Snow plows cause them.

Here are the worst problems with Illinois roads:

1) They use asphalt instead of concrete to build roads. This means they last 2-4 years tops here.
2) They use salt in the winter which destroys asphalt.
3) Snowplows dig up large patches of previously repaired roads causing enormous potholes.
4) Our Governor is a bastard crook with Richard Daley following close behind. Good luck initiating any serious infrastructure road projects with a state budget that is in shambles and corrupt polititians behind the wheel.
5) We have one of the highest highway toll costs and the income from them has zero return on that investment since the tolls have now been sold to some UAE corporation and the money no longer goes to the state.
6) In 2008 we've had record snowfall for this month and IL has spent almost $50,000,000 of the state's budget for snow removal, salt, trucks, etc.

 

Juris, as i recall you are in cali, when I picked up my e60 back in december of last year, the wheel and tire package was not being offered...something about ins companies not agreeing with BMW offering ins, IIRC (If I Recall Correctly)...recently another member in cali just purchased wheel and tire ins for his wheels (also covers aftermarket wheels, reported by the member). If it's something you are looking into...call your dealership again as well as shopping it around to 3rd party companies...I think AAA also has a wheel/tire package (but is limited to OEM wheels and tires)

 

If its limited to "OEM" wheels and tires then my M166 "OEM" wheels must be covered! =p Right?....

 

, again, read the fine print...just make sure it's not limited to OEM + stock wheel style only.....

 

Thats the reason my E60 is garaged and wont come out till May.

 

Damn you Genetals! Damn you!!!! <3

 

It is not too late. You can call almost any dealer and get the insurance. I unfortunately did the same thing you did and ended up ruining my wheel and tire after hitting a manhole cover (gravel had washed away and they had removed the barricade because people were complaining). $1,200 for the wheel, tire, and alignment. I now have wheel and tire insurance WITH COSMETIC damage protection (so they will fix the rim if I curb it). Here are my pics... (happened in September - fortunately, I'm driving a Chevy HHR rental now because someone thought my rear door needed to be replaced).

PS - I would go with 17" snow tires and OEM 138 rims if I still had my 550 ....

 

Ouch. I moved from Chicago 5 years ago and don't miss the snow and ice and crappy roads. Of course, I now live in Seattle and we've just finished a week long battle with snow and ice. Yesterday we were out driving in my wife's ML and the road to our house is now littered with huge pot holes, 3+ inches deep. Makes me wonder if I should just leave my 535xi in the garage till spring when they will likely start to fix the roads. Glad I bought the tire and wheel insurances just in case I get lazy and am not paying attention one day.

 

Sorry about the wheel damage. Potholes in Chicago are a real problem and are getting worse year after year. In fact, during the winter I cut down the number trips to the City because of potholes. (live in the burbs) I was out at O'Hare today and it was a freaking battleground. I liken the exit ramps to a Motocross track. My poor car took a beating given winter setups with hard RFT blizzacks. Yikes.

Good luck with the repairs. Doesn't Chicago offer some sort of program to reimburse drivers with wheel damage caused by potholes??

CVT Benhogan

 

I dunno, but this state's infrastructure is seriously shit. Sucks.