Richard in NC

Well guys, I may get to use the M blow me system and/or road side assistance. I discovered a nail in the tire when I got home this evening. It is in the inside edge of the tread of a front tire. Because of the location, I'd only patch/plug it in an emergency (ie not being able to get a replacement for a week).

So far, I have not lost a drop of air. Once the nail is out, who knows if the M blow me goop would allow it to hold air. Of course I discovered this 5 minutes after the service department of the local BMW dealership closed. I'll have to wait until morning to see if they have a Michelin Pilot Sport in stock. I have heard that they are hard to come by lately.

I've got 7500 miles and one track event on the tires so should I get both fronts? The outside edges are pretty worn but the tread is still good for another 10-15K??? Does road side assistance cover the cost of the one tire? It would be nice but I doubt it.

Would you guys risk driving the car and getting a blow out? Or risk flat bedding the car and messing something up if they don't know what they are doing?

Thanx in advance for any suggestions.

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Richard
NEW 2008 550i Space Gray, Creme Biege/Black/Dk Poplar : Sport Package, Cold Weather, Sport Auto, Nav, HUD, CA, Logic 7, iPod/USB, SAT, HD Radio, Lane departure warning
'06 X3 Black Sapphire/Tan PP, Steptronic, Xexons, Heated seats, Privacy glass, UGDO, Compass, bike rack, iPod adapter
Sold '06 650i Black Sapphire/Cream Beige sport package, 6 speed
'02 M5 Titanium Silver/Black Luxury/Burl

dwasifar

I wouldn't drive it with the nail in it.

Replace both fronts and keep the undamaged remaining one in your garage for the next time this happens.

Jim Dolan

I wouldn't be afraid to drive on it. If the nail is in the side wall the tire needs to be replaced. For that purpose you can drive to the dealer or a local tire shop. I wouldn't flat bed it because of possible damage in route or getting it on or off the flat bed truck. If the nail is in the flat tread area of the tire removing the tire and patching should be OK.

I surprised you need fronts before the rears on this car. Most of us have to replace the rears first, you ought to get 20K out of the fronts.

I've got almost 11k on mine and replaced the rears at 10k but the fronts look good.

BTW, if you intend to track the car, I would replace both fronts if you have to replace the one with nail.

And if you haven't lost air the nail may not have gone through, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be concerned. Still could have damaged the belts.

So based on your intended use, you may be able to save the cost of two new fronts.

__________________
Jim

2006 Silver Gray Metallic over Black
The "Wolf in Sheeps Clothing" is back in the USA again

1971 2002 Colorado(Light Orange)
1976 2002 Inka(Red orange, a classic)
1982 528e Blue metallic
1984 533i Burgandy
1987 325i Alpine white
1988 535is Salmon silver
1993 525iT Calypso red
1999 528iT Titanium silver
2000 M5 Titanium silver
2006 M5 Silvergray

GNALUZU

You're not actually going to buy a tire from the dealership are you??? I bet for the price that the dealer charges you could get two from Discount Tire, or Tirerack.com

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GNALUZU

'03 M3 w/ SMG
-SuperSprint Race Exhaust
-Ground Control Street/Race Adjustable Camber Plates
-RRT Brake Cooling Kit
-PowerSlot Slotted Rotors
-Cobalt Friction Spec VR race pads (track use only)
-18x9.5 Comp SSRs wrapped in Dunlop Super Sport R Compound (track use only)

Jim Dolan

Not necessarily, I got two rear tires (Dunlops) for $675. installed and balanced. That doesn't mean every one can get that deal but is worth a try.
Let you local tire store scratch a rim and your out an extra $500, If the dealer does it you get a new one free. Tire rack in December had those tires for $354 each and later reduced the price. There may have been a shortage???? They used to be about $270 for the rears. Needless to say I was greatful for the dealer doing it.

PhilSeastrand

Buy the tires at TireRack and have the dealer install them. They will still guarentee the rims. It will save you big money!

Regarding the original post: I would take it to the dealer and see if they will patch it. This is your best bet. If not, the replace the both.

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Phil

01 M5 Silverstone/Silverstone
04 Honda Pilot
02 Indi Blue Mini Cooper (sold )

RGCohen

I had a similar experience, but with a nail in a rear tire. I was advised to replace just the one tire if the wear on the unchanged tire was less than 50%. Since mine seemed to be maybe 30 to 40% warn, I opted to just replace the one.
Driving on a compromised tire should be done with care, but it can be done. My tire defect warning alerted me to the nail when the pressure fell to 26 lbs. I pumped it up and found that I could drive to work and back to the tire dealer without any loss of pressure. I stayed off of the freeway, of course. Since the goal is to avoid a blowout or rim dammage, why not drive slowly and carefully. With the tire monitoring system you should be fine.

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-Richard
Carbon/black 03/2001 build

steveB

better yet, get a price from tire rack, take it to your local Discount Tire shop and they will match the price and mount and install them. In addition, you can buy tire insurance from them for between 20-30 per tire. It's definitely worth it-- I have had 2 flat tires and in niether case was the tire repairable.

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Steve B

bernhtp

When I got a nail in my rear six months ago, I went to the dealer when NTB and Discount Tire could not get one for a couple of days. I was shocked that they not only had it in stock, but were far cheaper ($275 installed for the Dunlop rear).

Richard in NC

Thanx for all the replies. The screw was on the inside edge so it couldn't be patched or plugged. Since I may want to track my car, that wouldn't be smart anyways. The dealer was the only place locally to have one in stock. It wasn't too bad at $350 install for a Michelin Pilot sport. That is more than Tire Rack but I guess that is the price you pay for convenience.