Advice cracked 19 Alloy

[Smartbear]

Has there ever been reports of cracked 326 wheels while running on Non Runflats?

Or, has anyone heard of aftermarket wheels cracking like the OEM stuff seems to?

Yep, my 326 wheels cracked after 19k miles, i changed the tyres from rf to normal & they cracked again. That was enough for me and i changed them for Veemann wheels which have been fine ever since (now on 45k)
Rob

 

[biZ4rreMids]

Ok folks I have decided to buy one off eBay then get them all refurbed.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

It's always a great feeling getting a set of wheels refurbished. Here's mine in Ferrari Silver.
20210605_154823.jpg

Hi Warmasice - where did you take your 326 alloys for the refurb, mine only have damage to the near side front but thinking it’s an opportunity to have them all done in a different shade of silver. TIA

 

[Phoenixboy]

Has there ever been reports of cracked 326 wheels while running on Non Runflats?

Or, has anyone heard of aftermarket wheels cracking like the OEM stuff seems to?

From my research , the 326 along with the 296 were prone to cracking.
non runflats helps, but I personally traded mine in against a new set of veemans, which again from research seem to be more durable.
my 296 had no cracking issues, but I only drive at weekends, but was always wary of potholes.
the previous owner had replaced one rear at £650, so I decided not to risk the inevitable.

 

[warmasice]

Ok folks I have decided to buy one off eBay then get them all refurbed.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

It's always a great feeling getting a set of wheels refurbished. Here's mine in Ferrari Silver.
20210605_154823.jpg

Hi Warmasice - where did you take your 326 alloys for the refurb, mine only have damage to the near side front but thinking it’s an opportunity to have them all done in a different shade of silver. TIA

The Wheel Specialist, B6 7SJ.

Ask for Chris or Steven. Bypass the lady on the phone. Speak to the lads directly (they own the business).

 

[biZ4rreMids]

It's always a great feeling getting a set of wheels refurbished. Here's mine in Ferrari Silver.
20210605_154823.jpg

Hi Warmasice - where did you take your 326 alloys for the refurb, mine only have damage to the near side front but thinking it’s an opportunity to have them all done in a different shade of silver. TIA

The Wheel Specialist, B6 7SJ.

Ask for Chris or Steven. Bypass the lady on the phone. Speak to the lads directly (they own the business).

 

[mcbutler]

Find a good local engineering shop they will sort it for you. I used an engineering shop in Plymouth, he charged me £60 a wheel to remove the tyre, weld the cracks up, his mate next door sprayed the wheels, replace the tyre. I had to take the wheels off myself though. I talked to him a few weeks ago, if they crack again he is going to reinforce the inside rim where they crack with an aluminium strip seam welded to thicken the weak area.
Dont get mugged into buying new wheels, a weld is stronger than the original wheel when done properly.

 

[Smartbear]

I found the weld was strong & didn’t fail but the heat of welding alters the characteristics of the alloy and causes it to become brittle, the new crack ran parallel to the weld
Rob

 

[ronk]

I suspect the cracks are indeed inherent stress cracks.
Welding won’t stress relieve the area but unless someone has access to some test facilities we will never know.

My access to that ended many years ago when I retired and after all that time Ivd lost contact with the organisation.

 

[jenniferlouise]

That’s bloody expensive for a new one, normally around £650 from BMW.

Nothing to do with me but an undamaged rear (a rare thing) needing a light refurb

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353963171149?epid=1737450938&hash=item5269d95d4d:g:-RgAAOSwNbNho4cj

Agree, new are £650 each. Hands off the alloy I’m watching! I’m also limping around on a cracked rear. A

 

[jenniferlouise]

Got 3 of those in shed as put other wheels on my e89, one rear , 2 front , Not cracked will be on e bay soon was powder coated a while ago

how much would you like for the rear?!! I can’t get an MoT without a wheel. I need help! A :!:

 

[Argyll Andy]

That’s bloody expensive for a new one, normally around £650 from BMW.

Nothing to do with me but an undamaged rear (a rare thing) needing a light refurb

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353963171149?epid=1737450938&hash=item5269d95d4d:g:-RgAAOSwNbNho4cj

Agree, new are £650 each. Hands off the alloy I’m watching! I’m also limping around on a cracked rear. A

You’ve no need to worry about me re the one your watching, I’ve 4 326’s with almost new rubber on them sitting in my shed, the last thing I want is another one :lol:

But, as said in my original post, a 2nd hand undamaged 326 is a rare thing :wink:

 

[jenniferlouise]

I found the weld was strong & didn’t fail but the heat of welding alters the characteristics of the alloy and causes it to become brittle, the new crack ran parallel to the weld
Rob

ive had the same problem Rob... I think I’ve run out of repair options, time to change...

 

[Fox2000]

It’s an interesting problem. I am also running around on a cracked rear but the one on eBay is pretty bad and there don’t seem to be many for sale.
Does stopping using run flats help avoid the cracking issue or is it really a new set of alloys needed?
Thoughts?

E89 2016 2.0sdrive glacier silver

 

[jenniferlouise]

I’ve had both rear wheels repaired by Northampton Welding Ltd, who are flat out repairing broken alloys… having spent hours cleaning them (6 hours on both rears) the OSR sprung another one. So I’m also hunting an uncracked rear, just to get me moving again. Then I’ll decide if I’m going to replace them all, or not. The car only did around 3000 miles last year… Anyone wishing to sell me a wheel…

 

[Fox2000]

Good grief that’s terrible.
Looks like many of us are hunting for replacement 326 rears.
Sounds like we have to find a more robust replacement that looks as good.
Any ideas.
Veeman is an option but it only comes 8.5j and 9.5j from what i can see.

 

[jenniferlouise]

Good grief that’s terrible.
Looks like many of us are hunting for replacement 326 rears.
Sounds like we have to find a more robust replacement that looks as good.
Any ideas.
Veeman is an option but it only comes 8.5j and 9.5j from what i can see.

I believe those extra half widths are ok, although I’d liaise with an expert if you’re serious. I’ve been emailing bmautosport.co.uk who do seem very knowledgeable (knew what rims i had, what tyre it was running and the offset options to consider

 

[Fox2000]

That looks like a good site and do have some wheels available at least. I have emailed them.

 

[tiglon]

I would strongly recommend taking advantage of all the M2/M3/M4 owners who like to upgrade their wheels - plenty of 437M, 788M etc available on eBay in good as new condition for reasonable prices. They are wider than Z4 wheels but they fit just fine, although you may need to upgrade tyre widths slightly.

Much lighter and stronger than the Z4 wheels so I'm confident they are a good investment.

 

[Smartbear]

Good grief that’s terrible.
Looks like many of us are hunting for replacement 326 rears.
Sounds like we have to find a more robust replacement that looks as good.
Any ideas.
Veeman is an option but it only comes 8.5j and 9.5j from what i can see.

They fit perfectly & take original tyre sizes.

Rob

 

[jenniferlouise]

They look good Rob, thanks for sharing. Did you refit the RFT or opt for an alternative? If I don’t need to spend out on new tyres too, it does make new, non-OEM wheels an option. Also looking at the 437M option as these look like a smart modern take on the 326M (esp in polished and black against my black paint), and take some confidence that the 9J front and 10J rear would still fit the E89