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I'm not sure but I believe it has to do with the fact that the sidewall is designed to flex a lot and there isn't nearly as much strength in the sidewall as compared to the main tread surface.
I've heard it said that it is "law" but absolutely can't confirm that but can confirm that no reputable tire repair will plug or patch a sidewall and usually not within 1/2 inch of the edge of the tread.
found this on a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration page (part of DOT) Punctures through the tread can be repaired if they are not too large, but punctures to the sidewall should not be repaired. Not exactly a stern rule but a policy statement anyway....
In CA, by law, you cannot repair a hole in the sidewall. That's gospel. The sidewall withstands the most pressure when the weight of the car is upon it.
__________________ 2006 MCS-JCW No. 15543, BRG/W, Sport Pack, Chrono Pack, M7 SRP I love deadlines. I love the "whooshing" sound they make when they go by. - Doug Adams ambientpixel@mac.com
In CA, by law, you cannot repair a hole in the sidewall. That's gospel. The sidewall withstands the most pressure when the weight of the car is upon it.
can you provide the statute???? Quote the regulation???? Who is tasked with enforcement???
Why are you so excited??? I'm looking for it??? When I worked in a repair shop we were forbidden to repair sidewalls???
__________________ 2006 MCS-JCW No. 15543, BRG/W, Sport Pack, Chrono Pack, M7 SRP I love deadlines. I love the "whooshing" sound they make when they go by. - Doug Adams ambientpixel@mac.com
it's a tire conspiracy!!! must be buschs' fault . side walls if i remember are 2 ply and under tread is 4 ply . when you tear or get a hole in side wall ; the tire will quickly degrade . and rip apart and kill everyone in your vicinity when you roll and flip into oncoming traffic;but a plug would be cheaper .
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HERBIE HIND
04 mcs hai, 15%, alta full,mm oil cooler, auto meters, modded bpv,konig 16's ,faulkins,tex spd wrks rotors , m7 strut brace . webb head, methanol inj.380cc helix's,giac tune. m7 cc .
What year is your mini. The TPMS system in the earlier one works by comparing rotational speed of the tires, the one that is moving faster is the one that is low on pressure. This of course requires you be moving, so if you arent you will not get a light.
__________________ '05 HB/B MCS.
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Tire sidewalls are too thin and have too much flexibility in them to allow a proper repair. Any repair to the sidewall will quickly degrade as the sidewall flexes and separates from the repair. A plug in the sidewall would be futile as the rubber is thinnest at the sidewalls and the plug would soon loose adhesion to the sidewall rubber. I always prefer a patch to a plug (in the tread). Plugs are great for getting you to a service station or tire repair shop, but I wouldn't bet the farm on a plug alone; patch it...but I digress.
I would, IMHO, just suck it up and replace the tire.
Cristo .... and his trusty BRG/BRG MC Bliksem 
'79; 02 S {02 - 09}, 07 S
'05 HB/B MCS. 
