Losing center caps - escalating the issue!

Icy J · 09-16-2014, 03:53 AM

Front left one fell off this time...

whoosh · 11-04-2014, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikcachu

take them all off and put some tape around the inside so that they fit tighter

@pikcachu thanks for this suggestion. I just had two rear caps replaced by the dealer, and found the passenger front cap was about to fall out. I was also able to pry the driver's front cap out with my fingernail. I put tape on the two loose caps and they seem to fit better, but I'm still not entirely confident.

How has the tape been holding up for your wheels so far?

pikcachu · 11-04-2014, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoosh

@pikcachu thanks for this suggestion. I just had two rear caps replaced by the dealer, and found the passenger front cap was about to fall out. I was also able to pry the driver's front cap out with my fingernail. I put tape on the two loose caps and they seem to fit better, but I'm still not entirely confident.

How has the tape been holding up for your wheels so far?

never lost any after the tape.... the front were the worst... the rear seem ok

Lucky13 · 11-04-2014, 07:13 PM

Put Duck tape on them, double fold it so its sticky all over (all sides). I can't remove mine now without maybe a screw driver so they will not be coming off (maybe ever).

bman6074 · 11-18-2014, 08:15 PM

Here is why these things are coming off. BMW for what ever reason strayed away from the standard for wheel caps. having a metal ring inside to push on the tabs.

bman6074 · 11-18-2014, 08:44 PM

Also noticed the tabs on the bmw caps aren't even reinforce like on the after market cap from my winter wheel.

Wheelwright · 11-18-2014, 08:51 PM

Another painful reminder that 2-series was designed by the beancounters. At least I am on winter wheels now so I don't have to worry about how shoddily bmw designed those caps. How much did they save ? 0.5 cents ?

sabirnie · 11-19-2014, 01:03 PM

Ok I'm still under 1,000 km and I lost my center cap. If the 1 Series cap fits better does anyone have the part #?

five3three · 11-30-2014, 08:07 PM

Seems like I go about 3-4000 miles between losing these. Lost one at 3k and just lost one today at 7k. I paid for it the first time around but the second time I was so annoyed I went to the dealer and they just gave me a replacement.

tcinoc · 12-01-2014, 04:27 PM

They should always pay for it as long as it is still under warranty. Maid you try the tape fix ?

My knucklehead self.... I had actually forgot to place tape around mine. At about 800 miles, I took care of driver's side. I was using plumbers tape and ran out. So....didn't get to passenger side. Thanksgiving Day, showing the car to some family I look down and BAMN!!! Passenger side was gone. ugh....
Texted my CA and picked it up the same day.

BMWKLR · 12-01-2014, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bman6074

Here is why these things are coming off. BMW for what ever reason strayed away from the standard for wheel caps. having a metal ring inside to push on the tabs.

Can you swap the rings over? They got rid of the metal ring, but maybe the plastic cleats have the same notches to install the ring on the new caps.

bman6074 · 12-01-2014, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWKLR

Can you swap the rings over? They got rid of the metal ring, but maybe the plastic cleats have the same notches to install the ring on the new caps.

Nope can't swap the ring over as there is no notch to hold it. I tried and the ring just pops out. I think the only way to do it would be to epoxy some sort of stop piece to prevent the ring from popping out.
Sad that BMW skimped on this small part to save money.

BMWKLR · 12-01-2014, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bman6074

Nope can't swap the ring over as there is no notch to hold it. I tried and the ring just pops out. I think the only way to do it would be to epoxy some sort of stop piece to prevent the ring from popping out.
Sad that BMW skimped on this small part to save money.

Thanks for the info. The old ones also dont fit right?

bman6074 · 12-01-2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWKLR

Thanks for the info. The old ones also dont fit right?

I would think the older ones should fit as the aftermarket ones fit from my winter setup that have the rings. Definitely a tighter fit.

chaswyck1 · 12-01-2014, 08:04 PM

Is this just a 235 issue or are 228's affected as well?

bman6074 · 12-01-2014, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaswyck@yahoo.com

Is this just a 235 issue or are 228's affected as well?

