Steve Gill

Driving early this morning I was making good progress into a 5 hour journey, when *bang* I hit a large pothole full of water. Thought nothing of it (bar complaining to the roads authority!) until around 3 minutes later I felt the rear of the car slide slightly and the DSC light flash.

First I thought it was the wind pushing the car slightly, but nope it was relatively calm. Then I thought the pothole had knackered the steering! For a while all seemed fine again, until around 5 mins later the tyre puncture warning came on!

I immediately thought after reading the forum, "flippin' idrive" but pulled over to check just in case. I immediately went to the front wheel which had hit the pothole first, and it seemed fine, so I continued the journey. Then I heard the noise!!

Immediately I pulled over again, realising the noise was from the back tyre. I went to look, and sure enough it was visibly deflated, the stiff sidewalls were all that was keeping the road from the rim

So I drove back home at 40mph - and the noise was awful :'(

Funny thing is my winter tyres are getting fitted tomorrow - so I'm going to leave the car at the house today - no point in replacing 1 run flat to be replaced again tomorrow!

Moral of the story is - sometimes believe the warning messages!!

Jimbo

Good run-flat story.

alohalc

sorry to hear your story :'(. there are many potholes in here as well. in fact, the state fixed over 70,000 of them last year alone .

JDN

If it was a grinding noise, there is the possibility that you damaged or split the wheel. The noise was painful and I did not know I had two split wheels and two more really banged.

tcumbo

I guess you already saw my *almost* exact same story yesterday?

Steve Gill

Yip - after I'd posted this :'( Too early in the morning for me!

I tried reinflating my tyre to see how severe the puncture was (i.e. was it a slow?) but it wouldn't go higher then 0.15 bar!! I can see a slit in the tyre, not the sidewall, but I'm guessing that's what causing it. I'll find out more tomorrow when my winters are installed.

Steve Gill

If it was a grinding noise, there is the possibility that you damaged or split the wheel. The noise was painful and I did not know I had two split wheels and two more really banged.
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You had me bricking it there for a second. I rushed out to check the car, and it looked similar (the dark line!) but I realised it was just dirt

I think they're OK. I probably over exaggerated the noise

Steve Gill

Aaaarrrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Both nearside alloys are seriously buckled, I believe beyond repair :'(

I've had to limp the car with the runflats to the dealer, where they have ordered and will fit 2 new wheels tomorrow morning.

I've got a 530d touring courtesy car at the moment. Total cost around ?700! Going to claim it from the local council. Will post pics tomorrow.

JDN

Sorry, I can truly empathize.

Steve Gill

Ok, here's the damage. Dealer was amazed when they saw it. This is the back wheel:



and this is the front wheel that hit the pothole first: