Oh look a Dunlop with a bulge in. The garage where the family cars are serviced say they've been seeing this on Dunlops for the last 40 years.

Add Avon ZZ3 to the list! It's now happened twice to me, latest is covered by National Tyres accidental damage warranty though. Fitter said another Vrs had been in day before with same damage to a ZZ3. Yes, I do look out for potholes, but around York and North Yorkshire one will get you eventually.

I had a blow out in a hire car a few weeks ago that I strongly suspect was caused by a bulge in the tyre wall. This was the tyre after the blow out.

 

It amazes me when you only get a tin of Gunk nowadays, how is a Tin of Gunk going to repair this tyre

It looks like a tyre which had been run underinflated, hence the heat induced blow out.

It amazes me when you only get a tin of Gunk nowadays, how is a Tin of Gunk going to repair this tyre

 

Absolutely! And they have the cheek to charge for spare wheel as an optional extra, although at least it's not a really thin 'spacesaver'! Glad I got one though. Running on it now while National get the new tyre in.

Is thee any truth in the rumour that XL tyres are tougher, or are they just designed for higher pressures?

arent the XL the ones with the rim protection, just means they overhang slightly so you scrub the tyre rather than rim on the kerb

XL and rim protection are entirely unrelated.

XL tyres will have stiffer sidewalls, but if that's better or worse depends on your point of view.

Rim protection is what you said, just that the edge sticks out creating a lip.