Cracked Alloys
Discussion
I've got the same problem at the moment; took off my 20" with summer tyres as I'm going to Scotland and fitted 18" winter tyres on alloys only to find that the driver side rear alloy (on the 20" in the same combination as yours) is cracked in near-perfect symmetry on both sides. Having taken it to a local alloy repair shop they said that it cannot be welded as the cracks are too deep?
The question now is whether or not I need to fork out the aforementioned £475 for a replacement or whether I can get BMW to cover it...
I've already spoken to a customer service executive who of course refused to acknowledge that there is a "common fault" and suggested I go through the dealership... May I ask what dealership it is that you went with or if you have any information I could use to have BMW confirm that they will cover it before I even go in?
Thanks
The question now is whether or not I need to fork out the aforementioned £475 for a replacement or whether I can get BMW to cover it...
I've already spoken to a customer service executive who of course refused to acknowledge that there is a "common fault" and suggested I go through the dealership... May I ask what dealership it is that you went with or if you have any information I could use to have BMW confirm that they will cover it before I even go in?
Thanks
HFLagos said:
I had a cracked alloy on my E70 X5 (also on 20"). Had to pay £475 for a replacement, dealer denied there was any issue and that the wheels were fit for purpose.
Few months later, a different wheel cracked. This time, I had given up with previous dealer and took it to another one. New dealer also denied there was an issue, but was happy to speak to BMW UK about it. A day later I get a call from new dealer, "BMW will provide the replacement alloy free of charge, we were asked to examine the wheel and we agree there's a defect".
I called up BMW UK and mentioned I'd forked out £475 a couple of months earlier, remarkably they also confirmed they'd cover that. Old dealer issued a refund.
No cracked alloys since (been 2-3 years), but clearly 20" wheels on run flats with 35 profile tyres aren't a good combination, but this is what BMW happily fit.
Few months later, a different wheel cracked. This time, I had given up with previous dealer and took it to another one. New dealer also denied there was an issue, but was happy to speak to BMW UK about it. A day later I get a call from new dealer, "BMW will provide the replacement alloy free of charge, we were asked to examine the wheel and we agree there's a defect".
I called up BMW UK and mentioned I'd forked out £475 a couple of months earlier, remarkably they also confirmed they'd cover that. Old dealer issued a refund.
No cracked alloys since (been 2-3 years), but clearly 20" wheels on run flats with 35 profile tyres aren't a good combination, but this is what BMW happily fit.
My X5 with 20" alloys also suffered a cracked alloy. I had bought from an independent dealer and it was outside BMW warranty so did not bother with trying to get BMW to replace it. Had it welded which cost me £25 and it has been fine since. The guys who did the welding said they are seeing these regularly.
TNJ said:
My X5 with 20" alloys also suffered a cracked alloy. I had bought from an independent dealer and it was outside BMW warranty so did not bother with trying to get BMW to replace it. Had it welded which cost me £25 and it has been fine since. The guys who did the welding said they are seeing these regularly.
I work at the UK's largest BMW used car dealer and i see at least 6 cracked rims a week, we just get them welded if its a couple, we had an E92 19" with 8 cracks in it the other week. That went in the bin.We recently discovered a crack on our 20 inch rear alloy (2009 X5). Tyre pressure warning light came on - when the tyre was removed for inspection it was fine but crack at rim of the alloy. Tyre fitter said it was a common problem on BMW. At that exact moment another punter arrived - same problem! We had it repaired as an interim measure and now BMW say they won't compensate. Local dealer inspected other rear alloy and this meets the requirements for eligibility for compensation (we'd never had a problem on that side). We bought it through the approved used scheme (same dealership) at a time when they would have been aware of this issue. At the time of production this model came with DunlopMaxSport and this car had an odd and partly worn Bridgestone at front so I suspect a similar problem. I think the recent cold weather played a part increasing the wall stiffness of the run flat tyre further. Left car at dealership until resolved. They will not let us drive the car away unless we sign a disclaimer.
