Losing center caps - escalating the issue!

dtcoff · 03-08-2015, 05:25 PM

Lost the left front this morning

Now let's see what BMW Australia and my dealer have to say about it.

bimmerfile · 03-08-2015, 05:52 PM

Could someone with a recent build (i.e. production date of 1/1/15 or later) check one of their center caps to see if BMW has gone back to the older version, more secure center caps with the round spring?

3.0L · 03-08-2015, 06:48 PM

RTV. A little dab will do ya!

Yummybox · 03-09-2015, 10:26 PM

lost both fronts

moltenfire · 06-19-2015, 11:22 PM

Just lost front passenger cap on a hot June day. Production Nov 2014 so this is still an issue.

wjones14 · 06-19-2015, 11:50 PM

Did this happen to anybody where the warranty didn't cover it?

ShockTower · 06-21-2015, 12:40 AM

They covered the first time but made a big issue out of a $30 center cap. Second time I didn't bother making an issue but the parts counter gave it to me for wholesale-about $16. That makes two. One for each side on the fronts.

pikcachu · 06-21-2015, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShockTower

They covered the first time but made a big issue out of a $30 center cap. Second time I didn't bother making an issue but the parts counter gave it to me for wholesale-about $16. That makes two. One for each side on the fronts.

just put some tape around the clips so it fits tighter and will never come out....

Pinghacker · 06-21-2015, 08:52 AM

I have experience a a design engineer who spent 8 years exclusively on wheel trim. The problem with BMW's design here is the lack of a wire retainer behind the retention legs. The fit may be fine on a cool wheel but brake heat transfers to the plastic legs inducing "plastic creep". The warmer and softer legs allow the cap to exit the wheel at the next convenient bump.

A small cap like these on a Ford or Toyota would have a wire and would be very difficult to remove without first removing the wheel and using the jack handle to knock it out from the back.

rich8566 · 06-21-2015, 05:15 PM

I lost both front caps early in my ownership experience.

horsepower_and_hounds · 06-21-2015, 05:25 PM

I took mine out and replaced them with a set from my '09 128i.....they rotate slightly but have not popped out

bowjol · 09-09-2015, 11:53 AM

Lost front left. Just 200 kms.

bowjol · 09-16-2015, 11:20 AM

put double side tape in inner center hole, it will hold center caps pretty strong.

chattanooga240 · 07-25-2016, 01:27 PM

Dealer replaced mine today under warranty, second time one has popped off. (Found it the first time, the wheel flexed when going up my driveway and popped it out)

They say this is not a common issue, but there are way too many posts on this subject for it not to be. Just know, those under warranty can get this taken care of.

Rayscott · 07-25-2016, 04:18 PM

I own the weakling of the 2 series. 228ix. Not enough power there to pull them off.

kevinh211 · 07-26-2016, 07:36 AM

I have one pop off around 10k miles. My dealer replaced it but wouldn't cover it under warranty for some reason. They only charge me a like $5 so I didn't complain.

chattanooga240 · 07-26-2016, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinh211

I have one pop off around 10k miles. My dealer replaced it but wouldn't cover it under warranty for some reason. They only charge me a like $5 so I didn't complain.

I was really surprised that Fields down here had not seen this issue before (or so they claim).

There are way too many instances of this on here, but I assume most people just order one online and call it a day.

RoundelM3 · 07-26-2016, 09:01 AM

Strange...I've owned several BMWs since 2001, some with OEM wheels and some with aftermarket wheels, but always used the OEM center caps. Never had one "fall off" or otherwise go missing. Currently, 4K miles on brand new F23 228i and 20K miles on 2013 F30 335i, all caps accounted for.

SquireGlig · 07-26-2016, 09:29 AM

I've had no problem, but I have the 461M wheels which is standard on the 228i. I think most M235i have the 436M. Possible that something is different?

caycep · 07-26-2016, 02:12 PM

View it as a feature - its designed to enable you to replace them with pokemon emblems made in China!

thb229 · 07-30-2016, 06:46 PM

just put a clear silicone bead around the emblem. LOL

Bleeped · 07-30-2016, 10:02 PM

Lost my drivers front a couple days ago. Dealer gave me a hard time about it but reluctantly covered it. My cap split in two, the outer half flew off and disappeared during my commute to work, the back half was stuck in the center of the wheel. Couldnt pull it out from the front. Wheel had to come off to pull it out from the rear. 17k miles.

