Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

BMW refuses to acknowledge that their rims are defective and crack as a result of normal driving, especially their 18 inch rims when coupled with run-flat tires.  We have a 2006 530i with standard 18-inch alloy rims and run-flat tires that came on the car.  The car is driven 90% on Los Angeles freeways, and the other 10% on well-paved local roads.  The car has never taken off road or driven on a particularly bumpy/potholed roads.  Nor do we take speed bumps at 40 mph, run over curbs, or not slow for a pothole . . . events that might possibly crack a rim or break a tire.  I tell you all this because BMW’s excuse for not replacing 2 cracked rims was that the cracks must have been caused by the driver impacting some object, like a pothole, rather then a result of a defect in the design of the rim.  In the past several years we have owned 3 BMWs . . . but this will be our last.

After reading all of the threads on many websites about BMW’s problems with these rims and run-flat tires, it became quite clear what the problem is.  The rims were designed too weak to take the impact of normal on-road driving.  The problem is exacerbated by the run-flat tires, which are very hard and have strong sidewalls resulting in too much of the normal road force from small bumps being transmitted to the rim rather then absorbing some of the shock in the tire.  Confirming the hundreds of comments on reliable Internet sites about the faulty rims and too hard run-flat tires is the reviews of Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Run Flat tires on cites from every supplier of these tires.  In general, the comments conclude that the combination of weak 18-inch rims and 245/R40/18 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Run Flat tires (original equipment) was a very bad mistake by BMW.  One comment, similar to most, says: “These tires are terrible!  Harsh ride, noisy and prone to impact bubble in the side walls from hitting small potholes. . .  I am going to switch to non run flats . . . What was BMW thinking when [they] picked these tires?” [http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/readReviewsTire.do?postalCodeSelected=90291&ra=%2Ftires%2Fbridgestone%2Fsize%2FviewProductResults&pc=25428&ar=40&rd=18&cs=245]

We asked the Service Manager at Santa Monica BMW to replace the rims under warranty.  Not only was he rude, but he was uninterested in any discussion about comments on many websites about the defective rims.  It seemed apparent to me that he had been through this problem all too often before and did not want to deal with it again.  

I then called BMW NA Customer Service.  They were very nice, but totally useless.  After four phone calls and escalation to a customer service supervisor, I began to understand the way it works.  Customer Service has no authority whatsoever, all they could do was call the Service Manager at the dealership and get the same answer you had already had gotten.  They seem to be in business of playing “good guy” to take the heat off of the Service Manager by providing the same answer as if it came from an independent, higher authority at BMW, which it does not.

Not willing to accept the result, I contacted the Director of Parts and Service at Santa Monica BMW, and told him of our displeasure with how his Service Manager had handled the problem, and asked him to involve BMW NA regional “team” to evaluate the problem and try to get some help.  To his credit, he seemed very professional and appeared to want to help.  He clearly understood the problem . . . you should be able to drive a BMW on normal streets and not have the rims break. Next day, he got a response from BMW regional team . . . “they would not participate” . . . meaning they would not cover it under the warranty or assist the dealer in any way.

My next step is to contact the General Manager of BMW Santa Monica and alert him to the problem.  We certainly won’t be buying any more cars at Santa Monica BMW so he loses a loyal customer because the service folks won’t handle this problem.  No response from the GM of Santa Monica BMW after two calls.

Next step is a letter to the CEO of BMW North America, and a compliant with U.S. DOT about the situation with these failing rim/tire combination.  Perhaps DOT will investigate.  

dot is the only way to go...     they have forms... will want pictures...   and possibly the rims....   they will also want the dot numbers off the tires and the stamped in numbers off the rims..

i wonder if the rims are actually made by bmw or a supplier

dot has to approve all street tires sold here....  they also i think inspect rims...  

the one thing i wonder ... are the cracked rims still mounted with the factory installed tires...  or replacement tires?????

if replacement tires have been installed... they could have been damaged when you got your tires installed...   i have seen rims damaged when tires were installed... and the run flats i bet are a pain to install with the stiff side walls and beads on the wheel to keep them seated if the air is lost..  


hope this helps....

there are so many aftermarket wheel packages for that car... you might be better off just replacing them with some other rims and send these to dot with the tires installed...  

Thanks for advice.  FYI - tires are original, not replacements.  

My 2007 335i convertible with 18" wheel and Bridgestone Run Flats has been sitting at Encinitas BMW for 10 days awaiting some positive resolution to the same problem.

My rear tires have leaked since the car was new, but got significantly worse lately.  I replaced rear tires to solves the problem -- the next day they were flat again.  The tire shop put the wheels under water and we saw bubbles coming out of the cracks in the wheels.

BMW is claiming that I damaged the wheels in an accident (I must have been sleeping).  The regional service engineer is coming to make a determination.

If this determination is unfavorable, its likely my string of 12 BMW's, including 3 currently owned, will end.

