Got my first flat yesterday - fortunately it was in my garage . But I can see what a ***** it would be to be far away or on my way and get a flat. I know there is the can of goop but I've heard it doesn't always work very well. There should be some type of collapsable spare. I know some guys have figured something out for this - I'll have to do some research.

Anyway, it was flat bedded to the dealer and they called a few hours later saying there was no reason to replace the tire ($400 from dealer $300 from tirerack) that they could fix it from the inside and would be as good as new. I told the SA that my car is not a daily driver but when driven is driven extremely hard. Mid triple digit speeds are common and I would rather buy a new tire than take any chances. He said no concerns at all and they fixed it. I'm a little nervous. Should I have had it replaced? I can't imagine them fixing it if there was any question, not to mention they would get to sell me a new tire. What do you think?

 

If it's a mushroom plug installed from the inside it will probably be fine, even at those speeds. Because the widest part of the plug is inside, the centrifical force of the wheel spinning holds it in. It cannot be blasted out of the hole.

I had a mushroom plug installed right in the middle of my sportbike rear tire and the bike saw 185 on a dyno and it didn't come out. I would not worry about it if done correctly (ie lots of glue).

 

Wouldn't bother me.
I've got a plug in one of mine.

 

I hear you guys. But if I'm frequently driving mid triple digit speeds in my car, I'm replacing rather than repairing the tire. A lot happens, and quickly, at those speeds. Even if the tire would never fail, as it probably wouldn't, it's just one less thing to even think about.

 

You can take this for what it's worth but a tire guy once told me that plugs were unsafe and the only acceptable repair was a patch placed inside with the tire off the rim.

My .02 here is that if you are driving mid triple digit speeds, why not just replace the tire for safety's sake? It has to be $300-400 at most for an E55 and that's a small price to pay for piece of mind.

 

The old saying, " a chain is as strong as it's weakest link" comes to mind. I would replace the tire.

 

So, If i'm hearing this correctly there are two ways to fix this? A plug or remove the tire from the wheel and repair from the inside?

This is what the work order says: "Found a large screw in the tread. Dismount tire and remove screw. Patch tire from the inside. Mount tire and perform roadforce balance".

 

There are two ways to fix a tire, a plug or a patch. A plug is exactly what it sounds like. Something that's inserted into the hole and plugs it up like a cork for a wine bottle. It can be done from the inside or the outside. A patch is again exactly what it sounds like, it actually covers the hole, like a patch for a pair of jeans, rather than being inserted into the hole. This can only be done from the inside.

Although it certainly looks like you got the better of the two methods, you might still want to replace your tire. If you think about it, tires are rated for a certain speed rating based on them being intact and undamaged. Once you get into "mid triple digit" speeds, you are talking about a speed where "regular" non speed rated tires that are new and perfect can fail.

 

Thanks for the explanation