What is this orange thing on the rims? - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

AntBabeee · 12-06-2012, 08:15 PM

Seen this today on my rear rims. What is it? Should i be concern, and take it to dealer? I was raining yesterday and day before. It comes right off when i touch it. Its around the center hub cap also.

SamS · 12-06-2012, 08:25 PM

That is iron rust from the rotors, that got wet and slung all over the wheels. Normal.

BigKutta · 12-06-2012, 08:26 PM

That is rust run-off. Something beneath the center cap is rusting and that's the run-off due to water. This shouldn't be normal.

verbs · 12-06-2012, 08:30 PM

Looks like napalm to me. Very dangerous. Carefully take off the wheels with very thick gloves, box them up, and ship them to me. I'd be happy send you a fresh set of napalm free 18" M-sport wheels out of the goodness of my heart.

johnofcross · 12-06-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verbs

Looks like napalm to me. Very dangerous. Carefully take off the wheels with very thick gloves, box them up, and ship them to me. I'd be happy send you a fresh set of napalm free 18" M-sport wheels out of the goodness of my heart.

I had this issue too, when I picked up in Europe. Since getting it back, no issues. Maybe ask your dealer about it?

AndDown · 12-06-2012, 09:00 PM

Maybe all that rain you had all last week had something to do with it?

BavarianFanatic · 12-06-2012, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamS

That is iron rust from the rotors, that got wet and slung all over the wheels. Normal.

^ This.

AntBabeee · 12-06-2012, 11:05 PM

OK thanks guys. I'll clean them up and see if it comes back. Hopefully it wont rain for a while so i can see.

AntBabeee · 12-06-2012, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigKutta

That is rust run-off. Something beneath the center cap is rusting and that's the run-off due to water. This shouldn't be normal.

not only the center cap. but it seems to be coming mainly from the lug nut holes.

gtabfknkdnme · 12-07-2012, 01:15 AM

wow.

HighlandPete · 12-07-2012, 04:07 AM

I'd suggest it is caused by the hub starting to rust, they go like the hub in the attached picture. The material is an untreated steel, so will rust if damp, wet or sweats.

Picture of my 535i when I changed my wheels to the winter set. All BMW cars I've had are like this in a short while. Water can get in, and it stays inside the 'hub to wheel' centre space. It is one of the reasons wheels will seize on the hub spigots, as the damp doesn't help mixed material interactions either. Hence why we need anti-seize in most climates.

HighlandPete

Cisitalia · 12-07-2012, 09:00 AM

As HighlandPete indicates this is fairly common on BMWs. I suggest you wire brush the outside of the hub. Then as Pete suggests, brush some anti-seize on the outside of the hub. If the inside of the hub is rusty like Pets's pix, wire brush and sand the rust a way, then apply some rust-oleum paint protection.

Do NOT put anti-seize on lug bolts. Only wire brush them. That is a whole other topic.

Efthreeoh · 12-07-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtabfknkdnme

wow.

No kidding. Californians....

AndDown · 12-07-2012, 11:21 AM

Oh s***, rust in the wheels, rust under the seats...I'm going to bash the car and spray on graffiti and leave it in front of the dealership!!!

AntBabeee · 12-07-2012, 11:54 AM

Well looks sunny today. I might give it a wash and clean it up and see if it happens again. I dont have tools to properly jack up the car and take the wheel off at home. So I might bring to dealer.

AntBabeee · 12-07-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

I'd suggest it is caused by the hub starting to rust, they go like the hub in the attached picture. The material is an untreated steel, so will rust if damp, wet or sweats.

Picture of my 535i when I changed my wheels to the winter set. All BMW cars I've had are like this in a short while. Water can get in, and it stays inside the 'hub to wheel' centre space. It is one of the reasons wheels will seize on the hub spigots, as the damp doesn't help mixed material interactions either. Hence why we need anti-seize in most climates.

HighlandPete

That is scary Looking!.

MaestroAl · 12-07-2012, 12:04 PM

Rust. Don't worry about it.

AntBabeee · 12-07-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

Rust. Don't worry about it.

How come?

CirrusSR22 · 12-07-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntBabeee

How come?

Because it's just superficial surface rust.

AntBabeee · 12-07-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Because it's just superficial surface rust.

ahhhhh ok... i googled what you said... and apparently has been raining past few weeks. THANKS a lot!!!!

HighlandPete · 12-07-2012, 04:10 PM

Another picture.... from my 2006 model E91 330d. This picture was taken at about 7 months old, before the first winter. Shows how the rust starts building up, with water getting into the hub space.