By the way we also have 2 holes on the front bumper where the headlamp washers used to be. If the front passenger alloy goes we've got a full house! Except no prizes just £1200 bill plus £300 for new tyre. I feel very foolish for buying this car........
By the way we also have 2 holes on the front bumper where the headlamp washers used to be. If the front passenger alloy goes we've got a full house! Except no prizes just £1200 bill plus £300 for new tyre. I feel very foolish for buying this car........
Disco_Biscuit said:
I work at the UK's largest BMW used car dealer and i see at least 6 cracked rims a week, we just get them welded if its a couple, we had an E92 19" with 8 cracks in it the other week. That went in the bin.
Point these welds out to purchasers then? Warrant them? ....Thought not.
Hi All, Never posted on a forum before but felt the need to let you know that BMW have changed both our cracked rear wheels on our 07 330i (19" runflats) completely free of charge. I was amazed!! No aggravation, no hastle, just a 3 hour relaxing wait, with coffee and sandwiches at local BMW garage.
Had two new tyres fitted at a local 'tyre centre' when it was pointed out that the rear wheels were cracked. Did a bit of googling, mainly to find prices and what safety implications were, driving round with wheels cracked, when we stumbled across previous problems with the same issue. Rang BMW who booked me in straight away. The rest, as they say, is history.
Well done BMW for your excellent service.
Had two new tyres fitted at a local 'tyre centre' when it was pointed out that the rear wheels were cracked. Did a bit of googling, mainly to find prices and what safety implications were, driving round with wheels cracked, when we stumbled across previous problems with the same issue. Rang BMW who booked me in straight away. The rest, as they say, is history.
Well done BMW for your excellent service.
marsbar13 said:
Hi All, Never posted on a forum before but felt the need to let you know that BMW have changed both our cracked rear wheels on our 07 330i (19" runflats) completely free of charge. I was amazed!! No aggravation, no hastle, just a 3 hour relaxing wait, with coffee and sandwiches at local BMW garage.
Had two new tyres fitted at a local 'tyre centre' when it was pointed out that the rear wheels were cracked. Did a bit of googling, mainly to find prices and what safety implications were, driving round with wheels cracked, when we stumbled across previous problems with the same issue. Rang BMW who booked me in straight away. The rest, as they say, is history.
Well done BMW for your excellent service.
A rare experience. Most, like myself who had 3 cracked 296 style wheels replaced, had to fight as wheels are classed as consumables by BMW and as such are not covered under warranty unless you can show, via a run out test, that they've not been damaged by potholes.Had two new tyres fitted at a local 'tyre centre' when it was pointed out that the rear wheels were cracked. Did a bit of googling, mainly to find prices and what safety implications were, driving round with wheels cracked, when we stumbled across previous problems with the same issue. Rang BMW who booked me in straight away. The rest, as they say, is history.
Well done BMW for your excellent service.
The funny thing is, the crappy state of the UK's roads is well known (and has been known about for decades!), as is the fact that 19"+ wheels are simply not really suitable for use on many of them (too stiff in the sidewall, causing a nervous ride and interior rattles, along with a much higher risk of damage to the wheels themselves).
Despite knowing all that though, people still spec their car with massive, 19"+ alloy wheels with the smallest spoke design possible! - Mainly because: "They look better!"
In the real World, the performance advantage of a 19" wheel/tyre over an 18"wheel/tyre is minimal at best, and more often than not, due to the state of our roads, they actually have no real advantage at all (as I say, quite often they're actually a disadvantage!).
Then, having specced wheels that aren't really suitable for the roads that they are expected to be used on, owners are surprised to find the wheels are getting damaged!
Yes the roads should be in a better condition, but the fact of the matter is that they are not, and they're not going to get sorted out anytime soon, so 19"+ alloy wheels are going to continue to suffer problems!
Despite knowing all that though, people still spec their car with massive, 19"+ alloy wheels with the smallest spoke design possible! - Mainly because: "They look better!"
In the real World, the performance advantage of a 19" wheel/tyre over an 18"wheel/tyre is minimal at best, and more often than not, due to the state of our roads, they actually have no real advantage at all (as I say, quite often they're actually a disadvantage!).
