BMW Wheel Defects - Bent Cracked Rims - 5 Series 6 Series 7 Series 550i 650i 750i

[550Atlanta]

I have just suffered my SEVENTH cracked wheel in 13k miles / 18 months!

If you have a BMW post 2004 5 series, 6 series or 7 series, PLEASE post your bent or cracked wheel or rim story HERE. According to Wheel Wizard in Atlanta, they see an inordinate number of BMW 550i, M5s, 650i, M6, 750i cars. They subcontract for all the majors - Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, Ferrari etc. Wheel Wizard believes that the BMWs (particularly with Run Flats), chose an Alloy for the wheel that is defectively soft or and prone to cracking given the weight, power and suspensions on these cars. I AGREE!! 7 times in 18 months. I work out of my house and do not drive my car hard.

Over the last 30 years I've been driving, I've owned Mercedes (CLK430), Jaguar (XK8), Toyota, 3 Ford SUVs, an Infiniti and have never had a single cracked wheel or rim in 30 years! (If it were my driving - there would be at least one other instance in 30 years). But not once. Now, since November 2009, I've had 7 cracked or bent rims! This is beyond statistical probability of just bad luck. I HAVE HAD OTHER BMW DRIVERS TELL ME SIMILAR STORIES.

A very good friend had a 650i then an M6 - he had bent or cracked rim problems on BOTH. A friend has a 550i - he has had bent or cracked rims in the first 12 months. Wheel Wizard, when I was in last time, said they had seen 5 to 7 5, 6 and 7 series in the previous 5 days. And they said that was par for the course. Today, the Manager said he thought BMWs, particularly those with RF tires, experience a greater than normal bent and cracked rim problem (something that makes his business money - repeat problems).

PLEASE - POST YOUR BENT OR CRACKED WHEEL RIM STORY HERE. I am going to file a complaint today with the NTSB. I am hoping they will open up an official investigation. BMW National tried to tell me they have good engineers. I responded, that's what Toyota said too when they'd been denying safety problems even though we now know they were lying about what they knew and when they knew it. That is what Ford said about the Pinto gas tank under oath before multiple juries found otherwise (and their internal documents revealed otherwise). These car companies don't want recalls - they are expensive. So they deny until owners like us come forward and force a public investigation. Please share your story.

[skylolow]

I think its directly related to the RFT's. Those things are stiff and hard as damn rock. You switch to regular tires and it makes a world of difference. I really don't think it has anything to do with the material or quality of the actual rim.

[Twinair]

Before I agreed to take possession of my 530 I requested they take the runflats off and swap tired with the e39 525i I traded in. I'm glad I did for more reasons than bent/cracked rims.

[scottamiller]

I have just suffered my SEVENTH cracked wheel in 13k miles / 18 months!

If you have a BMW post 2004 5 series, 6 series or 7 series, PLEASE post your bent or cracked wheel or rim story HERE. According to Wheel Wizard in Atlanta, they see an inordinate number of BMW 550i, M5s, 650i, M6, 750i cars. They subcontract for all the majors - Porsche, Jaguar, BMW, Ferrari etc. Wheel Wizard believes that the BMWs (particularly with Run Flats), chose an Alloy for the wheel that is defectively soft or and prone to cracking given the weight, power and suspensions on these cars. I AGREE!! 7 times in 18 months. I work out of my house and do not drive my car hard.

Over the last 30 years I've been driving, I've owned Mercedes (CLK430), Jaguar (XK8), Toyota, 3 Ford SUVs, an Infiniti and have never had a single cracked wheel or rim in 30 years! (If it were my driving - there would be at least one other instance in 30 years). But not once. Now, since November 2009, I've had 7 cracked or bent rims! This is beyond statistical probability of just bad luck. I HAVE HAD OTHER BMW DRIVERS TELL ME SIMILAR STORIES.

A very good friend had a 650i then an M6 - he had bent or cracked rim problems on BOTH. A friend has a 550i - he has had bent or cracked rims in the first 12 months. Wheel Wizard, when I was in last time, said they had seen 5 to 7 5, 6 and 7 series in the previous 5 days. And they said that was par for the course. Today, the Manager said he thought BMWs, particularly those with RF tires, experience a greater than normal bent and cracked rim problem (something that makes his business money - repeat problems).

PLEASE - POST YOUR BENT OR CRACKED WHEEL RIM STORY HERE. I am going to file a complaint today with the NTSB. I am hoping they will open up an official investigation. BMW National tried to tell me they have good engineers. I responded, that's what Toyota said too when they'd been denying safety problems even though we now know they were lying about what they knew and when they knew it. That is what Ford said about the Pinto gas tank under oath before multiple juries found otherwise (and their internal documents revealed otherwise). These car companies don't want recalls - they are expensive. So they deny until owners like us come forward and force a public investigation. Please share your story.

