F30/31 403M 19" Alloy wheel corrosion
Discussion
I am now on my third set of these wheels all changed under warranty.The corrosion starts from behind the centre caps so can not always be seen until it appears by the sides of the cap.I also use winter wheels and tyres every year so the wheels really do have an easy life and are cleaned regularly and the winters are fine on the 18" rims.This is the first BMW that i have had this problem with but i know there are issues with the X5 and the old wheel cracking problems.
I also have a couple of friends with these wheels and one of them is on the second set of wheels and they have started to corrode as well.
When i spoke to the service dest at my local dealer and asked what would happen after this September when i will extend my warranty but i know items like this are not covered under extended warranty they agreed that it was not ideal and to call customer services as they could only offer a good will claim in September.
I usually buy my daily with low mileage and then run them for about five years so at the rate the wheels are failing it would mean replacing two more sets of wheels before i sell.These wheels to me are not fit for purpose and it would be interesting to see if any other owners are having these problems as customer services said they were unaware of any issues with these wheels.
Andy
I also have a couple of friends with these wheels and one of them is on the second set of wheels and they have started to corrode as well.
When i spoke to the service dest at my local dealer and asked what would happen after this September when i will extend my warranty but i know items like this are not covered under extended warranty they agreed that it was not ideal and to call customer services as they could only offer a good will claim in September.
I usually buy my daily with low mileage and then run them for about five years so at the rate the wheels are failing it would mean replacing two more sets of wheels before i sell.These wheels to me are not fit for purpose and it would be interesting to see if any other owners are having these problems as customer services said they were unaware of any issues with these wheels.
Andy
griff7 said:
I am now on my third set of these wheels all changed under warranty.The corrosion starts from behind the centre caps so can not always be seen until it appears by the sides of the cap.I also use winter wheels and tyres every year so the wheels really do have an easy life and are cleaned regularly and the winters are fine on the 18" rims.This is the first BMW that i have had this problem with but i know there are issues with the X5 and the old wheel cracking problems.
I also have a couple of friends with these wheels and one of them is on the second set of wheels and they have started to corrode as well.
When i spoke to the service dest at my local dealer and asked what would happen after this September when i will extend my warranty but i know items like this are not covered under extended warranty they agreed that it was not ideal and to call customer services as they could only offer a good will claim in September.
I usually buy my daily with low mileage and then run them for about five years so at the rate the wheels are failing it would mean replacing two more sets of wheels before i sell.These wheels to me are not fit for purpose and it would be interesting to see if any other owners are having these problems as customer services said they were unaware of any issues with these wheels.
Andy
I remember i had Schnitzer 19s back in 2007 and it happened with them and they were replaced under warranty.I also have a couple of friends with these wheels and one of them is on the second set of wheels and they have started to corrode as well.
When i spoke to the service dest at my local dealer and asked what would happen after this September when i will extend my warranty but i know items like this are not covered under extended warranty they agreed that it was not ideal and to call customer services as they could only offer a good will claim in September.
I usually buy my daily with low mileage and then run them for about five years so at the rate the wheels are failing it would mean replacing two more sets of wheels before i sell.These wheels to me are not fit for purpose and it would be interesting to see if any other owners are having these problems as customer services said they were unaware of any issues with these wheels.
Andy
It "generally" happens to polished / lacquered wheels whereby either theres a stonechip / scuff on the wheel - or in your case presumably the slight movement of the cap is enough to allow the lacquer to break and water to ingress. The alloy then corrodes underneath the lacquer.
It isnt helped by the prevalence of the use of power hoses on cars which allows water to be forced underneath the tiniest of blemishes.
The only non polished wheel i can remember that did this with great gusto was the 15 / 16 inch alloy wheels fitted to toyota in the early 2000s. My wife had her set replaced when her MR2 was just 9 months old and it was very prevalent.
I guess you could stick with the set you have and if they break out, see how much "goodwill" bmw will pay, or when they do break out, have the wheels refurbed in silve / anthricite or black.
A good wheel wax used regularly might help, but if its coming from under the cap, you'd have to remove them and wax heavily in there each time toom.
SVTRick said:
Would BMW replace said rims with centre corrosion if you had some kerb rash.
If so I may push them next time its in for service if corrosion starts to show around centre caps.
I would assume they swap over your existing tyres onto new or fully refurbished rims.
Yes they would as one of my sets had one wheel that was curbed by valet parking in Manchester but this was nowhere near the corrosion and so as they put it irrelevant.They do swap the tyres over as well but only onto new wheels as it is a warranty claim.If so I may push them next time its in for service if corrosion starts to show around centre caps.
I would assume they swap over your existing tyres onto new or fully refurbished rims.
