Cracked Alloys

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:52 pm

Had the rear tyres changed today and have discovered a small crack in one of the alloys.

Before i put the summer wheels back on i cleaned up the alloys and am sure the crack wasnt there.

I know BMW have had problems with this in the past but do you think there is any chance BMW will replace the wheel under AUC warranty?

graemeX5 · Post by **graemeX5** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:31 pm

Would probably depend how old the car / alloys are and what you warranty says as to a defect in wheel or is it considered to be your fault and how ameniable your dealer is, but def Worth asking. Although from experience with vauxhalls dont hold your breath

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:55 pm

If the rim is undamaged I can't see how they could wriggle out of it - though they'll probably try. Read your warranty docs to see what's excluded.

shadrack · Post by **shadrack** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:03 pm

they may blame it on pot holes in the road and who could blame them, uk roads are a joke!!

stevox5 · Post by **stevox5** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:09 pm

The usual process involves the dealer removing the tyre and measuring runout of the wheel rim with a DTI guage to asess if the crack is due to impact dammage . Once this is assesed the dealer can submit a queery to BMW uk for assesment of the findings and to see if BMW will contribute or relpace the wheel.X5 wheels are not the usual wheel design that is refered to as the BMW wheel with issues this is a 19 inch rim fitted to the three series .
If you have a good relationship with your dealer I would explain the problem and invite them to see what they can do for you.

Hope you get a result.

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:27 pm

Hrmmm.....it doesnt sound like i should hold out much hope.

The tyre guys put some chemical metal stuff on it as i need the car for the weekend. They also have someone who can weld it as the crack is only about 1cm long.

I will give BMW a call in the morning and see where it might lead.

Back to the downside of not having a spare either i suppose

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:31 pm

We had an 18" M-Sport rim on the E46 badly damaged by a pothole. Local guy who does work for Aston Martin fixed if for Â£70.

I have to admit it is the one thing I really don't like about not having a spare or emergency wheel!!

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:42 pm

This is the problem with RFT's too as they don't have any give in them so all the shock when hitting a pothole, etc is transferred to the alloy.

I'd definitely talk to BMW about I though as you should be able to a decent case forward for a good will gesture if it isn't covered under your warranty.

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 3:26 pm

Been into BMW today and they were saying i need to get the wheel into them and for them to check the runout (i think) Something about if its less than 2mm then they can put in for a case of goodwill replacment.

The tyre guys i deal with say they know someone who can do a very good repair on it.

Im now not sure which way to go on all this.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 4:13 pm

Use BMW as your first option - unless you know someone with a dial gauge? What they do is to put the wheel on a jig and rotate it to see if the rim goes in or out by more than 2mm total from the reference point they choose (a bit that is even when they put the gauge up to it). Then repeat the process on the other rim. Add or subtract the maximum variance from the reference to give you the total runout. You can do it on the car if you know someone (albeit, that's a bit more fiddly). Only takes 15 mins to do.

If BMW then won't play because of excess runout - which will most likely be pothole damage - then go to your contacts. You may even find BMW can fix it. My dealer offers that repair service for alloys. Can't remember how much though. A new wheel would always be my preference unless the guys doing the welding know what they're about, in which case no problem.

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:35 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""] My dealer offers that repair service for alloys. Can't remember how much though. [/quote]

Not a surprise the dealers offer a repair service......they are probably experts by now.

The service guy i spoke too basically said that its the problem having an elastic band with a rock sidewall and a soft alloy

graemeX5 · Post by **graemeX5** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:03 pm

That certainly sounds more promising and as X5Sport said use BMW dealer as first option.

If they can assess it there and then thats good. But if they have to keep the wheel they may even be able to supply a temporary one worth asking.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:04 pm

[quote=""squeaky2""]The service guy i spoke too basically said that its the problem having an elastic band with a rock sidewall and a soft alloy

[/quote]

He's got a point, and more so on the more delicate designs. There are a few I've seen on the interwebs which defo made me wonder how long they would last on our roads and with RFTs fitted!

A number of discussion forums have suggested it is a very good reason to never buy 'copy' or 'look alike' wheels over OEM as the quality controls may not be good and the alloys softer.

Hopefully this will be a straight swap......

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