Hello All:

This is my 2nd reply regarding the "cracked rim." I had a rim crack in December 2009 and now, 7 months later, I see a possible leak again. I drive on paved streets, no potholes, etc. Furthermore, I am an attorney in California and would like to consider a "CLASS ACTION" against BMW for what I believe is a defect. If you reside in California, have had a cracked rim, PLEASE call me just to talk. No Charge. Confidential. Scott Miller, (800) 417-2008.

[dougie123]

I have 81K miles on my 06 550i sport pkg. and had one cracked rim at about 15K and 2 bent rims at about 70K. These are the stock 18" sport pkg 7 spoke rims that have been chromed. When I got the cracked rim the dealer failed to even acknowledge that it was a factory wheel. When I complained and asked for a factory rep to look at the wheel, they said yes it was factory but because I had it chromed it wasn't covered under warranty. Further, that I could have hit something hard and that's what caused the crack. The bent rims were repaired by a chroming shop for a cost of about $80 each. I don't drive hard, just fast on the freeway. I have never hit anything hard enough to cause damage to a well-manufactured wheel. I believe that the wheels are defective and overly prone to damage. When I hit the lottery I'll replace all 4!

[Navy550i]

I think its directly related to the RFT's. Those things are stiff and hard as damn rock. You switch to regular tires and it makes a world of difference. I really don't think it has anything to do with the material or quality of the actual rim.

I agree!!

[hmc]

Question for those who had cracked/bent rims, how much air did you put in the tire? How many psi? Too high air pressure may contribute.

[Weebz]

I have now cracked both of my rear rims on my 04 545i. Not running run-flats and air pressure is according to door jam.

[derek502]

Count me in, I had a tire that was going flat on my 2006 530i. The tire store found very small hole in the rim. I had to take it to wheel repair shop to have it repaired. Cost me $100. The problem was poor casting of the metal. My car does not have RF tires and never had them.

[turbovrGTI]

sounds to me like you just cant drive...7 in 13k miles? id hate to see what youd do driving a slammed car...

[bmwdave37]

Although not stated in the owner's manual, you should really slow down a little over speed bumps.

They are hell on wheels at high speeds.

[mwolfe]

sounds to me like you just cant drive...7 in 13k miles? id hate to see what youd do driving a slammed car...

7 in 13k--after a while I think you have to stop blaming the wheels. Even if it was 7 in 13k, what would be the statistical probability that anyone with normal driving habits would have that kind of bad luck?

After that kind of luck, wouldn't you eventually want to get non OEM wheels.

[daninja]

Hi group this is my first post and my first BMW. 535xi 2008 certified pre owned.
I have over half a million miles in US roads in 12 years and have never bent a rim.
I also have driven about 300k miles in four other countries including in the 3rd world with no bent rim.
My 535xi came with 4 bent rims at 30,500 miles and the dealership replaced them all at initial purchase/pickup.
Another rim bent in less than 24 hours and 50 miles.
Dealership is now pretending like this is a very rare problem and must be my fault and not possibly a wheel defect.

This a FRAUD.

Buyer beware these rims are defective. I cannot drive the car comfortably since the ride quality is now a junky migraine inducing nightmare.

[aquila163]

Are you sure the dealer replaced all four rims or did they have them straightened. Rim straightening is a legitimate repair and done quite commonly but knowing a little about metalurgy, I can't believe the repair isn't going to bend again even easier. I've got 32,000 Pennsylvania miles on 18 inch sport package wheels with 35 series run flats and never bent a wheel. I drive the car hard. That is what I bought my BMW to do. I seem to have been real lucky so far. I'm betting the very stiff sidewalls on the runflat tires are channeling the impact to a much smaller part of the rim and the rims are tested to older not runflat standards. I would hate give up my runflats for safety reasons but the price of a spacesaver spare is starting to sound real good just about now.

