Christmas cracker

I see that cracked 19"alloy wheels have been causing problems for BMW owners for some time. My car recently failed its first MOT due to three cracked wheels. Two were within BMW's limit and one not. No one has been able to explain how this limit was calculated and I am left feeling angry at having to pay £400 plus VAT for the one wheel that was deemed to have been 'damaged' by me. The dealership was very helpful and indeed sympathetic to my complaint. I called BMW customer services and was told that “after investigation” (i.e. calling the dealership to check that I had given them accurate details), “the complaint was considered to have been dealt with and that it could not be escalated further". Charming.

Asked on 5 October 2011 by SC, Wisbech

Answered by Honest John

Unless the car has 300PS plus, it does not need 19" alloys so the stupidity here is fitting them in the first place just for the sake of bling. You get a harsher ride, tramlining, hopping over small humps and cats eyes, much higher tyre replacement costs and much greater possibility of damage. If the car is a 2.0 litre petrol or diesel the most appropriate wheels and tyres for UK use are 16".

Tags: alloy wheels wheels and tyres

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