[feederz]

1) MDA335i -Car: E93 335i M Sport
Build date: Feb-07
Registered date: Mar-07
No of wheels cracked: 2 rears - Jun-08 @ 9000mile

2) Big Pimp
E92 330D M Sport
build date March 07
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - 08 (will find exact date)
still possess my cracked wheels and tyres if needed

3) Dinesh
E92 335D SE
build date November 06
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - found out Jan 08

4) Phazon
E92 335D SE
build date November 06
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - October 08 (style 230)
still possess my cracked wheels and tyres if needed

5) 300ZXtt
Bmw 335i se coupe March 07
Cracked wheel: Rear near side style 230 19"
Feb 18 2009.
Just had phone call from bmw, bit strange they check wheels on a oil service?

6) Cheesy
E92 325 M Sport convertible.
Build date ?
Registered September 07
1 rear wheel cracked and replaced - March 09 (14000 miles)

7) 330cdsport
E92 335d MSport
build date April 07
No of wheels cracked - 1 rear - found Dec 08 (13000 miles)

8) J3LFY
E92 335D M Sport Coupe
Build date ?
Registered September 07
225 19's - Cracked near side rear (and possibily offside rear also).
Found at 14.5k

9) Shopper150
Cracked rear alloy E92 335d M Sport.

10) mark@vorny.co.uk
e93 2007 335i on 19" LA230 style rims.
I have had two replaced thus far, 31k miles, under warranty. Had my wheels off today to paint the hubs and calipers and hey presto, a third rear rim cracked, this being one which was replaced 12k miles ago.

11) Feederz
e92 2006 335i 19" LA230 style rims (26k miles).
Both rears cracked (and weld repaired)

I bought the car (used) on Saturday and was alerted to the issue by Mark (previous poster) just checked all my wheels this evening and sure enough the two rears have been repaired - one had one crack the other had two. From past experience of welded alloy wheels the repair doesn't last very long.

I bought the car on Saturday from a reputable looking showroom - anybody know if I have any consumer rights here? (Obviously there is little point in pursuing BMW with a warranty claim)
Oh forgot to mention, one of the fronts is also losing pressure - no wheel crack but looks like the tyre has got a slow leak somewhere so will need to be replaced ASAP.

1 very unhappy Alex

[mark@vorny.co.uk]

Folks, a newbie, but I wish to thank you all for the information in this thread. The dealer rang me today and said the latest crack was not a warranty issue. I asked them for their figures, all between 0.1mm > 0.3mm.
I responded stating this was within BMW's own quoted figures, info I had gathered from this thread, and two hours later they called back and agreed it was a warranty claim. That is three now cracked all within tolerance.

Many thanks

[Simon6]

Hi, Im new on here but joined specifically because of this problem.

I have a 2008 335d MSport running on 19" rims with standard factory fit Bridgestone Potenza 255/30R19 91Y RFT on the back. Had new tyres fitted by my local tyre company who i have used for years and before they took the wheels off they warned me of this problem on the large wheeled BMWs. Sure enough both rears were cracked in two places.
Took the car to Stephen James and they put it straight up on the ramp and told me initially that the fron wheel was buckled but could only see one rear cracked. Conveniently the engineer fished a photocooy of an article out of his pocket from the daily mail showing the plight of UK roads and told me to claim from the Local Authority. I do 35K a year so which LA due I claim from!!!
This seems to be a common problem with BMW and I will be emailing them shortly, surely the cars are built for use on UK roads and if the roads are causing the problem then the car tyres, wheels and overall set up are incorrect and not fit foe purpose. The wear on the inside of both rear tyres was phenomenal, so much so that the outside were legal but the inside was through to the fabric.

