Cracked rim

[mav5125]

Alot of talk in the forum on issues with the 19\" tyres. Anyone experience cracks on the inside rim? I\'m talking about the alloy wheel and not the tyre.

[jparnes1]

Are you kidding? There's million posts about this.

[mav5125]

yeah just went through and saw all million posts on this issue.

just for everyone else on this forum: Here are some of my specs on my car.

mileage - just over 20,000km
wheels - 296 19"
cracked - only right rear.
pic - see below
outcome - bmw replaced my wheel
going forward - inside edge of right tyre is worn. Still holding correct tyre pressure though. Have order a new set of bridgestone 19" RFT (same as what i got on the car) and will see how the tyre goes before i replace it. If it still holds pressure then i'll just drive with that tyre on. Should be ok. Will check tyre pressure regularly.

[STOOF]

296 wheels are the only wheels with this prob

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by STOOF

296 wheels are the only wheels with this prob

+ 100 ^^^ this

mav5125

my 2 rear wheels (296 style - when I drove my former 2009 Z4 35i) cracked at 18,000 KM when I was on a vacation trip in 2010. BMW replaced one under warranty the other they did not (long story).

The one they did not now found a resting place in my garage

Two (2) Photos here ===> CLICK here to see 2 wheel photos

Short story here ===> CLICK here and Scroll down to Region: Idaho to read my short & condensed story

Your options are:-

1) Inspect your wheels often. Look for cracks on the inner rim (outer diameter).

2) If you find a hairline crack go to BMW ASP for warranty replacement.

3) Make sure you check your tire pressure often.

4) Consider None - RFT when you need new tires.

5) Try hard to avoid potholes and speed bumps.

6) When you travel (long trips with the top down and luggage) increase rear tire pressure by 10% ~4 PSI <=== Got this tip from a Tire Shop owner/manager he has seen many cracked wheels.

7) Also one very knowledgeable member here on the Z4 forum recommended to perhaps reduce the 2.5 degree camber to 1 degree or was it 1.5 degree (makes sense to me since the camber angle transfers the weight to the inner outer rim the area that mostly shows up with cracks.

8) Last resort different wheels (forged if possible).

mav5125 Good luck to you !

[BMWZ4]

oh...snap!...

[robertrichhart]

Just found my first cracked 296 wheel on the inside of right rear last week. Other wheels are ok. With 17,000 on the run flats, decided to order non-run flat tires from Tirerack tonight to replace all tires when I get the car back from the dealer. I've read too many stories on this forum about return trips with additional cracking, so I'm dumping the RFTs after the first failure! Hope the non-runflats help! I really like the look of the 296s but this cracking issue really bites! Wish BMW would step up...

[Blu Yea]

Very sorry to say I have joined this group of 296 owners with cracked wheels.
I've had the car 10 days. It now has 11K miles now. it was one year old when purchased.
Rolf's posts refer to these problems getting worse over time often starting around 10k or 11k miles. Makes sense.
Interesting note that I talked to a 2009 DSB 35i owner at the dealership who had 293's with RFT's. He had to replace all 4 wheels and tires from cracking.
Said from potholes driving around Hollywood. By contrast, I drive 95% on the fwy.
So from what i have gathered so far, the only long term solution is no 296, 293 or run-flats. Not happy. My bad for purchasing the car with the 296's.

[az34]

Originally Posted by STOOF

296 wheels are the only wheels with this prob

not anymore STOOF it seems that the new f10 5 series wheels have join the club!

[mav5125]

296 wheels are $1100 a pop here in Australia !!!!

[DavidJS]

Originally Posted by mav5125

296 wheels are $1100 a pop here in Australia !!!!

Wow! How much is wheel/tire insurance in Oz (or is it not even offered)?

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by DavidJS

Wow! How much is wheel/tire insurance in Oz (or is it not even offered)?

I bought the tyre / rim insurance in Oz - it was about $700-800 for three years.
It covers a lot of the aesthetic damage as well as the punctures, blow outs and cracked rim problems.

I have the 326M rim so I dont live in fear of cracking (forged rims - tick) but I have more than paid for the insurance with a nasty gouge repair (hit a rock) and a small dent / bend from hitting a sink-hole. (a sink-hole is bigger than a pot hole).
Still have 18 months to go.

Noticably, they didn't offer me insurance with the X3?

[RichysBlk35i]

Originally Posted by STOOF

296 wheels are the only wheels with this prob

That is all the more reason for BMW to step up to the plate and either recall this wheel or have all the dealers, without conditions, replace all these wheels when a cracked one comes in. As much as I like my 35i and respect BMW, this has gone on far too long!

