Looking to track # of owners with brake dust pits on wheels

[schnabeljs]

I've run across a few mini owners with brake dust pitting on their wheels. Seems to happen most to painted ones. The dealerships say it's just part of life, but I think not. In fact one dealer purported that the real issue was that I drove my car too fast and the tires overheated causing the wheels to overheat and that resulted in the brake dust reacting to the paint.

Does BMW have a problem they aren't willing to admit?

Are there a large number of other mini owners with the same problem?

Could we all voice our concern to BMW and get some action?

[William Courant]

I've got factory alloys, supposedly coated. Seems everytime I wash my baby I notice more pitting on the wheels Either the coating ain't that great or the brake pads are made with acid!!!!! This is the first time I've had this happen and I've had many sets of wheels on different cars, both painted and coated alloy Never had a problem.

There was a thread on this site about this very problem along with some fixes but can't remember which forum it was in. I think someone suggested using a Scotch Brite pad to remove the pits but I don't know which is worse, pitted alloys or scratched ones!!!

The common answer from BMW seems to be that, as you say, the wheels get hot causing the components in the brake dust to eat into the alloys I ain't buyin' it!!!

[kyriian]

me.. my motegis are getting worse and worse.. everytime i clean the wheels i notice a few more.. but seems to be i only get them in the front

i'll be getting new pads on soon so let's hope that elimates or at least slows the problem down

[Grings]

Quote: Originally Posted by schnabeljs

In fact one dealer purported that the real issue was that I drove my car too fast and the tires overheated causing the wheels to overheat and that resulted in the brake dust reacting to the paint.

How hot does this dealer think you tyres get? Even if you drive really really hard you will stilll be able to put your hand on them - so there is no way it will cause the wheels to overheat.

You could possibly (but again very unlikely on alloy wheels) cause them to heat up with excessive breaking - but this would probably result in the disks and pads wearing out first.

What product are you using to clean the wheels? Don't forget most wheels cleaners actually use an acid to remove the hard to shift dust.

[jwardell]

Absolutely. Showed up within the first few weeks of owning my car. You can scrub some out, but some marks are there to stay. Tough with white wheels. I'd like to change over to mintex redbox pads soon to help my brake dust problems.

[William Courant]

Quote: Originally Posted by Grings

How hot does this dealer think you tyres get? Even if you drive really really hard you will stilll be able to put your hand on them - so there is no way it will cause the wheels to overheat.

You could possibly (but again very unlikely on alloy wheels) cause them to heat up with excessive breaking - but this would probably result in the disks and pads wearing out first.

What product are you using to clean the wheels? Don't forget most wheels cleaners actually use an acid to remove the hard to shift dust.

I try and stay away from the wheel cleaners on the Mini's wheels although I've used wheel cleaner on all my cars up to now and never had a problem like this before. I had a sealer put on the car and wheels and find that now most of the brake dust hoses off and what's left is easily removed with car wash soap and a net sponge.

[JamesK1975]

This is the exact problem that I've got - I first took it up with the dealer about a year ago. I've just posted another separate thread regarding this - and the response from Mini themselves.

To say I'm unhappy is a slight understatement at this stage!

[roland2003]

Not sure whether Mini wheels are stove enamelled or powder coat. Powder coat melts at a higher temp and is much more durable .
Pad material makes a big difference to potential wheel and body panel damage ,Read on;-
For example if you use Ferodo DS3000 the dust material sticks (welds) itself to the alloys, nothing short of abrasive paper will shift it! If that sounds bad read on further!
If you use 'Black Hawk' pads the pads hardly wear atall, what happens is the disc wears and the red hot metal swarf magnetises and sticks to the wings & door panels,melting the paint to the bare metal in the process!
PS Both of these are full race pads . The best braking coefficient by miles. Makes greenstuff etc. feel like they are made of marshmallows.
Regards Roland Gt Tuning