Tires: Puncture in runflat tires, runflat tires, slow leak

Question
I have a 1999 Corvette with RunFlat tires.  I noticed a slow leak in a rear tire and the dealer found a nail in the sidewall.  He says it can't be patched because its the side wall. However, they are runflats so I'm thinkin', "Why not?" If it holds great.  If it doesn't, I still have 1,000 miles to run on it with no air (exaggeration).  What do you think.  Should I try it or spend the $450.00?

Answer
Paul,

When you have a leak in a regular tire, one of the ways to tell if the tire is not repairable (or to tell if the tire is starting to go bad because of the underinflation) is damage to the sidewall.  

In a runflat tire, you can not see the damage, because it is hidden between the layers.  Also there will be little warning if the sidewall is about to fail for the same reason.

So if you don't mind not being warned that your sidewall has been damaged and you might suffer a high speed sidewall blowout, and subsequent loss of vehicle control, then OK.  But if your life is worth more the $450, I'd get the tire changed.