they'll work just as well as on any other tire. but if you were racing or constantly driving and cornering at high speeds you'd want to replace the tire. and if you're worried about it holding you can always get it checked out later and patch it or replace it.

there's lots of debate, even among tire shops and dealerships related to repairing punctures in tire treads. some shops won't repair any tires because they want you to buy a new tire from them. others will only do an off the wheel repair patch from the inside for $25 or so. and some will still plug the tire while still on the rim. i've had several tires plugged in the past and none have ever failed. i don't know any one who has personally had a tire plug fail. i'm not saying it can't happen. but if it does fail what will happen? most likely the tire just goes flat again.

the plug method though really is something that should be reserved primarily for roadside repairs. a patch technically will be better because it can be tricky to follow the hole all the way through the tire while plugging. also keep in mind that a plug may invalidate your tire warranty. on the other hand tire warranties are like brake pad wrranties and don't really mean a whole lot.

as far as insurance is concerned, auto insurers (in the u.s.) would provide coverage in the event you had an accident even if it a failed tire plug was the culprit.

 

Don't know about the 19" tire... This runflat system would be cool to get, my guess is its pricey, but then again a blowout at 80+ is gonna hurt, big time.

Click for Linkage

 

Cyber:
I think a tube is not the best option because of: 1) If you are carring a spare tube in your car you still have to get to a garage to get it installed. 2) You have to replace your senor with the tube stem as they use the same hole. 3) It will be pretty hard to find a low profile tube to fit 4) If you are thinking of running a tube all the time, it will still get a flat when your tire punchers 5) Again there may be purs on the rim that could cut the tube.
Run flats sound interesting though.

 

has anyone found a doughnut with a lug pattern to match the Xfire? I would get one and put it in the trunk of the xfire (roadster) if it fits. The trunk isn't good for anything else. and would give me piece of mind on the road. Although I don't know if my wife could hold the 19" rim and flat tire in her lap(lol)

 

Hey Bob G,

Yeah, I hear yah... I was really just thinking that a tube "might" be like an emergency use type option. Say I'm mid-drive to Vegas and get a cut in the sidewall. First if I didn't have a wreck, that would be great, second I'd be in the middle of friggin' nowhere so once I got flatbeded to some garage I could "whip out" my tube and have them install it and be on my way. Then in a few days have the tube removed and the tire replaced. Again this is if it were a problem with the sidewall. If its a puncture in the tread, no problem as I'll have one of those tire plug repair kits in my car before the weeks end!

 

OH YEAH! I didn't even think of what to do with the tire after it is changed. Now I'm depressed! Back to run flats!

 

bob G, read a review while back with the design engineers about the lack of spare on the xfire and the DC engineer said they tried run flats but that they made the ride lousy so they dropped that idea. Get a repair kit and pray a lot!

 

Had the plug kit when I bought the car! I always had one in my Lexus, just in case.

 

I had a flat on the freeway on the weekend, took the sidewall out at 60 mph, the tire was ruined by the time I stopped the car. Having experienced that, I found the 19" will NOT fit in the trunk, I will be adding a plug kit after paying the tow bill and replacing the tire, I will be keeping a spare rubber in the garage as I refuse to pay $450+ dollars for a tire at the local shops, (I was offered 1 for $750.00 in 2 days...lol). I will be ordering from tirerack really soon.

 

The thought of not having a spare creeps into my head whenever I'm on a long road trip. I have the best plug kit I could find, but if I get too severe a puncture I'm screwed. It doesn't help that I'll bet not many tire shops have our sizes in stock.

Who has a nice CNC machine? We can crank out some custom spares.

 

this is what i carry in my trunk just in case.

cost about $10... cheap insurance imo.



i used one on my M3 in the past... worked great. plugged a small hole on the side of the road... used the factory compressor and i was on my way. no issues with the plug or tire for the remain life of the tire.


~ link to purchase online:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/bradysto...remtireki.html

 

I have to admit that when I bought my car, I had a huge knot when I found out there was not a spare. I thought for sure that Chrysler could have included one of those uninflated donuts for an emergency. Like everything else for this vehicle, I doubt if anyone makes that type of donut that would fit this car. I do carry a repair kit, and all the tools necessary to plug a hole, but like one of the previous posts said, it would have to be a "normal" type flat, no sidewall damage etc. I know for a fact that if an uninflated spare were available, it would be in my trunk. If anyone knows if one exists, please post it.

 

I just read in another forum that the Mercedes SLK comes with a collapsible tire. I wonder if the lug pattern is compatible.

 

AAA+ 100 MILES TOWING. DONT LEAVE HOME WITH OUT IT. I HAVE BRITISH CARS MG'S, HEALEYS, MINI COOPERS. I DON'T WORRY ABOUT TIRES AS MUCH AS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. GOTTA LOVE LUCAS.

SORRY FOR YELLING I have turned off the cap locks.