Crack On Rim

kaydillast · 11-08-2012, 10:48 AM

Hello Fellow BMW owners,
I have a 07 3 series coupe and just found a small crack on driver side front rim, these are the original bmw stock rims that came with car.

Question is:

a.) should I and can I find the same exact rim to replace the cracked rim?
b.) is it worth welding it?
c.) can I keep driving on it for a while, the crack is not that big and my tire shop put some glue on it but air is still going out.

thank you,

abhishriv · 11-08-2012, 11:44 AM

fix/replace asap.. this is a perfect time to buy aftermarket rims

Meeni · 11-08-2012, 12:54 PM

Don't wait to get it fixed. A wheel disintegrating (even after it had structural damage) is a rare event, but you really don't want it to happen.

It can be fixed at a specialty shop. Should be around $200 to get it in good shape.

Depending on model, you can find used rims, should be around the same price, but it may be difficult to find a single wheel instead of a set.

Typical AM wheels are $800+ a set. Cheaper options exist, but they are often not trusted. This is a better option than buying a single wheel for over $1k from BMW oO

phillip@bmpdesign · 11-09-2012, 08:43 AM

I would not recommend getting a wheel welded, I have seen several wheels, especially 19" wheels on 5 and 7 series BMWs that were welded and the crack continued through the weld and progressed deeper into the wheel. Some of these welds were even done through a dealership or "specialty shop".

Aluminum is known for its malleability, but at the thicknesses required for wheels, it becomes very rigid and strong, a crack completely compromises the integrity of the wheel structure and cannot simply be repaired unless you melt down, harden, and recast the material returning its natural crystalline structure.

11-08-2012, 10:48 AM	#1
kaydillast Enlisted Member 3 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NEW YORK iTrader: (1)	Crack On Rim Hello Fellow BMW owners, I have a 07 3 series coupe and just found a small crack on driver side front rim, these are the original bmw stock rims that came with car. Question is: a.) should I and can I find the same exact rim to replace the cracked rim? b.) is it worth welding it? c.) can I keep driving on it for a while, the crack is not that big and my tire shop put some glue on it but air is still going out. thank you,
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11-08-2012, 11:44 AM	#2
abhishriv Major 100 Rep 1,384 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe (Space grey) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	fix/replace asap.. this is a perfect time to buy aftermarket rims
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11-08-2012, 12:54 PM	#3
Meeni Gateropode 329 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	Don't wait to get it fixed. A wheel disintegrating (even after it had structural damage) is a rare event, but you really don't want it to happen. It can be fixed at a specialty shop. Should be around $200 to get it in good shape. Depending on model, you can find used rims, should be around the same price, but it may be difficult to find a single wheel instead of a set. Typical AM wheels are $800+ a set. Cheaper options exist, but they are often not trusted. This is a better option than buying a single wheel for over $1k from BMW oO
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11-09-2012, 08:43 AM	#4
phillip@bmpdesign Private First Class 5 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tyler, TX iTrader: (0)	I would not recommend getting a wheel welded, I have seen several wheels, especially 19" wheels on 5 and 7 series BMWs that were welded and the crack continued through the weld and progressed deeper into the wheel. Some of these welds were even done through a dealership or "specialty shop". Aluminum is known for its malleability, but at the thicknesses required for wheels, it becomes very rigid and strong, a crack completely compromises the integrity of the wheel structure and cannot simply be repaired unless you melt down, harden, and recast the material returning its natural crystalline structure. __________________ Phillip Wilmeth -=BMP Design=- 1-800-648-7278 Like us on facebook!
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