XSeries-forum

Noticed corrosion starting on the alloy wheels today! The AUC warranty excludes wheels but are BMW likely to come up with a 'goodwill' fix? Wheel has not been kerbed!

Looks like the lacquer has been stripped off the edges during a tyre change. This
Problem isn't just a BMW thing. Look on the Audi forums and it's common across all diamond cut / polished alloy wheels .
Water/ moisture gets under the lacquer and aluminium naturally oxidises. I had a set of Aftermarket polished alloys on my E60 and after one winter they were showing the same symptoms. I was recommended by the Alloy wheel refurbished to have them powder coated, which I did and they were spot on and didn't seem to hold on to brake dust as bad as painted ones. £50 a corner.

Whilst the wheels are known to have similar problems, I think you'd need a very good relationship with dealer to have them act on good will for you! They'll pull the kerb card !
The common area is where the centre caps mount, the metallurgy between the two is the cause combined with water sitting behind the cap.

I have the centre cap area developing on one wheel:

There is no way I will accept that the wheel has been kerbed, which it hasn't.....the side of the tyre wall sits proud of the rim edge....this is ridiculous on a BMW less that five year old....you would maybe expect this on a Korean car at a fraction of the price....but a BMW? Just not good enough!  >:( .....here's another affected wheel:

There's certainly no harm in asking, though be prepared.....
My wheels are powder coated which removed the troublesome diamond cut finish, I prefer it and should last that bit longer....

Your wheels look great....imo /nicer than the diamond cut finish...I'm going to see if BMW UK will pay for the powder coating on mine....I really expected better from BMW  >:(

The issue isn't BMW's it's the internationally mandated use of water based lacquers.  Every manufacturer offering diamond cut alloys has the same problem.  BMW did replace them under the original warranty, but it is more of a challenge under the AUC.

If the tyres have been changed, they can even pull the 'wrong methodology used' card, or wrong materials used.....it's Insurance backed and we know what opportunities that generates!

So what if the original wheels were replaced under bmw warranty but within the 2 year period they show signs of corrosion ?

Mine were like this - new set of 4 replaced last year but 11 months on both front alloys show signs of corrosion around the centre caps. I still have auc warranty but surely bmw parts are guaranteed for 2 years.

Thanks X5Sport...when I bought the X5, 6 months ago, the finish on the wheels was flawless, I carefully checked each one. I washed the car two weeks ago and checked each wheel...again all were flawless......but today I found traces of corrosion on every wheel! I have never had the tyres changed.

I'm not hopefull but I'm going to approach the dealer anyway....maybe after all the fuss I caused about the cracked leather/ette on the driver seat in the X5, they'll look favourably on my situation....I'll report back.

When I went to view the car the wheels were really pitted.
The garage told me they were taking them to the paint shop and i could pick which ever color i wanted.
I just stuck with silver TBH I thought they would look naff but I am really pleased with them