so true! two BMW rectangular items failed by tearing when trying to insert, one rainy night recently. luckily third one worked. i believe the simple lengths of rubber cord are less prone to perishing than the rectangular items!?
I believe you are right! Although sometimes it takes a couple of attempts to get the rat-tail jobbies to stay there, even after you've twisted them into a huckery big knot inside the tyre. But once they are there, they are there forever, unless your conscience requires that you take the tyre in for a professionally applied mushroom, if you can persuade a professional to apply one for you (many will not).Less complicated to leave things as is, and swap the tyre before your next WOF.