03-08-2015, 05:25 PM	#67
dtcoff First Lieutenant 49 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 2014 F22 M235i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Lost the left front this morning Now let's see what BMW Australia and my dealer have to say about it. __________________ 2014 M235i / EB-II / Coral / Sunroof / Comfort & Parking Packages 2014 X3 3.0d / M sport / AW / Sunroof
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03-08-2015, 05:52 PM	#68
bimmerfile Colonel 621 Rep 2,067 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X2 F39 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: GTA, Canada iTrader: (0)	Could someone with a recent build (i.e. production date of 1/1/15 or later) check one of their center caps to see if BMW has gone back to the older version, more secure center caps with the round spring? __________________ 2019 X2
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03-08-2015, 06:48 PM	#69
3.0L Colonel 8937 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: M235i, 20k miles Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	RTV. A little dab will do ya! __________________ ///M235i \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Premium Package \| Technology Package \| Driver Assistance Package \| Dakota Coral Red/Black Leather \| Harman/Kardon Premium 360 watt sound system \| 8-speed automatic When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser
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03-09-2015, 10:26 PM	#70
Yummybox New Member 3 Rep 29 Posts Drives: AW/Black M235i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	lost both fronts
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06-19-2015, 11:22 PM	#71
moltenfire Private First Class 43 Rep 147 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i EBII Coral Red Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 M235i [0.00]	Just lost front passenger cap on a hot June day. Production Nov 2014 so this is still an issue.
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06-19-2015, 11:50 PM	#72
wjones14 Captain 659 Rep 891 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Niantic CT iTrader: (0)	Did this happen to anybody where the warranty didn't cover it? __________________ Vehicles: 2021 Alpine White M2C 6MT; 2011 Kawasaki Z1000 (1/4 mile 10.3 seconds @ 129 mph - stock) Previous: 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE 6MT; 2015 BMW M235i 6MT; 2015 Mini Cooper F56 6MT; 2005 Mustang GT 5MT; 2003 Mini Cooper R50 5MT
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06-21-2015, 12:40 AM	#73
ShockTower Enlisted Member 6 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2014 2014 M235i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	They covered the first time but made a big issue out of a $30 center cap. Second time I didn't bother making an issue but the parts counter gave it to me for wholesale-about $16. That makes two. One for each side on the fronts.
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06-21-2015, 08:52 AM	#75
Pinghacker Private First Class 40 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 228i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Detroit Metro Area iTrader: (0)	I have experience a a design engineer who spent 8 years exclusively on wheel trim. The problem with BMW's design here is the lack of a wire retainer behind the retention legs. The fit may be fine on a cool wheel but brake heat transfers to the plastic legs inducing "plastic creep". The warmer and softer legs allow the cap to exit the wheel at the next convenient bump. A small cap like these on a Ford or Toyota would have a wire and would be very difficult to remove without first removing the wheel and using the jack handle to knock it out from the back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-21-2015, 05:15 PM	#76
rich8566 Major 609 Rep 1,124 Posts Drives: M2 + Z-4 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M235i [0.00]	I lost both front caps early in my ownership experience. __________________ Current: 2017 ///M2 manual 2004 E85 Z-4 manual
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06-21-2015, 05:25 PM	#77
horsepower_and_hounds Brigadier General 1836 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	I took mine out and replaced them with a set from my '09 128i.....they rotate slightly but have not popped out
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09-09-2015, 11:53 AM	#78
bowjol New Member 8 Rep 26 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Indonesia iTrader: (0)	Lost front left. Just 200 kms.
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09-16-2015, 11:20 AM	#79
bowjol New Member 8 Rep 26 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Indonesia iTrader: (0)	put double side tape in inner center hole, it will hold center caps pretty strong.
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07-25-2016, 01:27 PM	#80
chattanooga240 Lieutenant 213 Rep 422 Posts Drives: 2019 M240i Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Chattanooga iTrader: (0)	Dealer replaced mine today under warranty, second time one has popped off. (Found it the first time, the wheel flexed when going up my driveway and popped it out) They say this is not a common issue, but there are way too many posts on this subject for it not to be. Just know, those under warranty can get this taken care of.
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07-25-2016, 04:18 PM	#81
Rayscott Major 376 Rep 1,154 Posts Drives: BMW 228ix Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lewes DE iTrader: (0)	I own the weakling of the 2 series. 228ix. Not enough power there to pull them off.
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07-26-2016, 07:36 AM	#82
kevinh211 New Member 5 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: LI NY iTrader: (0)	I have one pop off around 10k miles. My dealer replaced it but wouldn't cover it under warranty for some reason. They only charge me a like $5 so I didn't complain.
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07-26-2016, 09:01 AM	#84
RoundelM3 Major General 1837 Rep 6,990 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Strange...I've owned several BMWs since 2001, some with OEM wheels and some with aftermarket wheels, but always used the OEM center caps. Never had one "fall off" or otherwise go missing. Currently, 4K miles on brand new F23 228i and 20K miles on 2013 F30 335i, all caps accounted for. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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07-26-2016, 09:29 AM	#85
SquireGlig Enlisted Member 11 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i 6MT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I've had no problem, but I have the 461M wheels which is standard on the 228i. I think most M235i have the 436M. Possible that something is different?
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07-26-2016, 02:12 PM	#86
caycep First Lieutenant 91 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 228i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 228i [0.00]	View it as a feature - its designed to enable you to replace them with pokemon emblems made in China!
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07-30-2016, 06:46 PM	#87
thb229 New Member 4 Rep 24 Posts Drives: M235i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Bmws M235i xDrive [0.00]	just put a clear silicone bead around the emblem. LOL
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07-30-2016, 10:02 PM	#88
Bleeped Private 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2014 M235 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	Lost my drivers front a couple days ago. Dealer gave me a hard time about it but reluctantly covered it. My cap split in two, the outer half flew off and disappeared during my commute to work, the back half was stuck in the center of the wheel. Couldnt pull it out from the front. Wheel had to come off to pull it out from the rear. 17k miles.
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