Alternative uses for cracked BMW alloys: update
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Watchdog has received a number of complaints from BMW owners who've suffered cracked alloy wheels.
BMW has blamed the drivers, saying they must have hit potholes or speed humps but the drivers say the damage isn't their fault and these expensive wheels should be replaced free-of-charge under warranty.
The damage mostly affects 19" rear alloy wheels, used in conjunction with runflat tyres. An expert engineer who examined the wheels, said there was no visual evidence of any road impacts. He told Watchdog that the wheels should be recalled by BMW on safety grounds.
Watchdog asked disgruntled drivers to send in their cracked alloys. Meanwhile, we turned some of them into instruments and created a musical message to take to BMW's UK headquarters in Bracknell.
Original story: How would you re-use cracked BMW alloys? 29 October 2009
On 22 October we ran a story about BMW alloy wheels and how some of them weren't all they're cracked up to be; yes, certain expensive 19-inch alloys can crack. BMW maintain that the cracks are the fault of drivers going too fast over speedhumps or potholes.
Many of you have complained to us with the same problem and it seems quite a few of you are now are the proud owners of useless cracked BMW alloy wheels.
In light of this we want your creative and wacky ideas for alternative uses for the wheels. Could they be made in to some kind of art installation, a musical instrument or maybe something for garden?! Send in your ideas!
If you simply wish to comment on the original story please click here.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~38~RS~)
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i have also got a bmw with 19 inch alloy wheels but as far as i know they haven`t cracked they just eat there way through tyres.I got through my first set in 15k but the rear tyres were only worn on the inside the reat of the tyre was perfect.The front tyres were worn on the outside edges but not in the middle.The garage that replaced them said the rtemaineing good part of the trye would have lasted another 5k but due to the rest they were useless and that cost me £1300 for a new set,not happy
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BMW have know about the wheels from the 5 Series touring. I have seen this wheels crack from when I worked at Mondail BMW's road side help company. BMW supplied the cars for are engineers and when the cars where loaded a lot of the wheels failed. this was 2 years ago.
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How about building a stack of them into a piece of artwork on the spare pedestal at Trafalgar Square, as an epitaph to "The Ultimate Driving Machine" and quality engineering.
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Just put my 325i in to my local dealer as its having issues on a cold start up. A new fuel pump is needed. I wouldn't mind but this is the third one in 2yrs. After receiving the great news 'NOT', the telephone call continued with more good news, my second 19" alloy has cracked & its 0.4 i.e 0.1 out from being under warranty which is 0.3. Why are they checking the alloys off their own back if this is NOT A KNOW ISSUE. That’s like me going to the doctors, saying I have swine flu, but the doctor checks me for testicular cancer as its know in males to be high. So let’s get this right, in 2yrs I’ve had, 3 fuel pumps, 2 alloys and factory recall. I think Audi will be getting some £ off me very soon.
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Ref: Lifesparkie. I have had that same problem. My 08 plate required new tyres ONLY on the rear at 6kmiles from new, worn on the inside. I was told by BMW that this was due to 'potholes. In addition, I have also explerienced the 19inch cracked alloy, again on the rear and again given the 'pothole' 'excuse'. To top it off, I'm on my FORTH high pressure pump/fuel injector.
The issue is, potholes or not, the tyres and alloys are not fit for purpose. The fact is that only 19inch alloys with run-flats are affected and only on BMW manufactured since 2005 shows that it is a fault in design and production.
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Why don't wee all take our cracked alloy wheels to BMW UK headquarters. We could use them to spell out in giant 3D letters 'JOY'.
It would put a smile on my face anyway!!
...or we could cut all the wheels up into little pieces and send them one piece at a time to BMW customer services!!!!
:-)
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I too have serious problems with the tyres on my BMW M3 sports with 19" wheels,both with excessive wearing on the inside of the rear wheels. They have only covered 13,600 miles and are bald after average motoring. Although I have inspected the rims, so far, they show no signs of cracking (lucky me!)but I am very worried about the tyres failing. Suggestions from the dealer is to have the camber and wheel aligment checked and replace the tyres but what assurances do I have they won't go again! at £700-800 a 'pop' this an expensive issue and I agree they are not fit for purpose.The car is only 2years old.
Size and make being Bridgestone 255/30R19 Potenza RE-050A
my research on reviews show they are not up to standard. I am discussions BMW but not impressed so far.
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Why dont we box-in the senior BMW executives cars with a wall of all the damaged wheels!!!