Let me know about your response from DOT -- I'll help your cause.  

I have a 2006 BMW 503i with run flats also. Last night I was on the freeway coming from Vegas and where they were working on the pavement, there was a smooth suface then a rough surface. I come of the rough surface and there was a small lump, then smooth surface. Well when I went over the small lump I heard this loud BOOM and then my car started to shake really bad with my kids in the car. I made it over to the left side of the freeway and had AAA tow me off the freeway. When we removed the tire we saw that the rim was cracked all the way around with over a inch wide opening, all the way around the whole rim!! I had never seen anything like this in my life!! If it had been my front tire that this happened to, My children and I would have been seriously hurt or worse because I don't think I could have controled the car. This is so unbeleivable!!! I am afraid to drive the car at this point until I change all the rims!! I'm afraid this may happen again with one of the other rims. Run Flats were useless in this situation, there was no rim left!!  

if the rims are cracked... do not have the tires dismounted...  store the tires somewhere safe... put different rims and tires on the car...   keep receipts... for everything spent..

everybody with this problem should take photos of the wheels...  photos of the cracks,  photos of the numbers stamped into the wheels... photos of your vin number and your door sticker...

probably any id plates under the hood...

send for the NHTSA form...  

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

the form is at the top of this link...

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

there may have been damage done by unmounting and remounting tires... the run flats have really tight beads...  if the tire guy really has not been trained on the machine and how to dismount run flats... he may be damaging the rims...


BUT it really does sound like a problem...

just last week here in so cal... a family in a unknown brand SUV blew a tire... skidded off the freeway down in orange county ca...  off the edge of the freeway..hit a tree ...flipped through several chain link fences... landed upside down... do to the extensive damage... they were unable to get out... the were all burned to death in the fire... nobody could get to them in time..

the news did not even know what color the suv was...

whats most important... teaching family members that if they feel something going wrong with the tires... DO NOT STAND ON THE BRAKES>>   do not swerve into another lane... keep it pointed straight... and take your foot off the gas...

i wonder if the car companies have ever done antilock brake testing when they blew out a tire...?????


sorry... i have a tendency for FORWARD Thinking...

owners might also contact.. the consumer reports magazine..  they will be curious and   would love to see the broken wheels...  they make their money reporting defects to people thinking of buying something......


if the rims and tires are returned to the dealership and you had to pay for new ones...  there is nothing to examine.. no way to fix this...  this is the reason to keep you BMW and buy a set of aftermarket rims... and tires... there are thousands of different designs that will bolt on...  

We just had the EXACT same thing happen with our 2007 3 series with the 18" alloy wheels.  Split all the way around just inside the spokes.  Only thing holding the 2 halves together is the run flat tire.  Car has less than 30K miles and has never been run off the road, etc.  Just normal driving.

So far BMW dealer says NOT covered under warranty.  Stay tuned.  

it really sounds like its not a run flat tire problem...   its a RIM problem....   the rims are too weak for the stiff sidewalls and anything inside the tire...  i don't know if they have a support section in there or not..

will somebody with their rims off the car ... examine them closely.. write down any numbers stamped into the rims and post them...    so i can and others can try to do a search of the testing process and approval of those rims by the USDOT..


there are hundreds of after market rims that will fit on these cars and if you do you research.. you will find some name  brand rims that have passed the DOT testing....   look for it in writing   ....

has anybody contacted the tire manufacturer..  

has anybody filled out the NHTSA form and sent them pictures and a description of the problem.. and stored their rims and tires for inspection...   remember. your hesitation could cost lives...  even if your car is parked...  the guy driving next to your wife and kids could have a problem...

just think of the family that had a blow out on interstate 5 a few weeks ago.. their suv flew off the freeway.. crashed into a bunch of trees... where he doors were damaged, rolled several times, landed upside down and on fire...  nobody got out..  

the drivers behind them said they had a tire problem...    blow out or something...  skidded across several lanes before leaving the freeway.. and into the trees...

you cannot have guard rails on every mile of freeway...

there was a problem up on mullholland drive above los angeles..   sharp turns.. few guard rails..  lots of cars over the 200 foot edge..  one person was reported missing and found 3 days later at the bottom of the hill in a pile of cars that had also go over.. i called the city council office..   told them they need guard rails along portions of that drive...  the said back.. we cannot afford to put guard rails along the whole length of mullholland drive..   i said.. only the areas that have repeated cars going over need them...    they again.. replied...  we cannot tell which areas need the guard rails...


i told them... ask the fire department personal..   ask the police officers,, ask the tow truck drivers..   the next week..  the tow trucks pulled all the wrecks up the hill for free.. and the guard rails were installed in the proper areas...


lets fix the problem...

waynep7122


this link that you will have to cop and paste in new window..  will take you to the NTHSA form you need...  have your vin number.. off the car...  the mileage..   the DOT number off the tires..  the part numbers off the rims or codes off the rims... and have pictures...     do the form online... and mail a duplicate...  


http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/  

I have the same issue...2007 BMW 325 convertible.  Both rear rims have cracked ruining the run flat 18" tires as well as the rims.  Bob Smith BMW has been non-responsive to the issue despite numerous phone calls and e-mails.  Not sure what my next step will be.  

