XSeries-forum

Hi all just found out that my rear wheel is cracked on the inner edge not good as a new one from the stealers is £530 inc VAT anyone know of a second hand one or a place where I can get a new one for a sensible price. It's from a 4.8is. 20" 10.5 I think the style is 168.
Not interested in a copy has to be an original.

Thanks

Darren

No idea about second hand wheels, and personally I would be wary in case they've been abused. I guess ebay or a local breakers would be your best bet.

EDIT> Welding comment removed.

You can get brand new from here (assumed you meant a 168M ? )

http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/bmw_al ... _wheel_437

Genuine OEM but at much cheaper prices - well cheaper. They quote for a set but you can order just one by changing the quantity.

They can be welded, try these guys i aint used them but was recommended them
http://www.alloywheelrepairs.net/

had a crack on my hartge rim, replacing wasnt an option. took it to a1 wheels in wolverhampton, wheel was bent a little a s well, all repaired and balanced etc for £95. will be getting the wheels refurbed from them soon as well.

Hi all not to sure on the welding front as there are some horror stories about with them failing after, also from what I have read it invalidates your insurance as well.

Darren

No idea about the insurance aspect and that may well depend on the company. I suppose they could take the line that a welded wheel does not have the strength of the original wheel due to heating effects but that's an interesting call.

Welding is not unusual and if done properly with the right alloys and heat treatments could be fine in the short to medium term, but the fatigue life will have been changed.

Having had a harder think about this, I think my original post would have had the following added.....

Would you feel safe driving a two-tonne vehicle knowing a wheel had been hit hard enough to cause a crack, and even though the crack has been welded and appears to be absolutely OK, is it? Is there another unseen crack still there? Personally I would not take the chance, and there are others who think the same. But then again, there are plenty of drivers who have no issue with driving on repaired rims so it has to be a personal decision. Our E46 had a rim 'splayed' by a pothole and it was repaired by a company who specialise in repairing rims and have the right tools. They will not weld cracked rims (in our case it wasn't cracked) for safety reasons.

No doubt there is a fairly evenly balanced debate supporting either viewpoint.

When I bought my wheels I found one was seriously cracked and ended up getting it welded. It went through a mate but he got it done at a specialist in ally welding - they do a lot of marine turbos and the like - serious cost to replace so they get them repaired. If done properly there is no issue.

A hairline crack cannot be fixed with a simple run of weld - it will be structurally impaired so they cut out a large v shape and fill the whole thing. Get it fixed but do it properly .

As for insurance being invalidated - I don't think anyone will have such a specific clause to suggest welded repairs would not be allowed. It may state that the vehicle must be kept roadworthy etc but so long as you can show a professional repair (receipt) there could be no argument.

Cheers