Cracked rim

robertrichhart · 11-02-2013, 07:38 PM

Just took the Z4 in last week to finally get the new non-runflat tires mounted. The dealer called later that day and informed me that the left rear 296 wheel had 4 cracks and would have to be replaced. At first he was giving me the chuckholes/road hazard story and telling me I would have to cough up nearly $700 to replace the wheel. I told him that was never going to happen! He had not even tried to call BMW before calling me! I told him to call me back after talking with BMW since they had already replaced the other rear wheel a year ago, along with many others across the country since then... Next day he said that BMW didn't even hesitate to replace the wheel free of charge. At least now I will have both rear wheels replaced with the new reinforced style and no more runflats!

Greddy2000 · 11-04-2013, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertrichhart

Just took the Z4 in last week to finally get the new non-runflat tires mounted. The dealer called later that day and informed me that the left rear 296 wheel had 4 cracks and would have to be replaced. At first he was giving me the chuckholes/road hazard story and telling me I would have to cough up nearly $700 to replace the wheel. I told him that was never going to happen! He had not even tried to call BMW before calling me! I told him to call me back after talking with BMW since they had already replaced the other rear wheel a year ago, along with many others across the country since then... Next day he said that BMW didn't even hesitate to replace the wheel free of charge. At least now I will have both rear wheels replaced with the new reinforced style and no more runflats!

Was your vehicle still under warranty? Or are BMW replacing these irrespective of warranty status?

robertrichhart · 11-04-2013, 07:41 PM

Still within the 4 year manufacturer warranty...

teog60 · 11-05-2013, 10:45 AM

Following a double-cracking 296 wheels (last year), I decided to buy a set of non-OEM wheels from a local manufacturer.
I'm sure that new wheels are an high-quality product.
TUV approval for Z4 E89.
Same dimensions, same ET, same results (1 rear wheel cracked in 5000 km).
RFT installed (surely, this will be the last time).

aznoo1 · 11-13-2013, 12:37 PM

just found a hairline crack on my rear driver side rim. Called BMW and booked a appointment. Lets see how this goes.

ManiacGT · 11-13-2013, 12:45 PM

Yep while there's plenty of evidence on the 296's, I know people with 313, 326M etc that have cracks with RFT's at 19". I have 313's and put NON RFT's on for a better ride, I also hope that the sidewall increased compliance will protect the rims. If they crack again, well, either the car goes or 18" wheels are where I'll head.

nicknaz · 11-13-2013, 01:00 PM

those definitely look like the older style 296 wheels

Good luck guys!

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-13-2013, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aznoo1

just found a hairline crack on my rear driver side rim. Called BMW and booked a appointment. Lets see how this goes.

PM send Good Luck!

nicknaz · 11-13-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

18" wheels are where I'll head.

+1

robertrichhart · 11-13-2013, 09:06 PM

Just back from a trip to Tennessee and a run on the Tail of the Dragon. Lovin these Yokohama non run flat tires! Should have ditched the run flats a long time ago!!

Longboard · 12-01-2013, 12:00 AM

Just returned from a 600 mile trip in the Z. About 100 miles from home the check tire light came on. I pulled the tire and at first didn't see a thing in the tire. I then checked the rim and again nothing. Looking at the tire again I found what I thought was the problem. I decided to get four new tires (Michelin Super Sports) become I hate the run flats.

They called to tell me my car was done. When I got in to leave the tire light came on again. Right rear was flat. The tire guy pulled the wheel and filled it with air and then dunked it into the water pool. Sure enough it's cracked. I called the dealer who immediately said it wasn't covered under warranty.

Monday I am going in to the dealer with print out from this thread to get this covered. I will go to war if I have to.

Longboard.

aznoo1 · 12-09-2013, 11:14 AM

Just got approval that the rim will be replaced free of charge. Not much hassle i just booked a appointment show them the rim, and they did the rest.

vtec96 · 12-09-2013, 03:00 PM

You guys are very lucky!
I am in Calgary, Canada and they won't replace my cracked rim for free so I paid $850CAD for one rear rim... damn it~

jrob8604 · 02-26-2014, 07:03 PM

Ahh All this talk of cracked rims brings back nightmares and scares the hell out of me.

I had an 04 Z4 SMG with 18" stock BMW wheels, and I cracked all 4 of them and then some. I never had a problem with cracking rims in any other vehicle that I have owned. It might have even hastily brought about me getting rid of the car.

Well I figured BMW would have fixed this issue, but it still seems pretty prevalent. I'm now looking at getting an used e89 35i. I would like to avoid this if at all possible. Does getting different rims and tires fix this issue? I'm def going to get rid of the run flats if they still have em, as I remember them being awful on the old 04 Z. But I have never purchased different rims. Any suggestions.

