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      10-11-2011, 04:25 PM   #45
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Thanks Rolf-Dieter...

Did my due diligence and in the end BMWNA screwed me again. I'm not sure how this "process" works, with the service adviser sending info to BMWNA. Seems kinda shady. Today my SA informed me that not only are there cracks...but now magically my wheel is also bent; therefore not covered by warranty.

Funny, considering that it wasn't disclosed to me before. Car drives straight, no vibrations.

Last BMW for me.
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      10-13-2011, 01:47 AM   #46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by narcolo View Post
Thanks Rolf-Dieter...

Did my due diligence and in the end BMWNA screwed me again. I'm not sure how this "process" works, with the service adviser sending info to BMWNA. Seems kinda shady. Today my SA informed me that not only are there cracks...but now magically my wheel is also bent; therefore not covered by warranty.

Funny, considering that it wasn't disclosed to me before. Car drives straight, no vibrations.

Last BMW for me.
That's BS...I was in a similar situation few weeks back. Both rear wheels were cracked. Dealer contacted BMW and got it changed in two days...

Regardless, this should have never happened!!! I can't believe BMW still has not recalled the rims.

I wonder if anyone decided to go to court to get this resolved...
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      11-22-2011, 11:28 AM   #47
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Exclamation I know this topic has been beat to death....

I just filed a complaint to NHTSA, which is actually quite simple. Takes 2 seconds. Would be nice if everyone with these $hitty 296 wheels filed something too. Maybe then BMW will take notice...

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml

copy and paste the following...

This problem affects wheel style "296" a 19" optional alloy wheel package for E89 BMW Z4. BMW part number 36116785257(rear wheel 19x9) and 36116785256(front wheel 19x8. Under normal driving conditions, multiple cracks developed on inner edge of rim lip leading to large drop in tire pressure and potentially unsafe driving condition. This happened to (1) of my rear wheels.

After doing research, I strongly believe this is a manufacturers defect as many owners of the SAME particular wheel model "296" are experiencing the SAME problems. It is noted in the following link: http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=485935

Contacted BMWNA customer relations and they declined to provide assistance.
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      11-29-2011, 10:38 AM   #48
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I have the 19" 296's on my car and after 10,000 miles didn't have a cracked rim yet. I am changing to Conti ExtremeContact DWS in a day or two and was wondering if anybody had cracked rims without the OE runflats.

My independent tire guy told me that he suspects the runflats' stiff sidewall to absorb impact shocks less efficiently and in combination with a "weaker" rim like the 296 causes cracks.

Any thoughts?
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      11-29-2011, 06:30 PM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suvidh View Post
You should go with the style 293 18". I think probably the toughest one. BMW has only these rims available in india and dont offer any other style, and so far they are doing well on the worst roads we have in our country. I have driven 20,000 kms + and also have not heard of any problems from any of the felllow Z users in my city

This picture is not my car. its One of the forum member's car
those 293's are really strong.
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      11-29-2011, 06:56 PM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 09cbb View Post
he suspects the runflats' stiff sidewall to absorb impact shocks less efficiently and in combination with a "weaker" rim like the 296 causes cracks.

Any thoughts?
My thoughts exactly think of it like a paper clip bending it gentle or harder and faster or slower ... will eventually crack the paper clip.

Same for the 296 while a sharp looking wheel in my opinion going over bumps builds up stress within the wheel (as your friend suspects due to the stiffer side wall of the RFT). I take it a step further ... the stiff RFT side wall, the negative camber (2.5 degree negative on the Z4) ... going over road imperfections and bumps yes even pot holes will result in stresses ... stress has to release some place some time ... like the paper clip it will result in cracks ...

first hairline cracks (at this stage you must return to BMW) then the crack opens up (it be too late for BMW will tell you ... you bend the wheel by going thru pot holes).

