Loud crash sound when you hit a bad pot hole...

[flpnout]

Yesterday in the rain I was trying to get around an SUV and failed to see the pothole on the road! There was a loud crash that startled my girlfriend. Wow! It was so loud, that we pulled over to inspect for any damage. I did not see any scrapes under the bumper nor did we see any damage to the wheels.

Has anyone else experience this before? If so, any damage found (besides those with 296 cracking issues), maybe suspension wise? There is no difference in handling. It tracks straight and no sign of vibration from the steering wheel.

After that incident, it makes you pay closer attention to dodge pot holes!

[cpippolo]

Had that happen more than a few times with my 3-series before I took the run flats off. Never any suspension damage, but I did bend a couple of rims. However, if you're not getting any vibration at speed, you rims probably don't have much of a bend in them and you may be OK.

After I replaced my rims I got rid of the run flats and never had those brutal crashes on potholes.

[flpnout]

I may not go with run flats after I have to replace my tires. I didn't know it is the run flats that make it crash so hard when you encounter craters. That makes sense since there is a hard rubber.

[cpippolo]

Run flats with the 19s you're running are especially brutal. I would definitely consider non run flats when you replace them. I replaced the run flats pretty early because I was sick of them. Just packed a can of fix-a-flat and a portable air compressor in the trunk.

[richard in NC]

I have heard that several times in the two years I've had the Z4. It still sounds scary. So far, no apparent damage, knock on wood.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I have heard that several times in the two years I've had the Z4. It still sounds scary. So far, no apparent damage, knock on wood.

Ditto.

I dunno how you guys w/ 19s can handle it, I have 18s and it still sounds shocking everytime I run into those nasty potholes. Luckily no damage so far (knock on wood).

[MikeChrista]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I have heard that several times in the two years I've had the Z4. It still sounds scary. So far, no apparent damage, knock on wood.

Me too - scared that hell out of me the first time as i wondered what I had hit. Now try very very hard to avoid pot holes. Don't suppose the sound of the 296s cracking is that loud

[Frank Costanza]

I've hit a few road imperfections that resulted in a loud crashing noise as the wheel rebounded. Also stopped to inspect / wait to see if the low tire pressure warning would light up, but nothing. I also haven't experienced any vibration coming through the steering wheel. (our car has 296s btw)

I did pay for the wheel/tire insurance when I bought the car so when it goes in for it's first service I'll be getting the wheels closely inspected for any damage.

[billwr]

More often than not, it has resulted in a cracked 296 wheel.

[MikeChrista]

Originally Posted by billwr

More often than not, it has resulted in a cracked 296 wheel.

Where do you get the evidence from to make such a firm statement?

[Vintage]

The RFTs are tough - we have switched to Continental DW tires and we love them; it has helped with no more "crashing."

[Chuck76]

Flpnout I had it happen to me on 880 in the bay area. Thought I cracked a rim but it was good. Ya these run flats are going after I use them up.

[flpnout]

I was on 35/La Honda Road when it happened. I think they are ok. my coworker asked if I get any vibration when I brake. I don't. I will get rid of RFTs when I have to change tires. Thanks all!

[lux good]

If you do get rid of the run flats don't forget to let your insurance company know. They will pick you up on it if you don't tell them and (god forbid) you have an accident!!
Don't give them any excuse not to pay out!!

[Frank Costanza]

Originally Posted by lux good

If you do get rid of the run flats don't forget to let your insurance company know. They will pick you up on it if you don't tell them and (god forbid) you have an accident!!
Don't give them any excuse not to pay out!!

I don't know what insurance company you're with but you need to change your insurance company.

I'd be calling every news paper in the country if my insurance company told me they weren't going to pay out because they I didn't get their consent before I installed new tires.

[Dr Stig 2]

Ahh, a club membership none of us wants to join.

On its first service yesterday, my dealer proudly announced I had a warped / bent rim, most likely due to a pothole hit.

Given I had the same rim repaired in April for kerb damage, and I have only droven 1000km on it since then, I cant think where or when exactly I have hit a pothole that would be worse than any others I have hit.

