If BMW make cheap alloy wheels, why aren't BMW wheels cheap

[jamie_z4]

Im currently running style 313 wheels on my daily e92 the rears are cracked and I've got some bead sealer on the rims until I get the chance to get them welded they are perfect fine to drive no different to having a slow puncture from a nail or a bit of corrosion

Don't blow it out of proportion get it welded and forget it

 

[Redline]

That's unlucky. Have hit some bone crunching pot holes in Gail's car. Am always worried about picking up a crack.

It hasn't cracked around the edge of the wheel and presumably isn't loosing air.
I'd be tempted to get it welded if nothing to stop it spreading.

The issue is ensuring there isn't lots of heat transfer into the wheel. The problem on a fine crack is getting enough heat in to close the crack as I don't see much weld itself from penetrating the crack.
The risk is you still might have to buy a new wheel and spending even more. . If you don't you're several hundred pounds better off. Heads or tails?

 

[t-tony]

The trick is to "vee" the crack out with a grinder so that as you apply the filler welding wire it closes the gap all at the same time and makes a stronger repair. Applies to most types of welded repairs really.

Tony.

 

[oldcarman]

And just to add to Tony's post if done properly the weld will be much stronger than before the crack. The wheel will likely crack on both sides of the weld before the weld will break! Personally I'd go that route for the money!! JIM

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Thanks guys, guess it pays to share these little tales of woe. I feel better about it now. I'm reluctant to buy a new wheel just at the moment as Alpie resides in the garage waiting for a nice sunny spring day. But if I can get it welded I'll feel better about driving it if the opertunity arises. Then I'll get a new wheel before we go on holiday, when I have the car into the dealer to get it checked over.

Mike

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Hi Mike, I took a photo from the video and I will ask tomorrow.
Tony.

Thanks Tony, It would be good if you could, I would appreciate it

If they can do it, I will take the wheel off and bring it over to you.

Mike

 

[t-tony]

Hey Mike, we take them to a company called Terry Weston. I don't know what they charge Tanvic Tyres but Tanvic's charge them out at £60 as they have to remove and re fit the tyre and re balance.

Tony.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Thanks @t-tony I'll be in touch via PM and see if we can arrange to have it repaired if you take it into Tanvic.

Mike.

 

[bessieblue]

Hi Mike, have you tried getting a secondhand wheel and then keep the repaired as a spare. or if you can buy a set of 4 secondhand wheels & just swap them over. you should'nt have this problem yet have tried going back to dealer you bought from

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Hi Mike, have you tried getting a secondhand wheel and then keep the repaired as a spare. or if you can buy a set of 4 secondhand wheels & just swap them over. you should'nt have this problem yet have tried going back to dealer you bought from

Hi Pete, It's like everything, when you want one there as scarce as rocking horse Sh*t. There is a Set on Ebay but that includes tyres and is over £1500. I shall buy a new one before the end of May so that the car is ready for long journeys. But in the meantime I'll have the wheel repaired and keep it as a spare when I've bought a new one.

Mike

 

[bessieblue]

keep looking one might come up

 

[bessieblue]

Mike have a look at a site called motorhog.co.uk
go to parts & then wheels select 19" is your wheel on here

 

[peteslag]

One other option is to buy a set of replica wheels from a reputable company. I did quite a bit of research and found a company that had TUV certification, I bought a set of 18" CSL reps for 400 quid. I even checked that the TUV cert was genuine. After 8000 miles of mixed driving, two track days and massively clonked the rear right wheel of a kerb (leaving a big dent arrrrrrrrrrrrrr) and they still look good as new (apart from the dent). The quality is great and they didn't take many weights to balance, that is normally a good indication of quality.

Certainly worth considering as an alternative, you could even go for a different look. Just avoid the deluge of cheap crap that comes over from the far east!

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Went to see Tony and Shirl today, thanks so much for a warm welcome guys. Took the wheel so that Tony can get it repaired for me. Waiting now to get that call that tells me the wheel is done and ready to pick up. Can't thank you enough Tony, see you both soon.

Mike

 

[Redline]

Went to see Tony and Shirl today, thanks so much for a warm welcome guys. Took the wheel so that Tony can get it repaired for me. Waiting now to get that call that tells me the wheel is done and ready to pick up. Can't thank you enough Tony, see you both soon.

Mike

Hope you've checked new posts on eBay

Seriously - another generous act for the community. Nice on @t-tony

 

[t-tony]

Always a pleasure to see you and Sandy mate. Be in touch.

Tony.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Hope you've checked new posts on eBay

Seriously - another generous act for the community. Nice on @t-tony

Yes Ian, I have been checking Ebay and some of the Breakers sites, I did find a Z4 at a breakers on a site that bessieblue put me onto. Trouble was the car looked like it had been rolled and the wheels looked in worse shape than the one I have. But as you say Keep Looking.

Yes 'Generous act' It's so nice to have available on our site, people that really care. You can't underestimate the importance of that statement you know Ian. I feel lucky to be a part of something that special.

Mike

 

[t-tony]

Hi Mike @EnthuZiaZT , got the tyre stripped off today. Should go for repair tomorrow all being well, been short staffed today.

Tony.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Just PM'd you @t-tony

Mike

 

[oldcarman]

That looks to be a pretty easy fix @EnthuZiaZT and should crack elsewhere if ever again as the weld will be stronger than before the crack!! Nice work @t-tony to get this taken care of. Will you still have these contacts when you finally retire? I hope so! JIM