alloy cracking issue - how common is it???
Discussion
Been looking at buying a 335 se not sure if it's an e90 or 92, 2006 model
Not sure what made me search for it but just spent an hour reading alot of owner's posts on alloy wheels cracking. They seems to date from 2009-2011 then dry up but lots of horror stories
Seemed worryingly common, maybe even inevitable that you are going to experience at least one crack at some point during ownership. At best you are driving around with hairline cracks that you don't realise that may ot may not lead to needing addressing
What's the deal?? Is this common? Is it even worth considering a 335 that is 6 years old and done over 50k?
I'm not in a position to be having the car off the road with an issue like this, I have no backup, no second car etc. Repairing a wheel would be a big deal esp if it happens ist a time or in a manner that means I can't drive it to the repair shop
If it helps, the one I'm looking at has the twisty style alloys and i would not really be interested in swapping the runflats for normal ad I would need a spare and I just donn't see the point of going to that much trouble and added expense as my needs don't require that much investment
Obviously due to age it wouldn't have a dealer warranty
All experiences / knowledge gratefully received
Not sure what made me search for it but just spent an hour reading alot of owner's posts on alloy wheels cracking. They seems to date from 2009-2011 then dry up but lots of horror stories
Seemed worryingly common, maybe even inevitable that you are going to experience at least one crack at some point during ownership. At best you are driving around with hairline cracks that you don't realise that may ot may not lead to needing addressing
What's the deal?? Is this common? Is it even worth considering a 335 that is 6 years old and done over 50k?
I'm not in a position to be having the car off the road with an issue like this, I have no backup, no second car etc. Repairing a wheel would be a big deal esp if it happens ist a time or in a manner that means I can't drive it to the repair shop
If it helps, the one I'm looking at has the twisty style alloys and i would not really be interested in swapping the runflats for normal ad I would need a spare and I just donn't see the point of going to that much trouble and added expense as my needs don't require that much investment
Obviously due to age it wouldn't have a dealer warranty
All experiences / knowledge gratefully received
Edited by menousername on Monday 28th January 19:46
If you buy an E90 you shouldn't have any issues, as they were never spec'd from factory with 19" Styling 225 alloy wheels that are renowned for cracking. If your looking at E92's and they are fitted with these wheels,
then check them very carefully and don't be surprised if they crack in time.
then check them very carefully and don't be surprised if they crack in time.
The 'MV4' or 225 style wheel is the one which made it onto BBC Watchdog a few years back - as in the pic posted by E30M3SE - due to cracking.
That said I've been lurking around E90 post for over a year now and the twist style alloy isn't totally immune, but far less common. The downside to this is there isn't much hope of goodwill replacement by BMW on this wheel where as with the 225, due to its notoriety at BMW, can be replaced even if not under warranty or bought outside the dealers network.
Personally I'd not worry too much - I've taken my car (on 225's) from 50 to 80k and hit some nasty holes (launching the car in some cases - damm that M-Sport suspension!) and the wheels are still crack free - though I have bucked two ended up getting them straightened as par of a wheel refurb, Still running Bridgestone runflats.
IMO cracks are often part of the course with any large alloy with low profile rubber, runflat tyres or normal, OEM wheel or aftermarket. Though obviously some wheels are better than others.
Worst case you'd have to get the wheel welded - which isn't expensive or I think particular dangerous. Though opinion on this will vary!
And a set of half decent aftermarket wheels will be around £5-600.
That said I've been lurking around E90 post for over a year now and the twist style alloy isn't totally immune, but far less common. The downside to this is there isn't much hope of goodwill replacement by BMW on this wheel where as with the 225, due to its notoriety at BMW, can be replaced even if not under warranty or bought outside the dealers network.
Personally I'd not worry too much - I've taken my car (on 225's) from 50 to 80k and hit some nasty holes (launching the car in some cases - damm that M-Sport suspension!) and the wheels are still crack free - though I have bucked two ended up getting them straightened as par of a wheel refurb, Still running Bridgestone runflats.
IMO cracks are often part of the course with any large alloy with low profile rubber, runflat tyres or normal, OEM wheel or aftermarket. Though obviously some wheels are better than others.
Worst case you'd have to get the wheel welded - which isn't expensive or I think particular dangerous. Though opinion on this will vary!
And a set of half decent aftermarket wheels will be around £5-600.
is it worth risking it though thats what I am wondering, sounds like a good probability that at some point I may have a crack to deal with. I am not really in a position to be taking the car off to a garage midweek for such a repair, or leaving it overnight etc, for something like this. I need a car that only needs basic service and maintenance that can be done at weekends.
as much as I love BMWs is it worth the risk.
is it worth keeping it on runflats and risking this issue
is it worth the cost of replacing them with non runflats, and buying a spare wheel, does the boot have a recess for the spare wheel etc, or should I just get something else
really putting some doubt in my mind which is a shame
If you still have runflats it won't necessarily stop you driving - I drove around for a week with a nail in my tyre - albeit slowly! To be honest that's what's made me stick with the runflats really - total convenience should the worst happen.
I'd say any car on 18/19" wheels wouldn't be totally immune. The weakness of the 225 (+ the runflat design) has drawn attention to a problem that isn't that common on other wheel styles - including the twist 230's.
What's more eye opening is the cost of a decent set of tyres in this size... Especially having bough a few sets now,,,
I'd say any car on 18/19" wheels wouldn't be totally immune. The weakness of the 225 (+ the runflat design) has drawn attention to a problem that isn't that common on other wheel styles - including the twist 230's.
