[Reza M]

Okay folks, I have had my F30 328i M Sport since March the 6th. To date, I have only done about 600 miles. Now, I am one those rare drivers who avoid every curb, pot hole, one who drives so carefully on the road, one who parks miles away from any car in the car park, etc, etc. Yet in these short few miles, and without being aware of having done any damage, I notice this yesterday:

Granted, it is a small scuff mark, but in 5 years of owning my previous car, a Mini Cooper S, I never had a single scuff or scratch on the alloys. Today, I also notice another (smaller) scuff mark on another wheel.

Now, if after 600 miles I have already managed to collect 2 scuff marks, imagine what my wheels would look like after 3 just years . I am such a pedantic when it comes to car care and right now I am feeling very upset. Is it due to weak compound from which the alloys are constructed, or is it because they are 19s?

Cheers

Reza

[F30AM]

Ooooh noooo! So sorry to see that. I'd be gutted. Can happen to any wheel I suppose. 18" 400M wheels are easier to fix as they are painted alloys. 403M 19" have machined faces so the whole rim needs to be machined to get this fixed. Don't do it as it will never be the same again. You just have to live with this unfortunately. Machined wheels like the 403M cannot be insured so you'll have to bear the cost of the fix.

I would suggest you immediately put some clear coat on the damage to stop it corroding.

[Reza M]

Thanks for the advice. I am having someone to fix it locally (i.e. paint and lacquer it locally).

[Steve_M_Sport]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I would suggest you immediately put some clear coat on the damage to stop it corroding.

I didn't realise alloy wheels corroded

[planemad]

Originally Posted by Steve_M_Sport

I didn't realise alloy wheels corroded

Yep Ali when not sealed returns to it natural state, once corrision starts the material normally builds up a thin layer of oxide preventing further corrosion but with wheels that are constantly getting washed with chemicals and road grime and salt abuse alloys tend to turn a white milky colour which when rubbed creates a powder (original state).

A good wax like collnite 476s or Finish Kare 1000p would help in the short term but its best to repair.

[Deyvy]

Scuffed mine today.

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Steve_M_Sport

I didn't realise alloy wheels corroded

Now you do!

http://www.antipit.co.uk/what_causes...oy_wheels.html

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=all...w=1018&bih=670

http://www.autocar.co.uk/forum/whats...heel-corrosion

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-new...y-alloys-a-fix

[RobUK]

I can sympathise with how you feel, but don't worry - you will get it fixed and you'll be happy again

Did this when swerving to avoid another driver who was on their phone ... dealer fixed it and looks good as new now.

[matx1982]

Not sure how / what process is used but my local dealer didn't seem to think the 403 was a prob to repair. Speak to your dealer.

Sorry to hear that.

Mat

[Torque of the Devil]

When they do a partial wheel refurb it never lasts, the lacquer will lift after about a year

[Deyvy]

Originally Posted by RobUK

I can sympathise with how you feel, but don't worry - you will get it fixed and you'll be happy again

Did this when swerving to avoid another driver who was on their phone ... dealer fixed it and looks good as new now.

Jay-suss! A sound you can hear through pictures.

[Shaunguitar]

Me too.....rear 403M has 2 scuff marks on same wheel. I was going to get it repaired but comments earlier now make me nervous about doing that. Anyone had a 403M repaired successfully I wonder?

Then again is it worth it if the wheels are constantly going to be picking up scrapes and scuffs!!

[matx1982]

Anyone ever used anything like this?

http://www.window-tint.co.uk/blog/20...im-protectors/

Not the nicest looking mod to a car!

[F30AM]

AlloyGator. Auto Express Product of the Year Award.

http://www.alloygator.co.uk/home.asp

[Torque of the Devil]

If you could get them in black it wouldn't be quite so bad but it would make your wheels look smaller, good idea though

I had 20" wheels on my old Audi A7 and that got scuffs on the wheels just from potholes never mind kerbs where the profile of the tyre was so shallow

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

If you could get them in black it wouldn't be quite so bad but it would make your wheels look smaller, good idea though

I had 20" wheels on my old Audi A7 and that got scuffs on the wheels just from potholes never mind kerbs where the profile of the tyre was so shallow

In Silver. Makes the wheels look bigger!
http://www.alloygator.co.uk/products.asp

[Torque of the Devil]

Good find, thanks F30AM

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

Good find, thanks F30AM

Thanks.
All that hammering worries me a tad.

[Torque of the Devil]

Its a soft rubber mallet, it won't damage your wheels

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

Its a soft rubber mallet, it won't damage your wheels

That I know, but I'm not into hammering in any shape or form.

[SimonB]

That's quite interesting actually. My current 135 has gutter rash on 3 of 4 wheels from memory. It's a horrible feeling when it happens. This would be interesting, but black would be the only colour I'd go for!

[Torque of the Devil]

Originally Posted by F30AM

That I know, but I'm not into hammering in any shape or form.

You could not hit the wheel hard enough with a rubber mallet to simulate the force a wheel absorbs when you drive over a pothole at speed

But I take your point, no one really wants to hit their car with a hammer