469 rims peeling around the center hub dealer refused to repair

[Teemech5]

Thanks for the information Qsilver7 ,let's hope I have a positive outcome here.my dealer doesn't seem to want to go out of his way for me ,maybe because I purchased the vehicle out of state .

[ard]

He doesnt need 'good will'. He was legally under warranty when the defect was reported.


Once you start in with BMWNA, speaking with them, raising a denail....you really cant go back ti the dealer and say 'could you good will this?'. BMWNA would likely deny the dealer after the fact- if a dealer was dumb enough to go against BMWNAs decisiont to date.


Unfortunately, OP has been doing all of this verbally (I suspect). Even when he talks to 'the head mechanic' at the dealership, and the guy comes up with some story about external influences, it will be verbal. This means he has almost nothing to press a case.




My prediction:


"Salt and road chemicals, causing corrosion". He will want to counter with: how come all 4 wheels? How come other wheels dont show this? How come you have paid for it with a few other reports?



But there is no 'dad' to settle this issue. Once BMW digs in and says no, they know that EVEN IF YOU HAVE GOOD ARGUMENTS, nobody will force them to change their mind.


IMO filing a small claims is really not 'legal action'. Its a DIY process, type it up, organize your documents... spend a few hours and a few bucks- maybe it causes them to take notice.


As someone else did, a report from a consultant that says 'caused by a coating failure allowing water/salt to reach the substrate' combined with 'here is the BMW work order when I reported it under warranty' and you have a slam dunk. I might even send that to BMWNA in advance, saying 'you have 10 days then I am filing a lawsuit'.


Or settle for a 150 respray....

Finally, it is always tough to come to grips with the fact that our 'relationships' with car manufacturers are shallow at best, and usually only one way. That realization is sobering. But we drive the car, not the manufacturer.... (I lemoned a new 2010...its just business, I dont take it personally.)

[Teemech5]

Thanks ard you are right so far it's been verbal communications with BMW ,the dealer did see the rims and took pictures while the car was there for replacement of the lower control arms ,and like I mentioned before I have been in the auto repair business for over three decades so I believe I have sufficient knowledge of vehicles , so I won't let them BS me I appreciate all the input ,and we as BMW owners should expect better quality for the premium we pay for our vehicles ,and no way should a 3 year old vehicle have this issue due to road salt etc , as mentioned I have had two previous x5s that did not have this problem , and to that end ,I have right now. 2002 e53 that I am working on in the repair shop ,and the rims are absolutely not showing any signs of this defect , and judging by all the other owners online that have the same issues ,I am convinced that BMW knows this is a quality control issue ,and doesn't want to admit to it

[ard]

My point about 'in wriitng' is not that you .will or wont get BSed... the point is that anything that is SAID to you actually doenst exist.


And this is by design. All the conversations you have had with BMW, and you will have with the dealer, essentially exist only in your mind. YOU heard them, but BMW knows that at the end of the day you only have your 'stories'- verbal recitation of what you were told (or claim to have been told). All of which have zero legal weight. After weeks of argument, pressing BMWNA and dealers and wasted time- if you want to move into 'legal action' you have NOTHING with which to press a real claim. They know this.



Even if you get someone to whisper in your ear, "yes, you've got us- we have a known quality issue". It means nothing....



Ive got maybe 100k posts in various BMW forums, and have seen this a TON of times (not wheel corrosion, but BMW resisting warranty/legal action)....and people thinking that shear will and perseverance will let them prevail... hence my advice is a bit jaded. And the advice is this: if YOU have a documentary case- paper that proves the elements of your claim- and BMWNA sees this, then maybe they know that in a case you will prevail. My advice is to build your documentary case from day 1. Not after you have exhausted all the talking.



Hope this helps.

[Teemech5]

Excellent suggestion ard, I see your logic and thank you again , I do have the invoice from my regular dealer stating that the rims are peeling ,and the mileage is documented on there , I will start to build my paperwork for a possible Trip to small claims court .

[Big Smoke]

Center cap area peeling.
I bet that is from balancing the wheels?
Those pit crew, ham fisted, tech's throw the wheel on the balance machine shaft,
sliding it along the the shaft. That will damage the clear coat allowing moisture between the aluminum and the clear coat. That is most likely the source of your corrosion.

[Teemech5]

Thanks for the reply big smoke, this seems to be an issue with the 469 rims ,it does happen to other models also , having owned two previous x5s that didn't have this issue ,I am doubtful that it was caused by tire technicians, although that could be a possibility .