108 alloy corrosion... again!

G

GP_Z4

Member
 Surrey
Hi all
Just about to collect my first Z4 Coupe from an independent dealer and have already found this forum invaluable for pre-buying advice so thanks for your help already!

All seems in order with the car except when you run a finger around the inside of the outer face of the 108 wheel rims you can feel/hear the crackling of the initial stages of corrosion.

As it's not yet visible it's not really bad enough to ask the seller to sort out but I wondered how successful anyone has been with getting replacements off BMW just out of warranty - the car was registered in April 2007.

If asking BMW is not likely to be successful then any ideas how much refurbishment is likely to cost? The wheels are otherwise unmarked except for one slight kerbing on the passenger side.

Many thanks for any advice
Atb
Gary
 
Only new car warranty (under 3-year-old) will cover alloy wheels. My old E85 had whole set replaced, but slight corrosion started again after 9 months. If you really like them, then refurbish and keep them. But you have to wash and polish them frequently. Or you should sell them now and get different style alloy wheels. OEM CSL wheels are the best alternative.
 
I have had 2 sets of 108's, one at 18 months and the other at 3 1/2 years, the second being good will on the understanding I don't go back for a third. Both cases for very very slight corrosion that you could only just see if you removed the wheels.

TBH I don't think BMW will want to know though as you will only have just bought the car. I also doubt the seller will want to know as a good job would be expensive requiring the wheels to be split etc.
 
Pretty much as I expected really... on the refurbishment side I seem to remember reading someone wrote that they got their wheels cleaned up for only ~£20 each - is this about right or is that a bit on the cheap side?
Cheers
GP
 
My BMW AUC car was bought at the end of August, and the 108`s were corroding quite "nicely" at the time, but I (foolishly) didn`t notice this when I initially viewed, and put a deposit on the car. It was only when I`d bought it, got it home, and was thoroughly cleaning the wheels a day later when I saw it.

Accordingly, I phoned the dealer (Williams BMW-Manchester) about it, and immediately they said they would have a chap from the factory look at it, who would decide if they could replace them completely, under warranty. Well, he did look at them, and declined to replace them, but to their credit, Williams immediately agreed to refurbish them, and the car was duly booked-in.

A week, or so, later, they were refurbished to my total satisfaction...........

Hope this helps somewhat.
 
encee said:
My BMW AUC car was bought at the end of August, and the 108`s were corroding quite "nicely" at the time, but I (foolishly) didn`t notice this when I initially viewed, and put a deposit on the car. It was only when I`d bought it, got it home, and was thoroughly cleaning the wheels a day later when I saw it.

Accordingly, I phoned the dealer (Williams BMW-Manchester) about it, and immediately they said they would have a chap from the factory look at it, who would decide if they could replace them completely, under warranty. Well, he did look at them, and declined to replace them, but to their credit, Williams immediately agreed to refurbish them, and the car was duly booked-in.

A week, or so, later, they were refurbished to my total satisfaction...........

Hope this helps somewhat.
Click to expand...
same story here,I bought mine in June and saw the corrosion,asked the sales person and he said they won't be covered by AUC warranty.Last week just out of boredom emailed BMW customer services,received an email from them the next day that the dealer will refurb them for me under warranty but if I want to take it to another dealer,it would be up to their discretion.

wheels are at the dealers now and should be ready by end of the week :thumbsup:
 
Its only my opinion ...... 108's are a love/hate relationship thing, I reckon they are the muts nuts and a got to have item - but you also have to have other sets so the 108's can be whipped off, nourished pampered and cared for at least twice a year ....... :D
 
teamemmenracing said:
Its only my opinion ...... 108's are a love/hate relationship thing, I reckon they are the muts nuts and a got to have item - but you also have to have other sets so the 108's can be whipped off, nourished pampered and cared for at least twice a year ....... :D
Click to expand...
...and that's why I swapped mine in favour of 202s. Loved the 108 look but after I'd refurbed them I couldn't be bothered with all the hassle of their upkeep. Far easier to look after non-split-rim style wheels. But if folk are willing to put the effort in and refurb them as required then they're a great wheel design.
 
a11y said:
teamemmenracing said:
Its only my opinion ...... 108's are a love/hate relationship thing, I reckon they are the muts nuts and a got to have item - but you also have to have other sets so the 108's can be whipped off, nourished pampered and cared for at least twice a year ....... :D
Click to expand...
...and that's why I swapped mine in favour of 202s. Loved the 108 look but after I'd refurbed them I couldn't be bothered with all the hassle of their upkeep. Far easier to look after non-split-rim style wheels. But if folk are willing to put the effort in and refurb them as required then they're a great wheel design.
Click to expand...
and why I swapped mine for the 203's :D
 
Cheers guys... I picked up the car yesterday & have decided to get the wheels refurbed when the tires need replacing - prob next summer so I can apply some sealant while it's nice & dry!!
Thanks for all the advice,
GP
 
picked mine up yesterday from dealers,they look fantastic all clean and shiny and most importantly without corrosion :driving:

a very Big thanks to Listers of Boston :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
when I dropped the wheels off at work to be stored for winter,I saw one was flat so pumped it up but since then have checked it twice and it has lost the air completely.have to say there was nothing wrong with any of them before they get refurbed,so is this just a case of one not being sealed properly or something else?if anyone can advise and also what is the solution?

thanks in advance :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom