Wheel Rim concern

[Rubi76]

Hi Guys,

Is this normal ?

I have never seen this before on a rim. it looks like its a 2 part rim.

[donbmw]

I will go look at mine later. But it looks like casting lines to me.

Don

[Bob_Roller]

It's pretty much common on the LS wheels .

The wheels are a two part casting .

Up to now, I have never heard of this getting any worse, or having the wheel separate .

[Rubi76]

Thanks for the fast feed back,

That puts my mind at rest, Will get them resprayed a little later on this year. just have to do some good prep work on it.
 

[nhmaf]

Yes, if those are LS wheels, they all do that.  It is cosmetic only.   BMW made these wheels with a very hard material rim, and a different spoke material that was designed to have a slight degree of flexs, to mimic the behavior of spoked wheels.   The line is where the 2 parts have been pressed together - the paint may crack there but it has no safety issue - everyone who has an LS experiences this until they repaint their wheels.  Some paint is better at handling this application that others, cracks may re-appear or not within a year of repainting.

[Bob_Roller]

BMW had a service bulletin about this right after the LS's got out on the street .

Their 'fix' was to put white or grey tape on the crack area, depending on the wheel color .

The tape is no longer available .

My '82 LS has had the wheels powder coated, it cracked through that in a short time, so if you decide on something, the material needs to  be 'flexible' .

[montmil]

... My '82 LS has had the wheels powder coated, it cracked through that in a short time, so if you decide on something, the material needs to be 'flexible'.

Check with your local autobody supplier regarding flex agents that can be added to paint.