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Thread: Cracked rear wheel - weld it?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Louisa, VA
    Posts
    371
    My Cars
    2007 Z4 M Coupe

    Cracked rear wheel - weld it?

    Hi all,

    My left rear tire developed a slow air leak this past week. Today, I took the car to my local repair shop and was informed that I have a crack in the inner section of the rim (about an inch long). The wheel in question is 18x9.5 M-par.

    Shop said I need a new wheel. I am thinking wheel repair? Weld it?

    Has has anyone dealt with a similar situation?

    Thanks in advance!
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3

    Cracked rear wheel - weld it?

    Ya, I’d be talking with you local wheel repair folks.

    That said BBS recommends not welding and not powder coating their wheels.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 11-20-2017 at 06:35 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Rutland, Vermont
    Posts
    4,398
    My Cars
    E30 E38 E46 E85 F150 GTI
    Sure have. Had a crack in a 9 1/2” mpar rep. Welded up no problem. Just need a competent welder or wheel repair shop to do the job.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    5,083
    My Cars
    98 740il, 00 540i,04 ZHP
    Yeah welded one of my past wheels. Works fine. Just find someone who welds well and will take the time to smooth everything out.

    I would say stay away from the mobile "Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists." I had a terrible experience with them, and many of the franchises around the various places I have lived are equally poorly rated. My guy left a blob of a weld on the inside like a lazy ass, but it held air. The refinish job was atrocious. I could have done better in my garage. I called corporate, who must have reached out to him, after which I received a few harassing phone calls. I have read similar stories on google of other franchises doing the same shady thing. There is obviously low standards to become a franchise and zero training in customer support. On top of that, the clear coat on the finish didn't last long. There are, however, a few good ones out there if that's the only option you have. Read google reviews.
    Last edited by racer2086; 11-23-2017 at 11:07 AM.
    '98 740il | 9/97 build | schwarz 2 | sandbeige | 5AT | 270k
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 120k
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 152k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 216k | one owner, all original

    mods: m-pars | Bilsteins & B&G springs | ValentineOne | StealthOne
    retrofits: full nav | MKIV | bluetooth TCU | BM53 w/ AUX input | video module w/ AV input & backup cam | oem sirius xm | xenon | shades | PDC | rain sensor | BMW DWS TPMS | lighted door handles | front seat heaters | heated steering wheel | euro rear fog lights | ski pass | folding mirrors


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Miami, FL
    Posts
    367
    My Cars
    1997 740i
    Wasn’t the wheel spa guy, was it?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    5,083
    My Cars
    98 740il, 00 540i,04 ZHP
    No. This guy was in Gainesville. AWRS. They had me take them to the Jax franchise, which made things much better, but wasn't close to a good refinish. I've heard good things about the Broward AWRS. Lauderdale BMW uses them. The Gainesville franchise doesn't seem to exist anymore, which I'm not surprised about, based on my experience.
    '98 740il | 9/97 build | schwarz 2 | sandbeige | 5AT | 270k
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 120k
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 152k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 216k | one owner, all original

    mods: m-pars | Bilsteins & B&G springs | ValentineOne | StealthOne
    retrofits: full nav | MKIV | bluetooth TCU | BM53 w/ AUX input | video module w/ AV input & backup cam | oem sirius xm | xenon | shades | PDC | rain sensor | BMW DWS TPMS | lighted door handles | front seat heaters | heated steering wheel | euro rear fog lights | ski pass | folding mirrors


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Louisa, VA
    Posts
    371
    My Cars
    2007 Z4 M Coupe
    I've asked the shop of any places to do the job and they suggested a place which dose machine and weld jobs. Spoke with a guy on the phone and he said expect to pay $75-100, but they need to inspect the wheel first. Luckily the crack is on the inside of the rim so won't need to refinish, just weld it properly and neatly to stop the air leak.

    Will report back once it's done.
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Louisa, VA
    Posts
    371
    My Cars
    2007 Z4 M Coupe
    Got the wheel repaired today. Found a local weld shop/teaching school, 10 min from my house. The owner himself did the welding = $40! Plus tire shop for dismount/mount/balance = $23.

    With some running between the shops, all got done in 1.5 hours.
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    5,083
    My Cars
    98 740il, 00 540i,04 ZHP
    Wow that's a great deal! Congrats!
    '98 740il | 9/97 build | schwarz 2 | sandbeige | 5AT | 270k
    '04 330i ZHP sedan | Mystic blue | Alcantara | 6MT | 120k
    '00 540i sport | Titanium silver | Black | 5AT | 152k
    '85 Mustang GT convertible | Medium charcoal metallic | Gray | 5MT | 216k | one owner, all original

    mods: m-pars | Bilsteins & B&G springs | ValentineOne | StealthOne
    retrofits: full nav | MKIV | bluetooth TCU | BM53 w/ AUX input | video module w/ AV input & backup cam | oem sirius xm | xenon | shades | PDC | rain sensor | BMW DWS TPMS | lighted door handles | front seat heaters | heated steering wheel | euro rear fog lights | ski pass | folding mirrors


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Rutland, Vermont
    Posts
    4,398
    My Cars
    E30 E38 E46 E85 F150 GTI
    Ha! That’s exactly how I got mine fixed, the local technical center. Great resource. Nice work!
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

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