Then, having specced wheels that aren't really suitable for the roads that they are expected to be used on, owners are surprised to find the wheels are getting damaged!
Yes the roads should be in a better condition, but the fact of the matter is that they are not, and they're not going to get sorted out anytime soon, so 19"+ alloy wheels are going to continue to suffer problems!
4rephill said:
The funny thing is, the crappy state of the UK's roads is well known (and has been known about for decades!), as is the fact that 19"+ wheels are simply not really suitable for use on many of them (too stiff in the sidewall, causing a nervous ride and interior rattles, along with a much higher risk of damage to the wheels themselves).
Despite knowing all that though, people still spec their car with massive, 19"+ alloy wheels with the smallest spoke design possible! - Mainly because: "They look better!"
In the real World, the performance advantage of a 19" wheel/tyre over an 18"wheel/tyre is minimal at best, and more often than not, due to the state of our roads, they actually have no real advantage at all (as I say, quite often they're actually a disadvantage!).
Then, having specced wheels that aren't really suitable for the roads that they are expected to be used on, owners are surprised to find the wheels are getting damaged!
Yes the roads should be in a better condition, but the fact of the matter is that they are not, and they're not going to get sorted out anytime soon, so 19"+ alloy wheels are going to continue to suffer problems!
And BMW still sell them in the UK.Despite knowing all that though, people still spec their car with massive, 19"+ alloy wheels with the smallest spoke design possible! - Mainly because: "They look better!"
In the real World, the performance advantage of a 19" wheel/tyre over an 18"wheel/tyre is minimal at best, and more often than not, due to the state of our roads, they actually have no real advantage at all (as I say, quite often they're actually a disadvantage!).
Then, having specced wheels that aren't really suitable for the roads that they are expected to be used on, owners are surprised to find the wheels are getting damaged!
Yes the roads should be in a better condition, but the fact of the matter is that they are not, and they're not going to get sorted out anytime soon, so 19"+ alloy wheels are going to continue to suffer problems!
Hi,
ALL the major car brands use high quality oem supplier manufacturers to make their wheels for them. They don't have 'design' flaws in them from the outset. The manufacturing processes and the quality of materials used and their finishing processes are excellent all the way through.
Looking into it a little more, then the vast majority of oem wheels for any car brand will be made using the 'Cast' method. This is where molten material is poured into a mould. Once cooled, various finishing processes are applied and the wheel then goes out ready to be put on a car in whichever plant cars are being assembled in.
'Cast' made wheels are a cost effective way of mass producing, with an excellent blend of design, strength and visual aspects. On the scale of strength, then they are perhaps 'mid table' for when you compare against other wheels that are made using different processes.
Due to their 'mid level' strength characteristics, then there's always going to be instances of cracks and bends appearing on wheels. I think the BMW style 313 is one of the more affected ones, and I'd say the 'design' is such that it's weaker than others due to those thin spokes.
As pointed out above, other wheels exhibit cracks as well and on smaller diameters.
Cast wheels can be damaged more easily by seemingly more innocuous bumps and road undulations, and I'd daresay this is the reason for the higher instances of cracked wheels on BMW's for which owners then go back to their dealer demanding a new wheel.
Higher strength wheels do exist. They're made using the forged manufacturing process. Some cast made wheels are also stronger as they use new manufacturing techniques like Flow Forming. Forging is the strongest method. The downside to this is that it's a much more expensive method due to time required to manufacture, high quality material requirements which is also more expensive.
BMW have made some cars with oem wheels that were forged instead of cast. The E39 Sport M Parallel style 37's were forged - the exact same looking wheel specified for the E38 was cast. I think with some of the more open spoke designs BMW have for their wheels, they should make them by the forged method.
Cheers, Dennis!
ALL the major car brands use high quality oem supplier manufacturers to make their wheels for them. They don't have 'design' flaws in them from the outset. The manufacturing processes and the quality of materials used and their finishing processes are excellent all the way through.
