Repair plugs or spare?

[baj25]

Tyres are old and cracking so need new. Had a thought though- my car doesn't have a spare at all, I have a pack of repair bungs and a small compressor to re-inflate. Just wondering whether to save 67 quid on spare (and some more for a bottle jack) and rely on bungs for repair? I'm not doing globe trotting adventures just stuff around UK, 3-4k miles p.a. Any thoughts folks? Bri

[Jakemate]

I've used repair bungs and they work very well however if they don't work breakdown companies can if they wish charge you if you don't have a serviceable spare on board. This does not apply to vehicles that do not have a spare as standard such as new minis, porcshe etc.
More than likely they won't but it's something to think about.

[Verne]

We own a 3 series BMW and a BMW Mini, both of which have run flats and we hate them. When it's time for new, both cars will be fitted with standard tyres and a can of tyre weld.

That's how Keif already rolls

[RCN]

I would want a spare.
Worst case scenario, Cold , rainy Sunday at 4:55, and you get a side wall blow out. All of the plugs and cans of tyre goop won't help, but a spare tyre will.
Just my personal opinion, weight up your own pros/cons

[Verne]

I would want a spare.
Worst case scenario, Cold , rainy Sunday at 4:55, and you get a side wall blow out. All of the plugs and cans of tyre goop won't help, but a spare tyre will.
Just my personal opinion, weight up your own pros/cons

Cold & rainy? that calls for breakdown services while we stay warm in the van with a cuppa

[baj25]

My mate had a 1 series BM and he fitted non-run flats when originals wore out. He could never put his finger on why it felt different until he switched back to run flats at next change. He said it handled much better on the run flats, and his research showed up that BM tune the suspension to run flats, the stiffer sidewall being part of the set up. Bri

[Verne]

My mate had a 1 series BM and he fitted non-run flats when originals wore out. He could never put his finger on why it felt different until he switched back to run flats at next change. He said it handled much better on the run flats, and his research showed up that BM tune the suspension to run flats, the stiffer sidewall being part of the set up. Bri

I'm also on Mini forums and the majority prefer non run flats

[toomanytoys]

I know this might seem like a blatant plug of a product I am now distributor for, but this does offer a sensible solution to anyone that either doesn't want to run a spare or has an lpg tank fitted where the spare is....

Trouble with "plugs/repair kits" is that you have to know that you have a puncture before you wreck the tyre by driving it when its flat.. that's easily done...
second thing I don't like about the traditional repair is that even if you get a small item in the tyre, they ram a 6mm+ file through the hole damaging more of the casing structure, you can hear the steel belts "twang" when they are cut by the tool..

And no.. it wont repair sidewall damage.. and its not legal to repair any sidewall puncture either....

Anyway.. take a look and if you have any questions.. PM me..

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=132950" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[baj25]

Oh yes, OKO. I have used the off-road stuff in my lawnmower tyres which were like colanders from all the hawthorn on our boundary, I had to keep pumping them up every 10 mins. It worked brilliantly, can't remember the last time I had to pump them up it is that good. Not sure I would go without spare after thinking long and hard about it, even with OKO in the tyres. I will check it out for van, new tyres this weekend. Will you be at Busfest? (with decent price?). Cheers, Bri

[toomanytoys]

May be at Busfest.. wont know for a bit....

Price is still at the offer I already put up.. 14 quid to treat all 5 tyres in std 185r14......... is cheap...