The Dreaded Cracked Alloys

[RustyZ4]

Well my car went in today for a "health check" and I got a call saying my two rear 19" 326 alloys have a crack in them both, yes I have warranty and no they are not covered, but the service manager was really helpful, told me to contact BMW services direct and kick up a stink, he thinks I have a good case, im gutted as I have only done 3k in it, and its only done 35k total, so fingers crossed. let the battle commence

 

[Buckley06]

 

[mr wilks]

Bummer for sure are you sure they weren't already cracked on purchase ?

 

[RustyZ4]

Bummer for sure are you sure they weren't already cracked on purchase ?

Well it came from a BMW dealer, North Oxford, not my local dealer obviously, so I have to assume they checked them

 

[mr wilks]

Bummer for sure are you sure they weren't already cracked on purchase ?

Well it came from a BMW dealer, North Oxford, not my local dealer obviously, so I have to assume they checked them

Highly doubtful , if i bought any E89 with 19s id be wanting to see the inners of all 4 wheels before agreeing any deal

 

[ihadablackdog]

Bummer for sure are you sure they weren't already cracked on purchase ?

Well it came from a BMW dealer, North Oxford, not my local dealer obviously, so I have to assume they checked them

You are possibly wrong in assuming that (if my experience is anything to go by with a BMW dealer in Hook).

I've had problems with my car from collection at a dealer 150 miles from home. Not quite finished dealing with them yet (can't wait to though!), but when I have, I'll be putting a review in the dealer feedback section.

 

[Smartbear]

Well my car went in today for a "health check" and I got a call saying my two rear 19" 326 alloys have a crack in them both, yes I have warranty and no they are not covered, but the service manager was really helpful, told me to contact BMW services direct and kick up a stink, he thinks I have a good case, im gutted as I have only done 3k in it, and its only done 35k total, so fingers crossed. let the battle commence

My bmw dealer delightedly informed me I had a cracked 326 rear wheel after it’s inspection at 19k miles & just over 3 years old.
He also generously offered 10% off the price for a replacement (about a million pounds)
Bmw uk were worse than useless and didn’t want to know, any money I spend will be going to indi’s from now on
Rob

 

[Busterboo]

Very sorry this has happened, OP.

Can you look at it as a chance for fun? Winding up BMW? Buying more wheels?

 

[RustyZ4]

Very sorry this has happened, OP.

Can you look at it as a chance for fun? Winding up BMW? Buying more wheels?

Well it wasn't fun but it was worth a shot,,,, well they might consider a "contribution", but they would have to do a run out test, which I would have to pay for, etc etc

So I took them to a wheel refurber I know, he welded them up for £42 each,, problem solved for the moment

 

[Smartbear]

Very sorry this has happened, OP.

Can you look at it as a chance for fun? Winding up BMW? Buying more wheels?

Well it wasn't fun but it was worth a shot,,,, well they might consider a "contribution", but they would have to do a run out test, which I would have to pay for, etc etc

So I took them to a wheel refurber I know, he welded them up for £42 each,, problem solved for the moment

My 326 wheel passed their run-out test & Bmw still said no!
Rob

 

[RustyZ4]

Very sorry this has happened, OP.

Can you look at it as a chance for fun? Winding up BMW? Buying more wheels?

Well it wasn't fun but it was worth a shot,,,, well they might consider a "contribution", but they would have to do a run out test, which I would have to pay for, etc etc

So I took them to a wheel refurber I know, he welded them up for £42 each,, problem solved for the moment

My 326 wheel passed their run-out test & Bmw still said no!
Rob

So did you end up buying a new alloy Rob?

Russell

 

[ihadablackdog]

So at the risk of being thick (ok, I am thick), how do you tell if the wheel is cracked, and is it dangerous?

My suspicions would be loss of air pressure and yes, could be dangerous, but is it an obvious thing, i.e. quick loss of air, or a gradual thing and only really noticeable when looking?

I have the original M-Sport 18" wheels...I know its mainly 19's that are at risk, but do 18's get it also....we have some really bad potholes down here.

 

[Smartbear]

Well it wasn't fun but it was worth a shot,,,, well they might consider a "contribution", but they would have to do a run out test, which I would have to pay for, etc etc

So I took them to a wheel refurber I know, he welded them up for £42 each,, problem solved for the moment

My 326 wheel passed their run-out test & Bmw still said no!
Rob

So did you end up buying a new alloy Rob?

