Cracked BMW Alloy Wheels --- Taking legal action

M3-FAST · 04-04-2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shopper150

I'm the next victim. Cracked rear alloy E92 335d M Sport.

And apparently there is not a single replacement alloy in the UK. Dealer is saying I have to wait 4 weeks for a new one.

WTF am I supposed to do for 4 weeks without a wheel!?!

Thats crazy?! I wonder if they have recalled all their wheels??

Are they charging you for the wheel or claiming that you also have driven over pot holes??!!

This has got to be taken to Watchdog - BMW need naming and shaming for this farce.

pjs · 04-04-2009, 07:39 AM

check out the motoring section, under the title of 'snap, crackle and pop'

The cracked wheels get a mention

Honest John says "This is inevitable" etc...

From 'AS'?

AlanQS · 04-04-2009, 11:23 AM

I haven't noticed anyone comment on this directly, but since BMW have resisted all claims about defective wheels, could it be the run flat tyres that are the problem? If it is, then being liable on that basis would open a huge can of worms for BMW. Could it be that run flats on 19" rims are a size too far?

Has any M3 owner with 19" rims had cracked wheels?

Has anyone running BMW 19" wheels with non run flat tyres had problems?

I have 230 alloys which have only done 5k miles and they appear to be perfect. I bought them in April last year but given the range of wheels and the dates of manufacture, it is unlikely that a "bad batch" has been produced for month after month. The only thing in common, is the run flat tyre.

Again, apologies if this has already been brought up, but if we can find out if non run flat tyres on 19" wheels give no problem, it explains a lot.

coodem · 04-04-2009, 02:37 PM

Well I had non runflats on them, but it had runflats for 6-7k miles before that, so who knows where it happened.

I would kick up a fuss with BMW, but the 230's did not originaly come on my car, and then I was running non runflats. They will just come upwith loads of excuses

dxb335d · 04-04-2009, 03:51 PM

Alan, i think this only affects the 225's

AlanQS · 04-04-2009, 06:43 PM

No Carl. That's why I'm thinking it's 19" rims period. 19" and run-flat maybe do not mix. 300zxtt, Phazon, and Coodem all had cracked 230s.

coodem · 04-05-2009, 04:18 PM

Heres a pic of the crack, I uploaded a high res image, what you think the chance of a repair is?

willhollin · 04-05-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coodem

Heres a pic of the crack, I uploaded a high res image, what you think the chance of a repair is?

That looks terminal mate.

coodem · 04-05-2009, 05:33 PM

Was hoping these guys could help out http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk/
They seem to come highly recomended. In the mean time I bought that set off ebay, which I will sell on, if I can get mine repaired

phazon · 04-07-2009, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the kind words re my stolen car. The bastards broke into my house and nicked the keys, my laptop and wallet. The car was recovered a week later after a chase through London, which ended via a lamp post and then a wall. Not sure yet if it's a write-off, but it sounds like it probably is and TBH I hope so after some little pikeys have been ragging it around for a week.

Regarding the cracked wheels:-

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Alan, i think this only affects the 225's

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanQS

No Carl. That's why I'm thinking it's 19" rims period. 19" and run-flat maybe do not mix. 300zxtt, Phazon, and Coodem all had cracked 230s.

That is correct - this definitely does NOT only effect the 225s, my 230s and others suffered the cracks. I still have them in the garage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjs

check out the motoring section, under the title of 'snap, crackle and pop'

The cracked wheels get a mention

Honest John says "This is inevitable" etc...

From 'AS'?

This is very interesting - can anyone scan it in and post it? This is the first bit of publicity outside of forums I'm aware of, this would seem a good starting point for taking this further. As redE93cab says:-

Quote:

Originally Posted by redE93cab

Why is no one with cracked wheels taking this to watchdog?????

I bet it would highlight LOADS of owners across the UK that don't frequent forums such as this, who have had cracked alloys. BMW need to understand that all these people have not been purposely driving over 'potholes' and recognise THEY have a problem and cover the replacements by warranty asap.

