[doughboy]

Originally Posted by tisme

Just a thought, the facelift models have galvanised hubs, so hopefully they will not rust. If anyone wants a pic, I'll do one at the week end.

Pics yes please.

Had this problem on my old Audi A3, A4, 325i and current 330i. Painted them all with high temp aluminium look paint (with a brush). Same £4.99 tin did all 4 cars!

330i hubs done 45k miles and still look great.

Hopefully the new 335i wont need it!

[JZ69]

Facelifted 3's do rust; galvanized hubs or not. You can see by the rust pattern that it is clearly the result of the dealers using acid alloy wheel cleaner.

It looks crap and isn't good enough. I'll be getting Cooper Croydon to sort it next week. Car is only 3 months old.

JZ

[COLSEN]

Originally Posted by tisme

Just a thought, the facelift models have galvanised hubs, so hopefully they will not rust. If anyone wants a pic, I'll do one at the week end.

I've posted a pic previously of the my bmw galvanised hubs, I've done 9000 miles and guess what... I noticed some rust today!

[JZ69]

Having phoned Cooper Crydon today I was told that it is 'natural rust' and only 'surface corrosion'. It can be painted but will return. When I pointed out that the pattern of rust matches the alloy wheel pattern therfore the only reason for the rust is the aloy wheel cleaner they use, she wouldn't/didn't want to believe me.

I can see a fight on my hands.

Its not good enough in a motor of this price.

JZ

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by JZ69

Having phoned Cooper Crydon today I was told that it is 'natural rust' and only 'surface corrosion'. It can be painted but will return. When I pointed out that the pattern of rust matches the alloy wheel pattern therfore the only reason for the rust is the aloy wheel cleaner they use, she wouldn't/didn't want to believe me.

I can see a fight on my hands.

Its not good enough in a motor of this price.

JZ

I bet you the alloy wheel cleaner they used was so acidic, it stripped off the protection on the hubs... they probably left the wheel cleaner on for a long time before rinsing off

Incidentally, WTF is "natural rust" ??? Is there "unnatural rust" too??

[Carrera RSR]

I have a few week old 58 plate, 2,500 mile 120d this week from BMW dealer ....... with four rusty hubs!!!!!!

It's not just the 3 series

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by JZ69

It can be painted but will return (dealer quote).

Rubbish, my hand re-painted hubs have lasted 3yrs / 47k miles with constant acid wheel washes at the local hand-car-wash. The Holts aluminum finish hi temp paint is still perfect.

(brush on not spray)

[Budgie]

It is poor but its a quick summer time or garage job.

Do it yourself and its done for ages.

Like many things mention it to the dealer and well see what happens.If you dont ask you dont get.

[mantisgt]

I took my 57 plate E93 335 into Sytner Solihull today re this (and a few other things) they were great and agreed once they had viewed the rust to flat down and repaint them. Just collected it and they have done a great job.

I have used them to service all my BM's (10 in total) and found them always helpful. I suggest you all try your dealer first before you go to the trouble of doing them yourself.

[ede92]

I read this whole thread and just want to be clear about the problem description.

It is rust on the cast iron rotor. The rotor is all one piece and very heavy.

I saw references to Holt paint but could not find it. I would assume the best paint would need to be high temperature and rust resistent with longevity even under harsh winter conditions.

Can anyone make any specific paint MFG recommendations that have worked through serveral winters?

BTW - the dealer is willing to do this since I only have 8K miles on my car.

[Budgie]

See if you follow the thread most of our dealers couldnt give a sh*t.Most of us do it ourselves,but make it known to the dealers how poor they are.

I used Hammerite but if you read through...loads use all sorts.Wether there available over the pond is a different story?

[G33]

ill try asking mine [dealer]

if unsuccessful shud we have a group "paint wheel hub" session at UK7??? can sum1 bring a jack and torque wrench ....please

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by G33

ill try asking mine [dealer]

if unsuccessful shud we have a group "paint wheel hub" session at UK7??? can sum1 bring a jack and torque wrench ....please

No need, i'll paint yours through the spokes of the alloys.

[Budgie]

Now id love to see that...with a 4 inch paint brush and what colour paint lol.

[G33]

lol.

my dealer is looking at it on thursday, hope they pull thru. dont like getting my hands dirty

[Carrera RSR]

I did mine back in September being only 1 month old with silver Hammerite Smooth. I have now done 21,000 miles in that time with a lot of road salt around. Some specks of rust are starting to show through the paint. May have be redone in the coming months.

[Budgie]

Originally Posted by carrerarsr

I did mine back in September being only 1 month old with silver Hammerite Smooth. I have now done 21,000 miles in that time with a lot of road salt around. Some specks of rust are starting to show through the paint. May have be redone in the coming months.

I would have thought that would be ok...Im gonna use so high temp silver paint spray we use on planes,in the summer of course.I cant be bothered asking the dealer although I should as then when it fails I can then say ...well your car and you did the work lol.

[Exotica]

Why doesnt one kind person do a full how to guide and post it up as a sticky.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Exotica

Why doesnt one kind person do a full how to guide and post it up as a sticky.

1. Remove wheel (jacking up car first)
2. Wire brush rusty brake disc bell
3. Apply Holts / Hammerite etc silver hi temp paint with brush by rotating hub (spray is too messy and thin, requires masking / sheeting and several coats etc). Chock wheels & take care letting off handbrake when car jacked up. Do not worry about paint getting on braking surface.
4. Re-fit wheel
5. Repeat on 3 other wheels, most BMWs have 4 in total.

Easy.

[Geoffo]

My next door neighbor uses Hammerite on his wheel hubs..

Doing mine when the weather improves..

[monkeynuts]

As others have suggested, I definately agree that it's a combination wheel-cleaner and BMW's choice of material. On mine, It's so clear from the pattern of the rust that it's being affected by the spray from the wheelcleaner... i've started spraying the cleaner onto the brush that I use and applying it that way rather than spraying onto the whole wheel first. Then I make sure I rinse really well. Damage is kind of done on mine but not too bad as my 17's aren't really that 'gappy' (not sure what ones they are - haven't seen them on many other BMWs but I like them!).

On a related topic, Mine's an approved-used car and had the wheels reconditioned before I picked it up (I think they do that as a matter of course). When cleaening, I can see that on one of the rears there is a patch where the top layer seems to have come off/become damaged. Was going to take it back to the dealer as I've only done a couple of thousand since pickup and am wondering what it's going to look like in a couple of years if it's doing this so soon... has anyone else had any experience of this?

[conman]

first post here from myself,i have been considering the 3 series as my next car but after reading this thread i am left wondering .why it is that you guys and gals would even consider painting your own wheel hubs on a premium cost vehicle.why do you not seek a ccj against your supplying dealer.jees,you must love this brand so much,the warranty on these cars is appalling.