An interesting Sunday

M

matthurley

Member
 Cardiff
Well i was intending on arriving at the Midland meet yesterday but took a wrong turning on the M42 ended up on the M40, then after a few miles the warning bong came on, showing the tire pressure symbol.
Obviously I have the dreaded 296 alloys :D
Pulled to the nearest Services and noticed the rear off side was flat
Limped back to South Wales , booked my car in to the local Stealer this Weds for a checkover.
I'm out of warranty (2009) so they want £50 up front just to look at it
Want to make sure the alloy isn't cracked before buying a new tyre.

This leads me on to some questions
1) Is it just the rears that crack or the fronts too?
2) I understand the 296 alloys were modified a few years ago, anyone know of cracked ones of those?
3) If the alloy is cracked will they pay for a new tyre as well?
4) I assume BMW won't replace the other rear unless that has a crack. Which then means driving a car which could potentially go bong again at any time...

:(
 
I would pump it back up, check for nails etc, if non found then pour some washing up liquid solution over the tyre and see where its leaking from, you might just have a normal puncture before spending 50 notes at the dealer. I bought a plug kit for any nail punctures but unsure how easy runflats are to plug over standard tyres but worth a go.

If the alloy is cracked you should be able to see it, just means crawling under the back of the car with a torch.

Tim.
 
As a fellow sufferer...

1) Is it just the rears that crack or the fronts too?
I had two rears go and one front.

2) I understand the 296 alloys were modified a few years ago, anyone know of cracked ones of those?
Not yet, but they've not been around long.

3) If the alloy is cracked will they pay for a new tyre as well?
Not necessarily, they didn't for me because they said I should have noticed it earlier... yeah right. Long story.

4) I assume BMW won't replace the other rear unless that has a crack. Which then means driving a car which could potentially go bong again at any time...
Correct

If you plan on keeping the car a long time, get some different wheels. If you like the 296's (I still have a full set in the garage to go on the car if I ever sell it) then perhaps consider purchasing the newer type in the longer run. Keep you eyes out for other wheels though on ebay and gumtree. I got a set of 313's from a BMW dealer on gumtree. Cost me £400 for £2500 of wheels... The best result I'd had in a very long time.
 
I'm in a wrangle right now with bmw over this, I had non run flats so they are blaming the tyre. This morning I received a technical governement certification from falken for the tyre on my car showing it had passed all the necessary safety standards required for use on the uk roads.

If you had a runflat it should be a straightforward replacement, dependent on the results of the runout test they want to charge you £50 for. If its a non runflat then it's a totally different situation which I am working through at the moment!
 
Transmat said:
I'm in a wrangle right now with bmw over this, I had non run flats so they are blaming the tyre. This morning I received a technical governement certification from falken for the tyre on my car showing it had passed all the necessary safety standards required for use on the uk roads.

If you had a runflat it should be a straightforward replacement, dependent on the results of the runout test they want to charge you £50 for. If its a non runflat then it's a totally different situation which I am working through at the moment!
Click to expand...

I hope things work out for you.

I've got Pirelli RF on rear and Bridgestone RF on the fronts.

I have considered switching to non RFT maybe Michelin Super Sports but then I don't want the scenario that you have of BMW absolving themselves due to Non RF being fitted (if i have future wheel cracks) :cry:
 
If you have runflats on I really think you'll be ok. The £50 test is worth the plunge.

Maniac - I'm massively jealous you got the 313 wheel set for such a good price! So this design doesn't crack? Do you have run flats on? I'm seriously considering the swap too as long as they are not a wheel prone to cracking as I prefer the look of them.
 
Maniac said:
As a fellow sufferer...
If you plan on keeping the car a long time, get some different wheels. If you like the 296's (I still have a full set in the garage to go on the car if I ever sell it) then perhaps consider purchasing the newer type in the longer run. Keep you eyes out for other wheels though on ebay and gumtree. I got a set of 313's from a BMW dealer on gumtree. Cost me £400 for £2500 of wheels... The best result I'd had in a very long time.
Click to expand...


Did you forget my commision ? :oops: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=47386&hilit=genuine+bmw+new+19inch+alloys
 
Well as for the 313 and cracking only time will tell as I've only heard of a handful of people having them due to their cost. I still have RFTs (P Zeros all round). Though I won't have them when replacement time comes. Paid £900 for the lot and sold the tyres for £500. If one does ever crack they're £650 each !! Eek but ill consider it a worthy price given what I paid. I always have some shiny 296s in the garage if I need them.
 
My friend at work has an e89 z4 and wants to get rid soon, I might ask him if he wants to do a straight swap of my 296 for his 293 18" wheels. He wants to trade the car in to bmw, so they can have their dodgy wheels back. Will save me a lot of money in the long run on tyres and probably replacement wheels, and I'll bung him £100 for his efforts. I really hope he says yes!
 
18" don't IMHO look as good, but they might be a safer bet re the cracking and also comfort. Tyres as you say are a lot cheaper too.
 
Maniac said:
18" don't IMHO look as good, but they might be a safer bet re the cracking and also comfort. Tyres as you say are a lot cheaper too.
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Yes agreed the 296 looks a lot nicer, with the style you have on yours my favourite. Alas I've lost faith in the 19"s now which is a shame, if I can get a swap done ill go for it, if not then I'm torn between paying approx £530 for a new rear (if bmw don't cough up) or getting a completely new set of 18"s. I think the 293 is the nicest of the 18" range, some of the other ones they currently offer look strange.
 
I noticed a 296 Rear on Gumtree last night for £180.00. I don't think you will have a problem getting new ones from BMW though.
 
Both of my 326's have been replaced under warranty. I am now on extended warranty, and alloys are not covered now. But BMW have said they will look into any issues on an ad hoc basis, so lets see.
 
Maniac said:
As a fellow sufferer...


If you plan on keeping the car a long time, get some different wheels. If you like the 296's (I still have a full set in the garage to go on the car if I ever sell it) then perhaps consider purchasing the newer type in the longer run. Keep you eyes out for other wheels though on ebay and gumtree. I got a set of 313's from a BMW dealer on gumtree. Cost me £400 for £2500 of wheels... The best result I'd had in a very long time.
Click to expand...

I've been looking on Ebay at sets of 313s , they seem to be around £1700 inc tyres (albiet run flats.) If I knew for sure these wouldn't crack I would strongly be tempted to get some.

Even if BMW replace the cracked wheel for free , I'd still have to buy a new tyre at their silly price plus the other 3 could crack which would then necessitate another 3 tyre purchases.

Also, if i did fork out for a set of 313s, I could sell my 296s (not sure how much I'd get for them though)...
 
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