Or alternatively make giant yo-yo's out of them because I feel that's all I've been doing on this subject is yo-yo'ing backwards and forwards, trying to get an adequate solution.
Final idea for now is that they could be melted down into the shape of the badges of the alternative manufacturers that we will be reverting to if this is not resolved!
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I have a 325 Coupe 08 with 19inch wheels. I have a buckled wheel (not cracked) which I only found out about when the a tyre shop put a new tyre on. I asked BMW to look into it and as expected they said it was my fault.
I suspect every car fitted with 19" rimms will have a buckled or cracked wheel at some point. Think I will be buying an Audi next time.
For a laugh why dont we put some AUDI wheels on our BMW's.
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I have spent £ 1300 in the past month on three tyres and a new wheel.
The problem with the wheels cracking looks like it caused by the tyres. The tyres are designed to be able to get you home or to a tyre dealer if you have a burst.The fact is they simply dont do what it says on the tin! Firstly the tyre walls are too heavy which can cause it to fail, or even in the simple case of a normal puncture,the tyres shred when you try to drive on them whilst there flat. The rim of the wheel actually cuts through the tyre resulting in the alloy wheel actually coming into contact with the road surface ,which contributes to the wheel cracking. Due to this shredding of the tyre, ive had to be rescued by the bmw rescue service and taken to a tyre dealer on the back of a low loader.
Another problem that can arise is that most tyre dealers dont carry the run flats in stock, so you can be in a position that you drive to a dealer only to find youve got to come back the next day. What do you do if your many miles from home, i was stranded at a tyre dealer with a new tyre, but he refused to fit it to the wheel because of the cracks so i had to phone bmw who delivered a wheel to me for the princely some of £500. This whole saga of simply dealing with a tyre failure lasted 24 hrs and cost me £780 and also cost bmw for the rescue service . MADNESS ! These are expensive cars and bmw should replace the wheels and tyres under the warranty, surely theres a safety issue here?
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I am another unhappy BMW customer. I have 19" alloys and yes one of my wheels also has cracked. I just don't get it!!!! I have been driving for many many years and never has this happened to me in the past. There must be a fault with the materials used. I have already been to BMW with the wheel and yes you guessed it...I was given the same excuse as I heard them give on Watchdog. Can anyone please shine some light on what the next step I should take is? Thanks.
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What can you do? We can try and take on BMW, trade the car, perhaps get our own solution and carry on enjoying the car. Like many BMW enthusiasts, rather than trade the car, remove the run-flat tyres and run conventional rubber, even down size the wheel set and run even more rubber between the rim and road.
When we have wheel sets that are pushing the limits of sensibility for road use, we do run into unknown territory. Wheel sizes more suited to track days are not really suited to most of our daily drives.
As to it just being BMW, Audi had a problem a few years back when 19” wheel sets were used on some models.
Also remember there is a big aftermarket trade in alloy wheel repairs. Not that I’m suggesting anyone with cracked rims use that method, as it could be a dangerous attempt at a solution, but suggests a market in wheel failures.
When fashion has priority over form, particularly if manufacturers like BMW go along with it, there are bound to be "tears before bedtime".
Highland Pete
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I have a 330 BMW with 19" alloys and run flat tyres on a 57 plate, so it is less than two years old. I have had to replace 4 rims (£1800 total) and 11 tyres (£2530). I have been told the usual rubbish from BMW that it is my fault etc...They have to accept the truth and the truth is that these wheels and run flat tyres are not fit for purpose. When would anybody buy a new car (whatever brand) and expect to spend nearly £4500 in less than two years on wheels and tyres. I have been driving for 27 years and I've never had to buy a new wheel in my life before I bought this BMW. I spoke to my local BMW dealer today and he told me that BMW have now withdrawn these 19" wheels and run flat tyres and they will not supply them on any new car - is this not some admission of guilt??
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Have not BMW alloys been doing this for several years i.e an old story?
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Just looking at the low profile of the tyres worries me - not a great cushion to protect the wheels. Are the tyres designed to make the car look good at the expence of comfort and safety?
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BMW should be ashamed of themselves. Why should consumers have to have access to a TV show to have their voices heard?
The consumer protection in this country really needs reviewing so that any product failure puts the onus on the seller/manufacturer first for at least 6 years rather leaving the average buyer in a position where they have to take on megacorporations on their own...
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I have driven 5 5 series BMWs, all from new, since 1990. Also an M3 from new.
