Thought I had a bad wheel bearing... i rotated wheels from back to front and in the process I found a nail embedded in the tire. Just to be sure I continued the wheel swap and drove the car. The noise that was in the back moved to the front. So it is the tire. Now, I left the nail in because i needed to drive back home. It is still holding air but i want to make it right. My question is this, should I buy 4 non-runflats or get one runflat? I am interested in getting non-runflats. My idea is get to all weather non runflats on the 17" s-lites. What tire would be a good tire to get if I went with a non-run flat all season? In the spring i am thinking of getting a "summer" wheelset... new wheels and high performance tires.

 

"It depends"!

For the most economical way to go (and the most boring), if the nail isn't within about 1/2" of the sidewall, just head to a GOOD service station and have the current tire patched (not plugged, unless the plug has an internal patch as well), and drive on. This entails removing the tire from the rim, call the service center before heading out to make sure they'll repair a 17" RunFlat (it requires a good tire machine and a competent tech). Hopefully they don't hear "runflat" and see you as a "mark" from whom LOTS of money can be extracted for a new tire. If they insist that runflats can't be repaired (assuming the nail is pretty centered in the tread), go elsewhere - unless it's a BIG nail that's separated the belts or something. If it's drywal screw size and not near the sidewall it can be repaired. Total cost = $15-30 with balancing.

Next best: Replace all 4 with non runflats AND eBay the runflats. (or post up in the NAM marketplace). On eBay those things sell pretty quick for good money, in our Marketplace they don't command as much money but the buyers are way cooler (and likely more reliable).

Another option: Repair the tire and sell the SET - only problem is that S-lites don't command much money around here - they look great with the Mini but are heavier than other alternatives. eBay may be the best outlet there.

Non-runflats mean stopping pretty quickly if you have a flat, but carrying a plug kit, compressor, some Slime (or a can of Fix-a-Flat) helps. I'm taking a middle ground, buying Michelin Pilot Exalto PS2's in an extended load rating (88W), which will give me *some* mobility if they flat - due to the stronger sidewalls - but aren't true "runflats" and aren't as heavy.

NOTE: The above is assuming you've got tire pressure now and aren't running around on the sidewals (relying on the tire structure, not air pressure, to get you by). If you've been running around at zero pressure, then you may indeed compromise the structure of teh sidewall and need a new tire. In that case, ditch the Runflats for a decent set of non-runflats and eBay the spares.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

 

cool... thanks! My plan was/is to get a different set of wheels for the summer and set the s-lites up with a more all season tire for the winter. That is good to know I can get the runflat repaired because it is relatively new. I have not driven on it without air. The nail is in there and the tire is not really lossing air.