Had the TPMS go off for the rear driver side while on a trip. Was down to 18lbs, put air in and it held over night. After a 2hr 100-120 mile drive home it was down 10lbs. Took off the wheel for inspection and found one crack. Proceeded to check the other wheels and found the passenger rear had 3 cracks but does not lose air. Wheels are style 124.

Did some searching and it sounds like folks have successfully welded cracked rims. Sounds like it will run me $100-$150, not sure if that is per wheel or per weld. I am wondering if this will be a repair I am likely going to need to repeat? If they cracked once they will crack again, right?

I know this would be a great excuse to buy some new wheels but not really looking for one. If the repair bill gets into the $500 range some of the lower priced aftermarket wheels I like might start to make sense.

This in the one that loses air

 

124 wheels seem to have a high incidence of cracking (as reported by members here)...so I'd skip the repair and get a set of "stronger" wheels...just for peace of mind sake...

also, where are you located? Major cities with poor road conditions I would think warrant stronger wheels anyway (such as NYC). but if you are in a smaller populated area with relatively smooth roads, repairing your 124's might be an option as well...

 

I'm in San Diego, roads don't seem too bad. Does seem like 124s and 172s have issues.

 

most shops will charge u 100-200 per wheel

:l

so if u got curb rash on that wheel aswell they will take care of it

and usually where they weld them they r stronger... but ofcourse this doesnt mean the wheel as a whole is stronger

 

I had the same problem with my 128s. A hairline crack that caused a slow leak. I found a remanufactured wheel for 200.00 that looks brand new. If they can refinish the wheel and fix the crack for 100 that would be the best deal otherwise look around you should be able to find a replacement rim for <200.00.
Car-part.com sells used wheels for varying prices (starting around 75.00) but i have found most have alot of curb rash.

MC

 

I had an identical problem twice. The first time I replaced the damaged rim with a new one at the dealers and it cost nearly $500. The second time I had it repaired for around half the price. The repair has held well and the balance was perfect. The tech actually picked it up and dropped it off.

The OEM rims are fragile. I never had a bad hit that would/should have caused a crack like that. One possibility is that they were damaged when the runflats were replaced. The tech that removed the runflats had a very hard time getting them off. Another probable reason that runflats suck.

 

replace with carefully inspected used 124s or go new.
repairing is always a crap shoot.

 

I had 2 124's repaired and guess what? 6 months later I had 1 cracked and 3 bent rims. When they repair a wheel by welding it makes it stronger at that point, making it weaker elsewhere. Eventually you will spend as much as just buying a new set of rims. Just bite the bullet and get some new rims like I did. Repairing these crappy 124's is like putting a band aid on gaping wound that needs stitches.

 

WHAT STATE YOU IN MAN. I HAD A CRACKED BMW RIM FIXED FOR A FLAT RATE 150. AND THEY MADE IT STRAIGHT. MESSAGE ME FOR MORE INFO.

 

http://www.wheelrefinisher.com/