I have Wheel & Rim insurance so I have submitted a claim - wait and see.
They want details of the "Event" where it happened - but I dont think I can help them there - given you dont get out and check the inside edge of a rim every time you hit a bump.

AND... The information I know you all want to hear - this is a 326M wheel.
Sacrilege!

(Note - no cracking! just a warp / bend - No photo as cant tell its actually warped unless you spin the wheel.)

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

Ahh, a club membership none of us wants to join.

On its first service yesterday, my dealer proudly announced I had a warped / bent rim, most likely due to a pothole hit.

Given I had the same rim repaired in April for kerb damage, and I have only droven 1000km on it since then, I cant think where or when exactly I have hit a pothole that would be worse than any others I have hit.

I have Wheel & Rim insurance so I have submitted a claim - wait and see.
They want details of the "Event" where it happened - but I dont think I can help them there - given you dont get out and check the inside edge of a rim every time you hit a bump.

AND... The information I know you all want to hear - this is a 326M wheel.
Sacrilege!

(Note - no cracking! just a warp / bend - No photo as cant tell its actually warped unless you spin the wheel.)

Did you notice any vibration at all at high speeds or during braking? Did you have to get an alignment done?

[Dr Stig 2]

Nothing. Nada.

It must have happened in the last week, and by chance I had a service due where they do a visual inspection of the wheels.
I dont think I have exceeded 80 kph in the last week. All peak hour dawdling.

(At which point the conspiracy nuts will claim they are only checking the rims during the standard servicing because of the high probability that they will bend, buckle or crack )

Cost is about $600 to reheat and reset the rim (which is what the insurance will cover) as opposed to about $1200 for a new rim.

[flpnout]

The price for a new 326M rim here is about $550 to $600 each.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Frank Costanza

I don't know what insurance company you're with but you need to change your insurance company.

I'd be calling every news paper in the country if my insurance company told me they weren't going to pay out because they I didn't get their consent before I installed new tires.

He's probably referring to the Tire Insurance you get when you buy the car

If I remember correctly, they only replace the tires agreed upon at the time of contract (which are the stock tires on the car)

Thus, they're not liable to replace any other tires.

However, you can contact them and if it's a BMW approved tire and within your insurance plan, then I've heard you can have those covered as well.


I never did this with my 335i so my Toyo T1Rs weren't replaced, so I had them give me a stock runflat instead as a replacement (sold the runflat on the forum then used the money to buy a Toyo myself)

You should still have the dealer check for any damages/have a shop check.

I say go to the dealer and say you hear noise from the (point where you hit the pot hole) and want it checked out.

DO NOT TELL THEM YOU HIT A POT HOLE!

If they find anything, they prly won't fix it cause it'' be user fault, but at least you'll know so you can take it to an independent shop

if you tell them you hit something, they'll charge you labor hours to check it out, otherwise the checking will be covered under warranty

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by flpnout

The price for a new 326M rim here is about $550 to $600 each.

Ahh, but as has been covered before, BMW Australia has a trapped market and can charge a HUGE markup on their cars and parts in this country.
That is the main reason why suckers like me end up paying twice the amount for effectively the same car you guys get to buy in the US or UK.

(And yes, BMW AUstralia is owned by BMW so they are effectively profiteering in markets where they can get away with it)
If we could buy a US or UK spec car and bring it into AUstralia we would, but our tax laws and registration processes (ADRs or Australian Design Rules compliance plates) are set up to stop this practice and protect the local car industry.
The only way around them is to buy the new car overseas, own it and use it for a year, then import it without penalty, then pay a private certifer to fit the car with a local compliance plate (or keep it forever, or take a monetary hit when you try to sell it locally without a compliance plate)

That being said, the RIM would be universal in design, so with shipping fees and the FX saving it might come out OK to import one from the US.

But...
BMW own the rights to the tyre and rim insurance here (even though it is underwritten by a proper insurer), so they may take a dim view of doing their AUstralian business out of a Rim sale just to help a client get a cheaper price. After all, if they wanted to do that they wouldn't add in a huge margin on the cars and parts in the first place.