Glad I found this. I have a 2007 BMW Z4 with 2 cracked rims sitting at the dealer right now. I have already replaced the run flats once and drove less than 10,000 in this car. I have a claim with my insurance co open on this issue so they are paying for it, although something tells me this may have nothing to do with the claim.

I love the look of my car, but it does ride hard and the cost is going to eat me if I don't get aftermarket wheels/tires. It's unfortunate.  

I too have a 2006 BMW Z3 with 2 cracked rims. its annoying as hell. not sure what to do next. anyone have any suggestions? someone suggested to junk it..  

I had the same issue on my BMW 650i.  I am an attorney in California and am looking to speak to another individual and potentially bring a class action against BMW for the defective rims.  I have brought and settled many other class action matters with success.  My name is Scott Miller, Attorney and can be reached toll free at (800) 417-2008 or by email, at scott.miller@smillerlawoffices.com.  

Add me to the list.  Just had my 2006 330i BMW serviced last week and was told the two rear rims were cracked.  They told me it was likely due to a pothole and was therefore not covered by the warranty.  I was dumbfounded.  I know for a fact that I have not driven over potholes that could do that type of damage.  I am very disappointed.  This was my first BMW, and will be my last, for sure.  

I am having the same problem with BMW Westchester (A Ray Catena dealership).  I  own a 330 convertible and had a flat on my Bridgestone Potenza tire on the rear passenger side.  The tire was replaced with a brand new one (for $400 including labor)  These are very high performance tires so I had no problem paying for the extra quality.  I specifically asked them to check the rims and was told that the rims were carefully inspected and perfectly fine.  (I have owned 3 BMWs so I knew that the rims could have issues.)

Within less than 80 miles after picking up my car (20 of which were driving home from the dealership) the tire went flat.  I returned to the dealership and was informed that the tire was shot and that the rim had cracked (which it had).  

I was then told by Tim (the improperly named "service" manager) that I must have unknowingly driven over a pot hole on the very same wheel and cracked the very same rim that had just been inspected even though I had barely driven the car. When I explained that no pot holes were hit and that the car had been barely driven, Tim actually argued that it could have happened 2 miles out of the dealership without my even knowing it. He claimed that the fact that it happened to the same wheel that had just had a tire replaced was "purely coincidental."  He insisted that I pay for the new rim and would only discount it slightly (in response to repeated arguments).
I must note that the frontline service rep, Marco, was very polite and tried very hard to be helpful but he did not have the authority to overrule Tim.

Clearly BMW Westchester had not installed the tire properly and, as a result, the rim took too much impact and cracked. Given how fragile these rims appear to be as described below, this does not seem surprising.  No pot holes were hit and the car was barely driven.  

BMW Westchester's approach has been a study in "how to drive away high-end customers."  Most BMW owners are well educated professionals who do not like having their intelligence insulted with foolish and disingenuous arguments.  

Ironically, the week before this happened, I had been talking to their sales department about possibly trading in my 2006 for a newer model.  They can forget this.  Why would I spend tens of thousands of dollars at a dealership that treats its customers in a such a shoddy fashion when something goes wrong?  

Interestingly, the dealership used to be a company store but recently went private and became a "Ray Catena dealership."  I was told not to worry about the switch because Catena dealerships were all about customer service and that they would bend over backwards on custmer satisfaction issues.  What nonsense!  I wonder if BMW corporate realizes how this new Catena dealership is treating their loyal BMW customers?  If they do not know, I intend to inform them.

Perhaps what bothers me most is the high level of dishonesty I am encountering.  The Catena BMW dealership made a mistake and instead of owning up to it, they are trying to push the blame back on the customer.  Their argument about "coincidence" defies common sense and is downright insulting.

In the big scheme of things, the additional $400 plus dollars for the rim is not a particularly big deal.  But the dishonest and insulting fashion in which their service manager has handled it is a big deal and I do not intend to let it go until I get some satisfaction.

In addition to contacting BMW corporate, I intend to write to the NY Attorney General's office and ask them to investigate whether there have been other "coincidental" rim issues with this dealership.  I will also be contacting the local chambers of commerce and better business bureau -- organizations that have more impact on a local level than most people think.  I will, of course, also be letting my neighbors (and the internet community) know about the poor treatment I received at the Catena BMW dealership.

BMW makes amazing cars but they need to do a much better job of policing thier dealerships (a point made clear by the postings below).  

Ditto for my 2006 330i with < 30K miles. Just had a crack develop in one of my rims (17 X 8; 10 spoke OEM). All this talk from BMW that this is due to road conditions and driving and not a manufacturing defect is crazy thinking.