Ok my problem,

My 19'' wheels on my BMW keep cracking. BMW won't pay for them under warranty, they blame potholes. Just cracked another 2, after paying £1000 4 months ago for 2 new ones.

Do I?

1. Get the cracked alloys repaired?
2. Take out small claims against BMW and see if they respond.
3. Try for warranty test and get new ones maybe only for them to go again? Or
3. Spend £2000 on new style of OEM wheels......

Help me please......

.....or claim against Council/Highways Agency for potholes.....?

Just a thought.

Nick this was featured on Watchdog a few months ago. All BMW 19's crack, don't think BMW could careless. Personally I would just go out and buy some new ones.

Good luck!!

Claiming against council is a no no, won't ever get anywhere....

Watchdog did a big thing on 3 series wheels....and they paid out but never admitted there was a problem.....

I think new wheels It has to be. I am hoping the dealer will pay for 2 and I will pay for the other 2 and just get a new forged alloy style......

I can grind it out and weld it up for you mate !! at your risk I hasten to add, but at least they would be better than they are now !! 08 2.7 RRS "S"
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Nick, it seems that if you threaten your dealer with legal they laugh, but someone on here suggested telling them that you are insured for legal costs up to 1mill through your house insurance. Then they listen.You could try that.
After fixing why dont you try driving round the potholes... 

Nick i had a 325 m sport, with the 19" alloys I think you're most likely referring to (I traded it to buy my nice new rangey thankfully).

The problem is the combination of the run flat tyres and the alloy design. This did indeed feature on watchdog but BMW have never admitted liability, knowing that the flood gates could open. They have always fallen back on the "treating each case on it's merits" defence and thereby avoiding setting a precedent.

I managed to get a copy of an internal memo that had been circulated to all dealers within a certain well known tyre fitting company, asking all staff to be extra vigilant when changing tyres on these wheels and to inspect carefully for cracks and advise the customer accordingly.

In some cases you can indeed get the dealer to get them back thru BMW as a gesture of goodwill, but this is by no means guaranteed and often depends on the age and mileage of the car.

My advice to you would be not to waste more money on these wheels going forward, you will be back revisiting this issue again and again; this particular set up does not work. I would personally spend the money on different wheels altogether and I'd ditch the run flats too if possible.

Whatever you decide, good luck with it, I'm glad I ditched the BMW and I don't think I'll be back. Have i got the busted controller?!?!!?

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I went the other way.....

I meant from a RRS to a Z4!

I was going to change the tyres but BMW make an issue on the warranty. Glad to say I bought two new rears on eBay from an ex Z4 owner for £300. Even though I only need one rear, and one front....they are still £700 below list, but you're right it will end in tears!!

Take out some wheel and tyre insurance Nick. On my policy it can be taken out on any car up to 5 years old/100,000 miles for 3 years cover - entitles me to 5 new wheels and 10 refurbs in the 3 years of the policy 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
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Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Don't think it would work Tim, as the tyres are £350 and the alloys are £500..... Wheel insurance covers kerbing and not manuf or faults etc....

Option 2

trade it in nick and come back

Shocking how a manufacturer can fit these wheels to £30k+ cars and get away with it. I would buy some aftermarket wheels and keep the oem's for when you sell the vehicle. 2006 '56 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java Black, Alpaca Interior, PTI, Sidesteps, 22" Stormers wrapped in 285/35/22 Toyo Proxes, Java Framed SC Grille, Java/Zambezi Side Vents, Matt Black LR3 Door Handles, Matt Black Lower Tailgate Trim, Colour coded lower body trims, Semi Smoked Taillights, Chrome Mirrors and Fog Light Bezels, Reflex Exhaust Back, Full Pentagon AutoGlass Privacy, Tasmod Sills, Clear Side Repeaters, pics in gallery!

I personally don't think repairing the cracked alloys is an option that should even be on your list Nick. Have i got the busted controller?!?!!?

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Mr H wrote:

I personally don't think repairing the cracked alloys is an option that should even be on your list Nick.

+1

Depends how bad the cracking is obviously, but from the tone of your post it doesn't sound minor. I wouldn't want the risk of the wheel failing again, possibly at speed.

Just my opinion

Simon