If BMW make cheap alloy wheels, why aren't BMW wheels cheap

[EnthuZiaZT]

Hi guys, tales of woe this morning, took Alpie into the garage for a break fluid change today. Listers, Kings Lynn, BMW Dealers. After they changed the break fluid, the nice guys did an underbody health check, Turns out I have a cracked wheel, rear offside. the wheels are Style 326 M sport 19 inch. Looked up the cost of a new wheel when I got home, £585 from BMW. Can't believe it's cracked because neither I nor Sandy can remember hitting a pot hole or bump in the car that would affect that wheel.

Mike, retired, now broke!!

 

[jamie_z4]

sadly very comon on 326 style wheels Mike.

The runflat tyres and the fact the profile is rediculously small (sidewall) that cracks them.

best bet for you would be to change out the runflats (if you have them fitted) to non runflats and going up a size to 265/30/19 rear. This will eliminate the problem from recurring.

 

[Grumps]

Hi guys, tales of woe this morning, took Alpie into the garage for a break fluid change today. Listers, Kings Lynn, BMW Dealers. After they changed the break fluid, the nice guys did an underbody health check, Turns out I have a cracked wheel, rear offside. the wheels are Style 326 M sport 19 inch. Looked up the cost of a new wheel when I got home, £585 from BMW. Can't believe it's cracked because neither I nor Sandy can remember hitting a pot hole or bump in the car that would affect that wheel.

Mike, retired, now broke!!

Bugger! Sorry to here that Mike. Horrible unexpected expense, nothing worse.

 

[Shelly]

O no Mike
That's not good

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

sadly very comon on 326 style wheels Mike.

The runflat tyres and the fact the profile is rediculously small (sidewall) that cracks them.

best bet for you would be to change out the runflats (if you have them fitted) to non runflats and going up a size to 265/30/19 rear. This will eliminate the problem from recurring.

I agree with your first statement Jamie, my argument would be that if BMW carry out extensive testing on their components, why would the wheels not be engineered in such a way that they would be able to deal with these forces and not fail.

Mike

 

[Dino D]

I agree with your first statement Jamie, my argument would be that if BMW carry out extensive testing on their components, why would the wheels not be engineered in such a way that they would be able to deal with these forces and not fail.

Mike

They do harsh climate testing in South Africa, clearly the roads are not as bad here as they seem to pass their 'test'.
Maybe we should lobby them to give us a few cars to test it out on the proper 1st world quality roads we have, seems 3rd world roads way too smooth!

Cracked wheels from runflats are massively common it seems.

 

[Low Rider]

Sorry to hear your news Mike.
Might it be worth checking ebay or scrap yards.

 

[Tracy Dee]

Sorry to hear about your wheel I asked the question yesterday about the quality of BMW wheels a couple of mine are corroding .
Hope you get it sorted.
Tracy.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Sorry to hear your news Mike.
Might it be worth checking ebay or scrap yards.

Already done that, I cannot find one. I think also I would be a bit nervous about buying a wheel sight unseen, in case it was also cracked. Perhaps a breaker who is willing to guarantee the wheel . Even then I would not be happy until it's tested.
I did wonder if the crack could be welded, but not an ideal solution.

Mike

 

[Grumps]

Sorry to hear about your wheel I asked the question yesterday about the quality of BMW wheels a couple of mine are corroding .
Hope you get it sorted.
Tracy.

Any alloy wheel will corrode with age Tracy. The wife has a landrover and two are pretty bad. Once the paint is damaged through curbing etc the water takes its toll.

 

[Tracy Dee]

Yes Tony replied yesterday to my question. They are really bubbled especially around the bolt holes.
Never experienced this before on any other model with alloys. as I said maybe it's something to do with last owner.

 

[jamie_z4]

Welding is a good solution as the weld becomes the strongest part of the wheel if done correctly. That coupled with a non runflat tyre and a slightly larger profile would be a good measure for you

 

[t-tony]

We regularly have wheels welded at work from all makes of car, but mainly all the German luxury marques. As you said Mike not ideal but when it's on the inside (usually is) it's not visible and you would save over £500 as well.

Tony.

 

[Antm72]

I had a set of wheels off a z4 and they too had been cracked only became apparent after it cracked again .
They can be welded but make sure its someone thats clued up to get a good job done.

 

[jamie_z4]

As Ant says do your research and find someone who knows what they're doing as if done incorrectly they'll just crack again

 

[t-tony]

We use a professional welding company in Lincoln for wheel repairs, we don't do it "in house" so to speak.

Tony.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

http://email.citnow.com/wf/click?up...3mPdMpZybutOx2PFAjeqzWuv6RbkYaj-2FtUf3EJJQ-3D

Got this in an email from BMW, hope you can see it. Do you think your company would be able to repair this @t-tony, if so how much do you think it would cost.


Mike

 

[zedwheels]

I can sympathise with you! I had one crack last year and mine cost me just over £700. I did remember where and when I hit the pot hole
but didn't go after the council because I was told that you have to take photos and measurements of depth and size!
Mine are 19" wheels too but not run flats, I tried welding it as it too was on the inside and quite small but it still kept on letting out air
and I would have the warning light come on so in the end ordered one from Germany.
I see they are increasing the road tax on new cars from April so we can all be sure it will be spent on road repairs, cant we?

 

[Antm72]

That crack was the same as mine it was repaired fine cost me about £30
The grind it out then weld it over the top.
The reason it failed the first time is they ground the welds flat and all the strength was removed so you end up with a line of weld showing but its not going to be bad on the inside edge of a wheel .
Its better than a new wheel at that price and worth trying first.

 

[t-tony]

http://email.citnow.com/wf/click?up...3mPdMpZybutOx2PFAjeqzWuv6RbkYaj-2FtUf3EJJQ-3D

Got this in an email from BMW, hope you can see it. Do you think your company would be able to repair this @t-tony, if so how much do you think it would cost.


Mike

Hi Mike, I took a photo from the video and I will ask tomorrow.
Tony.