Russell

Welded repair, I wasn’t going to pay £600+ for one wheel :evil:
Rob

 

[Smartbear]

So at the risk of being thick (ok, I am thick), how do you tell if the wheel is cracked, and is it dangerous?

My suspicions would be loss of air pressure and yes, could be dangerous, but is it an obvious thing, i.e. quick loss of air, or a gradual thing and only really noticeable when looking?

I have the original M-Sport 18" wheels...I know its mainly 19's that are at risk, but do 18's get it also....we have some really bad potholes down here.

They seem to crack on the inside rim edge, mine wasn’t losing air :?
Rob

 

[RustyZ4]

So at the risk of being thick (ok, I am thick), how do you tell if the wheel is cracked, and is it dangerous?

My suspicions would be loss of air pressure and yes, could be dangerous, but is it an obvious thing, i.e. quick loss of air, or a gradual thing and only really noticeable when looking?

I have the original M-Sport 18" wheels...I know its mainly 19's that are at risk, but do 18's get it also....we have some really bad potholes down here.

when they took my wheels off today, the cracks were on the inner rim, one was worse that the other, but very visible, I had no issue with losing air, I understand that is what will happen when the crack goes right through the rim,
There has been a few issues with 18`s doing it, but is mainly 19`s that suffer, I also have the run flats that I got with the car, that probably have 6mm of tread left, the first thing they said, was that the see very few for repair with non run flats, I was going to change them all when the rears need replacement, now im thinking I might change them all earlier :?

 

[Smartbear]

So at the risk of being thick (ok, I am thick), how do you tell if the wheel is cracked, and is it dangerous?

My suspicions would be loss of air pressure and yes, could be dangerous, but is it an obvious thing, i.e. quick loss of air, or a gradual thing and only really noticeable when looking?

I have the original M-Sport 18" wheels...I know its mainly 19's that are at risk, but do 18's get it also....we have some really bad potholes down here.

when they took my wheels off today, the cracks were on the inner rim, one was worse that the other, but very visible, I had no issue with losing air, I understand that is what will happen when the crack goes right through the rim,
There has been a few issues with 18`s doing it, but is mainly 19`s that suffer, I also have the run flats that I got with the car, that probably have 6mm of tread left, the first thing they said, was that the see very few for repair with non run flats, I was going to change them all when the rears need replacement, now im thinking I might change them all earlier :?

It’s still not a complete fix, I changed my tyres to non runflats & they still cracked again within a year-on our crummy roads they seem susceptible to it :thumbsdown:
Rob

 

[andyfanshawe]

So at the risk of being thick (ok, I am thick), how do you tell if the wheel is cracked, and is it dangerous?

My suspicions would be loss of air pressure and yes, could be dangerous, but is it an obvious thing, i.e. quick loss of air, or a gradual thing and only really noticeable when looking?

I have the original M-Sport 18" wheels...I know its mainly 19's that are at risk, but do 18's get it also....we have some really bad potholes down here.

Here was my cracked wheel.

Gradual loss of pressure. 3 or 4 psi per day.

Andy.

 

[ihadablackdog]

Thanks all, I understand it a bit better now.

 

[ronk]

Has anybody heard of aftermarket alloys cracking?

 

[eff1guy]

I was going to change them all when the rears need replacement, now im thinking I might change them all earlier :?

Get them changed, you won't regret it and step up the rear profile to 35 as per Mr W's and others recommendations. I wish I'd changed mine as soon as I got the car but like you was reluctant because of the remaining tread. Mine failed MOT in December with 2 cracked rears even though they were apparently checked by the same dealership during service and health check at the end of October :roll:
Between service and MOT I had covered 67 miles and I know for definite I hadn't hit a pothole let alone 2! Apparently I had also gained a buckled front wheel. I too had warranty but it was a NO and their offer was new rear wheels at £615 each and £550 for the front, I kicked up a fuss and they had it back for a runout test which it passed. They then offered 50% contribution which I still wasn't happy with. Eventually, managed to get 2 rears for £550 (£275 each) and they also fitted and balanced my new tyres for free although I had to sign a disclaimer because of the incorrect tyre type and incorrect profile on the rears.
Immediately took it to a local indy for a four wheel alignment and to get the buckle checked out, which they couldn't find. Alignment adjustments done and I haven't looked back since, so much more comfortable and enjoyable to drive

It’s still not a complete fix, I changed my tyres to non runflats & they still cracked again within a year-on our crummy roads they seem susceptible to it :thumbsdown:
Rob

Rob, did they crack again in a new spot or did the welds fail?