I know there are newer tire plug options than the 'string plugs' I continue to use as I've had great success with them. Are they made longer than they need to be (about 7 inches)? More often than not I cut one in half, add glue and plug away.
I carry the old-fashioned plugs for my Challenger. However, the best way to plug a tire is to dismount it and patch it from the inside.
Now you are making sense , but there is a time in place to use them, if you have a very small pin hole a radial patch is fine with seal cote over either patch . the whole idea is to not make the hole bigger than it was.
I've yet to have a string plug fail over many years but never used one on a tire that required more than 40 lbs of pressure. Currently locally it's at least $30 to re and re the tire not including the cost of the repair.
At my shop a plug patch repair will cost $45.00 to repair and re-balance the tire. the only plug used in my shop is on a lawn mower tire. and by the way any tire repair done voids the tire company's warranty on the tire also. and the tire shop is supposed to buff the speed rating off of the side wall too, but not many shops does that. (V) (H) rated and so on.
Are run flats more difficult to re and re? Are low profile more difficult? Are all run flats low profile? I had a tire shop break the bead on a low profile run flat during removal and I attributed it to their older equipment.
they can be a little ruff to dismount and mount and yes the tire equipment can be a big factor along with the operator.