108 Starspoke Rims

[cj10jeeper]

Had a look at some split rims in a VW garage today, and they were diamond cut laquered rim edge, but the inside of the inner was all a light creamy colour... I wonder if this is some special kinda finish for these kinda finishes (diamond cut inners) since VW are using what BMW apparently are as well.

That sounds exactly the same as the newer 108's coming out as new/replacements. It's actually difficult to tell what the inner finish is be it plastic or powder coat. Clearly corrosion protection Vs polished diamond cut and lacquer is the direction they are headed.

 

[ksher]

BMW UK official checked my 108 wheels today. They will replace all 4 wheels under warranty. Dealer will order the wheels after Easter holiday, but I'm not sure which one I will get (original or revised).

 

[cj10jeeper]

BMW UK official checked my 108 wheels today. They will replace all 4 wheels under warranty. Dealer will order the wheels after Easter holiday, but I'm not sure which one I will get (original or revised).

good result

 

[srhutch]

BMW UK official checked my 108 wheels today. They will replace all 4 wheels under warranty. Dealer will order the wheels after Easter holiday, but I'm not sure which one I will get (original or revised).

will be interesting to see as you say, glad I got the original type as I think they look better, that was only 3 weeks ago.

either way just make sure all 4 are the same.

 

[deagle]

So is it fair to say that ALL the original style 108s corrode ?

 

[Wondermike]

Yep.

 

[deagle]

So the best strategy then, is to just leave them - clean them regularly - apply no special prevention / protection - and just get them changed out before the 3 year warranty expires....?

 

[ksher]

So the best strategy then, is to just leave them - clean them regularly - apply no special prevention / protection - and just get them changed out before the 3 year warranty expires....?

As soon as you see any sign of corrosion on all wheels, take your car to the dealer. BMW UK only visit dealers to investigate warranty claim every 1 or 2 month.

 

[srhutch]

So the best strategy then, is to just leave them - clean them regularly - apply no special prevention / protection - and just get them changed out before the 3 year warranty expires....?

No you must clean but not with aggresive cleaner, and then protect with wheel wax, and keep proection up, it does help mine were not really bad at all, should have left another six month before I changed really.

 

[Mr Whippy]

So is it fair to say that ALL the original style 108s corrode ?

Any alloy wheel will corrode, the problem is when you have only one layer of clear coat on top of the base material (as in polished then lacquered rim edges) that any tiny chips, or chemical attack, or kerb marks, will instantly let an attack of the underlying material begin...

Look fantastic, just very very easy to have that fine coating compromised

 

[cj10jeeper]

I'm sure ~Dave the problem is increased on the 108's for 2 reasons:

Firstly the lip is clear coated as you mention, so any corrosion from chips or seepage is really visible and looks so disgusting. On an opaque coating could would be years later to see the physical bubbles of corrosion and you may also see chips on paint, but not likely on lacquer.

Secondly the mating face and gap to trap water, salt and general dirt increases the opportunity for corrosion in more places.

It's all stacked against the beautiful split rims :thumbsdown:

 

[Mr Whippy]

Well, most wheels have an ultra-tough base coat primer, then they have the main metallic coat, then the clear coat.

In the 108's case as you say, it's just *one* coat of a relatively thin and soft lacquer, with more susceptibility to chemical attack and damage as it stands, and then, as you say CJ, that mated surface just traps all kinds of grime and allows it to start off out of sight attacking the lacquer and then alloy.

Then when it does get to the alloy, it just runs freely underneath lifted lacquer. A normal wheels primer coat is bonded at every single point onto a rough base surface, so corrosion propagates slowly, if at all, while that polished surface and the lacquer just isn't very good at resisting the corrosion.


Personally, I'd have thought there would be a better solution to protecting it. I'm quite surprised this was every such a bad problem but now I've seen even almost new wheels with this corrosion it's worrying that OEM's even bother with this look considering you have to get RIGHT up to the wheels to really notice it, and yet when they do corrode it's clearly visible from a distance and not easy to rectify


I'm interested in how the new Z4's two piece polished outer wheels cope

Dave

 

[srhutch]

I'm interested in how the new Z4's two piece polished outer wheels cope

The same as ours at a guess.

 

[ksher]

I'm interested in how the new Z4's two piece polished outer wheels cope

The same as ours at a guess.

294 Style on new Z4?

 

[Mr Whippy]

You'll know better than me ksher...

They look ripe for a good old corrosion problem

 

[Wondermike]

Yes 294s. I still can't believe they're using such a similar style, although no polished outer this time, looks like they painted it the same finish as the rest of the wheel? Or are they - now I'm not sure? Calling 108 experts?

 

[srhutch]

hard to say from those pics, but why have split rims if the outer lips isnt different from the inner?

 

[ksher]

You'll know better than me ksher...

They look ripe for a good old corrosion problem

I read the new Z4 price list/brochure everyday. I like the standard 290 style 17" wheels on sDrive23i/30i, but they are bit small for Z4.