442M alloy wheel corrosion, BMW refusing responsibility
Discussion
Yet another story of BMW alloy wheel corrosion. 3 of the alloy wheels on my 3 and a half year old F32 are beginning to show signs of corrosion and in the classic fashion, its coming from behind the centre caps. One of the wheels now has very noticable damage with an orange spot of rust emanating from the centre of the wheel. As I've seen on this and many other forums, this is far from an uncommon problem, so I rang the dealer from which I bought the vehicle and was told to come in and have the wheels inspected. After the inspection I was told that there was nothing that they could do as 'apparently', the wheels have already been refurbished, to me this seems like a classic attempt to avoid paying out as the wheels have never been refurbished as far as I'm aware. I was also told that BMW wouldn't acknowledge the claim as there is kerb damage visible on the wheels, however I've seen other's have their wheels replaced without this being an issue. My only option as far as they were concerned is to pay £120+VAT PER WHEEL to have them refurbished, an offer which I won't be accepting. As I left the dealer I noticed a 66 Reg F31 on the forecourt with identical wheels to my vehicle, and sure enough very similar corrosion damage was starting to appear. Has anyone experienced similar resistance from the dealer with alloy issues and what would be anyone's suggestion from here, I am currently waiting for a reply from BMW customer services, I am very reluctant to paying out for something which is clearly a major and widespread problem with BMW's alloy wheels.
Depending on where you are, you can get wheels properly done for 60 quid a corner. I've got a set of MV1 BMW E46 alloys into a place called Metal Magic in Baaaarnsley to be done and they have a good reputation. They remove the tyres, acid dip the wheels, repair any minor marks, powdercoat them, refit the tyres and balance them. Powder coating is the best way as the entire wheel is painted - factory wheels are given a derisory lick of primer and the front face painted only.
I'll let you know tomorrow what they're like.
I'll let you know tomorrow what they're like.
Alloy wheels don't rust do they?, so orange rust marks are from the hub surely if coming from the centre cap,
If the wheels have damage, I wouldn't expect BMW to better them, although I'd be happy if they did ha, they do consider a limit to the number of marks I think, but not battered like many seem to be.
Previous refurbishment must have been possible if you haven't had the car from new, and it won't matter whether you are aware really if they believe it's been done surely. I think from what gets written about this, a lot of people are happy with their own or previous kerb marks, cheap refurbs, and not cleaning their wheels properly or regularly, but strangely can't tolerate corrosion of a highly corrosive material at all should it show, unbelievable really if true.
The forecourt car with it present, will be because even they can't claim for it, and it's a used car after all, they may agree to a refurb at sale because if diamond turned, they don't last.
Corrosion emerging from wheel bolts, valves, wheel centres can be reduced by cleaning the brake dust build up from behind, and if wheels were cleaned and polished as much as the paint these issues would be minimised, still, diamond turned will corrode anyway because it's only lacquered over alloy, they will last better if done by people like Pristine Wheels, and it's also worth having them painted all over if only corroding on the diamond turned areas.
Wheels also get stone chipped and will corrode from it, and in particular will corrode where the wheel has been released and hit the back plate, plus where someone may have clobbered the rim to get it off a corroded hub, and of course, significantly from loading on and off wheel balancers fouling the edge of the centre bore, then the digging around old wheel weights, or of course nicks from tyre levers, much of this stuff an owner won't know about.
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If the wheels have damage, I wouldn't expect BMW to better them, although I'd be happy if they did ha, they do consider a limit to the number of marks I think, but not battered like many seem to be.
Previous refurbishment must have been possible if you haven't had the car from new, and it won't matter whether you are aware really if they believe it's been done surely. I think from what gets written about this, a lot of people are happy with their own or previous kerb marks, cheap refurbs, and not cleaning their wheels properly or regularly, but strangely can't tolerate corrosion of a highly corrosive material at all should it show, unbelievable really if true.
The forecourt car with it present, will be because even they can't claim for it, and it's a used car after all, they may agree to a refurb at sale because if diamond turned, they don't last.
Corrosion emerging from wheel bolts, valves, wheel centres can be reduced by cleaning the brake dust build up from behind, and if wheels were cleaned and polished as much as the paint these issues would be minimised, still, diamond turned will corrode anyway because it's only lacquered over alloy, they will last better if done by people like Pristine Wheels, and it's also worth having them painted all over if only corroding on the diamond turned areas.
Wheels also get stone chipped and will corrode from it, and in particular will corrode where the wheel has been released and hit the back plate, plus where someone may have clobbered the rim to get it off a corroded hub, and of course, significantly from loading on and off wheel balancers fouling the edge of the centre bore, then the digging around old wheel weights, or of course nicks from tyre levers, much of this stuff an owner won't know about.
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BMW's response to their poor quality wheels corroding seems to be to tighten up the warranty claim procedure rather than improve the wheel quality. At my end of warranty check, 2 months ago, I asked the dealer to examine the corrosion on my 403M wheels. I must have got lucky as they replaced the four of them without charge. I have heard of BMW charging people £100 a corner if there was kerbing in addition to the centre cap corrosion.
The wheels are clearly defective. I run a winter set and a summer set, so my 403M summers have only had about 22 months of use, and mostly in reasonable weather.
I suggest you keep pushing, although being out of warranty is going to make it harder. For anyone else - you need to go over the wheels very carefully before the warranty expires.
The wheels are clearly defective. I run a winter set and a summer set, so my 403M summers have only had about 22 months of use, and mostly in reasonable weather.
I suggest you keep pushing, although being out of warranty is going to make it harder. For anyone else - you need to go over the wheels very carefully before the warranty expires.
iSore said:
Got my wheels back and they are better than new, £240 all in - maybe less if no invoice req'd ;-)
Are your wheels diamond cut? The dealer did say that this was one reason for the pricey quote and that they could do it cheaper if I was happy to change the colour of the wheels, which I'm not since then I'd have to get all four done. There seem to be less company's willing to refurb diamond cut wheels.CarsOrBikes said:
Alloy wheels don't rust do they?, so orange rust marks are from the hub surely if coming from the centre cap,
If the wheels have damage, I wouldn't expect BMW to better them, although I'd be happy if they did ha, they do consider a limit to the number of marks I think, but not battered like many seem to be.
Previous refurbishment must have been possible if you haven't had the car from new, and it won't matter whether you are aware really if they believe it's been done surely. I think from what gets written about this, a lot of people are happy with their own or previous kerb marks, cheap refurbs, and not cleaning their wheels properly or regularly, but strangely can't tolerate corrosion of a highly corrosive material at all should it show, unbelievable really if true.
The forecourt car with it present, will be because even they can't claim for it, and it's a used car after all, they may agree to a refurb at sale because if diamond turned, they don't last.
Corrosion emerging from wheel bolts, valves, wheel centres can be reduced by cleaning the brake dust build up from behind, and if wheels were cleaned and polished as much as the paint these issues would be minimised, still, diamond turned will corrode anyway because it's only lacquered over alloy, they will last better if done by people like Pristine Wheels, and it's also worth having them painted all over if only corroding on the diamond turned areas.
Wheels also get stone chipped and will corrode from it, and in particular will corrode where the wheel has been released and hit the back plate, plus where someone may have clobbered the rim to get it off a corroded hub, and of course, significantly from loading on and off wheel balancers fouling the edge of the centre bore, then the digging around old wheel weights, or of course nicks from tyre levers, much of this stuff an owner won't know about.
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Whether alloy wheels rust or not, there's clearly orange rust coming from somewhere as you can see. Interestingly, the wheel still feels smooth on the top surface so the corrosion is obviously underneath the lacquer layer.If the wheels have damage, I wouldn't expect BMW to better them, although I'd be happy if they did ha, they do consider a limit to the number of marks I think, but not battered like many seem to be.
Previous refurbishment must have been possible if you haven't had the car from new, and it won't matter whether you are aware really if they believe it's been done surely. I think from what gets written about this, a lot of people are happy with their own or previous kerb marks, cheap refurbs, and not cleaning their wheels properly or regularly, but strangely can't tolerate corrosion of a highly corrosive material at all should it show, unbelievable really if true.
The forecourt car with it present, will be because even they can't claim for it, and it's a used car after all, they may agree to a refurb at sale because if diamond turned, they don't last.