I have had a 535 diesel Sport since 2005 and this year I have had 2 cracked aluminium wheels at a cost of approx. £500 each. I have discussed this with the tyre fitter and BMW (who were totally unhelpful "our products don't crack").
It is clear that the low profile wheels, which, along with the factory fitted "run flat" tyres create stresses which the wheel cannot cope with. The tough sidewall of the tyres combined with the additional steel bracing within the rubber creates too much load upon the thin aluminium wheel. Thank you for the programme. I shall be in touch with BMW again.
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I have a 2001 X plate BMW 3 series with 19" alloys. Have called the 0800 number but been advised that they will only investigate the current 3 series models in warranty. They also advised me to take the car into a dealer at my expense.
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What a success story!! Had a puncture on my run flats in August 2009 and after 19 miles driving the tyre disintergrated leaving my car to be collected by BMW emergency recovery. When it went to Prentices BMW dealership they told me that not only would my tyre insuracne not cover me but I needed a new alloy as this one was cracked! I argued with them and met the BMW technical guru from England who basically told me I was a rubbish driver and had hit a pothole. Had to pay £785 for new alloy and tyre. Rang the number given on the show last night and hey they are refunding my money!!! Am delighted although i cant wait to see what they will do next time! Only catch is they want the aloy back.....presume its so that Watchdog dont get it to send it for testing!!
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The message does not seem to have got through to the dealers. I spoke to BMW Customer Services this morning who confirmed that a BMW Engineer would inspect the wheels but my local dealer rejected this to say that they would carry out another road test only and they rejected that the wheels had been taken off the market and they would still sell them. I spoke again to BMW who confirmed that a BMW engineer would inspect them and would ask my local BMW dealer to call me but here I am with no call back. Are the dealers now playing up or is it just a lack of communication ?
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had the same problem a few months ago, where my car went into BMW for warrranty work and was informed that i had a cracked alloy. was told the speel about pot hole and speed bumps and so on,
after yesterdays show i rang BMW to complian and after a few telephone conversations wth my local BMW dealer (Williams Manchester) and BMW UK customer service, i was told by BMW UK that my local dealer will refund the price of the alloys.
Thank you Watchdog very much :-)
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Hi there, My BMW is just about 18 months old, its a 330dm sport. I too had the abnormal tyre wear on the inside and outside of my tyres, the 2 front tyres had huge chunks missing out of them and I was told I was lucky not to have had a nasty accident. On changing all 4 tyres they found 2 cracked wheels. BMW told me that due to the tyre pressure being too low this caused the abnormal tyre wear and it provided even less cushioning for the alloys causing them to crack. I went back to BMW after seeing the last show and was told they havent stopped selling these wheels, they have stopped putting them on cars from factory as standard, the wheels are still available for sale. I was also told that I could have my wheels assessed again by a tech manager who was independent to the dealer but worked for BMW uk, his decision is final so I've been told and BMW will NOT accept any other independent results carried out by anyone other than this tech manager. I have been advised to check tyre pressure every 2 weeks, approach pot holes and speedbumps below 30mph, if I hit a speedbump or pot hole at speeds of up to 30 to 40mph then my wheel WILL crack or even buckle (these were the words of the advisor on the phone). BMW have lost my £'s for good which is a shame fot them as this is our 4th BMW and will certainly be our last! My advice is dont back down they will have to do something shortly.
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I have an 2007 BMW 325d with 17 inch wheels. Upon having my front disc pads changed, the dealer "noticed" that one of my front wheels was cracked. When so informed, I suggested that the wheel should be replaced under warranty, but I was told that, as the crack was out of tolerance, the replacement would have to be paid for. This rationale is perverse: surely if the crack is within tolerance, then no problem - if beyond tolerance, then a replacement under warranty? I have not hit speed bumps not potholes, and the rim is unmarked - so obviously a faulty product for which BMW should pay.
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Has anyone tried the small claims court - or indeed any legal redress in respect of this issue?
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Legal redress may be possible if BMW continue to deny liability but an independent expert determines manufacturing fault. I also consider that, if BMW continue to deny liability, they they have effectively devalued such cars when we want to trade them in or sell them.Thus, we have paid a premium for buying the cars with those wheels, pay hundreds or even thousands of pounds to repair and then lose more money on re-sale. It does not sound a good investment to me and I will definately look elsewhere when I next buy.
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What do people think will happen to the residual values of these cars - I mean would you buy a car that everybody now knows has previously had problems with wheel breakages?