[Jayda]

Originally Posted by robertrichhart

Just found my first cracked 296 wheel on the inside of right rear last week. Other wheels are ok. With 17,000 on the run flats, decided to order non-run flat tires from Tirerack tonight to replace all tires when I get the car back from the dealer. I've read too many stories on this forum about return trips with additional cracking, so I'm dumping the RFTs after the first failure! Hope the non-runflats help! I really like the look of the 296s but this cracking issue really bites! Wish BMW would step up...

Well maybe I'm glad I didn't buy that car! Kidding of course. Do you suspect you bought it with the bad wheel? Can't remember if that car had wheel and tire insurance. It had everything else.

[robertrichhart]

It did not have the wheel and tire insurance, but my local BMW dealer is stepping up and replacing the wheel. Calling it a Good Will gesture... and I'm thankful!

[Jayda]

Originally Posted by robertrichhart

It did not have the wheel and tire insurance, but my local BMW dealer is stepping up and replacing the wheel. Calling it a Good Will gesture... and I'm thankful!

How did you know it was cracked? Slow leak or did you actually remove the tires and inspect the wheels. I am paranoid about this on my wheels (which is why I bought the insurance). I'm trying to find out if the tire/wheel insurance is still valid if you switch out the run flats. In other words, will they still replace wheels and tires if not running the run flats? Who would have thought tires and wheels could be so complicated. I personally like/love the look of the 296 wheels.

[robertrichhart]

I found a hairline crack on the inside rim of the right rear wheel a few days after I got the car home from Ohio. May have simply missed it at the time of purchase? When first reviewed by the dealer, they told me there was evidence of a curb rash repair on the outside of the rim at the same point, so the repair would be on my dime... When they took the tire off of the rim, they found 2 more cracks, and that's when I received a call saying they were going to replace the rim as a good will gesture.

Received my new non runflat tires today from tirerack, so I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow about getting them mounted.. I'll let you know how they respond to my request.

[Dr Stig 2]

Originally Posted by Jayda

I'm trying to find out if the tire/wheel insurance is still valid if you switch out the run flats. In other words, will they still replace wheels and tires if not running the run flats? Who would have thought tires and wheels could be so complicated. I personally like/love the look of the 296 wheels.

You have to talk to the insurer (not BMW).
I did for my policy here in Oz (Allianz Insurance) and they were happy for me to change the tyres as long as they were exactly the same load and speed rating and same physical dimensions as the OEM tyres.

As for the look, yes, they are a very stylish rim. I was besotted when I first saw them on a Z4.
Its just circumstances that caused me to pass on a (slightly) used sapphire black Z4 35i with the 296 rims, because another dealer tempted me to buy a new DSB 35is with the 326M rims. (I justified paying an extra $20K to get a year yonger car and one model higher in the range - even though there was bugger all difference in their options. False economy, I know)
I only found out about the 296 issues after I had taken delivery of the car, so I count myself quite lucky.

[Blu Yea]

I posted last week that my 10 day old car had a cracked rear 296. (10,000M)
Took to the dealer and BMW paid for the wheel and the RFT no questions.

i was armed with the info from this and other sites on the issue and had logged the complaint with BMW America prior to bringing to the dealer but only mentioned what i new to the service guy. Whether that helped or not is unclear but the dealer took photos and checked for damage/roundness then sent the info to BMW. I won't bother adding picts, trust me you've seen it before.

For the most part my faith is restored, i will be looking for a set of 293's in my future without RFT's.

[Mayhem]

Sounds like a recall situation before someone gets seriously hurt. Years ago, I had a Ford Explorer and they had a tire recall, and everyone with an affected tire got full replacements. Sounds like BMW needs to step up in a similar fashion.

[robertrichhart]

Just had a chance to take a careful look at the new rear 296 rim that was replaced by my local dealer last week. The new 296 is obviously, thicker material across the width of the rim almost all the way to the back edge! Looks like a significant increase in strength across the entire rim! About time!!! Now I want one like it for the other side...

[Blu Yea]

Originally Posted by robertrichhart

Just had a chance to take a careful look at the new rear 296 rim that was replaced by my local dealer last week. The new 296 is obviously, thicker material across the width of the rim almost all the way to the back edge! Looks like a significant increase in strength across the entire rim! About time!!! Now I want one like it for the other side...

Good catch. I just checked mine which has one new 296 from last week.
1st pic with red arrow from left is the original rear 296.

2nd pic with arrow from the right is the new rear 296.


Notice the buildup difference but i'm not sure i see any difference where the rim meets the rubber. Where most cracks are.