[crackerjack]

please see the previous thread

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...actured+alloys


well after months of analysis of my wheels by the UKs finest www.mira.co.uk the conclusion is

4 Discussion & Conclusions
From the work undertaken, it is apparent that the cause of failure cannot be attributed to kerb-strikes or other damage to the wheel. It must therefore be concluded that the failure is due to the manufacturing process or the material quality. The presence of multiple cracks on both wheels without any commensurate damage on either face of the rim point to the fact that wheel has not been “abused” by the driver. The fact that there are four almost equidistant cracks and additional ghost marks on the 29th March Wheel suggest manufacturing defects. It must be noted that aluminium castings and forgings invariably contain defects of enfolded oxides, voids and inclusions; however, if these defects are large enough or of sufficient quantity they will produce cracks under normal driving conditions. It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to minimise these defects in order that the product lasts longer than the Manufacturer’s or Seller’s Warranty period

I await the response from the dealer .

[FotiosF90M5]

seems like you guys are having lots of problems with these wheels. Ive seen other threads like this too. strange.

[M3-FAST]

Excellent news - keep us posted, my rims are off the car now and won't go back on until the car goes back next May (wahey, 997 time ) but I was very concerned when I say the pics. If it is of any help I know that some X5 rims have had the same 'defect' and were replaced under warranty.

Hope BMW are going to refund your costs also - it is the type of story that the car magazines and watchdog love

[dxb335d]

I have found the 230's very soft.

[CrimsonRedE93]

My 225's haven't been off the car yet, I had hit some bad pot holes though and thought about the alloys.

I think it is time I took them off and checked them out

Good info CrackerJack I hope the dealer gives you a positive response but that might well be expensive for them, I guess they will do something like say they will replace them as a good will gesture knowing full well they have a problem but will not admit anything.

[Carrera RSR]

Sounds to me a serious issue beyond the dealer. They try to fob you off on most issues! BMW UK looks like the only option.

[mda335i]

Just to update on my previous issue with the cracked wheels:

I had requested that the dealer retain the damaged wheels for when I collected my car, having processed via insurance. On returning from holiday, the wheels had been sent off for recycling, so my request to collect them and seek an independent inspcection could not be fufilled......
To cut a long story short, my Dealer refunded the excess I had paid out on my insurance, as a goodwill gesture, which I accepted.
I am still in discussion over obtaining details of a "test case" which BMW GB had selected for wheels to be sent back to the manufacturer with the same defects - the customer being a mate of mine through the same dealer!

[GanjamanUSS]

I've got the same alloys as you mate, and mine's going into BMW Battersea which is apparently owned by BMW UK ?!

Will keep you posted as ALL my tyres just randomly loose pressure constantly, with one being more so than others.

[big pimp]

how much did it cost for this analysis mate, as i had to pay for 2 new rear alloys, and a new rear tyre (BMW replaced the other one as a good will gesture)

i kept both my rear alloys as i want to send them for analysis, as i do not accept BMWs response that the cracks were caused by potholes.

how in the hell could you crack a rear wheel on a pothole and not the front?

[big pimp]

on a side note, if i get my rims tested by Mira, and they come back with the same results (which i fully expect, then all of us who have been having problems, and have been fobbed off by BMW need to get talking amongst ourselves, and then go public to the Auto magazines - you just know Top Gear, Auto Express etc would love to hear these stories, and i can assure you it will cost BMW a lot more than if they had of helped us in the first place.

[phazon]

Originally Posted by big pimp

on a side note, if i get my rims tested by Mira, and they come back with the same results (which i fully expect, then all of us who have been having problems, and have been fobbed off by BMW need to get talking amongst ourselves, and then go public to the Auto magazines - you just know Top Gear, Auto Express etc would love to hear these stories, and i can assure you it will cost BMW a lot more than if they had of helped us in the first place.

I am currently going through the same process, having discovered both my rears are cracked. In my opinion BMW are trying to avoid having to make a recall - as evidenced by this kind of behaviour, which I consider an utter disgrace:-

Originally Posted by mda335i

I had requested that the dealer retain the damaged wheels for when I collected my car, having processed via insurance. On returning from holiday, the wheels had been sent off for recycling, so my request to collect them and seek an independent inspcection could not be fufilled......

If it gets to the point that I have to pay for wheels (my hands are tied somewhat as my wife is pregnant and I cannot have her driving around with wheels in this state) I will be making clear to BMW in the strongest possible terms that I expect MY wheels to be kept for me to use as I see fit - ie, have them analysed.

It is my understanding that if a claim reaches £5,000 then it becomes a class action - in which case court costs are involved, it becomes public etc and so becomes a lot more expensive and embarrassing for BMW - plus raises the potential of forcing them into a full recall. If necessary perhaps those involved could come together and take a joint action on BMW?

Cheers

Nick

[big pimp]

phazon - you'll be in a similar situation to me - i had to pay, but i told them i was paying under protest.

i made sure i kept my wheels and tyres - i think it's a disgrace - seriously - us guys should team together and get these poxy f**kin alloys tested, make BMW do a recall, and get payed for damages for wheels that are not fit for purpose.