What's more eye opening is the cost of a decent set of tyres in this size... Especially having bough a few sets now,,,
Hi, I have owned my e92 335d since last April, over Xmas I had two new front tyres fitted while it was on the ramp the garage noticed that both rear wheels had cracked. There where about three in each wheel! One of which you could fit a thumb nail in!. My advice is to ether get a car check by a third party where you would have some sort of come back if they where cracked. But one thing I will say is do not use run flats they will cause cracking! First thing that the owner of the place I bought my new alloys from said to me!
Ps 335 is a amazing beast
Ps 335 is a amazing beast
This is the thing, while the 335se coupe is no doubt awesome, I'm not buying it as an investment for pure driving pleasure otherwise I would go for the M Sport or maybe even z4M then mess around with Tyres or maybe smaller wheels etc
I wanted something fast, reliable but something that ticks most of the boxes, and also something newer than I'm used to so hopefully apart from maintenance and servicing I am not in the garage every month. I as looming at an s3 or r32 as a compromise because it should do everything I need plus get me through the odd patch of snow we get in the SE. Being an ex e46 owner/fan, its hard to move away
My current situation means I dont have time for hassle. For example even changing for winter tyres is going to be hard work, I don't really have anywhere to store them apart from a damp binshed
Basically looking for a car that is ready to go and wont give me difficult problems. Changing runflats, buying a spare wheel etc etc
Do you think the risk, even if less common on these types of wheels, is worth it?
Men - I see exactly where you're coming from!
The E92 SE actually comes with a few M Sport bits as standard - the sports seats. the suspension and "staggered" tyres (fatter at the back). You can have them with 17s or 18s but many have 19s. I'd honestly go for the smaller sizes as the SE 19s (230s) are shockers for cracking despite being nice looking.
I had an R32 (mk4) - the BM (mine is a 335d) feels a nicer place to be but the R32 is definitely a decent car albeit slower. The S3 IMO is just too wooly and uninspiring plus it only has a four pot engine.
335i prices are pretty good at the moment - you should be able to get a bargain. If you find any, I'm happy to let you know if it's a good or bad buy (and how strong the wheels are!).
The E92 SE actually comes with a few M Sport bits as standard - the sports seats. the suspension and "staggered" tyres (fatter at the back). You can have them with 17s or 18s but many have 19s. I'd honestly go for the smaller sizes as the SE 19s (230s) are shockers for cracking despite being nice looking.
I had an R32 (mk4) - the BM (mine is a 335d) feels a nicer place to be but the R32 is definitely a decent car albeit slower. The S3 IMO is just too wooly and uninspiring plus it only has a four pot engine.
335i prices are pretty good at the moment - you should be able to get a bargain. If you find any, I'm happy to let you know if it's a good or bad buy (and how strong the wheels are!).
Thanks mate appreciate the info -
This time out I sold my previous car private thinking it would be fun to have options to buy private or dealer, and envisaged heading out on testdrives etc, but its turned out to be a real nightmare and im running out of time, and totally stressing about the next car
previously got by on trading into newer e46s at about 5 or 6k, knew where I stood, any horror stories were not too worrying due to the lower prices etc but this time Im a bit worried, trading out of it would envolve a loss no doubt, so I wonder if its worth even getting into the deal to start with
I just dont have the back up for things to go wrong, have nobody to drive me anywhere, elderly relatives kind of dependent upon me
I have option to buy a 2006 335se coupe, with the star shapped twisty style 19" alloys as per the pic I showed above, miles are just over 55k I think, excellent condition with fsh, but I have not had chance to go back and inspect the alloys or even check if its on runflats but I assume it is. Price is 11k
This time out I sold my previous car private thinking it would be fun to have options to buy private or dealer, and envisaged heading out on testdrives etc, but its turned out to be a real nightmare and im running out of time, and totally stressing about the next car
previously got by on trading into newer e46s at about 5 or 6k, knew where I stood, any horror stories were not too worrying due to the lower prices etc but this time Im a bit worried, trading out of it would envolve a loss no doubt, so I wonder if its worth even getting into the deal to start with
I just dont have the back up for things to go wrong, have nobody to drive me anywhere, elderly relatives kind of dependent upon me
I have option to buy a 2006 335se coupe, with the star shapped twisty style 19" alloys as per the pic I showed above, miles are just over 55k I think, excellent condition with fsh, but I have not had chance to go back and inspect the alloys or even check if its on runflats but I assume it is. Price is 11k
ps - even if the alloys are good, I would be owning the car for 2/3 years and take if from current miles up to about 80k I guess,
never even considered the thought of an alloy cracking, apart from if you have a bad impact, just assumed they were bullet proof by this stage in the game
never even considered the thought of an alloy cracking, apart from if you have a bad impact, just assumed they were bullet proof by this stage in the game
menousername said:
ps - even if the alloys are good, I would be owning the car for 2/3 years and take if from current miles up to about 80k I guess,
never even considered the thought of an alloy cracking, apart from if you have a bad impact, just assumed they were bullet proof by this stage in the game
If you do consider it, I'd probably look at a warranty and check the alloys VERY carefully. It seems if they last a while with no issues, they are fine. Tyres are very pricey and non RFTs (essential IMO) are hard to find in the correct size but they are a lovely looking rim.never even considered the thought of an alloy cracking, apart from if you have a bad impact, just assumed they were bullet proof by this stage in the game
If you get a good one, they are ace.
Mine is the denzil version but has a lot of similarities (3.0, six pot, bi-turbo) it's been bulletproof over 4+ years and still makes me grin when I stamp on the throttle.
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