...it is a bit crazy that as a group we haven't gone any further with this. As I've said before I'm happy to be involved with any action - we have a good list of affected parties now - but due to my current work situation, a 3 month old kid and now dealing with police and insurance over the theft I'm a bit reluctant to 'own' it at the moment. Is anyone willing to write-up the situation and get it submitted to Watchdog?

Ant Man · 04-09-2009, 03:22 PM

phazon, I contacted Honest John and sent him this link. Here was his response.

Inevitable on 30 - 40 profile rubber on Britain's potholed roads. 19" wheels are no more than stupid bling. They destroy the car's handling,steering feel, ride comfort, and grip in the wet or on snow. The only benefit they offer is on the smooth surface of a circuit on a track day. But BMW is culpable. Even its 17" wheels crack. And that is now size it offers on the 3 Series. HJ

ScottC25 · 04-12-2009, 06:02 PM

Hi All,

New on here but thought I would add something as I haven't seen it mentioned. The Alpina D3 has 19" alloys on non RFTs and mine are fine and haven't seen anything on the Alpina forum suggesting there is a problem with them. May or may not point to the tyres being a factor?

Cheers

Scott

AlanQS · 04-12-2009, 08:41 PM

I already suggested that the combination of 19" and run flats was the cause. I asked if anyone knew of fractured 19" wheels which had only used non run flats but there has been no response - which tends to suggest there aren't any problems.

tmarshall57 · 04-26-2009, 06:53 AM

I popped into a local alloy wheel specialists last week to have one of my wheels refurbed. Without any prompting the guy said that there are lots of BMW 19" wheels coming into his shop which are cracked and which require welding. I don't have 19" wheels but from what he said it sounds like a really common problem - way beyond the numbers of people reporting here.

He put it down to a combination of poor roads and the necessity of very low profile tyres on such wheels.

Coincidentally I took the car for a full 4 wheel alignment on Saturday to a local garage and the guy there - again without prompting - mentioned the apparent well known issue in the trade with BMW 19" wheels prone to cracking.

crackerjack · 05-10-2009, 05:22 PM

sorry not been in touch having started the original thread on this problem last year .....however after considerable expense (mira report) and solicitors fees am close to commencing court action against BMW .....just sorting out the final legal paper work ....keep you informed .....BMW have dragged their feet and have spent close to 4 months analysing the wheels in Germany .......hence the solicitor says is the time to proceed as we have given them ample opportunity to respond......shame as this whole fiasco (and the above posts back this up ) has totally put me off bmws for life ....they clealry have a problem with their 19 alloys and runflats a bit like firestone tyres and ford explorers in the 90's

330CL · 05-13-2009, 07:19 AM

I have a rear cracked alloy; the dealership claimed that the scuffing on the rims showed that it was caused by pothole damage... whilst I can admit to catching the odd kerb whilst parking, a scuff is not going to cause a crack... would like to hear how you get on with your case against BMW.... I would NEVER buy 19" alloys again (not that I chose them - they were on the car in the forecourt) or runflats for that matter...

tmarshall57 · 05-15-2009, 02:18 PM

Has anyone claimed off the local council for wheel damage caused by potholes or other poor road conditions?

BigBanana · 05-16-2009, 11:28 AM

As I have mentioned in other threads (Around December2008), a colleague of mine is now on his SECOND set of replacement rears.
All four previous wheels had split rims.
BMW 'report' blamed impact damage. So, not covered by warrenty.

Two things I'd like to add.

Jaguar, Porche, Mercedes, Audi, Aston Martin etc, etc, all have cars with 19" wheels. Are there any reports of their wheels being damaged by British roads? Perhaps 'Honest John' hasn't thought of that?

From BMW's own admission, the rear inside edge tyre wear is caused by an 'aggressive' set up. This in itself points to BMW being at fault for configuring the car in that manner.

Name: Rear wheels.jpg
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Name: Rear wheels.jpg
Views: 5654
Size: 9.3 KB

From the attached (crude) diagram, if 1500kg of car is bouncing on the inside edge of the rear wheels - causing the abnormal tyre wear - the loading on the inside rims must be huge....

No wonder the rims split.
Not fit for purpose would be my opinion......

Best of luck with the claims chaps.

If all these failures were down to pot hole damage, 50% of the wheels damaged would be fronts.