[RichTea]

1) MDA335i -Car: E93 335i M Sport
Build date: Feb-07
Registered date: Mar-07
No of wheels cracked: 2 rears - Jun-08 @ 9000mile

2) Big Pimp
E92 330D M Sport
build date March 07
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - 08 (will find exact date)
still possess my cracked wheels and tyres if needed

3) Dinesh
E92 335D SE
build date November 06
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - found out Jan 08

4) Phazon
E92 335D SE
build date November 06
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - October 08 (style 230)
still possess my cracked wheels and tyres if needed

5) 300ZXtt
Bmw 335i se coupe March 07
Cracked wheel: Rear near side style 230 19"
Feb 18 2009.
Just had phone call from bmw, bit strange they check wheels on a oil service?

6) Cheesy
E92 325 M Sport convertible.
Build date ?
Registered September 07
1 rear wheel cracked and replaced - March 09 (14000 miles)

7) 330cdsport
E92 335d MSport
build date April 07
No of wheels cracked - 1 rear - found Dec 08 (13000 miles)

8) J3LFY
E92 335D M Sport Coupe
Build date ?
Registered September 07
225 19's - Cracked near side rear (and possibily offside rear also).
Found at 14.5k

9) Shopper150
Cracked rear alloy E92 335d M Sport.

10) mark@vorny.co.uk
e93 2007 335i on 19" LA230 style rims.
I have had two replaced thus far, 31k miles, under warranty. Had my wheels off today to paint the hubs and calipers and hey presto, a third rear rim cracked, this being one which was replaced 12k miles ago.

11) Feederz
e92 2006 335i 19" LA230 style rims (26k miles).
Both rears cracked (and weld repaired)

12) RichTea
e92 2007 320D 19" 225M style rims (23k miles)
Both rears Cracked - Waiting for BMW to decide if warranty!

[RichTea]

Just had the results - run out test is at 0.4mm on both - so no warranty - what a shock!
I traded in a 530D for this car because I had no end of problems with it - just wish I had learnt my lesson. BMW have lost their way and I will not putting any more of my hard earnt money their way!

[feederz]

Hi RichTea - sorry to hear you have the same issue. It's incredible that BMW are able to slip out of the warranty here, although bearing in mind the value of each wheel it's perhaps not so surprising that they are trying to get away with it. If you can't get them replaced under warranty then the other option would be to have them repaired by a wheel repair specialist.

Many people have also swapped the RFT's for conventional tyres which in theory will protect the rim better (due to the extra give in the tyre wall). Conventional tyres are cheaper and will give better handling, comfort and reduced road noise. The downside of course is what to do if you get a puncture - but then having seen how fragile your wheels are would you really want to drive around on them without flat tyres?

Good luck!

[Jamese93]

Hey guys, this thread has been invaluable as a relative newby. Many many thanks. If you see my other threads I've had massive problems with an E93 325i M-Sport 2008MY. This car is now going back and new car ordered. However, have this car til july when the new car arrives in which time I'm taking the current car 4,000+ miles around Europe.

Better half kerbed a back alloy - 225 - and lo and behold I had the phone call saying it's craccked and what do I want to do? £525 from the dealer! Jesus! As bad as the £500 door card but that's another matter!

a) sod it and take it around europe
b) cough 525 or so notes on a car that's a shed and is going back to BMW?

Really not sure about the rims - I understand the laws of physics and some friends have said don't worry - but I'm going to be driving 100+ through various countries and the thought of a blow out, even on run flat doesn't even bear thinking about.

Any thoughts anyone?

J

[F104]

are those tyres or slicks?

Originally Posted by Simon6

Hi, Im new on here but joined specifically because of this problem.

I have a 2008 335d MSport running on 19" rims with standard factory fit Bridgestone Potenza 255/30R19 91Y RFT on the back. Had new tyres fitted by my local tyre company who i have used for years and before they took the wheels off they warned me of this problem on the large wheeled BMWs. Sure enough both rears were cracked in two places.
Took the car to Stephen James and they put it straight up on the ramp and told me initially that the fron wheel was buckled but could only see one rear cracked. Conveniently the engineer fished a photocooy of an article out of his pocket from the daily mail showing the plight of UK roads and told me to claim from the Local Authority. I do 35K a year so which LA due I claim from!!!
This seems to be a common problem with BMW and I will be emailing them shortly, surely the cars are built for use on UK roads and if the roads are causing the problem then the car tyres, wheels and overall set up are incorrect and not fit foe purpose. The wear on the inside of both rear tyres was phenomenal, so much so that the outside were legal but the inside was through to the fabric.