Corrosion emerging from wheel bolts, valves, wheel centres can be reduced by cleaning the brake dust build up from behind, and if wheels were cleaned and polished as much as the paint these issues would be minimised, still, diamond turned will corrode anyway because it's only lacquered over alloy, they will last better if done by people like Pristine Wheels, and it's also worth having them painted all over if only corroding on the diamond turned areas.
Wheels also get stone chipped and will corrode from it, and in particular will corrode where the wheel has been released and hit the back plate, plus where someone may have clobbered the rim to get it off a corroded hub, and of course, significantly from loading on and off wheel balancers fouling the edge of the centre bore, then the digging around old wheel weights, or of course nicks from tyre levers, much of this stuff an owner won't know about.
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As you say, the vehicle has had two owners prior to me buying it so it is impossible for me to know whether or not the wheels have previously been refurbished, there does appear to have been some sort of work performed on the wheel in the image as there are several strange white blobs which can be seen around the centre cap.
The company you mentioned is too far from me (based in Manchester), but since it looks like I'm going to have to pay from my own pocket on this, any recommendations of refurbishes in and around Manchester would be helpful
My corrosion on the 403Ms was nothing like as severe as that pictured. It was almost invisible on 2 of the wheels, so I was surprised when they agreed to replace all four. It would have taken a good couple of years more to reach that state. It is unfortunate that this wasn't pointed out at the 3 year end of warranty check - they would have no option but to replace under warranty.
While this doesn't help the OP, for any other BMW owners here - You need to inspect your wheels very carefully before the warranty expires.
I would have hoped that BMW would recognise in the OP's case that given the current state, the corrosion would have been there at the 3 year point, some 6 months ago, and to offer some goodwill. These look like 10 year old wheels!
While this doesn't help the OP, for any other BMW owners here - You need to inspect your wheels very carefully before the warranty expires.
I would have hoped that BMW would recognise in the OP's case that given the current state, the corrosion would have been there at the 3 year point, some 6 months ago, and to offer some goodwill. These look like 10 year old wheels!
335d said:
My corrosion on the 403Ms was nothing like as severe as that pictured. It was almost invisible on 2 of the wheels, so I was surprised when they agreed to replace all four. It would have taken a good couple of years more to reach that state. It is unfortunate that this wasn't pointed out at the 3 year end of warranty check - they would have no option but to replace under warranty.
While this doesn't help the OP, for any other BMW owners here - You need to inspect your wheels very carefully before the warranty expires.
I would have hoped that BMW would recognise in the OP's case that given the current state, the corrosion would have been there at the 3 year point, some 6 months ago, and to offer some goodwill. These look like 10 year old wheels!
Unfortunately I bought the car just after the 3 year warranty expired, but according to the dealer since the wheels have been 'refurbished' even if it was still within the first three years, they still wouldn't have done anything to sort the issue. No sort of goodwill gesture seems forthcoming from BMW, BMW customer services basically told me the same as the dealer and suggested that I "escalate this further with the service manager." The wheels are a complete mess and do not look like they belong on a 3 and a half year old car. While this doesn't help the OP, for any other BMW owners here - You need to inspect your wheels very carefully before the warranty expires.
I would have hoped that BMW would recognise in the OP's case that given the current state, the corrosion would have been there at the 3 year point, some 6 months ago, and to offer some goodwill. These look like 10 year old wheels!
On my 2015 F32 I have the same problem on my front two wheels, around 18 months ago i had one refurbished by my local BMW dealer as i just touched a kerb very very gently but i am a perfectionist and wanted get it repaired (this was on the outer side of the wheel and was only a part repair meaning they didn't re lacquer the whole wheel). Now i have noticed some corrosion around the centre caps on both front wheels (no relation to the repair on the outer side of the wheel) i have taken it to my local BMW dealer and there response was that they can only replace 1 as the other has been refurbished (by themselves) even after them admitting it is a known defect with the wheel. I find it extremely irritating that you spend all that money on a BMW and they just continue to try and get out of warranty claims and any issues you have with your car, its extremely poor service. Any advice on how to get both wheels replaced?
Another diamond cut wheel problem, biggest issue is around the edges (wherever that might be), as inherently the lacquer will be thinner near the edge.
All it really takes is a chip (let alone it meeting a kerb) or an aggressive cleaner to be in contact with that point for a significant time and eventually you will get white worm and eventually the lacquer lifting. For me these going around the centre cap location will be down to a cleaner being in contact for a significant period of time as the cleaner will sit in centre bore of the wheel.