Those my friend are my thoughts
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      11-29-2011, 06:57 PM   #51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by az34 View Post
those 293's are really strong.
This ^^^ good advise +1 18" seams to be better then 19"
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      11-30-2011, 01:13 AM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 09cbb View Post
I am changing to Conti ExtremeContact DWS in a day or two and was wondering if anybody had cracked rims without the OE runflats.
Nice choice! That's what I'm running too. No cracks yet since the switchover. Are you up-sizing at all? I ended up getting 275/30 for the rears.
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      11-30-2011, 10:31 AM   #53
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Originally Posted by marcw View Post
Nice choice! That's what I'm running too. No cracks yet since the switchover. Are you up-sizing at all? I ended up getting 275/30 for the rears.
Yep, I am getting 235/35R19 for the front and 265/30R19 for the rear. I wasn't sure about the 275s. My concern was they they bulge too much... Do you have pictures?
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      12-01-2011, 12:15 AM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 09cbb View Post
Yep, I am getting 235/35R19 for the front and 265/30R19 for the rear. I wasn't sure about the 275s. My concern was they they bulge too much... Do you have pictures?
Not exactly the best angles, but here ya go: http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443743
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      12-01-2011, 08:31 PM   #55
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Thanks! Doesn't look bad at all. I got my 265/30R19 installed today and so far I am very happy with them. I had my wheels checked again by the installer and they are fine. Guess I switched tires in time.
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      01-08-2012, 05:09 PM   #56
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Are all 296's screwed up?
Just saw this thread and I'm Buying a 2011 35i tomorrow with 19" 296 and run flats.
Should i brace myself and get the dealer involved before purchase?
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      01-08-2012, 05:30 PM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blu Yea View Post
Are all 296's screwed up?
Just saw this thread and I'm Buying a 2011 35i tomorrow with 19" 296 and run flats.
Should i brace myself and get the dealer involved before purchase?
Purchase wheel/tire insurance from the dealer. If he refuses ask him to mount different wheels ... my 00.02 cents
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      01-08-2012, 05:30 PM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blu Yea View Post
Are all 296's screwed up?
Just saw this thread and I'm Buying a 2011 35i tomorrow with 19" 296 and run flats.
Should i brace myself and get the dealer involved before purchase?
try to have them swap the wheels for something else (326's) for sure your gone pay extra but it worths it.
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      01-08-2012, 07:50 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blu Yea View Post
Are all 296's screwed up?
Just saw this thread and I'm Buying a 2011 35i tomorrow with 19" 296 and run flats.
Should i brace myself and get the dealer involved before purchase?
The dealer will not admit anything up front. Wheel & tire insurance at about $1K has paid off for me on two rear punctures. As far as the life of the 296's BMW states up front that 19"+ wheel may be damaged by road hazards.

Many posters on this forum have different ideas as to the failure rate and cause of the 296's. I have over 15K miles on mine with no issues at all and am still running the original RFT's. Personally I belive the problem is more related to manufacturing defects in some wheels. They are cast - inclusions or voids will affect their stuctural integrity, especially when sustaining a major road hazzard at exactly the wrong place. Additionally, the extreme stiffness of the RFT sidewall likely contributes. Will BMW ever admit to an issue - I doubt it unless someone provides substancial evidence indicating a manufacturing defect. If one of mine ever cracks I will be doing some failure analysis investigation.