Hi Andy
Having just bought a F31 with all four alloys badly corroded,
which the owner believed he had an insurance policy which covered the repair but this may not materialise.
Can ask if you had you had your alloys replaced at a manchester bmw dealer (Williams by chance?) as this may help in my discussions by setting a precedent.
Thanks
Karl
Having just bought a F31 with all four alloys badly corroded,
which the owner believed he had an insurance policy which covered the repair but this may not materialise.
Can ask if you had you had your alloys replaced at a manchester bmw dealer (Williams by chance?) as this may help in my discussions by setting a precedent.
Thanks
Karl
If your wheels are the diamond cut face type then every set in the world will eventually corrode.
The lacquer struggles to bond to the smooth surface and is easily breached and then the 'white worm' sets in.
Fave places are usually around the centre caps, the wheel bolt hole and spokes.
A lot of trouble can begin when you have tyres changed - the bolt holes can get knocked or chipped with the rough arse fitters and their air gun.
The centres gets knocked or chipped when they put the wheels on the balancing machine and clamp them in place
The spokes tend to get chipped by stones
Once there is a pathway for the water then it just get under the lacquer and you get this white corrosion look to the area.
I hate these type of rims - a bit like women they look stunning when you first see them but all the flaws start coming into view as time goes by and you have blown a load of money on them
The lacquer struggles to bond to the smooth surface and is easily breached and then the 'white worm' sets in.
Fave places are usually around the centre caps, the wheel bolt hole and spokes.
A lot of trouble can begin when you have tyres changed - the bolt holes can get knocked or chipped with the rough arse fitters and their air gun.
The centres gets knocked or chipped when they put the wheels on the balancing machine and clamp them in place
The spokes tend to get chipped by stones
Once there is a pathway for the water then it just get under the lacquer and you get this white corrosion look to the area.
I hate these type of rims - a bit like women they look stunning when you first see them but all the flaws start coming into view as time goes by and you have blown a load of money on them
Karl-5cv4l said:
Hi Andy
Having just bought a F31 with all four alloys badly corroded,
which the owner believed he had an insurance policy which covered the repair but this may not materialise.
Can ask if you had you had your alloys replaced at a manchester bmw dealer (Williams by chance?) as this may help in my discussions by setting a precedent.
Thanks
Karl
All mine were done at Knights in Stoke Having just bought a F31 with all four alloys badly corroded,
which the owner believed he had an insurance policy which covered the repair but this may not materialise.
Can ask if you had you had your alloys replaced at a manchester bmw dealer (Williams by chance?) as this may help in my discussions by setting a precedent.
Thanks
Karl
Hi All,
about to buy an F30 with corroded 403M alloys - got a fair chunk of money off because of it, but...
a) First thing I try will be to take it to BMW and see if they will replace them. If so, guess I either sell them then, or try to seal them and look after them as best possible (difficult as its the wife's every day car).
If not;
b) I could use it as an (expensive) excuse to get some different wheels and sell the 403's as is. Tempting but I do really like to 403 look, and am struggling to find something I like a lot more. ( do like the 260M's but not haven't checked out if they fit yet - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293... )
or
c) Perhaps get the 403M's powder coated to avoid the corrosion coming back... Perhaps a carbon grey.
Has anyone done this?
would the wheel need shot blasting first (to get rid of the surface corrosion?
Is there a chance the corrosion is too bad or will it just be surface?
Cheers for any tips!
about to buy an F30 with corroded 403M alloys - got a fair chunk of money off because of it, but...
a) First thing I try will be to take it to BMW and see if they will replace them. If so, guess I either sell them then, or try to seal them and look after them as best possible (difficult as its the wife's every day car).
If not;
b) I could use it as an (expensive) excuse to get some different wheels and sell the 403's as is. Tempting but I do really like to 403 look, and am struggling to find something I like a lot more. ( do like the 260M's but not haven't checked out if they fit yet - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293... )
or
c) Perhaps get the 403M's powder coated to avoid the corrosion coming back... Perhaps a carbon grey.
Has anyone done this?
would the wheel need shot blasting first (to get rid of the surface corrosion?
Is there a chance the corrosion is too bad or will it just be surface?
Cheers for any tips!
Edited by JohnT993 on Friday 9th October 17:45
JohnT993 said:
Hi All,
about to buy an F30 with corroded 403M alloys - got a fair chunk of money off because of it, but...
a) First thing I try will be to take it to BMW and see if they will replace them. If so, guess I either sell them then, or try to seal them and look after them as best possible (difficult as its the wife's every day car).
