[iFroze]

Does anyone have a similar issue to mine or do you think if this is a normal occurrence on a 4 months old car? There is a rust on all 4 wheels. My 35i is just 4 months old and during that time it was taken only few times to a car wash place where people were very gentle and caring. My car sleeps in a nice building garage and not too exposed to any rain or humidity during the period since it was purchased. If this rust was collected during the summer, I wonder how ugly it can turn to be after our Canadian winter. Do you guys have any view on this? Do you think that this is in any way connected to the fact that my car never stopped having a crunching noise after I put my foot on the brake?

[skier219]

It's not uncommon to have rust on the rotors; except for my Z4, all my other vehicles have it. Normally it's more even and uniform.

I have no idea what you're talking about regarding the "crunching" noise, but if you happen to wash your car and park it, it is common to get stuck rotors which can leave a rusty spot on the disc. It takes a few miles of driving/braking to clean off and makes some noise. In extreme cases, it can leave a more permanent mark. You'd know if you had stuck rotors if the car stuck for a brief second when you were trying to move for the first time, then lurched loose with a loud "clack" noise.

A side symptom is that rusty water can drip down onto other parts, and make them look rusty.

Anyways, be careful washing a car and then parking it with wet rotors.

[Want the thrill]

My first 35i (that ended up being my loaner) had rust on the roters from the day it was delivered from the factory so it must be a normal thing. I remembering thinking it was strange that there was already rust showing on them when they were brand new from the factory.

[vase330]

I don't have a x3, but yes my 335i had rust from day one. Nothing like you see on GM and Ford lots, but rust non the less. Yes normal.

[BIMMER UK 76]

Mine is not suffering this but a colleagues new X5 was terrible from day one and side running boards pitted, also a new F11 on fleet has suffered alloy issues with peeling in first few months.

[iFroze]

Thanks for the comfort and OK than. This makes me a bit less worry. Not that I wish that many of you have the same situation, but I assume that when you say normal it means not all, but most of the people noticed this amount of rust on their NEW X3's.

Question:
What would be the best way to remove it? Perhaps when checking the brakes or when changing the tires? Is there some product that can be applied to these wheels to protect them from corrosion or at least to slow the process down? I can live with this for now, but can you imagine after a while a new polished, sparkling car on the top and only the wheels looking very, very old. Not an image of a luxurious style, and I have not noticed on some other cheaper cars either.

[tagz]

I have the rust from day one. My car is only 3 weeks old!

As lotus said, I get it when I park it overnight after getting wet in the rain!

[Penso di no]

All brake discs get this. Just search the web for "brake rust" and you'll see the same threads in posts for all vehicles.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Penso di no

All brake discs get this. Just search the web for "brake rust" and you'll see the same threads in posts for all vehicles.

Exactly. If anyone want sexy open looking wheels then you have live with the rust look or have the rust painted with Hammerite or something similar.

[skier219]

Tell you what, I am real impressed that the front hub on my Z4 is machined and polished aluminum. I presume they did this mainly for aesthetics (I'd suggest unsprung weight was a factor, but then they went and ruined that notion by equipping the car with RFTs). You can see them peeking out in the attached pic.

[Dukat]

Everyone I know, and it seems everyone on the forums hates RFT's. Does BMW not care or do the majority of people (apparently the ones not on this forum) prefer RFT's?

Putting normal tires on isn't an option for me as there's no place to store a spare.

[skier219]

We could probably start a whole new thread on the merits and downsides of RFTs. I'd rather have regular tires myself. I see almost no benefit to RFTs.

[iFroze]

Thanks again for your responses and comforting. I will take the reality as it is, but not pleased. Again, I do not remember on my previous cars ever seeing this as quickly to appear as now on my new x3.

[BIMMER UK 76]

Originally Posted by Dukat

Everyone I know, and it seems everyone on the forums hates RFT's. Does BMW not care or do the majority of people (apparently the ones not on this forum) prefer RFT's?

Putting normal tires on isn't an option for me as there's no place to store a spare.

Second car with RF's and no gripes here

[sfax]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Here's what my wheel hubs look like after 8 months of exposure to weather. The hub surfaces that had slight rusting are now blackened from brake dust. The gray/black surface looks better than rust (IMHO).

I always hand-wash the car using a bucket and a garden hose.. Since it never sees a high-pressure car wash, the black sooty brake dust keeps the hubs (and most of the brake calipers) well covered. However, I do wash the wheels about every 5-days.

Pic taken today:

Great looking wheels Lotus

[Nahoa]

Lotus, nifty shiny lug bolts. Diggin' that big time.

(not to mention that the wheel is wonder clean -- I must have grown to expect that)