IMO for long term then just get them refurbed well without DC.
Lord knows why this not very durable finish persists, minus looking good in a show room (which is where it belongs).
All it really takes is a chip (let alone it meeting a kerb) or an aggressive cleaner to be in contact with that point for a significant time and eventually you will get white worm and eventually the lacquer lifting. For me these going around the centre cap location will be down to a cleaner being in contact for a significant period of time as the cleaner will sit in centre bore of the wheel.
IMO for long term then just get them refurbed well without DC.
Lord knows why this not very durable finish persists, minus looking good in a show room (which is where it belongs).
I happened to be at an alloy refurbisher on Friday and asked him to look at one of my 2016 X1 wheels which has three spots where the lacquer is bubbling.
He advised all were at the point the painted parts of the wheel join diamond cut parts with a sharp angle at the joint. When manufactured, he said, it only takes a microscopic flaw in the lacquer over both painted and cut parts, especially prevalent at sharp joints, to allow ingress of moist air and then starts your issue.
The other three wheels are fine, so far.
Will be putting in a claim with BMW...
He advised all were at the point the painted parts of the wheel join diamond cut parts with a sharp angle at the joint. When manufactured, he said, it only takes a microscopic flaw in the lacquer over both painted and cut parts, especially prevalent at sharp joints, to allow ingress of moist air and then starts your issue.
The other three wheels are fine, so far.
Will be putting in a claim with BMW...
TrimbL315 said:
335d said:
My corrosion on the 403Ms was nothing like as severe as that pictured. It was almost invisible on 2 of the wheels, so I was surprised when they agreed to replace all four. It would have taken a good couple of years more to reach that state. It is unfortunate that this wasn't pointed out at the 3 year end of warranty check - they would have no option but to replace under warranty.
While this doesn't help the OP, for any other BMW owners here - You need to inspect your wheels very carefully before the warranty expires.
I would have hoped that BMW would recognise in the OP's case that given the current state, the corrosion would have been there at the 3 year point, some 6 months ago, and to offer some goodwill. These look like 10 year old wheels!
Unfortunately I bought the car just after the 3 year warranty expired, but according to the dealer since the wheels have been 'refurbished' even if it was still within the first three years, they still wouldn't have done anything to sort the issue. No sort of goodwill gesture seems forthcoming from BMW, BMW customer services basically told me the same as the dealer and suggested that I "escalate this further with the service manager." The wheels are a complete mess and do not look like they belong on a 3 and a half year old car. While this doesn't help the OP, for any other BMW owners here - You need to inspect your wheels very carefully before the warranty expires.
I would have hoped that BMW would recognise in the OP's case that given the current state, the corrosion would have been there at the 3 year point, some 6 months ago, and to offer some goodwill. These look like 10 year old wheels!
It's easy to tell if they've been refurbished by running your finger along the spokes of the wheels where it meets the paint. If it's even slightly sharp then they've been done.
NelsonM3 said:
...I think you're being unreasonable. Why should BMW guarantee someone elses finish if they've been refurbed?.....
+1 
(Unless the refurb was carried out by a subcontract company for BMW of course!)
If there was damage to the bodywork that had been repaired at some time by "Joe Bloggs Auto Paint Shop", that wasn't up to the original BMW standard, would BMW be expected to put it right for free, or pay a contribution towards putting it right? - Of course they wouldn't!
(It wouldn't stop owners trying though!)
NelsonM3 said:
I think you're being unreasonable. Why should BMW guarantee someone elses finish if they've been refurbed?
It's easy to tell if they've been refurbished by running your finger along the spokes of the wheels where it meets the paint. If it's even slightly sharp then they've been done.
I agree that if they had been refurbished by a third party, it isn't BMW's responsibility. However I doubt that they have been. It's easy to tell if they've been refurbished by running your finger along the spokes of the wheels where it meets the paint. If it's even slightly sharp then they've been done.
The main reason for that doubt being that the car is just 6 months out of warranty. During the warranty period the wheels would have been replaced or just possibly refurbished by BMW, so are we suggesting that they have been refurbished a few weeks/months ago and have corroded again over a very short period?
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