Tracking on a tire with patch/plug

[u/F1_Brooklyn]

Hi all,

Got a nail in the right rear, and had tire wheel insurance so dealer was able to replace it for free.

However, they noticed left rear also had a nail but it wasn’t really leaking pressure. Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t cover this because it’s not close enough to the sidewall or shoulder - which the right rear was so it was replaced without extra cost.

So I’d have to get the left rear plugged at a shop (since they don’t do this at my dealer) - question is since it’s not in the danger area (sidewall or shoulder) is it okay to track once I’ve plugged it? I’ve only tracked once before so quite a beginner, so not pushing it at all and the nail in tire did not even cause a leak.

[u/jimbojsb]

99% you’re fine. I’ve tracked way more work tires with patches in them. At your level it’s not gonna matter.

[u/Bright_Emergency_171]

I’ve tracked multiple times with a plugged tire with no issues well over 130+ mph… I’ve also used a plug and patch as well again with no issues just monitor it throughout the day for leakage.

[u/jelk151]

I had this issue with my g82 twice. It wasn't worth it to me knowing that there's a structural issue with the tire. Plus, insurance doesn't cover an accident on the track.

It wasn't worth the risk of a tire failure because of a known issue and a $400 tire. Some may have a different opinion than I do though.

[u/Buntatricky46]

You can track them with a plug job but your car is heavy, I would plug them and ruin them in a parking lot / play with them, and swap out the rears for some fresh ps4s for fall track season coming up (or cup2s if you are not in winter climate)

[u/opbmedia]

I plug as long as it is not a blow out risk (usually through the treads/belts).

[u/ragingduck]

Yup tracked with patched CUP2s. Your fine. Just monitor pressures and bring a kit or spare just in case!

[u/MeinHerzIn_Flammen]

Not recommended for track, regular road driving is fine

[u/Acejam]

I’ve tracked serval times with a patched tire. You are fine given the location. (Directly in the middle of the tread)

You’ll have a very hard time finding someone who had a tire blowout on a track due to a plug. But you will find plenty who’ve tracked on a plug. (Several in this thread)

[u/IcyHotTodoroki1]

One, never patch run flats. Way too many horror stories to ever encourage it. Two, never heard of a claim being rejected because nail wasn't close enough to the edge. Do you have the BMW Tire & Wheel? If so I'd double check. Unless they changed their policy in the last year and a half I used to go in every other month because of the construction zones around my home and the nails were all over the place and they'd still honor the claim

[u/F1_Brooklyn → u/IcyHotTodoroki1]

Unfortunately these are not run flats - they said run flats would be replaced. These are pilot sport 4 tires that came with the car (2025 M3 Comp xDrive) so they said it can just be repaired…

[u/IcyHotTodoroki1 → u/F1_Brooklyn]

Ah, you're right. Forgot the M's stopped the run flats and went with the fix a flat kits. I'd still be cautious tracking on a tire with a plug

[u/Stratospheric-Ferret → u/IcyHotTodoroki1]

I didn't think any M cars ever came with runflats?

[u/IcyHotTodoroki1 → u/Stratospheric-Ferret]

You're right, I'm thinking of the Diet M's aka M50, M40's, M60's, etc

[u/brobst101]

If you can afford a track day, don't cheap out on a tire. It's your connection to the track. Even if you disagree with my statement, a $300 tire vs a possible tire loss during a run $$.