Slow Puncture Reveals a cracked alloy rim!!! Update

[The Big Easy]

Thanks Rody.
Dwarfer, I`m running 21" 215s right now, 275 front and 325 rear, 6,000kms and everything fine so far - regulaly inspected and cleaned and kept inflated at the recommended pressure.

[janisX5]

One of my client have a same problem, insurance company paid for two wheels replacement!!! That meens that problem with these nice rims exist!!!

[irishE70x5]

JanisX5

Are you a BMW Dealer? wash it the exact same problem and location of crack?

Thanks
Marc

[pikeman]

Sorry did not see this post before.
I had the same exact crack in my rear left 20" just aftrer some 4K km. Noticed when repairing the tire puncture. The dealer (not eaven the same the car was bought in) replaced the weel w/o any heasitation. This is BMW problem with 20 wheels on rough roads like we have here in Latvia.

[The Big Easy]

Pikeman, are you running 214's?

[villajoe]

To the original poster...my friend has this happen to 3 of his rims!

I think maybe those rims are too soft?

[irishE70x5]

Ok An update after my dealer did not persue the issue I took is up with BMW Ireland and to be fair they were very helpfull.

They asked me to bring the rim back to my dealer and their engineer will call and examine the wheel.

He examined the wheel on monday and phoned me back on wednesday with his findings here they are;

on the inside on the rim (the side that faces the engine with the crack in it) he found a deflection of .75mm directly opposite that on the outside of the rim he found a deflection of .45mm. He also found evidance of a heavy impact on the rim (mark left by tire).

His conclusion was that the wheel had struck a object (Pot hole or similiar) and that caused the deflection in the rim stressing the rim and leading to the crack. He said if he returned the rim to BMW HQ they would not replace it because of this impact evidance.

While I dont doubt I may have hit something I cant not remember hitting anything bone crunching.

That said I am disappointed with the rims performance after all is is supposed to be an SUV.

In Ireland a product is supposed to be fit for the purpose for which it was intended .... I dont think I will let it sit here ... opinions?

[pikeman]

You have to push the issue with the dealer. I had the crack visible only after unmounting the tire, but still x5 is suposed to be a SUV. I spoke with several rally drivers, they say for a wheel to crack in an acident you have to bend or realy dent the alloy wheel, if no apperant "hit" damadge is wisible it has to be a defective rim. Write a letter directly to BMW Germany!

[Boston X5 4.4]

FWIW I cracked a rim on the M3 when I hit a pothole. It didn't seem too bad at the time - I thought I just had a flat untill I saw the crack.

I think that you are assuming more of a risk driving with the 20's - less tire wall = less cushion. Don't think you will get cash back from BMW/dealership unless good faith gesture.

Seems like wheel/tire insurance would be a good option on Irish roads

good luck

[rayxi]

It looks like the curvature of the rim is little flatter where the crack is so there could have been a pothole or rock impact. It could also be just the angle of the picture.