Carrera RSR · 05-21-2009, 01:16 PM

Having warned my mate who has the 19'' 225 wheels on his Aug 07 E92 320i that these have been cracking he got a call today from BMW that whilst his car was in for a service they have spotted one of his rear wheels is cracked. They are waiting on his agreement to replace the wheel at a cost of around £500 and it's not covered by warranty. He is obviously pissed as the car is due to be returned to his lease company late July and could do without an additional cost. The dealer said they would check the wheels runout on their machine to check roundness. But as we already know a cracked wheel will not be round by nature of the fact its is cracked. Therefore adding to their argument of damage due to poor roads, pot holes or speed bumps inflicting the damage.

How is the court proceedings going and do you need another owner of cracked alloys to sign up to the ever growing list?

pjs · 05-21-2009, 03:24 PM

As the OP, thought it best to point out that at post 126 I had to call it a day. For the more recent posters, It is worth reading BMW's response

Clearly, BMW would throw every resource at their disposal at me when my original tack was to push it as far as I could via small claims.

330cdsport · 05-22-2009, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrerarsr

Having warned my mate who has the 19'' 225 wheels on his Aug 07 E92 320i that these have been cracking he got a call today from BMW that whilst his car was in for a service they have spotted one of his rear wheels is cracked. They are waiting on his agreement to replace the wheel at a cost of around £500 and it's not covered by warranty. He is obviously pissed as the car is due to be returned to his lease company late July and could do without an additional cost. The dealer said they would check the wheels runout on their machine to check roundness. But as we already know a cracked wheel will not be round by nature of the fact its is cracked. Therefore adding to their argument of damage due to poor roads, pot holes or speed bumps inflicting the damage.

How is the court proceedings going and do you need another owner of cracked alloys to sign up to the ever growing list?

Hi Carrerarsr, tell your mate to go to his local engineering company and get it fixed for about £50. I assume that it is on the inside (like mine) and the weld will never be seen.
I got this done about 6 months ago on one of my back alloys and all is perfect since.
He would be mad to pay £500 - esp. when the car is being returned.

mark@vorny.co.uk · 05-25-2009, 07:13 PM

Hi, new member here, usually post on bimmerforums, a member over there directed me to this thread.

I have a 2007 e93 335i on 19" LA230 style rims.

I have had two replaced thus far, 31k miles, under warranty. Had my wheels off today to paint the hubs and calipers and hey presto, a third rear rim cracked, this being one which was replaced 12k miles ago.

The last two replaced after mails to Klaus, bet I will be paying for this one.....

