So I'm driving home the other day with the windows rolled down and I hear this noise. When I park, I check the tires hoping it's a pebble stuck between the grooves...nope...it's a screw. I then start to remove it w/ some pliers hoping it didn't go through since it's in the meatiest part of the tread...sssss...yup, it punctured through.

So here are my options, from cheapest fix to most expensive:
a) Take it someplace to have it patched. I called Lex Brodie's (Queen St) and they said they don't patch run-flats. Does anyone know a shop that does?
b) Buy a used stock 16" wheel. Anyone (on Oahu) selling a wheel w/ the Dunlop run-flat tire and silver 5-star rim?
c) Replace the tire. I was planning to change the tires anyway in a few months because they're reaching their lifespan and I hate the run-flats. Now it may be sooner than later for the change. Does anyone know where I can get (locally) stock sized 16" nonrun-flats?

Thanks for any help.

 

Sorry to hear about the attack of the killer screw on your tire.

If you want to replace all four tires to non runflats you might check with tiresdirect at the old costco tire shop site in Salt Lake. 422-6303 and talk to Jeff or Mitchell. Tell them you are with the MINI club and I referred you(ask for a discount since you are looking at a set of four). They carry Yokohama tires.

For 16" rims you don't have to go with stock 195/55-16 tires. Consider 205/50-16, 205/55-16, or 215/50-16. Switching to non runflats will give you a much smoother ride.

 

You can try and get in touch with DaKineMINI. He has the V Spokes off my MCS and uses them for track wheels. I have no idea what he did with the runflats.

 

I don't know if they operate in Hawaii, but Big O Tires here in Vegas happily patched one of my 16" runflats.

 

Before i sold my run flats long while ago, i had nail puncture also. I bought plug kit and just plugged the tire and it worked fine.

 

Thanks for all the PMs, suggestions and offers.
I ended up having it fixed at Goodyear, near the Keeamoku Walmart,(which Sears actually recommended since they didn't want to touch runflats because they didn't have the tools). Goodyear gave me an estimate of $25 to patch, but they ended up plugging it instead for $12 . At first, I was kinda hesitant about the plug. But the guy there acknowledged that he has seen some plugs leak because they were either not prepped right or the plug kit was of poor quality. He explained to me that they ream the hole first so it bonds properly, then use a plug that is made up of the exact same material as the Dunlop (and since they sell Dunlops I believed him).

After picking the wheel up I mounted it to the rear instead.
If you have a plugged or patched tire, it should be at the back - you want your best tires at the front for steering control.

I'll see how it goes. If it holds up, great. If not, I only spent about 2 plate lunches...and I got to clean my wheel wells.

 

--hey Sullivan, did they patch it with a black plug or an orange stringy type? Just wondering. thanks.

--pyratio

 

I think it was black or dark grey, but definitely not orange.

 

double check your thinking on the best tires up front. All the major tire mfgs. are now saying to put the best two to the rear. The boys at GoodYear should've told you that. There have been technical bulletins posted and threads on this site as well about where the best two tires should be placed.

Later