[Gamyr]

I am returning my 2019 BMW 330xi lease in ~6 months. Tires are all-season run-flat tire Bridgestone Turanza LS100 A - 225/45 R18 H95 (18" V-spoke, style 780), and now one tire has a flat. My mechanic said he can patch/plug it (tread/groove; not sidewall). I did notice the tire pressure go down to 2 psi while driving.
Can I/should I plug/patch the run flat tire? Pros/Cons? Safe?
This has happened to me 3 times before (replaced them with new tires previously), so I have 3 tires which are patchable, per the mechanic.
Thoughts? Thank you!

[trife.]

I plugged a run flat on my previous car and drove 10k miles on it without issue. Some will say not to plug it but it's done all the time without issue. Personally I feel like if the tire guys say it's cool it's likely okay.

[Gamyr]

Is it better to plug or patch?
What is the worst that could happen if I plug/patch it?

[Ugly Kar]

I've had a plug come out, but rare. A patch on the inside is almost like new. People who want to sell a lot of tires will say don't patch a RFT, but I say BS.

[SpeedyATL]

I don't think pluging or patching would be your issue. Driving without air will damage the sidewalls of the tire, even run flats. Since you saw as low as 2 psi, that would concern me.

Had you not seen such a low pressure, patching is always better than a plug, but plugs are generally fine in the tread, never in the sidewall. Plugs are fine for motorcycle tires and the stresses, pressures and liabilities are a lot higher there, so...

For a leased car, I'd definitely patch over plug as the receiving dealer might see the plug and ding you for it, but they will never see a patch unless there is visible damage to the tire, in which case you are hosed.

[Gamyr]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

I don't think pluging or patching would be your issue. Driving without air will damage the sidewalls of the tire, even run flats. Since you saw as low as 2 psi, that would concern me.

Had you not seen such a low pressure, patching is always better than a plug, but plugs are generally fine in the tread, never in the sidewall. Plugs are fine for motorcycle tires and the stresses, pressures and liabilities are a lot higher there, so...

For a leased car, I'd definitely patch over plug as the receiving dealer might see the plug and ding you for it, but they will never see a patch unless there is visible damage to the tire, in which case you are hosed.

If the dealer won't see the plug, can I plug it instead?

[Bc2005]

If the tire went flat when parked, there is no additional damage - it’s just a hole. If you drove 50 miles on a flat tire, damage is definitely possible.

I have had one run-flat plugged with no issues. Unless the lease vehicle inspection is really rigorous (unlikely for a mechanic who has no stake in the deal), a plug is very hard to see unless they leave the “tail” of the plug sticking out, and that can be trimmed tightly to the tire. However, a patch is still recommended over a plug, and most shops don’t charge that much more.

I have one tire that recently lost about 6 lbs pressure and I was trying to look for nails with it parked in the driveway. It is a slow process driving back and forth, and you can only see a small part of the tire without almost standing on your head. Unless they put your car on a lift to inspect it (maybe?) tires tread is hard to view.

[BMR_CK]

Originally Posted by Gamyr

If the dealer won't see the plug, can I plug it instead?

I would plug it. If they find it (unlikely) then deal with it.

[dnewt]

You can plug a run-flat if you didn't abuse the tire by going too fast or too long on it. Done it on my cars before at the local shop, they had no issues with it as long as the puncture isn't too close to the sidewall.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

I don't think pluging or patching would be your issue. Driving without air will damage the sidewalls of the tire, even run flats. Since you saw as low as 2 psi, that would concern me.

Had you not seen such a low pressure, patching is always better than a plug, but plugs are generally fine in the tread, never in the sidewall. Plugs are fine for motorcycle tires and the stresses, pressures and liabilities are a lot higher there, so...

For a leased car, I'd definitely patch over plug as the receiving dealer might see the plug and ding you for it, but they will never see a patch unless there is visible damage to the tire, in which case you are hosed.

I realize this is an old thread.

+1 - if the tire was driven pretty much any distance with 2 psi there is no doubt the sidewall is damaged and the tire should be replaced.

[RCook]

In a past BMW, an E90, I had put on Continent RFs. Dealer had a great price (!) and had 4 replaced at a service, when they did it for 4 years free.

One tire got a big bolt in it nearly a year later. Called Continent, and they said the tire was warranted for a year for any reason.

The BMW dealer had never heard of that. The service writer talked to Continental while was standing there. Sure enough, I got two new tires, and they paid the dealer for mounting and balancing. Not sure it the policy is still in existence or if it was only Continental.

With my current car, a CPO 330i, the dealer had replaced tires as part of the certification. This time Bridgestone. I noted serial numbers and registered the tires. Not sure if I will be as luck as I was with the Continentals

Worth keeping in mind...

[Assassin]

If you drove with tyre at 2psi for any distance or at any speed above a crawl the carcass of the tyre, rather than just the hole will almost certainly be damaged as it will have run very hot due to all the increased flexing thus creating a safety issue. Weakened sidewalls may then blow out at speed or at best not retain their proper RFT performance it you get another puncture. That may result in you/ your family being injured, or worse. Additionally, if you return the car and "get away with it" what happens if the next owner has a serious accident and the damaged tyre was deemed to be a contributing factor? I know people love to sue in the US........ so how lucky do you feel?

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

The right way to do it is to plug AND patch.

[g20_wumbo]

I've patched up my run flat tire. Tire was completely fine afterwards and drove with it like that for a long time. I say do it!

[Soul_Glo]

Old thread necro. For what it’s worth I have had a plug last 25k miles. Another made 17k.

[rmedina]

2800 miles on my new 340i and boom I got a nail
I've never plugged a RF before, but I'm doing it tomorrow morning. I don't anticipate any issues.

[EBS0712]

I've plugged a run-flat in the past. The stealer will not do it but an independent tire shop did with no issues.

[JABCAT]

I've had a plugged rft on my '22 for 15k mi or so, no issues. I wouldn't plug a tire (any tire) on my Z06 due to the very low original tread depth, but on the Bimmer or my other vehicles, it's not an issue.