I have two RSA's and one Pirelli runflat on my car. All have bubbles, and the Pirelli now holds zero air because of the bead breaking where the bubble is. Are there any service bulletins about this type of problem? I had pirelli's on my previous MCS and those too had bubbles in the sidewalls, but held air. The tread depth on my three runflat tires are all more than passable, so I am a little upset about that . I already searched for similar threads, but found nothing, therefore I am posting.
Chris

 

Sounds like sidewall damage from potholes and such.

 

I've only experienced one, but as Scott said, it's a result of the sidewall structure breaking down under impact (aka pothole.)
Chalk it up to the learning curve of making runflats - they're pretty new technology.
FWIW, not good to mix summer/all-season tires on the same car - will result in unpredictable handling.

 

I was driving through some street construction in downtown Chicago and came across a shallow trench. I drove through as gently as possible, like many other vehicles. When I got home I saw identical damage on the side walls of both front wheels. Looked like tumors (say it like Arnold S.). Went to a few places to assess, and all agreed, they needed replacing. Then I remembered I signed on for that "Multi Sheild Protection Package" with the MINI Dealer. Replacing 2 run flat tires for free already paid for the package. Then a week later same thing happened, just on one tire this time. FYI, the run flats, per the package I purchased, has to be dealer stock, and that is in my case 17" Goodyear Eagle - High Performance All Season. So I'm guessing its not the brand, but rather the class of tire.

Your gonna have to replace them.

Good luck with that.

 

Thanks. I got two used potenzas for free, 225 45 r 17. Does anyone know if these will fit? they will be on the rear.

 

Don't replace them, get non-run flats instead.

 

We know what Luvyellow's opinion is . Is it worth the extra cost to have run flats opposed to regular?

 

Had 'em. Used 'em. Ran the snot out of 'em. Didn't like 'em. Replaced 'em.
Happy now.

 

Dig that....I agree 100 %

I just sold 3 new run flats for 100.00 just to get them off my car.
Bad tread life, DSC came on all the time, all around sucked.
Plus at $230.00 to $300.00 a tire...HAHAHA I got the tires below and a rear sway bar....

PA roads suck and I did not dare go into city. "Philly"

(4) new tires

Falken Ziex ZE-912
Mileage Warranty: 40,000 milesUTQG: 360AA
YAY Rides so much better and DSC only comes on when REALLY needed.(snow)

If I get a flat...I got a $30 air compressor in the boot where the 12v outlet is...

I have never ever had a 189 mph NASCAR tire blowout either....hehehe

 

my two front Pirellis bubbled and didn't hold air.
So not i have non-runflat on the fronts and runflats in the rear and I can't
tell you how much better it is. I can't wait till I replace the rears as well.

It rides soooooo much better, handles better, and costs way less.

 

runflats are craptacular. get conventionals (and a can of FixAFlat). U wont regret it

 

FIRST POST.

A few questions regarding the runflat tires on my 2005 Mini Cooper S:
Pirelli OEM 17" runflats.

(1) What are bubbles on the tires? What does it look like?
(2) All of my tires were ~20 psi last night. I pumped it up to 35 psi (is that still too low)?
(3) I have 25,000 miles on it. Do my tires still have resale value? I want to get non-runflats. The ride of the runflats is too harsh for me.

 

1) Here are a few examples of bubbles in tires, some more severe than others.





Megabubble!




2) 36 PSI is a tad high (Expect to see pressures closer to 40-42 after you drive for a bit, as the tires get hot, the pressure WILL go up). I run my tires at 32 front and 34 rear on the street for traction purposes.

3) Used tires in general have very little resale value. Even with 1500 miles on them they've already lost a lot of their value. Runflats are also an undesirable "Upgrade". Most people try to get rid of them. I'd think you could probably sell all 4 tires for 75-100 locally. Shipping would be silly.

 

Thanks!
1. Wow, they are real bubbles. EEK. Glad I don't have those.
2. I guess I'll let a little air out and bring them down to 33 psi.
3. Let's see what craigslist or the tire store will do for me.

Also:
4. I've been losing air in all the tires. I've had to put air in the tires almost every other week now. On two of them, I had the dealer rebead (?) them. How often do you guys air the tires?

 

Shouldn't need to fill air any more than once a month or so. 1-2 PSI a week is pretty standard I'd say. Any more than that and you've got an issue. Check with the dealer on the rims. It's possible that one or more of your rims is bent (Allowing air to escape). The valves could also be bad.

 

Thanks again. I need to take the car in for servicing anyway (the passenger door won't unlock when you pull on the door handle; I think one too many passengers pulled on it too hard when the door didn't open on the first pull), so I'll ask the dealer to inspect the tires and the wheel.

I might still go ahead and get non-runflats soon.

 

I had runflats and after 12K one tire had a visible bubble and shortly thereafter a different tire blew and shredded.
Then when I had new non-flat Michelins put on, they found a 3rd tire with a bubble onthe inside wall.
Now I have a quieter ride, better gas mileage and I have kept the ony good run flat as a spare if needed.
terry wallace

 

Artoo got a bubble on the front right the first weekend we were together. It was not like the one pictured earlier in the thread but it bothered me. That said I put 35000 miles on it before I tossed them for P Zeros which were much stickier, quieter and cheaper. I now have 35,000 on the Pirellis with not a bubble to be seen. I do a fair bit of driving and have not had a flat in years but do have AAA just in case. I also carry a flat fix kit but fortunately I never had to use it. I know it’s a gamble and have considered getting a small spare for long trips and a small compressor but frankly I have not and don’t think about it much anymore.

The bottom line is ditch the runflats and do whatever you need to for peace of mind. You won’t regret it.

Rich

 

25K miles and we have had zero issues with runflats. We've even had two flats and the TPMS worked as advertised. Both flats were fixed by Goodyear for FREE under their warranty.

That said, I'll admit the runflats are noisy tires. We'll stick with them when we have to replace tires, but I might look for newer models of tires on the theory that the technology has probably improved over time.

 

Not entirely happy with the run flats on my '07 MCS. They are noisy and the tread wear and 10,000 miles appears that that I might only get 20,000 miles on them. I see some folks opting non run flats. If I get non run flats is there a kit that allows for convenient storage of a spare? or is a tire repair kit the best option?

 

It is possible to fit a donut spare in the back of the car without to much trouble. However if you are just driving around town a compressor and slime should be adequate.

 

Is that for real??? Whoa!