04-04-2009, 07:39 AM	#178
pjs Colonel 284 Rep 2,774 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NORTH iTrader: (1)	Todays telegraph - honest john check out the motoring section, under the title of 'snap, crackle and pop' The cracked wheels get a mention Honest John says "This is inevitable" etc... From 'AS'?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-04-2009, 11:23 AM	#179
AlanQS Colonel 248 Rep 2,815 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	I haven't noticed anyone comment on this directly, but since BMW have resisted all claims about defective wheels, could it be the run flat tyres that are the problem? If it is, then being liable on that basis would open a huge can of worms for BMW. Could it be that run flats on 19" rims are a size too far? Has any M3 owner with 19" rims had cracked wheels? Has anyone running BMW 19" wheels with non run flat tyres had problems? I have 230 alloys which have only done 5k miles and they appear to be perfect. I bought them in April last year but given the range of wheels and the dates of manufacture, it is unlikely that a "bad batch" has been produced for month after month. The only thing in common, is the run flat tyre. Again, apologies if this has already been brought up, but if we can find out if non run flat tyres on 19" wheels give no problem, it explains a lot.
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04-04-2009, 02:37 PM	#180
coodem Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 286 Posts Drives: M335d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Herts iTrader: (0)	Well I had non runflats on them, but it had runflats for 6-7k miles before that, so who knows where it happened. I would kick up a fuss with BMW, but the 230's did not originaly come on my car, and then I was running non runflats. They will just come upwith loads of excuses
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04-04-2009, 03:51 PM	#181
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1004 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Alan, i think this only affects the 225's __________________ 997.2 GT3
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04-04-2009, 06:43 PM	#182
AlanQS Colonel 248 Rep 2,815 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	No Carl. That's why I'm thinking it's 19" rims period. 19" and run-flat maybe do not mix. 300zxtt, Phazon, and Coodem all had cracked 230s.
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04-05-2009, 04:18 PM	#183
coodem Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 286 Posts Drives: M335d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Herts iTrader: (0)	Heres a pic of the crack, I uploaded a high res image, what you think the chance of a repair is?
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04-05-2009, 05:33 PM	#185
coodem Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 286 Posts Drives: M335d Join Date: May 2008 Location: Herts iTrader: (0)	Was hoping these guys could help out http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk/ They seem to come highly recomended. In the mean time I bought that set off ebay, which I will sell on, if I can get mine repaired
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04-09-2009, 03:22 PM	#187
Ant Man Major 79 Rep 1,179 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Individual Edition Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East Anglia iTrader: (1)	phazon, I contacted Honest John and sent him this link. Here was his response. Inevitable on 30 - 40 profile rubber on Britain's potholed roads. 19" wheels are no more than stupid bling. They destroy the car's handling,steering feel, ride comfort, and grip in the wet or on snow. The only benefit they offer is on the smooth surface of a circuit on a track day. But BMW is culpable. Even its 17" wheels crack. And that is now size it offers on the 3 Series. HJ
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04-12-2009, 06:02 PM	#188
ScottC25 Second Lieutenant 118 Rep 265 Posts Drives: M4 Competition xDrive Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	Hi All, New on here but thought I would add something as I haven't seen it mentioned. The Alpina D3 has 19" alloys on non RFTs and mine are fine and haven't seen anything on the Alpina forum suggesting there is a problem with them. May or may not point to the tyres being a factor? Cheers Scott
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04-12-2009, 08:41 PM	#189
AlanQS Colonel 248 Rep 2,815 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	I already suggested that the combination of 19" and run flats was the cause. I asked if anyone knew of fractured 19" wheels which had only used non run flats but there has been no response - which tends to suggest there aren't any problems.
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04-26-2009, 06:53 AM	#190
tmarshall57 Captain 57 Rep 623 Posts Drives: F10 530d M Sport, E87 118d M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bury, Lancs, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW E87 118d M ... [0.00] 2012 BMW F10 530D M ... [0.00] 1997 K1100RS Specia ... [0.00]	I popped into a local alloy wheel specialists last week to have one of my wheels refurbed. Without any prompting the guy said that there are lots of BMW 19" wheels coming into his shop which are cracked and which require welding. I don't have 19" wheels but from what he said it sounds like a really common problem - way beyond the numbers of people reporting here. He put it down to a combination of poor roads and the necessity of very low profile tyres on such wheels. Coincidentally I took the car for a full 4 wheel alignment on Saturday to a local garage and the guy there - again without prompting - mentioned the apparent well known issue in the trade with BMW 19" wheels prone to cracking. __________________ F10 530d M Sport, September 2012 Individual Amazonite Silver, Oyster Dakota Leather, Auto, Nav Pro, Bluetooth + USB Devices, Expanded BMW Online, Comfort Seats, Sunroof, Sun Protection Glass Individual Satin Walnut Honey Brown Trim Interior Inside/Outside Mirror with folding and autodip, M Rear Spoiler
