Driving with a (P-Zero LM1) "Tire Bubble"

[mikecronis]

So, I noticed on my front driver's side a little distortion. Ah, the dreaded "Tire Bubble" that comes for us all. P-Zero LM1 of course.
I had just put on the 21" summer tires from the 19" winter ones 3 days ago and have not detailed them yet.
The "bulge" is quite small, actually. (Insert all puns). I know it will progress worse. (Pictures or it didn't happen). Seen below.

Judging by the swell, the rim has some discoloration (the plastic rim scratches were there from the previous owner). It looks like I may have hit a pothole or something similar.
Ah, Colorado, thanks for taking my registration fees and then not fixing the roads with them as-promised. (Current political drama ongoing with that in-real-life).
I ordered a new LM2 through the Chicago-branch service center (who were quite snappy and quick this time, only taking 2 days to get it to FedEx). My local tire companies say this P-Zero LM2 is backordered until May.
I wasn't keen on replacing all 4 all around with something else quite yet, something with at least a 102 load-rating and a Y or ZR speed-rating.
P-Zero LM2 Tire delivery will likely take 2 or 3 days, and I can have it put on Monday. I may need to drive this car once or twice, about 40 miles total.

So.. how long/far can I drive with this issue?
How far has anyone driven on them in this forum?

Well, I know the Inter-Googles says ZERO miles, understandably. Sidewall mesh weave has been compromised indicating imminent blowout.
In my years of existence, I think that is a hyper-critical value, that "zero miles" answer, not requiring towing, though I don't have DC Comics Superman X-Ray vision so I can't mathematically calculate how bad it is, how much metalic internal mesh has been moved aside, and, of course, the amount of weight transference varies during vehicular travel from turning, acceleration, braking, and those consistently moving max/min targets.

Zero miles is probably the safest answer, sure, but I may not be able to afford that luxury easily, currently.

Arguably, the cost of not replacing it is more expensive than buying a rental. I need to drive about (perhaps) 40 miles on it. Quite an experiment I do not choose to take, but my job may demand it, so I'm a bit "stuck".
I could keep it under 60 mph and try to stay on "smooth" roads for the next few days, ginger on the throttle, braking, and turning.

Opinions?

 

[HC_79]

I got a bubble in SF and drove all the way back to LA at highways speeds. Lucid certainly didn't recommend it and tried to get me to stick around a day to have it replaced in Milbrae (Was a Sunday) but I had to get back to LA so couldn't stick around another day. I stuck to the 65/70mph speed limit and made it back. Would I recommend it? No! Every bumpy stretch on the road or pothole seen just caused unnecessary anxiety that if I hit one the wrong way it was going to blow. I had it replaced a couple of days after returning. It cost me $1600 because the rim was also damaged and why I no longer have 21's on my car. Lucid says the LM2's are better but I'm cautious to go back as truth be told, all my issues I've had with tires have always been Pirelli on numerous models.

 

[SaratogaLefty]

Just an FYI. Tire rack has the LM2 21" tires in stock and ships with very quick delivery.

 

[mikecronis]

Seems the P-Zero tire has some notoriety on other owner's forums of various vehicles as well with the same issue. No-no.. No-TOR-ious!
I spoke with my shadetree tire shop who's been in the business for 75 years and he says he sees tire-bubbles all the time with people holding-out for months (or years).
The damage I have is minimal but, as everyone knows, "a ticking time-bomb". Results depend of car weight, true damage, road conditions, and driving dynamics.
Motorcycles I've had good results with Pirelli. On cars, the Nero tires by them were quite good as well. The P-Zero tires seem a bit flawed in design.
I'm tempted to make an "Italians make beautiful garbage" comment but I will resist, saving humiliation to Lamborghini and Ferrari and Fiat because they get enough flack for those who have owned such livery.

So can I drive a bit on these until Monday?

Answer (as they say in the Meme World):

 

[mikecronis]

As a heads-up, Chicago Lucid was on-the-ball and excellent this time and will get high-praise:

FedEx:
SCHEDULED DELIVERY DATE
Friday: 4/4/25 before 5:00 PM
Estimated between 9:10 AM - 1:10 PM

Outstanding!

 

[mikecronis]

I got a bubble in SF and drove all the way back to LA at highways speeds. Lucid certainly didn't recommend it and tried to get me to stick around a day to have it replaced in Milbrae (Was a Sunday) but I had to get back to LA so couldn't stick around another day. I stuck to the 65/70mph speed limit and made it back. Would I recommend it? No! Every bumpy stretch on the road or pothole seen just caused unnecessary anxiety that if I hit one the wrong way it was going to blow. I had it replaced a couple of days after returning. It cost me $1600 because the rim was also damaged and why I no longer have 21's on my car. Lucid says the LM2's are better but I'm cautious to go back as truth be told, all my issues I've had with tires have always been Pirelli on numerous models.

Thanks so much for the story. I appreciate it.

 

[borski]

Still running my very first LM1 rears. Replaced the fronts with LM2s when the tread was gone.

No bubbles or pops.

I would personally just swap the tire, because waiting on the side of the road seems worse. But YMMV, literally.