HighlandPete

howiegu · 12-07-2012, 04:50 PM

Lucky dog! That BMW's exclusive frozen Fe dioxide wheel edition -

12-06-2012, 08:15 PM	#1
AntBabeee Lieutenant Drives: 2013 BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 527 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [0.00]	What is this orange thing on the rims? Seen this today on my rear rims. What is it? Should i be concern, and take it to dealer? I was raining yesterday and day before. It comes right off when i touch it. Its around the center hub cap also. __________________ F30 BMW 335i M-Sport: Estoril Blue II, 19" Rims, Sports Auto, Premium, Technology, Harmon Kardon, Heated Front Seats, Driver Assistance...
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12-06-2012, 08:25 PM	#2
SamS Brigadier General Drives: 2013 ActiveHybrid 3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,106 iTrader: (0)	That is iron rust from the rotors, that got wet and slung all over the wheels. Normal. __________________

12-06-2012, 11:05 PM	#8
AntBabeee Lieutenant Drives: 2013 BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 527 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [0.00]	OK thanks guys. I'll clean them up and see if it comes back. Hopefully it wont rain for a while so i can see. __________________ F30 BMW 335i M-Sport: Estoril Blue II, 19" Rims, Sports Auto, Premium, Technology, Harmon Kardon, Heated Front Seats, Driver Assistance...

12-07-2012, 01:15 AM	#10
gtabfknkdnme 5 Star General Drives: E90, F30 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Antonio Posts: 2,218 iTrader: (4)	wow. __________________

12-07-2012, 11:54 AM	#15
AntBabeee Lieutenant Drives: 2013 BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 527 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [0.00]	Well looks sunny today. I might give it a wash and clean it up and see if it happens again. I dont have tools to properly jack up the car and take the wheel off at home. So I might bring to dealer. __________________ F30 BMW 335i M-Sport: Estoril Blue II, 19" Rims, Sports Auto, Premium, Technology, Harmon Kardon, Heated Front Seats, Driver Assistance...

12-06-2012, 08:26 PM	#3
BigKutta Lieutenant Drives: 2012 528i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington DC Posts: 529 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 528i [0.00] 2012 BMW 528i [0.00]	That is rust run-off. Something beneath the center cap is rusting and that's the run-off due to water. This shouldn't be normal.

12-06-2012, 08:30 PM	#4
verbs Lieutenant Drives: 2013 335i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 456 iTrader: (0)	Looks like napalm to me. Very dangerous. Carefully take off the wheels with very thick gloves, box them up, and ship them to me. I'd be happy send you a fresh set of napalm free 18" M-sport wheels out of the goodness of my heart.

12-06-2012, 09:00 PM	#6
AndDown Just Copacetic! Drives: 2013 F30 328i AlpinWeiss Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 118 iTrader: (0)	Maybe all that rain you had all last week had something to do with it?

12-07-2012, 04:07 AM	#11
HighlandPete Colonel Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region Posts: 2,954 iTrader: (0)	I'd suggest it is caused by the hub starting to rust, they go like the hub in the attached picture. The material is an untreated steel, so will rust if damp, wet or sweats. Picture of my 535i when I changed my wheels to the winter set. All BMW cars I've had are like this in a short while. Water can get in, and it stays inside the 'hub to wheel' centre space. It is one of the reasons wheels will seize on the hub spigots, as the damp doesn't help mixed material interactions either. Hence why we need anti-seize in most climates. HighlandPete

12-07-2012, 09:00 AM	#12
Cisitalia No fast lane bandits allowed Drives: 2009 135i TiAg 6mt M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 337 iTrader: (1)	As HighlandPete indicates this is fairly common on BMWs. I suggest you wire brush the outside of the hub. Then as Pete suggests, brush some anti-seize on the outside of the hub. If the inside of the hub is rusty like Pets's pix, wire brush and sand the rust a way, then apply some rust-oleum paint protection. Do NOT put anti-seize on lug bolts. Only wire brush them. That is a whole other topic.

12-07-2012, 11:21 AM	#14
AndDown Just Copacetic! Drives: 2013 F30 328i AlpinWeiss Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 118 iTrader: (0)	Oh s***, rust in the wheels, rust under the seats...I'm going to bash the car and spray on graffiti and leave it in front of the dealership!!!

12-07-2012, 12:04 PM	#17
MaestroAl Major Drives: Superman 330D M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,195 iTrader: (0)	Rust. Don't worry about it. __________________ "Superman 330D M Sport" Estoril Blue / Coral Red 2PF\|ZAP\|ZMP\|ZVI\|2VF\|3AP\|420\|488\|494\|5DC\|688\|6NR IT ARRIVED!

12-07-2012, 04:10 PM	#21
HighlandPete Colonel Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region Posts: 2,954 iTrader: (0)	Another picture.... from my 2006 model E91 330d. This picture was taken at about 7 months old, before the first winter. Shows how the rust starts building up, with water getting into the hub space. HighlandPete

12-07-2012, 04:50 PM	#22
howiegu Member Drives: 13' 335xi Msport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New England Posts: 111 iTrader: (0)	Lucky dog! That BMW's exclusive frozen Fe dioxide wheel edition -

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