.

It's only done 6000 miles and there's no accountable reason for it.

Called the dealer and they said - tyre is damaged, probably hit something, needs a new tyre, I must pay.

Is this correct? I've never had this in 500,000 miles of normal tyres.

(BTW, This is the second tyre to be replaced on this car. First one had an un-repairable puncture. What exactly are the benefits of run flats )

[softtop]

Geneve said:

What exactly are the benefits of run flats )

The clue is in the name and where would you put a spare?

[Geneve]

Yes, but two tyre failures in 6,000 miles

And why the bulge in the sidewall? What causes that?

[Twit]

It just happens sometimes, I've had it on an old car and yes you do have the change the tyre.

As for run flats, bin them and carry a can of tyre repair. When I got a puncture on my run flats I was quoted the best part of 200 quid for a single tyre so used that as an excuse to justify changing all the the wheels and tyres for proper ones....

[PH5121]

I had the same problem with a bulge appearing on both nearside tyres which was caused by a pot hole.
Just bad look.

[Geneve]

Most conventional tyres should be able to cope with a pot hole

Roughly how much is a new Dunlop 205/45Rx17 'Run Flat'?

[Twit]

About 200 quid from local dealer, they are not cheap at all. Shop around and you will probably find it cheaper but it'll still be more expensive than a non run flat.

[Jolly]

My 1st gen MINI had to have a new 17" runflat just after Christmas due to a nail puncturing the tyre. After looking around at a few places it cost £135 inc fitting.

As said, not cheap at all. Mind you KwikFit wanted £180.

[Geneve]

Yes, ProTyre have quoted £135 inclusive

[Jolly]

Just ordered two new Dunlop SPSport 9000 tyres for £125 each inc fitting and balancing. Should be fitted next week.

They've managed 14,000 miles with a diesel engine up front. Don't know if thats good or bad but they are going to go past the tread markers soon.

James.

[Eifion]

Dump the run-flats, they are really bad and expensive to boot. I am replacing mine this week with Falken ZE512s, which are highly recommended-can't wait.

[TimJMS]

Geneve said:

... What exactly are the benefits of run flats )

There are none. I'd prefer it if BMW went back to including the compressor / foam solution. The fact that mine has arrived with 4 run on flats almost broke the deal for me. I ran a 535d for two years. This was the first production car to utilise this new tyre technology and it, in conjunction with a dodgy pressure monitoring system caused three blow outs in two years. You lose the ability to make a simple visual inspection to determine if a tyre needs air. The only way to check, and check you must is to routinely take pressure readings with a decent gauge.

I will be replacing them at the earliest opportunity, and they can go back on at selling time.

[spice]

so in the mini goes as tyre pressure light is on, " ummmm you need tracking sir" £280 just got a call "got a nail in offside rear and the two fronts have worn on the wall so will need 3 tyres before tracking sir" at £155 +vat each.Told them to just wash it, car only just done 10k, so into my local ATS for a new tyre £130 (205x45-17) and £30 worth of tracking and swap tyres about, should do the trick