[sheps]

I know (hope) that none of you are as stupid/lazy as me, but don't go 4,000 miles without washing your car.

Net result - one set of horribly pitted 225M's.

Will post pics up over the weekend, but suffice to say the brake dust has eaten well into the lacquer and they look awful.

Does anyone have any suggested remedial action (short of having the wheels refurbished)?

What's annoying me most is that after nearly 12k miles my wheels are still totally unmarked/uncurbed, so it's quite soul destroying to see them looking so shabby.

Only have myself to blame

During the washing process I also noticed a number of quite massive stone chips in the bonnet, and the telltale marks on the front bumper of a carpark misdemeanor (ie, it's been spanked, albeit lightly).

It is official that my new car is no longer new

[Serjames]

those wheels just suck for cleaning...

As soon as they are off I'm steam cleaning and putting them to bed in the garage with a layer of oil.

SJ

[M3-FAST]

I am wondering if they are slightly defective - I clean mine almost every week and even those are starting to develop pit marks - the car is less than 5k miles and my last 2 cars alloys were not looking this bad after 2 years!

I even waxed them with meguiars when the car was new!

Was thinking of taking them to the dealer - maybe poor paint finish?

[GarryF]

Might be your best bet, take it back to the dealer and see what they say about warranty, I've gone long spells without cleaning alloys in the winter and not seen that happen, may well be a fault with the finish

[dxb335d]

My wheels are going yellow inthe groves, even the new ones.

Fukcin shite i say..

[BigBanana]

I had the same problem when the E46 was new. After a while, there were parts of the wheel turning yellow. It was best/easiest removed with a fingernail scratching it off.
Job for the miswah with long nails...

Strangely, it stopped happening, after the brake pads were changed.

[jwbmw]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

My wheels are going yellow inthe groves, even the new ones.

Fukcin shite i say..

As constructive and eloquent as ever Carlos

[RichardM]

I've had wheels replaced before under warranty where they have pitted even after 2 years/40K miles.

[SDRX]

I have done just over 2000miles and have already seen pitting especially on the front wheels. Its very disappointing, especially as i get the car washed every week. I would have thought given all technological advancements in other areas, BMW can manufacure a hard wearing and heat resistant coating to protect alloys

Supagard make an alloy wheel protector spray. BMW helpfully supplied me with one but i haven't used it yet

[SDRX]

Originally Posted by RichardM

I've had wheels replaced before under warranty where they have pitted even after 2 years/40K miles.

Was that the reason for replacing the wheels? I'm surprised that dealers would agree to replacement purely becuase of pitting?

[G33]

pics pls

[dxb335d]

what is pitting then? i think i have this also.

[M3-FAST]

Originally Posted by SDRX

Was that the reason for replacing the wheels? I'm surprised that dealers would agree to replacement purely becuase of pitting?

a few years ago Toyota replaced literally thousands of alloys due to bad lacquer (peeling/pitting/bubbling) - mainly affected MR2 and Celica - Had a new set fitted to my 1 yr old T-sport Celica 190. My mate had an older 190....just coming to the end of his 3 yr warranty and they replaced his also. The service manager told me that with a threatening enough letter, they would even replace wheels that were outside warranty!

[Evil Diesel]

The finish on these is disappointing. Mine are beginning to look iffy after 4000 miles, regular washing and 2 coats of Poorboys when the car was new.

I imagine that the wheels also are finished in water based paint - perhaps this is part of the problem?

[beemerbird]

I thought it was just me being pedantic as usual, but maybe not. The 225/255 M star spokes on my E90 did not chip. The 225/255 star spokes on the E92 seem VERY susceptible to chipping, found another two the other day. I clean the wheels regularly using non-abrasive cleaning materials or brushes. Beats me.

[COLSEN]

Yup, after giving mine a "quick" wash today I ended up spending 30 mins giving the front wheels a good scrub over and I only washed it last week!!!
I've done about 600 miles this week but even so I was surprised how long it took to get them looking half decent again!

With the use of my Halfords Alloy brush for the stubborn areas it's made a big diff!

I think I'll have to try the wax to help prevent the brake dust build up when it's a bit warmer!

[Gibbo]

Mine also look a bit rubbish after 4,000 odd miles. When the weather gets better I plan to get some clay bar on them and this should pick off most of the brake dust, tar etc.

The overall wheel lacquer quality is very poor compared to older BMWs.

FYI, the guy who brought my Z4 off me got new wheels for it recently when it was 2 years old under warrenty for corrosion on the rims. They were the polished split rim 18" design.

[sheps]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

When the weather gets better I plan to get some clay bar on them and this should pick off most of the brake dust, tar etc.

I'll give this a try at the weekend.
I'm hoping that this will work rather than resorting to super-aggresive wheel cleaners (I use a zymol one which, although excellent, is very neutral) or worst case scenarion, having them refurbished.

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by sheps

I'll give this a try at the weekend.
I'm hoping that this will work rather than resorting to super-aggresive wheel cleaners (I use a zymol one which, although excellent, is very neutral) or worst case scenarion, having them refurbished.

Yes I would avoid the acid based wheel cleaners as they will not do them any good for the long term. Give the wheels a good clean and then use clay on them with either a strong watery shampoo mix or with clay lube. The clay does not have to be perfect on the wheels and stuff you have already used on the car will be fine. I think you will be surprised by the results.

[scottc]

Gibbo is right, clay is the best way to go.

Failing that get some "Klasse All in one" and use that, it worked a treat on my old E46

[Hotcoupe]

After reading rave reviews of the wheel cleaner from BMW on various forums, I thought I'd give it a go..................................

It does exactly what it say's on the bottle & I would highly recommend it.

It's not the gel cleaner,ask for part number 83.12.0.433.695.

Its about £6 and a half quid + darling.

Info from the label:

"Highly effective, acid free special cleaner with colour indicator for visually checking the effectiveness. Effortlessly removes stubborn grime such as baked – on –brake dust, oil and rubber residues and other road grime. Shortly after being applied, the cleaning effect becomes apparent due to the red colouration which signals the active shifting of the dirt. The special cleaner can be used on all steel and alloy wheels".



Or if you have a day to spare + loadsamoney, try this route:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=38043

[AlanQS]

The yellowing in the corners usually happens on older alloys but my Radial 187s started doing it ever so slightly after 3,000 miles despite being washed every week without fail - water only.
A quick dose of AutoGlym wheel cleaner sorted it out immediately and it didn't come back.