Greddy2000 · 05-30-2014, 04:01 PM

Has the new redesign of the 296 wheel with the thicker inside rim solved the cracking issue. Is anyone with the updated design still experiencing cracking.
I have the updated design and no cracks since.

11-02-2013, 07:38 PM	#45
robertrichhart Private 3 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 S35i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	Just took the Z4 in last week to finally get the new non-runflat tires mounted. The dealer called later that day and informed me that the left rear 296 wheel had 4 cracks and would have to be replaced. At first he was giving me the chuckholes/road hazard story and telling me I would have to cough up nearly $700 to replace the wheel. I told him that was never going to happen! He had not even tried to call BMW before calling me! I told him to call me back after talking with BMW since they had already replaced the other rear wheel a year ago, along with many others across the country since then... Next day he said that BMW didn't even hesitate to replace the wheel free of charge. At least now I will have both rear wheels replaced with the new reinforced style and no more runflats!
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11-04-2013, 07:41 PM	#47
robertrichhart Private 3 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 S35i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	Still within the 4 year manufacturer warranty...
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11-05-2013, 10:45 AM	#48
teog60 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 39 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 35i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Brescia/Busto Arsizio, Italy iTrader: (0)	Following a double-cracking 296 wheels (last year), I decided to buy a set of non-OEM wheels from a local manufacturer. I'm sure that new wheels are an high-quality product. TUV approval for Z4 E89. Same dimensions, same ET, same results (1 rear wheel cracked in 5000 km). RFT installed (surely, this will be the last time). Attached Images
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11-13-2013, 12:37 PM	#49
aznoo1 Private 2 Rep 56 Posts Drives: z4 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	just found a hairline crack on my rear driver side rim. Called BMW and booked a appointment. Lets see how this goes.
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11-13-2013, 12:45 PM	#50
ManiacGT Major 85 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Yep while there's plenty of evidence on the 296's, I know people with 313, 326M etc that have cracks with RFT's at 19". I have 313's and put NON RFT's on for a better ride, I also hope that the sidewall increased compliance will protect the rims. If they crack again, well, either the car goes or 18" wheels are where I'll head.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-13-2013, 01:00 PM	#51
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	those definitely look like the older style 296 wheels Good luck guys!
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11-13-2013, 09:06 PM	#54
robertrichhart Private 3 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 S35i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	Just back from a trip to Tennessee and a run on the Tail of the Dragon. Lovin these Yokohama non run flat tires! Should have ditched the run flats a long time ago!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-01-2013, 12:00 AM	#55
Longboard New Member 0 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	One more 296. Just returned from a 600 mile trip in the Z. About 100 miles from home the check tire light came on. I pulled the tire and at first didn't see a thing in the tire. I then checked the rim and again nothing. Looking at the tire again I found what I thought was the problem. I decided to get four new tires (Michelin Super Sports) become I hate the run flats. They called to tell me my car was done. When I got in to leave the tire light came on again. Right rear was flat. The tire guy pulled the wheel and filled it with air and then dunked it into the water pool. Sure enough it's cracked. I called the dealer who immediately said it wasn't covered under warranty. Monday I am going in to the dealer with print out from this thread to get this covered. I will go to war if I have to. Longboard.
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12-09-2013, 11:14 AM	#56
aznoo1 Private 2 Rep 56 Posts Drives: z4 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	Just got approval that the rim will be replaced free of charge. Not much hassle i just booked a appointment show them the rim, and they did the rest.
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12-09-2013, 03:00 PM	#57
vtec96 Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 286 Posts Drives: E89 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	You guys are very lucky! I am in Calgary, Canada and they won't replace my cracked rim for free so I paid $850CAD for one rear rim... damn it~ __________________ CURRENT: 2009 E89 35i Dinan Stage 2 PAST: 2008 E92 335xi
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02-26-2014, 07:03 PM	#58
jrob8604 Car Enthusiast 12 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 328i Xdrive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lexington, Ky iTrader: (0)	Ahh All this talk of cracked rims brings back nightmares and scares the hell out of me. I had an 04 Z4 SMG with 18" stock BMW wheels, and I cracked all 4 of them and then some. I never had a problem with cracking rims in any other vehicle that I have owned. It might have even hastily brought about me getting rid of the car. Well I figured BMW would have fixed this issue, but it still seems pretty prevalent. I'm now looking at getting an used e89 35i. I would like to avoid this if at all possible. Does getting different rims and tires fix this issue? I'm def going to get rid of the run flats if they still have em, as I remember them being awful on the old 04 Z. But I have never purchased different rims. Any suggestions.
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05-30-2014, 04:01 PM	#59
Greddy2000 New Member 9 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Has the new redesign of the 296 wheel with the thicker inside rim solved the cracking issue. Is anyone with the updated design still experiencing cracking. I have the updated design and no cracks since.
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