Here we go again, 296 cracked

EdP · Post by **EdP** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:29 pm

I had to pay for it, 526 euro.

I got a letter from BMW Netherlands today. They are not aware of the new revision and if there is a change, the old version is always quite as good as revision updates.
Yeah, sure. Is there also in automotive land the saying:

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It seems that BMW has a different philosophy, If it ain't broke, just fix it.

ronk · Post by **ronk** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 6:26 pm

If you have the old cracked wheel, can you have it tested? - Maybe a local university with a faculty of engineering - A good research project fo some lucky student and maybe a positive result for many more!

Its about time time we had a definative cause and not just just a manufactures hunch!

Snowii · Post by **Snowii** » Fri Jul 22, 2022 3:12 pm

EdP wrote: ↑Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:41 pm
mclane wrote:sorry to hear that
have the same 296 for summer on mine,
got my wintertyres put on last monday
and inspected my 296
no cracks so far
Wow funky winter wheels ....

I got my car back today, guess what...The revised 296 wheel is on the car now with the same part number as the old one!

hey guys,

sorry to dig up this old post. I am new owner of E89 and have the 296 with RFT on them but thinking of swapping to 293 non-RFT as the road quality here is quite poor. The previous owner had 3 of the wheel changed a few years back from insurance (gave me 1 front and 1 back of the old for potential repair) and I am wondering whether these would be the new or the old revision of the 296 style.

How can I tell these 2 revisions apart?

Thank you!

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Fri Jul 22, 2022 3:34 pm

Snowii wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 3:12 pm
How can I tell these 2 revisions apart?

On my spare "new" rears (326s), there's a manufacturing date with "RONAL" next to it (2017 on mine). You have to have the tyre off to see it though.

I believe that since about 2016 (but someone else might know more precisely) they were modified to be more crack resistant.

Argyll Andy · Post by **Argyll Andy** » Fri Jul 22, 2022 4:03 pm

Snowii wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 3:12 pm
EdP wrote: ↑Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:41 pm
mclane wrote:sorry to hear that
have the same 296 for summer on mine,
got my wintertyres put on last monday
and inspected my 296
no cracks so far
Wow funky winter wheels ....

I got my car back today, guess what...The revised 296 wheel is on the car now with the same part number as the old one!
hey guys,

sorry to dig up this old post. I am new owner of E89 and have the 296 with RFT on them but thinking of swapping to 293 non-RFT as the road quality here is quite poor. The previous owner had 3 of the wheel changed a few years back from insurance (gave me 1 front and 1 back of the old for potential repair) and I am wondering whether these would be the new or the old revision of the 296 style.

How can I tell these 2 revisions apart?

Thank you!

Hi, newer version had a ‘bigger lip” allegedly strengthening the wheel. Older version is almost flat, newer one noticeable step

Snowii · Post by **Snowii** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 11:39 am

thanks a lot for clarification, have both back wheels with the big lip and both front with the almost flat one

is the big lip supposed to be also on the revised fronts?

thank you!

Argyll Andy · Post by **Argyll Andy** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 12:32 pm

Snowii wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 11:39 am thanks a lot for clarification, have both back wheels with the big lip and both front with the almost flat one

is the big lip supposed to be also on the revised fronts?

thank you!

A completely unsubstantiated guess would be both rears have cracked and at the time been replaced with the later ones, both fronts appear to be originals then. Or if they have been replaced have been replaced with old versions.

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 12:38 pm

Snowii wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 11:39 am is the big lip supposed to be also on the revised fronts?

yes mine have it on fronts too.

Snowii · Post by **Snowii** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 12:41 pm

thanks guys!

clarker63 - and no issues since the "upgrade"? based on assumption that you were actually replacing the older ones...

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 12:51 pm

Snowii wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 12:41 pm thanks guys!

clarker63 - and no issues since the "upgrade"? based on assumption that you were actually replacing the older ones...

Both mine have cracked

but they have been welded and have been ok for about a year (there was much debate over whether I should replace them with different ones, as most views are that they will just crack again). I've bought a set of spares for the rear when I come to sell it so I have a "mint set" or alternatively I sell them separately. I just like the look too much!

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 12:53 pm

I would say that the consensus on the forum is go to 18s (which dont appear to be so fragile) or buy something like the veemans.

Snowii · Post by **Snowii** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 1:45 pm

so you've had the revised 296s crack?

I am thinking about 293s but since the rears of my 296s are the revised version it's a tough call

I need to replace the tires so kinda pushed to decide to either stick to 296s and potentially repair/replace the fronts (given the rears hold as they are revised version) or just get a set of 293 and be done with it...

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:17 pm

Snowii wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 1:45 pm so you've had the revised 296s crack?

I am thinking about 293s but since the rears of my 296s are the revised version it's a tough call

I need to replace the tires so kinda pushed to decide to either stick to 296s and potentially repair/replace the fronts (given the rears hold as they are revised version) or just get a set of 293 and be done with it...

Mine are the later 326's, but yes they've cracked.. seems like even the revised ones are not infalible.

When you replace the tyres as well it becomes expensive...so that's why I went refurb and weld. Plus I never quite liked any replacement as much as the orginals (and there are some that look like them, but not as elegant IMHO).

: 20220722_180704.jpg (169.59 KiB) Viewed 303 times

Snowii · Post by **Snowii** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:30 pm

this looks great man!!!

yeah, I like the OEM look of 296, 293 or potentially yours 326 much better too...

I'll have to check out out how much would be to fit new tires to the 296s compared to 293s and decide.
Brand new set of 293s and keeping 296s for when I am seeking a change doesn't sound too bad either

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Mon Jul 25, 2022 3:38 pm

Snowii wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 2:30 pm this looks great man!!!

yeah, I like the OEM look of 296, 293 or potentially yours 326 much better too...

I'll have to check out out how much would be to fit new tires to the 296s compared to 293s and decide.
Brand new set of 293s and keeping 296s for when I am seeking a change doesn't sound too bad either

293s are nice too, but a lot more spokes/difficult to clean..

325s were recently on promotion somewhere and mentioned on this forum.. but I can't find the link....

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