[550Atlanta]

September 24, 2010 Eighth Bent or Cracked Rim Wheel 550i !! OK I have had over 10 cars since 1981. Mercedes, Toyota, Jaguar, Ford, BMW (older one). In almost 30 years of driving, this is the ONLY car that has ever had a bent or cracked rim. Now I have had it happen EIGHT TIMES since November of 2008 on my 2007 550i which I have only driven 14,000 miles since November 2008 !! I am a lawyer. I put a call into the California on this thread today. I would LOVE to see a class action filed. I have spoken with Wheel Wizard, and the service departments at 2 BMW dealerships. They roll their proverbial eyes and all readily admit to BMWs having a regular problem with bent and cracked rims and wheels. Like it is common every day issue that they are frustrated with too (though they make money from it). The posters on this thread who try and blame the driver are posting without the benefit of the facts. The fact is that this is a problem with the alloy combined with the suspension, weight etc. It is a badly designed issue that is BMW's fault - not the drivers. I'll bet BMW is fully aware of the issue but like Toyota, does not want to acknowledge it because of the millions of dollars it would cost them to recall or fix it.

If you have a bent or cracked bmw wheel - post your story here - the more this is known, the more likely that bmw will be forced to acknowledge the defect we are all suffering with.

Let me reiterate - almost 30 years of driving history with NO bent or cracked rims or wheels. And I've had Sport versions of Mercedes and Jaguars XK8 and 430CLK. No problems ever. And I live in a residential neighborhood where max speed is 20mph. So no, it is not the driver. It is an OEM defect in the design and materials used.

[suigeneris]

I think its directly related to the RFT's. Those things are stiff and hard as damn rock. You switch to regular tires and it makes a world of difference. I really don't think it has anything to do with the material or quality of the actual rim.

That's what I've heard too. Is there a delaer option to put a spare tire in the car?

[kopride]

I just had the same problem. I'm looking for a NJ or PA driver that has a similar problem for a possible NJ class action

[richark1]

Only happened once when I first got the car 04 530i (bent rim). I started to hear a weird sound the faster I went. Took it to the dealer and they discovered the rim was bent. It wasn't covered, so I think it was over $500 for a new rim and tire.

[meangreen94z]

If you've had 8 cracked wheels, Im sure your leaving out the part about how many blown/bubbled tires, bent suspension components, and insurance claims that were involved in between.
The fact is sport suspension, ARS, and runflat tires dont have the give that other cars suspension/tires do. When you nail that pothole, some thing has to absorb that impact. I very, very rarely replace a cracked wheel that doesnt have one of the above options. And when I do, Im usually replacing several other parts.

[S14]

can you post a picture of the wheel you are having a problem about?

I'd like to ask my german friend if he has noticed this problem as well (he owns a wheel repair/refinishing shop)

[Darkant72]

What's up guys? I recently moved up from a beautiful 98 540i with a 6 speed to a beautiful 05 545i also with 6 speed and hate to say it, but I've only had the car for four months and I had to fix all four rims due to cracks and bent rims issues. Love the sport style 124's but I'm getting tired of holding my breath and hoping I didn't destroy my rim every time I hit a bump.

[dougie123]

I drive fast but not recklessly. The roads in San Diego are not the best or worst, we have our share of potholes, but I'm the only one who drives my car and I know when or if I hit something hard. I drive super slow over speed bumps, driveways, and anything that could harm my car. These seven spoke 18s are clearly defective and BBS and BMW need to be held accountable. I would love to replace them with Dinan forged or something else but don't have the cash. So far I've only had to replace one wheel, but had to repair/straighten two. This has never happened to me with any other car or wheels.

[kevin5263]

I have a 2007 550i with sport package and have had vibrating issues since I had the car. Has 47K miles now. BMW dealership initially blamed the tires. I replaced tires with OEM Dunlop DSST, run flats, had the same problem. Took the car to a wheel specialist--bent and cracked. I don't drive over potholes, curbs, or anything else. As with everything else, the local dealship here always puts the blame back on the driver. Same as many others--I've owned new Mercedes and Lexus and never experienced anything like this. Like many others, I've driving hundreds of thousands of miles and never bent a rim before now. Now I have four bent rims and two of them are cracked and being welded.

Car runs poorly; it's bad gas. Car shakes and vibrates; it's bad driving. I'm still under warranty and "ultimate service" for a couple more months and think I need to give it a good stem to stern review. As a footnote, I normally buy a new car before it hits 50,000 miles but I really like the style of my 550. At this point, I wouldn't buy another one but there isn't really anything else that turns my crank. I just want a smooth ride. I'll know in a few hours....

[SteveB]

Guess I must be one of the lucky ones. I live in Atlanta area too and drive an '07 530i with sport package. In the time that I had the stock wheels and runflats I had no problem with cracks or bends.

[flicker550i]

I recently took my car to the BMW dealership to have my wheels balanced and rotated. Three of my wheels where bent. I drive under normal driving conditions and do not drive through many pot holes. Is this normal or could there be a defect in the rims on the 550i?