If not;
b) I could use it as an (expensive) excuse to get some different wheels and sell the 403's as is. Tempting but I do really like to 403 look, and am struggling to find something I like a lot more. ( do like the 260M's but not haven't checked out if they fit yet - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293... )
or
c) Perhaps get the 403M's powder coated to avoid the corrosion coming back... Perhaps a carbon grey.
Has anyone done this?
would the wheel need shot blasting first (to get rid of the surface corrosion?
Is there a chance the corrosion is too bad or will it just be surface?
Cheers for any tips!
Update, not sure if anyone is still reading but there must be a fair few cars with these coming upto being 3 years old, so for the good of the PH community ;-)about to buy an F30 with corroded 403M alloys - got a fair chunk of money off because of it, but...
a) First thing I try will be to take it to BMW and see if they will replace them. If so, guess I either sell them then, or try to seal them and look after them as best possible (difficult as its the wife's every day car).
If not;
b) I could use it as an (expensive) excuse to get some different wheels and sell the 403's as is. Tempting but I do really like to 403 look, and am struggling to find something I like a lot more. ( do like the 260M's but not haven't checked out if they fit yet - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293... )
or
c) Perhaps get the 403M's powder coated to avoid the corrosion coming back... Perhaps a carbon grey.
Has anyone done this?
would the wheel need shot blasting first (to get rid of the surface corrosion?
Is there a chance the corrosion is too bad or will it just be surface?
Cheers for any tips!
Edited by JohnT993 on Friday 9th October 17:45
We took the car to BMW dealership Specialist cars in Tring, who were excellent, and replaced all the wheels FOC. The car was just under 3 years old (unsure if they would have done this if it hadn't been).
Now we have lovely wheels, and they look so good that i'm going to try and protect them as best possible.
I plan to seal them with C5 Gtechniq sealant, including underneath the centre caps.
I will also ask the tyre man/woman to be very careful when replacing the tyres/ wheel bolts when it needs new tyres, and probably give it a quick re-coat.
FYI, I look after my cars well, hand wash and wax, but am not some detailing freak, this is a bit new to me! seems like a hassle, if there was a set of wheels that we could swap to easily, which i liked, then i'd probably go for that option.
Ultimately, if I can keep the corrosion away by an hour or so of effort per year, i'm just about prepared to do it!
If it starts to fail, I'll probably have them painted / powder coated.
fingers crossed.
I have a 63 plate 330d M Sport Tourer which has just turned 3 years old and it's on it's 3rd set off alloys (403m) so original plus 2 full replacement sets.
All started to corrode around the centre cap. Eastern BMW carried out the warranty work with no quibbles but I have serious reservations about longevity. When this current set corrode, and they will, I'll be right onto BMW Customer Services quoting 'Fit for purpose' and fully expect a resolution.
All started to corrode around the centre cap. Eastern BMW carried out the warranty work with no quibbles but I have serious reservations about longevity. When this current set corrode, and they will, I'll be right onto BMW Customer Services quoting 'Fit for purpose' and fully expect a resolution.
I've just bought a 2014 (April) 420d m sport coupe F32 with 49k miles and had all its services done at main dealer.
Three out the 4 19" double spoke alloys have the corrosion under the lacquer around the centre cap that looks unsightly.
I can't seem to find how long the corrosion warranty is and if it covers the wheels?
Any help please and guidance on how the proceed?
Cheers all
Three out the 4 19" double spoke alloys have the corrosion under the lacquer around the centre cap that looks unsightly.
I can't seem to find how long the corrosion warranty is and if it covers the wheels?
Any help please and guidance on how the proceed?
Cheers all
I think 3yrs and then you’re out of any formal warranty.
You might get good will if you have full dealer history and a good history with a dealership that you’d try.
I’d just swap to non-diamond cut wheels, or get them reconditioned without diamond cutting at a very reputable place.
But imo modern cars are getting very cheap here.
Our brand new Fiesta ST which had a winter wheel set had chips and corrosion in the drums of the summer set after about 8 months of use.
I notice BMW now have very light almost non-existent drum lacquer, and that’s why the centre cap corrosion starts.
So get non diamond cut, that helps with the bulk of the issues.
But then also get a very high quality job done otherwise they’ll just start to go again in a few years.
You might get good will if you have full dealer history and a good history with a dealership that you’d try.
I’d just swap to non-diamond cut wheels, or get them reconditioned without diamond cutting at a very reputable place.
But imo modern cars are getting very cheap here.
Our brand new Fiesta ST which had a winter wheel set had chips and corrosion in the drums of the summer set after about 8 months of use.
I notice BMW now have very light almost non-existent drum lacquer, and that’s why the centre cap corrosion starts.
So get non diamond cut, that helps with the bulk of the issues.
But then also get a very high quality job done otherwise they’ll just start to go again in a few years.
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