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05-10-2009, 05:22 PM	#191
crackerjack New Member 5 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 335i cab sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: yorkshire uk iTrader: (0)	update sorry not been in touch having started the original thread on this problem last year .....however after considerable expense (mira report) and solicitors fees am close to commencing court action against BMW .....just sorting out the final legal paper work ....keep you informed .....BMW have dragged their feet and have spent close to 4 months analysing the wheels in Germany .......hence the solicitor says is the time to proceed as we have given them ample opportunity to respond......shame as this whole fiasco (and the above posts back this up ) has totally put me off bmws for life ....they clealry have a problem with their 19 alloys and runflats a bit like firestone tyres and ford explorers in the 90's
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05-13-2009, 07:19 AM	#192
330CL Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2006 (56) 330 CL Join Date: May 2009 Location: Berkshire iTrader: (0)	Me too.... I have a rear cracked alloy; the dealership claimed that the scuffing on the rims showed that it was caused by pothole damage... whilst I can admit to catching the odd kerb whilst parking, a scuff is not going to cause a crack... would like to hear how you get on with your case against BMW.... I would NEVER buy 19" alloys again (not that I chose them - they were on the car in the forecourt) or runflats for that matter...
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05-15-2009, 02:18 PM	#193
tmarshall57 Captain 57 Rep 623 Posts Drives: F10 530d M Sport, E87 118d M Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bury, Lancs, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW E87 118d M ... [0.00] 2012 BMW F10 530D M ... [0.00] 1997 K1100RS Specia ... [0.00]	Has anyone claimed off the local council for wheel damage caused by potholes or other poor road conditions? __________________ F10 530d M Sport, September 2012 Individual Amazonite Silver, Oyster Dakota Leather, Auto, Nav Pro, Bluetooth + USB Devices, Expanded BMW Online, Comfort Seats, Sunroof, Sun Protection Glass Individual Satin Walnut Honey Brown Trim Interior Inside/Outside Mirror with folding and autodip, M Rear Spoiler
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05-16-2009, 11:28 AM	#194
BigBanana Lieutenant 87 Rep 429 Posts Drives: Beemer F30 335D Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staffordshire iTrader: (0)	As I have mentioned in other threads (Around December2008), a colleague of mine is now on his SECOND set of replacement rears. All four previous wheels had split rims. BMW 'report' blamed impact damage. So, not covered by warrenty. Two things I'd like to add. Jaguar, Porche, Mercedes, Audi, Aston Martin etc, etc, all have cars with 19" wheels. Are there any reports of their wheels being damaged by British roads? Perhaps 'Honest John' hasn't thought of that? From BMW's own admission, the rear inside edge tyre wear is caused by an 'aggressive' set up. This in itself points to BMW being at fault for configuring the car in that manner. From the attached (crude) diagram, if 1500kg of car is bouncing on the inside edge of the rear wheels - causing the abnormal tyre wear - the loading on the inside rims must be huge.... No wonder the rims split. Not fit for purpose would be my opinion...... Best of luck with the claims chaps. If all these failures were down to pot hole damage, 50% of the wheels damaged would be fronts. Last edited by BigBanana; 05-16-2009 at 12:23 PM.. Reason: Additional thought..
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05-21-2009, 01:16 PM	#195
Carrera RSR Colonel 75 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Location: Location: iTrader: (1)	Having warned my mate who has the 19'' 225 wheels on his Aug 07 E92 320i that these have been cracking he got a call today from BMW that whilst his car was in for a service they have spotted one of his rear wheels is cracked. They are waiting on his agreement to replace the wheel at a cost of around £500 and it's not covered by warranty. He is obviously pissed as the car is due to be returned to his lease company late July and could do without an additional cost. The dealer said they would check the wheels runout on their machine to check roundness. But as we already know a cracked wheel will not be round by nature of the fact its is cracked. Therefore adding to their argument of damage due to poor roads, pot holes or speed bumps inflicting the damage. How is the court proceedings going and do you need another owner of cracked alloys to sign up to the ever growing list?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-21-2009, 03:24 PM	#196
pjs Colonel 284 Rep 2,774 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NORTH iTrader: (1)	As the OP, thought it best to point out that at post 126 I had to call it a day. For the more recent posters, It is worth reading BMW's response Clearly, BMW would throw every resource at their disposal at me when my original tack was to push it as far as I could via small claims.
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05-25-2009, 07:13 PM	#198
mark@vorny.co.uk New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: E93 335i SE Join Date: May 2009 Location: Appleby Magna iTrader: (0)	Hi, new member here, usually post on bimmerforums, a member over there directed me to this thread. I have a 2007 e93 335i on 19" LA230 style rims. I have had two replaced thus far, 31k miles, under warranty. Had my wheels off today to paint the hubs and calipers and hey presto, a third rear rim cracked, this being one which was replaced 12k miles ago. The last two replaced after mails to Klaus, bet I will be paying for this one.....
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