Alloy Wheel Corrosion

[mason storm]

I've noticed over the last few months corrosian on my star spoke 18" alloys so I popped into my BMW dealer to see if there was anything they could do about it. They explained that their new procedure is that somone from BMW needs to inspect the wheels to make any decisions. Anyway the BMW rep looked at my wheels last week and said he agreed it was corrosion but unfurtunately I was a few months out of warrante. However he said he would speak to BMW and see if they would replace the wheels as a good will gesture and sounded pretty confident I would get all 4 wheels replaced.

Well I had good news yesterday as BMW have agreed to replace all 4 wheels which is being done on Friday. They said the new replacements will have better protection on the inside of the wheel as this is where the corrosian is coming from (must be a problem that they are aware of and have now sorted).

I must say I am very happy with the service they have provided me with as I did wonder with the econimic downturn they may cut back on good will gestures however justified they may appear to be. Well done BMW, it does make me consider another BM as my next car as I'm sure many other manufacturers would have done nothing to help me.

 

[Zedster]

Thats interesting, thanks for the info. I have the 108's too and judging by alot of posts on here corrosion is a problem with these particular wheels. Looks like BMW are aware of this now as a know problem. I still have a year to run on the warranty so any sign of corrosion and I will be straight down to the Dealer looking for a swap out.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Great that you have a new set out of BMW for free as a gesture of goodwill.

It is indeed correct that the wheel has been updated. Basically the inner is now cream powder coated Vs the original alloy, polished and lacquered. Indeed it should stop corrosion on the inner part of the wheel.

Sadly there are 2 downsides. It looks much less appealing on the 'through the wheel' view and it will not in any way prevent the corrosion on the outer lip between the 'star' and tyre, which is most likely what you spotted anyway. This is induced by tyre fitting damaging the lacquer and sometimes water between the star and rim or any minor chip or scratch Once breached the water has a field day in there.... You'll have around 12 months before the outer goes if oyu're lucky so enjoy it

 

[gannet]

Great that you have a new set out of BMW for free as a gesture of goodwill.

It is indeed correct that the wheel has been updated. Basically the inner is now cream powder coated Vs the original alloy, polished and lacquered. Indeed it should stop corrosion on the inner part of the wheel.

Sadly there are 2 downsides. It looks much less appealing on the 'through the wheel' view and it will not in any way prevent the corrosion on the outer lip between the 'star' and tyre, which is most likely what you spotted anyway. This is induced by tyre fitting damaging the lacquer and sometimes water between the star and rim or any minor chip or scratch Once breached the water has a field day in there.... You'll have around 12 months before the outer goes if oyu're lucky so enjoy it

Or thumping a kerb or two

 

[Steeevvvooo]

Can I ask how old your car is? Was it the regular warranty that had run out, or an extended one?

I have a 2004 plate with the same problem. As it’s an obvious manufacturing defect, I was going to try my hand at getting them replaced as defective, but I’ve got a feeling I’ll get told where to go, so to speak!! :roll:

 

[RustyZ4]

Can I ask how old your car is? Was it the regular warranty that had run out, or an extended one?

I have a 2004 plate with the same problem. As it’s an obvious manufacturing defect, I was going to try my hand at getting them replaced as defective, but I’ve got a feeling I’ll get told where to go, so to speak!! :roll:

I have an 04, same problem, brought it up with BMW, and they nicely said NO

 

[mason storm]

Can I ask how old your car is? Was it the regular warranty that had run out, or an extended one?

I have a 2004 plate with the same problem. As it’s an obvious manufacturing defect, I was going to try my hand at getting them replaced as defective, but I’ve got a feeling I’ll get told where to go, so to speak!! :roll:

Sure min'es an '05 plate registered in June 2005 so 6 months out of warrante although still inside my extended warrante which I don't think covers wheel corrosion. I also took it back to the dealer that sold it to me so i don't know if that helped as it was the guy from BMW that makes the decision anyway.

It's not good to hear that it may start corroding again in 12 months time if I had known this maybe I would have asked for a different style of wheel although that may not be an option. I'll keep a close eye for any more corrosian as I guess they'll only offer 1 year warrante with the new wheels.

 

[srhutch]

Had a call from dealer about my wheels last night after my service at end of December where I pointed out the corossion. They took pics and sent to BMW, but the assesor hasnt been in contact with them so they have asked if I can take the car back down so they can get the service manager involved to take a look, and escalate.

I don't think they will want to change then yet though, these are the pics I took end of September when I removed the wheels for through cleaning and protection. the corossion is only visible when you remove the wheels.

I do need a decision very soon though as I only have 2mm of tread on rears and need to replace with Falken 452's and dont really want to fit them all twice on different wheels (All four tyres). If BMW will change I will probably asked for them boxed and fit some reps to keep the 108's mint, but finding some reps I like is the main issue. Black Z4's dont seem to suit many wheel types IMO.

The outside of all wheels are fine, mainly because I havent had to change the tyres yet I would suggest.

These pics on the thread below were taken the same day and reflect even today what my wheels look like viewed on the car.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6749&p=102049&hilit=updated#p101888

 

[mason storm]

I'm not sure what caused corrosion on the front of my wheels as I only fitted new tyres a few months ago and I know the corrosian started before then.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I'm not sure what caused corrosion on the front of my wheels as I only fitted new tyres a few months ago and I know the corrosian started before then.