I still think they are one of the best looking OEM wheels on the road today. I 'd make the same wheel decision today that I did 2 years ago. I am no great fan of the RFT ride. I think it is a good concept and am still hoping that the 3rd generation comes out in a wider variety of sizes and performance options. Initial reviews indicate their ride is greatly improved. I will likely switch to non RFT's when these are gone unless the 3rd gen RFT are more readily available.
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      01-14-2012, 12:41 PM   #60
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Thanks HerrK and Rolf, read your posts about the 296's.
fyi, wheel and tire insurance was quoted at $1750 for 5 years. not bad if you have a lot of repairs. in the end i decided against as i have alloys on my z3 that are 170K miles. no issues from only freeway driving. i may rethink this decision. Just purchased the 2011 35i waiting on delivery next week.
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      01-14-2012, 08:29 PM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blu Yea View Post
Thanks HerrK and Rolf, read your posts about the 296's.
fyi, wheel and tire insurance was quoted at $1750 for 5 years. not bad if you have a lot of repairs. in the end i decided against as i have alloys on my z3 that are 170K miles. no issues from only freeway driving. i may rethink this decision. Just purchased the 2011 35i waiting on delivery next week.
Wow, that's expensive! Here in SC five years was a little over 1,000. I had a 250.00 dealer coupon I applied to the tire and wheel insurance policy so it came to around $800. Seemed worth it since I have the 296s which, I like the look of but know "might" have issues!
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      01-31-2012, 11:27 AM   #62
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I do have the 296 19'' on the e89 35i, such a headache, I even bought a 5th wheel to have it standby for substitute when the others broken... in 2 years time they cracked more than 12 times and repaired all. Last month I bought same rft tyres, again repaired all 5 wheels and 2 days ago I was left stranded by another crack at some mountain resort area. That was it! The car was moved by truck to the dealer in Athens (Greece). Tommorow I am ordering either the 276 or the 325m 18'' with non-rft tyres and hope I get rid of this mess...

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=642425
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      02-04-2012, 01:42 PM   #63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blu Yea View Post
Thanks HerrK and Rolf, read your posts about the 296's.
fyi, wheel and tire insurance was quoted at $1750 for 5 years. not bad if you have a lot of repairs. in the end i decided against as i have alloys on my z3 that are 170K miles. no issues from only freeway driving. i may rethink this decision. Just purchased the 2011 35i waiting on delivery next week.
Have rethought this. As i mentioned on another post STRONGLY recommend the insurance.
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      02-05-2012, 04:26 PM   #64
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Changed my 296's for 326 M Sport wheels. Two were covered under warranty, but after 2 failed last year, dealer agreed to change 2 x 296 for 326 under warranty, they would buy one 326 and I bought the other. Job done, and no longer stressed about pot holes!!
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      02-18-2012, 09:42 AM   #65
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What have people told dealers when they've gone in with a cracked wheel? The MB dealer i took my car to to get non-RFT mounted advised me that there is a hairline crack (forming?) in one of my rear wheels.

I have an appointment to take my car in on Monday to get it checked out. I just bought this car on the 5th and it was CPO'ed. Since I knew these wheels were so prone to cracking, I've been really careful about how I drive which leads me to believe it was there or already forming when I got the car.

What a pain....
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      02-18-2012, 10:27 AM   #66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by silverstone_ttlz4 View Post
What have people told dealers when they've gone in with a cracked wheel? The MB dealer i took my car to to get non-RFT mounted advised me that there is a hairline crack (forming?) in one of my rear wheels.

I have an appointment to take my car in on Monday to get it checked out. I just bought this car on the 5th and it was CPO'ed. Since I knew these wheels were so prone to cracking, I've been really careful about how I drive which leads me to believe it was there or already forming when I got the car.

What a pain....
They will check the wheel on the tire mounting machine they have. Apparently the machine has a instrument (similar to a Dial Indicator) that will measure Total Indicator Runout (TIR). Apparently the BMW tolerance for a alloy wheel to be out off roundness (as measured by the instrument [dial indicator like tool]) is 3.2 mm or 1/8"

If it exceeds this they will tell you the wheel is bend! They will further tell you that you went thru Pot Holes. If there is no evidence to the fact that you did go thru a major pothole then you should argue that point with them.

If your dealer is a good one then they will change your wheel having a hairline crack without any questions.

Let us know how you make out.

Good Luck

Rolf

PS. Also note that other members have had there wheels changed without any issues when they had hairline cracks. Search this forum for more posts on "296 wheel cracks" also note that some members reported they got a improved design wheel ... you can find the posts if you search. Finally should the dealer tell you you gone thru a pot hole ask him on what he bases this conclusion and for him to show you the evidence i.e damage on your wheel, also ask them whey the front wheel is not cracked only the rear? I hope you don't have any issues with your dealer.
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Last edited by Mr. ///M3 RD; 02-18-2012 at 10:33 AM..
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