Looking into it a little more, then the vast majority of oem wheels for any car brand will be made using the 'Cast' method. This is where molten material is poured into a mould. Once cooled, various finishing processes are applied and the wheel then goes out ready to be put on a car in whichever plant cars are being assembled in.
'Cast' made wheels are a cost effective way of mass producing, with an excellent blend of design, strength and visual aspects. On the scale of strength, then they are perhaps 'mid table' for when you compare against other wheels that are made using different processes.
Due to their 'mid level' strength characteristics, then there's always going to be instances of cracks and bends appearing on wheels. I think the BMW style 313 is one of the more affected ones, and I'd say the 'design' is such that it's weaker than others due to those thin spokes.
As pointed out above, other wheels exhibit cracks as well and on smaller diameters.
Cast wheels can be damaged more easily by seemingly more innocuous bumps and road undulations, and I'd daresay this is the reason for the higher instances of cracked wheels on BMW's for which owners then go back to their dealer demanding a new wheel.
Higher strength wheels do exist. They're made using the forged manufacturing process. Some cast made wheels are also stronger as they use new manufacturing techniques like Flow Forming. Forging is the strongest method. The downside to this is that it's a much more expensive method due to time required to manufacture, high quality material requirements which is also more expensive.
BMW have made some cars with oem wheels that were forged instead of cast. The E39 Sport M Parallel style 37's were forged - the exact same looking wheel specified for the E38 was cast. I think with some of the more open spoke designs BMW have for their wheels, they should make them by the forged method.
Cheers, Dennis!
t roads = cracked wheels, whatever they are made of. The End.DennisCooper said:
I think the BMW style 313 is one of the more affected ones, and I'd say the 'design' is such that it's weaker than others due to those thin spokes.
I have not heard of many 313 alloys cracking ?? I had a 330d with 313's for over 3 years, did many miles and hit many potholes - some really badly, yet my wheels were always ok. I thought the badly affected ones were 'often' the 225 style that went before the 313 ?
IME the 313 was an excellent wheel. I have moved on now but having gone into many horrendous potholes with the 313's and not had an issue (over 2 different sets of them too) I would happily return to them.
Hi
Roofer - Not entirely true. The higher the quality and strength of the wheel, the less likely usual/common road undulations won't bend/crack the wheel. Obviously if you hit a massive pothole or mistime something and smack a high strength wheel into the kerb, of course it'll get damaged/deformed/cracked. I've always had high quality aftermarket wheels on my cars going back till the early 90's and I've never had a crack from usual road use on them. For a very brief stint in 2000, I had some replica quality wheels on my E34, and hit a semi bad pothole and the wheel had a six inch long crack/split in it. Thankfully, I was 500 yards from my house and was only doing perhaps 25-30 mph and I got home ok. A few days later, I went straight out and purchased the genuine wheels and I'll never use replica/low quality wheels ever again.
tea pot one - just on this thread, there's various cars, 3 series and X series mentioned. I think there's a number of style wheels which had more reports about cracks etc. I just seem to recall the 313's from other threads on forums etc.
Cheers, Dennis!
Roofer - Not entirely true. The higher the quality and strength of the wheel, the less likely usual/common road undulations won't bend/crack the wheel. Obviously if you hit a massive pothole or mistime something and smack a high strength wheel into the kerb, of course it'll get damaged/deformed/cracked. I've always had high quality aftermarket wheels on my cars going back till the early 90's and I've never had a crack from usual road use on them. For a very brief stint in 2000, I had some replica quality wheels on my E34, and hit a semi bad pothole and the wheel had a six inch long crack/split in it. Thankfully, I was 500 yards from my house and was only doing perhaps 25-30 mph and I got home ok. A few days later, I went straight out and purchased the genuine wheels and I'll never use replica/low quality wheels ever again.
tea pot one - just on this thread, there's various cars, 3 series and X series mentioned. I think there's a number of style wheels which had more reports about cracks etc. I just seem to recall the 313's from other threads on forums etc.
Cheers, Dennis!
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