Fitting new tyres is just one way to further damage the lacquer on the outer edge ot the lip and speed it up. Even if you cause no damage at all it will still corrode, just the same way as any lacquered metal does over time.

 

[a11y]

I'm aiming to get around the corrosion problem by having my entire wheel powdercoated (after being split). I'll end up with the inner surface and the outer lip powdercoated which isn't as attractive as a polished lip, but it's a lot better than the corroded look

 

[GAZA62]

Can I ask how old your car is? Was it the regular warranty that had run out, or an extended one?

I have a 2004 plate with the same problem. As it’s an obvious manufacturing defect, I was going to try my hand at getting them replaced as defective, but I’ve got a feeling I’ll get told where to go, so to speak!! :roll:

Steve if yours is a used warranty then sadly it does not cover wheels

 

[DaveM]

Hello there - sorry to butt in on this. I'm new to the forum and have an 18 month old z4 which i've had for the last 6 months. It was a demo previously and i've got corrosion on the 18" split rims. The bigest problem is the the dealer has obviously had 3 of them refurbished without a laquer finish, so they're in a mess. The bmw specialist has looked at them and says its no longer a warranty issue as they've been worked on. Its now down to me and the dealer to resolve. Anybody know how i stand WRT the dealer invalidating his own warranty?

 

[mason storm]

Hello there - sorry to butt in on this. I'm new to the forum and have an 18 month old z4 which i've had for the last 6 months. It was a demo previously and i've got corrosion on the 18" split rims. The bigest problem is the the dealer has obviously had 3 of them refurbished without a laquer finish, so they're in a mess. The bmw specialist has looked at them and says its no longer a warranty issue as they've been worked on. Its now down to me and the dealer to resolve. Anybody know how i stand WRT the dealer invalidating his own warranty?

Funny you should mention this my rear wheels had also been refurbed by the dealer I purchased from which I also pointed out to the guy from BMW, he still got all 4 wheels approved for replacement, so you can quote the fact BMW replace my refurbed rear wheels if you like. Hope this helps

 

[srhutch]

Hello there - sorry to butt in on this. I'm new to the forum and have an 18 month old z4 which i've had for the last 6 months. It was a demo previously and i've got corrosion on the 18" split rims. The bigest problem is the the dealer has obviously had 3 of them refurbished without a laquer finish, so they're in a mess. The bmw specialist has looked at them and says its no longer a warranty issue as they've been worked on. Its now down to me and the dealer to resolve. Anybody know how i stand WRT the dealer invalidating his own warranty?

If it was a BMW dealer that refurbed then it would have to be to BMW specification, thefore warranty would still be valid.

They must have got bad quick though for three to have been refurbed in less than 12 months.

 

[Medium Dave]

I'm aiming to get around the corrosion problem by having my entire wheel powdercoated (after being split). I'll end up with the inner surface and the outer lip powdercoated which isn't as attractive as a polished lip, but it's a lot better than the corroded look

Has anybody had this done? I was considering it for my 108s but wasn't sure what it would look like. Pictures would be ideal if you have them.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I'm aiming to get around the corrosion problem by having my entire wheel powdercoated (after being split). I'll end up with the inner surface and the outer lip powdercoated which isn't as attractive as a polished lip, but it's a lot better than the corroded look

Has anybody had this done? I was considering it for my 108s but wasn't sure what it would look like. Pictures would be ideal if you have them.

No - done the centre stars and new 108's from BMW have the inners done that way. If done correctly I'm sure it will be a great compromise compared to lacquer. I suspect tyre removal and fitting will crack it off , but time will tell on that one.

 

[a11y]

I'm aiming to get around the corrosion problem by having my entire wheel powdercoated (after being split). I'll end up with the inner surface and the outer lip powdercoated which isn't as attractive as a polished lip, but it's a lot better than the corroded look

Has anybody had this done? I was considering it for my 108s but wasn't sure what it would look like. Pictures would be ideal if you have them.

I should be getting mine done like this in the next couple of months, hopefully sooner. Pics will appear soon after

As cj says, it's a compromise compared to polish and lacquering in terms of finishing, but should result in a low-maintenance solution: if you don't maintain the polish/lacquered finish then it'll just corrode again. Any decent tyre fitter should be able to fit/remove tyres on a powdercoated rim without damaging them - it's a very hardwearing finish. If they can't then they're not worth using that fitter!

FYI, these were my Seat Ibiza wheels done by the same place I'll be using for my Z4 wheels, done in August last year. I'll be going for the same finish on my Z4 wheels:

 

[mason storm]

Well got my new wheels fitted today and they look great, I just need to try and keep them in good nick, the only bad news was my dealer found a nail in one of my tyres so I'll check the pressure tomorrow to see if it's loosing any air. If it isn't should I just leave the nail where it is as if it gets removed it could then start leaking? I'm not sure if I should take it to my local tyre fitter to check out?

 

[srhutch]

Well got my new wheels fitted today and they look great, I just need to try and keep them in good nick, the only bad news was my dealer found a nail in one of my tyres so I'll check the pressure tomorrow to see if it's loosing any air. If it isn't should I just leave the nail where it is as if it gets removed it could then start leaking? I'm not sure if I should take it to my local tyre fitter to check out?

Didnt the delaer notice this before fitting the tyre?

I would ask them to fix FOC, least they can do.