108 Starspoke Rims

That last post leads me on to my 108's.

Removed them all today for cleaning and waxing, and they have just started to corrode, no signs when on the car, so dont think dealer will want to know yet. Also as I am planning to change rims when tyres need changing will leave till then hoping they will just give me a boxed set. three have corrosion, two offsides are worst and rear nearside also.

condition overall is good
rim3.jpg


One offside, both like this on the painted spoked part just starting to bubble
rim1.jpg


Rear Nearside only one starting on turned/lacquered rim
rim2.jpg
 
srhutch said:
I cant see how BMW can supply grey rims on the 108's there is so much of the rim visible, cant look good, if it was silver wouldnt be so bad.

Is the outer lip still diamond turned or does that look refurbed?

Everything from the spokes outward is exactly the same, just the inner cylindrical face is light grey. It does not look as obvious as it could but when the light shines towards the car and through the spokes then it becomes very obvious.
I can only assume it's a measure to minimise the very corrosion you point to on your rims.
 
srhutch said:
CJ do you think I should leave it before going to the dealer?


I'll know what you are likley to get when I hear from the dealer today. Certainly you would not want to end up with a mixed set of painted and silver inners.

That said I cannot see the dealer exchanging your rims unless there is something visible from the outside.
 
srhutch said:
CJ do you think I should leave it before going to the dealer?
I'd go to your dealer. The dealer checked the wheels on a ramp using a high output light. Mine went in the same place as yours, only they were a little worse as I had bubbling on the lacquer.

When you consider how much the 108's actually cost to buy, it's appalling really!! The wheels on my MINI were mint after 4 years when I sold it!
 
Breaker said:
srhutch said:
CJ do you think I should leave it before going to the dealer?
I'd go to your dealer. The dealer checked the wheels on a ramp using a high output light. Mine went in the same place as yours, only they were a little worse as I had bubbling on the lacquer.

When you consider how much the 108's actually cost to buy, it's appalling really!! The wheels on my MINI were mint after 4 years when I sold it!

I agree, i had some lovely 18" MV BMW alloys on my E46 that looked mint after 6 years, not one imperfection! ....this problem and the Z4 'clang' when closing the doors (on the early models) really gets to me :evil:
 
Breaker

Do you have any pics of yours, I dont think the dealer will want to know yet, as it's not visible on the car, be good to get winter out of the way with all the salt anyway.

Just hope my tyres last that long :cry:
 
cj10jeeper said:
Interestingly I was in too and they pulled a parts system note that showed the design changed from a polished silver inner to a 'paint' finish. They are putting a enquiry to Germany to find out what happens when they replace one and end up with an odd set. Again as per you I get to hear Monday PM and will post comments.
My dealer has just phoned with the same info. "Design change due to technical reasons" is what BMW have said.
They are now seeing about sending the odd rear wheel back and getting a new one!
 
Breaker said:
cj10jeeper said:
Interestingly I was in too and they pulled a parts system note that showed the design changed from a polished silver inner to a 'paint' finish. They are putting a enquiry to Germany to find out what happens when they replace one and end up with an odd set. Again as per you I get to hear Monday PM and will post comments.
My dealer has just phoned with the same info. "Design change due to technical reasons" is what BMW have said.
They are now seeing about sending the odd rear wheel back and getting a new one!


My dealer has not phoned, but I know he has been overly busy the last few days. Will let you know his coments
So what is your odd wheel? My odd one is a rear 8.5J with painted finish
 
Same here! But seeing as it's an upgrade, I want the unpainted one changed for a painted. Hopefully it will last longer!!
 
Breaker said:
Same here! But seeing as it's an upgrade, I want the unpainted one changed for a painted. Hopefully it will last longer!!

Will paint last any longer than laquer though?.

The main problem seems to be where water/dirt is able to get between the gaps where the two parts meet. Also on two of my wheels it's the spked part that is showing signs of corrosion first.

I will not accept odd wheels from the dealer though, so be interes to see what happens to you. When I had type 44's on my 3 series I had problems with three, but the dealer replaced all four without being asked. I dont think it's to much to ask, if they looked the same it wouldnt be a problem.
 
I think 'paint' is just a term we're using for expedience here. I suspect it is a much tougher powder coating and will better resist the weak spot for corrosion beween the 2 wheel parts.

That said odd wheels is not an acceptable way to go forward.
 
the issue is not the join as such it is down to the dianond cut (bare metal (lathed effect) with laquer on top). primer, paint and laquer will last!

laquer straight on metal will always have issues
 
pablo said:
the issue is not the join as such it is down to the dianond cut (bare metal (lathed effect) with laquer on top). primer, paint and laquer will last!

laquer straight on metal will always have issues

Pablo

would have to disagree I belive it is both, the three wheels that I have corrosion on are all around the mating faces, yes I believe the lacquer doesnt adhere as well as paint but everywhere else my wheels are perfect.

Breaker/CJ any news?

Just found these on ebay, looks like two 8's and two 15's
 
Good link to nowhere srhutch. Keeping things to yourself?

OK so an update from BMW. The replacement design is to combat corrosion on the inner faces of the wheel, noted predominantly at the join faces of the spoke and hub. My interpretation is that the coating is on the less visible face and may withstand the ingress of water and dirt better at the obvious weak point, on the part of the wheel that customers are less likely to clean and see.

Must still be a current fit as I passed am '08' with them on today and they were paint finish.

Incidentally BMW have 75 of these rims in stock almost 50:50 painted and lacquer inner. There is no way for parts to differentiate on an order and BMW UK did not know of the change. The dealer is looking into changing my new rim for a silver to make a matching set. Eventually all will be the paint finish once the old stock runs out. That will make for fun on out of warranty exchanges/accident replacements.

Hope this helps anyone contemplating a warranty claim to ensure they specify the correct finish.
 
Have they said when this change came about? Only ask as my old wheels where the painted type, but were on an 04 plate car...
 
gannet said:
Have they said when this change came about? Only ask as my old wheels where the painted type, but were on an 04 plate car...

No and did not ask. Have they been refurbed or owned by you and know to be painted since 04?
 
Back
Top Bottom