[moses]

Hi All,
Just been reading the thread and I have lots in common with others here (what a great invention forums are!) so thought I'd give a brief outline of my experiences.

First a couple of questions in case anyone can help:
1. Does anyone know of a source of replacement wheels cheaper than going to local dealer? (Needs to be a genuine replacement for factory fitted - thought I once saw a BMW dealer who would supply spares at discount?)
2. To try to minimise the wear on the tyre edges (worst is on inner, but also on outer edges, all 4 wheels) I maintain the pressures at the top end, i.e. full load - my theory being this will push out the centre area and spread the wear - any thoughts?

Hit a pothole big time last year (shortly after getting the car) on a road I travel regularly but had never noticed in previous cars, thought a bomb had gone off! Thought no more of it, but a few days later computer told me I had a flat (you just can't see those things with low profile runflats, can you?) so I took in to my favourite tyre shop to get repaired/replaced and they couldn't find the puncture. Eventually they noticed large crack and some smaller ones in rim letting the air out.
Took it in to BMW and they gave me the usual story - "needs replacement nearside rear wheel (and tyre by now) due to excessive impact damage shown by runout greater than BMW allow under warranty (I hadn't mentioned the pothole!), front was OK but also had runout apparently confirming the impact theory, offside wheels OK but they recommended a full alignment". Since I knew about the pothole I didn't really push the warranty question, but I was suspicious that they were so quick to defend their position and give me a copy of the standard weasle-words from BMW on maximum runout allowed. Anyway I put it down to experience and stumped up the cash.
I thought I'd try my insurance, so filed a claim and they paid up no questions asked. OK, with excesses and wear allowance for replaced tyre it only paid about 60% of the bill, but worth having, especially since I have protected no claims discount (bought policy off the chickens at Swiftcover if anyone's interested). I did consider claiming off the council, but never got round to trying.
Since then I have carefully avoided hitting any sort of bump in the road at speed (not easy after last winter's snow and ice damage!) especially the one I know I hit which was eventually repaired about 6 months later. So at the recent BMW service, guess what, "cracks in rear offside wheel, inner edge wear on all 4 tyres, recommend replacement" I told them I'd think about it as I know I can get the tyres cheaper and wanted to try to get the wheel fixed cheaper.
Will add my details to the growing list of fellow sufferers.
Cheers
PS: I still love this car!
PPS: my wife hates the car, says she can't understand why such an expensive car gives such a noisy, bumpy ride!

[moses]

1) MDA335i -Car: E93 335i M Sport
Build date: Feb-07
Registered date: Mar-07
No of wheels cracked: 2 rears - Jun-08 @ 9000mile

2) Big Pimp
E92 330D M Sport
build date March 07
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - 08 (will find exact date)
still possess my cracked wheels and tyres if needed

3) Dinesh
E92 335D SE
build date November 06
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - found out Jan 08

4) Phazon
E92 335D SE
build date November 06
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - October 08 (style 230)
still possess my cracked wheels and tyres if needed

5) 300ZXtt
Bmw 335i se coupe March 07
Cracked wheel: Rear near side style 230 19"
Feb 18 2009.
Just had phone call from bmw, bit strange they check wheels on a oil service?

6) Cheesy
E92 325 M Sport convertible.
Build date ?
Registered September 07
1 rear wheel cracked and replaced - March 09 (14000 miles)

7) 330cdsport
E92 335d MSport
build date April 07
No of wheels cracked - 1 rear - found Dec 08 (13000 miles)

8) J3LFY
E92 335D M Sport Coupe
Build date ?
Registered September 07
225 19's - Cracked near side rear (and possibily offside rear also).
Found at 14.5k

9) Shopper150
Cracked rear alloy E92 335d M Sport.

10) mark@vorny.co.uk
e93 2007 335i on 19" LA230 style rims.
I have had two replaced thus far, 31k miles, under warranty. Had my wheels off today to paint the hubs and calipers and hey presto, a third rear rim cracked, this being one which was replaced 12k miles ago.

11) Feederz
e92 2006 335i 19" LA230 style rims (26k miles).
Both rears cracked (and weld repaired)

12) RichTea
e92 2007 320D 19" 225M style rims (23k miles)
Both rears Cracked - Waiting for BMW to decide if warranty!

13) (is that unlucky for me?!) Moses
e93 2007 335i M Sport 19" 225M style rims (22k miles)
Nearside rear replaced last year (12k miles), offside rear now cracked

[Jamese93]

All,

Recently got back from my local dealer and have seen the crack for myself - pretty large actually running up the inside of a rear wheel and going onto the main flat face of the alloy. not looking good I have to say and unhappy to run the car for long with the wheel in this state - I refer to Moses's email too and ask if anyone knows anywhere you can get them at a discount? I am also considering repairing it as the car's going soon.

Any help really appreciated. Sorry however - for the moment I can't add my car to the list for other reasons... when I can, I will.

Mine for reference has nearly 10k on it and is January 2008 build.

Cheers all,

J

[Carrera RSR]

Originally Posted by carrerarsr

Having warned my mate who has the 19'' 225 wheels on his Aug 07 E92 320i that these have been cracking he got a call today from BMW that whilst his car was in for a service they have spotted one of his rear wheels is cracked. They are waiting on his agreement to replace the wheel at a cost of around £500 and it's not covered by warranty. He is obviously pissed as the car is due to be returned to his lease company late July and could do without an additional cost. The dealer said they would check the wheels runout on their machine to check roundness. But as we already know a cracked wheel will not be round by nature of the fact its is cracked. Therefore adding to their argument of damage due to poor roads, pot holes or speed bumps inflicting the damage.

How is the court proceedings going and do you need another owner of cracked alloys to sign up to the ever growing list?

Having reported my mate having a crack in his rear wheel, it was, at the time only a minor one and BMW allowed him to drive it away without a new wheel. However a few weeks later it has now failed far enough not to hold air in the tyre. A new wheel is now urgently needed.

This is a non maintenance lease which ends in July. Has anyone experience on getting the lease/finance company footing the bill on these failed wheels as BMW are not honoring a warranty on it. Is this something to throw back at the finance company?

[ozyozy]

Originally Posted by moses

1) MDA335i -Car: E93 335i M Sport
Build date: Feb-07
Registered date: Mar-07
No of wheels cracked: 2 rears - Jun-08 @ 9000mile

2) Big Pimp
E92 330D M Sport
build date March 07
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - 08 (will find exact date)
still possess my cracked wheels and tyres if needed

3) Dinesh
E92 335D SE
build date November 06
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - found out Jan 08

4) Phazon
E92 335D SE
build date November 06
No of wheels cracked - 2 rears - October 08 (style 230)
still possess my cracked wheels and tyres if needed

5) 300ZXtt
Bmw 335i se coupe March 07
Cracked wheel: Rear near side style 230 19"
Feb 18 2009.
Just had phone call from bmw, bit strange they check wheels on a oil service?

6) Cheesy
E92 325 M Sport convertible.
Build date ?
Registered September 07
1 rear wheel cracked and replaced - March 09 (14000 miles)

7) 330cdsport
E92 335d MSport
build date April 07
No of wheels cracked - 1 rear - found Dec 08 (13000 miles)

8) J3LFY
E92 335D M Sport Coupe
Build date ?
Registered September 07
225 19's - Cracked near side rear (and possibily offside rear also).
Found at 14.5k

9) Shopper150
Cracked rear alloy E92 335d M Sport.

