[lbjgh]

I used steel wheels on my current car for winter duty for 6 years then decided to install Nokian WR on the aluminum wheels.

One winter completely ruined the aluminum wheels... How do the BMW aluminum wheels hold up with winter salt/snow if I choose to install winter rubber on the OEM wheels?

tx

[MattUK]

They are fine.. as long as you keep them clean and look after them, like anything.

[paul386]

I have the 309's and I had a front wheel crack. I'm not sure how it happened but my low tire pressure alarm went off and I brought the car to the tire shop to patch the tire. Turned out the wheel was cracked! I can't recall any rough driving / running anything over... There were marks on the inside of the wheel that looked like I rubbed a curb.

[lbjgh]

paul386,

I was wondering about how the OEM rims held up from an aesthetic perspective not structural . It sounds like you have a dud wheel.

Do OEM rims have a clear coat that'll survive winter sand and salt?

[paul386]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

paul386,

I was wondering about how the OEM rims held up from an aesthetic perspective not structural . It sounds like you have a dud wheel.

Do OEM rims have a clear coat that'll survive winter sand and salt?

I doubt they have a "clear coat" as the specific type of coating goes (I have always thought a clear coat was an epoxy surface coating).

However, without knowing definitely, I would be fairly certain they are anodize or have some other robust surface coating. Anodizing is a chemical process compared to simply a surface coating like paint / clear coat would be. Aluminum rims are fairly soft / fragile and would eventually develop corrosion without a surface coating.

[ando]

I had zero finish issues when I had blizaaks mounted on my stock 2007 328i wheels during three tough Iowa winters. I have not put snows on my X3 to date as I picked up all wheel drive with this vehicle. I will likely add snows when the treads deteriorate a bit. No issues with stock BMW wheels during harsh Midwestern winters.

[lbjgh]

Thanks ando, that's the feedback I was looking for.

Originally Posted by ando

I had zero finish issues when I had blizaaks mounted on my stock 2007 328i wheels during three tough Iowa winters. I have not put snows on my X3 to date as I picked up all wheel drive with this vehicle. I will likely add snows when the treads deteriorate a bit. No issues with stock BMW wheels during harsh Midwestern winters.

[LEDZEP]

Wow, what a thread of misinformation.

BMW wheels are alloy construction (but NOT aluminum). They are painted with the metallic silver, topped with a durable clear coat.

They will survive the winter just fine if you CLEAN them regularly. It is best to seal them pre-winter with at least two coats of good wax or sealant, and then keep them clean as much as possible.

[Lotus7]

POST DELETED

[paul386]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

The 308 Y spoke wheels are definitely silver painted over most of the surface and then covered with an obvious, thick clear coat. The outer edges of the spokes are brushed-finish, bare alloy, but are completely clear coated. The "industry standard" coating that is used on almost all OEM wheels is a catalyzed ureathane coating. It's technically not an epoxy, but is a extremely durable finish, and will resist salt as long as it has no physical damage. It's typically applied at a thickness of 0.25mm (0.010 inches) (considerably thicker than most paint).

There is little risk of damage to the (cosmetic) surface of most new wheels (unless they are mechanically scratched). However, if they are not cleaned at reasonable intervals, there is danger of salt causing corrosion on the bead seating area ultimately resulting in slow "rim leaks".

Re: Materials: Most quality production "Aluminum" or "Alloy" wheels are made of an aluminum-based complex alloy, the most common being A356T6. This is often used for cast, forged and billet machined wheels. Different manufacturers may vary the mix a little, but the alloy is typically around 91% to 93% pure aluminum with the addition of silicon, copper, magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron & titanium. Some race wheels have a high percentage of magnesium, for lighter weight at a trade off in strength and durability.

Definitely didn't know that. Pretty interesting though. I guess a thicker and much tougher epoxy style paint might hold up better to impacts. I was thinking anodizing would be better compared to paint for adhesion but anodizing can be brittle.

I don't have much experience with cast aluminum but I work with wrought aluminum a lot... I have actually made wheels out of 6061 and 7075.