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My brother has a new 330d with 225/255 run flats. One failed recently due to 2 large cracks in the inside edge of the rim of the offside rear wheel. The car has done only 14k of very modest driving. The dealership claimed that it was due to his driving and also potholes. They advised him that all the tyres were worn out/faulty so he was left with a bill for 2k+. He has been worried about the safety and reliability of the car ever since. This model rrp is about 44k. When he visited a local main dealership (not BMW), recently, he was advised that the tyres were overinflated. They reduced the pressures to 27 psi front and 29 psi rear. The instructions on the panel in the doorframe say 270kPA front, 290kPA rear. This is equivalent to 39psi and 42psi. It is a bit scary, but not entirely surprising, that garage employees confuse kPA with psi. The rear wheel is a long, thin, alloy tube which is only supported on one end. I think that perhaps it is not thick enough to cope with the monster torque of the 330d motor. Has anyone seen any involvement from Trading Standards? They don't seem to be doing anything effective from my viewpoint.
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How can BMW stand for "Joy" when I get a bill for £953 for servicing and a cracked alloy wheel...
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I too own a BMW 335 coupe. The car was only eight months old when the alloy wheel cracked, upon testing the vehicle BMW took no responsibility and said the rear wheel cracked on the inside was 'probably' due to bad road conditions. I am a careful driver and feel completely let down by BWM who will not accept a fault which is clearly a serious, ongoing problem and destroys any confidence in the safety of the vehicle.
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I went to see BMW a couple of months back with a cracked 19" allow. I had only driven approx 2k miles since having purchased it from their showroom. They refused to accept liability stating I must have hit a pot hole and sent me on my way.
Having seen the watch dog show and realising I'm not alone with this fault, today I decided to give the dealership another shot, albeit a month after being told they can't help me. I bypassed the cocky sales reps and spoke directly with servicing dept. The servicing rep stated that they are now looking at this problem more seriously and requested I book my car in so they can complete another check on the alloy. Whether this leads to them accepting liability for a manufactuing fault is yet to be determined. I for one am hopeful that they will.
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I have just collected my car from my local dealer having being told that my rear alloy is cracked. They have taken photographs and referred this to BMW as the car is still under warranty. This is a 19" alloy on a 3 series convertible. The tyre wear is excessive. I needed 2 new rear tyres after 15k miles. BMW quoted £385 each! I managed to source from a back street tyre dealer for £258 and they do have the STAR rating that BMW claim make them last longer. My local dealer claims that they do not buy them in for that cheap!!!
This is clearly a design fault. The tyre check showed 6 mil tred on the outside, middle and inside of the tyre, but was through to the core on the inside edge. I am sorry, but this cannot be blamed on the camber as this would wear a wedge across the tyre surface area, not a 1 cm strip on the inside of the tyre. It is vertually on the tyre wall.
We will see what BMW do in light of the Watchdog report!!!!
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I have a BMW 330D Sports Convertible with 19" alloys with run flat tyres. It has done 8000 miles of careful driving. Had to go into garage for a minor problem, but garage rang me up and said my rear tyres are badly word on the inside, but rest of tyre is fine. They checked tracking, tyre pressure and could not find anything wrong.
They stated BMW do not cover tyre ware and suggested I had them replaced immediately and to send the old tyre off to Bridgestone for assessment. But they stated they are unlikely to admit a defect.
I am the most careful driver, I spend £44k on a new car that has completed only 8000 miles and now I'm told I need near rear tyres (because of inside tyre ware).
These tyres/alloys definately seem not fit for purpose and as somebody has mentioned don't do what they say on the tin.
Not sure what to do about it. I was hoping to keep the car a few years, but if I have to replace the tyres (and maybe the alloys) every year, I need to sell the car quick (and buy an Audi or something).
I have had many new BMWs with little problems, thus the reasons why I bought another. Will not be buying any more, unless BMW do something about this and soon.
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Had the same issue with 2 rear alloys on a 2005 BMW 330d with 19” Bridgestone run flats. No JOY from the dealer as they insisted it was caused by potholes. We have never experienced this with any of our other cars. We've been loyal to BMW for a number of years but this is the final straw. Where is their loyalty? We’re replacing the car now and through utter disgust at BMW we’re going for an Audi or Merc. We won’t consider a BMW again for a long time. We’re replacing our BMW X5 next year and it won’t be with a BMW either. Seems crazy these guys have lost £90k of business from us alone due to this issue when it would have cost them £1000 to put it right. I think if BMW won’t do the honorable thing then you should....perhaps buy a different brand, you might just find you have more JOY.
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