10) mark@vorny.co.uk
e93 2007 335i on 19" LA230 style rims.
I have had two replaced thus far, 31k miles, under warranty. Had my wheels off today to paint the hubs and calipers and hey presto, a third rear rim cracked, this being one which was replaced 12k miles ago.

11) Feederz
e92 2006 335i 19" LA230 style rims (26k miles).
Both rears cracked (and weld repaired)

12) RichTea
e92 2007 320D 19" 225M style rims (23k miles)
Both rears Cracked - Waiting for BMW to decide if warranty!

13) (is that unlucky for me?!) Moses
e93 2007 335i M Sport 19" 225M style rims (22k miles)
Nearside rear replaced last year (12k miles), offside rear now cracked

14) ozyozy
e93 2007 325i 19" - Rear cracked (24k Miles)

[330cdsport]

I got my cracked rim welded for £50 (4 months ago and all still well)

Has anyone else got their rims welded or just went and bought new ones?

[ekelly]

Originally Posted by 330cdsport

I got my cracked rim welded for £50 (4 months ago and all still well)

Has anyone else got their rims welded or just went and bought new ones?

Hi 330cdsport

I am looking into getting a 21'' rim on my X5 repaired due to hair line crack & slow puncture. Where abouts did you get your wheel welded?

Kind Regards
ekelly

[Jamese93]

Update on my status -my rim was cracked in the same way that some people's are here judging from the photos and Lepsons in Gillingham said they could repair it having looked at it - as it was on the inside edge they would just weld it and leave it - about £50 to do it. They apparenty cannot grind off the excess and make it look pretty / hide the repair as this will weaken it. See this website for their details: http://www.lepsons.com/contact-us.phtml
Got my alloy replaced this weekend - sods law the tyre had lost pressure (I check them weekly) and taken the tyre with it - and typically the tyre pressure warning system hadn't picked it up - I ask you.... Anyway, another £350+ for the tyre and back on the road again. You can buy an old 3 series for the £900 that it's cost to replace the wheel - feel sorry for some of you guys who've had to replace more than one....
J

[330cdsport]

Originally Posted by ekelly

Hi 330cdsport

I am looking into getting a 21'' rim on my X5 repaired due to hair line crack & slow puncture. Where abouts did you get your wheel welded?

Kind Regards
ekelly

Hi EKelly, I got it done in Lisburn, Co. Antrim. A company called Lester Engineering. (http://www.alloywheelslisburn.com)

I see you are from Donegal. I am building a house in Lifford at the moment and will be moving there in a couple of months time. Our X5's will probably cross paths at some stage Tis handy too that the X5 is one of the quickest 4x4's and also the only one that costs €1000 tax

[crackerjack]

has anyone been paid out by a dealer on their alloys?

[mark@vorny.co.uk]

Picked this up today, interesting....

All the BMW's parked up at Bruntingthorpe holding ground had the 19" rims removed last week and replaced with 18" rims. Apparantly there is a huge amount of these rims awaiting collection as a result. Heard this from a local guy who is aware of the issues I have had and his good friend works there.

Is this finally an admission by BMW they are not fit for purpose ? Be good to hear from anybody who has picked this info up via a dealership ?

[mark@vorny.co.uk]

Originally Posted by crackerjack

has anyone been paid out by a dealer on their alloys?

Luckily all 3.

First after mailing BMW UK MD. (Run out <0.3mm)
Second after throwing toys at dealership (Tyre fitter damaged)
Third after challenging the run out measurements. (Run out < 0.3mm)

[pjs]

Originally Posted by mark@vorny.co.uk

Luckily all 3.

First after mailing BMW UK MD.
Second after throwing toys at dealership
Third after challenging the run out measurements.

Can you prove it? the floodgates could open if you can.

[mark@vorny.co.uk]

Originally Posted by pjs

Can you prove it? the floodgates could open if you can.

Two were within the run-out tolerances noted on here, the other had a gouge on the inside from a BMW tyre fitter. No invoices with FOC or zero's on them unfortunately.