[crackerjack]

hi sorry about the delay getting back:

things have developed:

my solicitor has issued proceedings against bmw to recover my costs acting on the provisional report-the conclusions of which were copied on the site

BMW have responded saying ...tough... its driver damage and have spoken to the head honchos@ MIRA about the report

i have since had a letter from mira's HEAD HONCHO saying that was a provisional report and needs some ammendments- surprisingly after bmw got in touch with them


i am now awaiting this final report....next week ive been reassured. and on the phone today their chief engineer who signs off the report states that they cant confirm that the findings in the prov report will stand (although they havent done any further tests)


i might just sue mira as they released a report though provisional lead me to instruct a solicitor,PLS NOTE MIRA TEST FOR BMW.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CONSUMER IS GONNA GET SCREWED BY BIG BUISNESS AGAIN .ITS VERY MUCH LIKE THE BANKS !

I NOTE YOUR ALLOYS ARE A DIFFERENT STYLE . ALSO I STRONGLY ADVISE IF ON RUNFLATS USE BIG PRESSURES/PSI IN THE TYRES

WHAT GETS ME ON ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS IVE NEVER SEEM DAMAGE LIKE THIS ON OTHER ALLOY WHEELED CARS IVE HAD OVER 15 YEARS OF HARD DRIVING .IN FACT IVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN ALLOY WHEEL EVER!

the whole episode just stinks and hearing about other punters with similar problems upsets me further.
what i will do is get the final report and publish it online .....starting with the forum .whatever the outcome .just hope mira dont sit on the fence particulalry after the provisional reports findings

i have paid 1700 pounds for the report and dont really care if others use it to irritate the bmw dealers .

in fact im going to attach the provisional report and well see how different the final report is- please note no further tests have been done on the wheels
i will black out the personal details

[Carrera RSR]

Everyone who has had issues with these wheels and dealers need to stick together on this one. As individuals its going to hit brick walls.

[booforty]

Thought about reporting this to Top Gear / Fifth Gear? Get it mentioned on TV...?

[phazon]

We definitely need to give it that kind of profile. Magazines and TV are the way forward. A group of us will hopefully have a lot more credibility.

I am awaiting the report on my wheels, possibly tomorrow. Having seen this not too hopeful.

[Carrera RSR]

Originally Posted by booforty

Thought about reporting this to Top Gear / Fifth Gear? Get it mentioned on TV...?

Top Gear / Fifth Gear need BMW support for their cars to be loaned for the benefit of the program. The same for Autocar / Auto Express. Best go to Watchdog as they don't seem to care who they piss off. Look at the grief Renault have been getting for the bonnet issues on the Clio.

[crackerjack]

so how many forum members have had cracked alloys - pls note we are not talking kerb damage


ps any body handy with adobe -having difficulty blacking out the personal info on the provisional report !

[xenon]

Top Marks to you Crackerjack for not rolling over and also for sharing this information. Good luck to you! I have these wheels to (225m) so far undamaged, but I'm reading this with interest. If you email me your pdf I can blank the personal details and send it back to you.

[phazon]

Would be good to collate everyone who has the issue, and also their wheel type. So far I'm seeing a mix of 225's and 230's.

So am I right in thinking no-one out there has this issue on 18" wheels?

Also if you have damage what is your build date? Interested to see if these are all older cars (mine is late 06) - that might indicate that BMW have realised the problem and strengthened the wheels on newer cars.

I don't know what to do moving forward - do I have 2 new rears (paid for or otherwise), put runflats on and risk more damage? Or get the wheels and replace all 4 with non-rfts? OR, buy 4 18" wheels on the assumption they don't suffer the problem?

[Mark II]

Interested in this myself as I have the 19" 225M style (build Nov 07) and as I don't use the car a lot it could be ages before the problem rears its head - maybe even beyond the warranty.

No evidence of cracks yet (fingers crossed) but I'm keeping an eye.

I totally agree about sticking together - concerted action by a group is often (sadly) the only way to get major manufacturers to 'carry the can' these days.

On other forums where I have been a member we have:
1) Initially taken copies of other members posts to the dealers to demonstrate that the issue was not an isolated one.
2) Created a pre-formatted letter of complaint that each member can print off, sign and send to the mfr's HQ demanding action.
3) Raised the profile of the issue on the forum to such an extent that it is highly ranked on Google and is therefore available for all the world to see.
4) In certain case we suggested to the dealer/mfr that due to the seriousness of the issue/safety considerations etc we might bring the matter to the attention of the motoring press.

It's amazing how the same manufacturers that will initially maintain an unresponsive attitude to one individual, suddenly become pliable and amenable to resolving issues in the face of public outcry.

In this case (to bastardise the American saying) - "Maybe the wheel really is broke, so you better fix it!!"

[crackerjack]

have the report provisonal in word format if anyone interested...
however as am currently undergoing litigation may be advisable not to put it on the fora just yet....any thoughts on this?





please note this is the provisonal report and should have the final independent report from mira next week but as mentioned above they may change their conclusions now they appear to have had contact with bmw...