Have no idea about 228.

horsepower_and_hounds · 12-02-2014, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bman6074

I would think the older ones should fit as the aftermarket ones fit from my winter setup that have the rings. Definitely a tighter fit.

The old ones from the 135/128 fit perfectly and will not fall out
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showt...1020076&page=2

midwest 340xi 6sp · 03-07-2015, 10:36 AM

Damn - my friggin front left wheel cap is gone! Just noticed it this morning...

First world problem I know. Going to have buy some BMW OEM Tape for my next one..

caycep · 03-07-2015, 10:54 AM

Isn't it part of the wheel? Why would they change the part if its a standard BMW OEM wheel of some sort?

jwr0721 · 03-07-2015, 01:31 PM

This hasn't happened to me yet. When it does I'm going to be extremely pissed. This car costs more than $50,000. Unacceptable.

2yo · 03-07-2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaswyck1

Is this just a 235 issue or are 228's affected as well?

Anybody with knowledge on this? I'm getting my 228 delivered soon and now I'm paranoid and OCD.

1ChrisRuck · 03-07-2015, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwr0721

This hasn't happened to me yet. When it does I'm going to be extremely pissed. This car costs more than $50,000. Unacceptable.

Very well said! I agree with you 100%.

BMW, issue a TSB for this now. We're making you aware of this issue. We're not freaking out, YET! Don't make us. Do the right thing and address this now. Don't be forced into having to do the right thing. The topic is already popping up on social media. I for one sincerely hope this is addressed before it turns into a public relations fiasco.

These are $50,000 cars. Factory installed wheel center caps should fit properly and not fall out. It truly is that simple. Some members have found a fix by applying tape or something of that nature. I truly feel it is unacceptable for owners of new BMW's to rig up something so center caps will not fall off of a BRAND NEW $50,000 BMW. Please fix it.

Don't make us get LOUD!

09-16-2014, 03:53 AM	#45
Icy J im a car 734 Rep 1,117 Posts Drives: 220i M Sport \| 520i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 220i [10.00]	Front left one fell off this time... __________________ '14 220i M Sport \| AW/CR \| PUR Wheels RS07 19" \| KW V1 \| MTC Design F2X Kit [CF] \| Stage 1 ECU Tune \| Eventuri CF Intake \| Manhart Race Exhaust/Resonator Delete \| ER HFC Downpipe \| F8X LCA + TS \| M Style Grilles \| Gloss Black Roof \| Custom Steering Wheel \| Autotecknic Competition Shift Paddles [YMB] Instagram: @icyj95 \| FB
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11-04-2014, 07:13 PM	#48
Lucky13 Lucky13 211 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30X Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbia, S.C. iTrader: (0)	Put Duck tape on them, double fold it so its sticky all over (all sides). I can't remove mine now without maybe a screw driver so they will not be coming off (maybe ever). __________________ 1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
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11-18-2014, 08:15 PM	#49
bman6074 Major 103 Rep 1,254 Posts Drives: 14 M235i and 07 Lotus Exige S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Here is why these things are coming off. BMW for what ever reason strayed away from the standard for wheel caps. having a metal ring inside to push on the tabs. Attached Images __________________
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11-18-2014, 08:44 PM	#50
bman6074 Major 103 Rep 1,254 Posts Drives: 14 M235i and 07 Lotus Exige S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Also noticed the tabs on the bmw caps aren't even reinforce like on the after market cap from my winter wheel. __________________
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11-18-2014, 08:51 PM	#51
Wheelwright Captain 463 Rep 778 Posts Drives: M235i (6MT fakerich edition) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada, Oak Ridges iTrader: (0)	Another painful reminder that 2-series was designed by the beancounters. At least I am on winter wheels now so I don't have to worry about how shoddily bmw designed those caps. How much did they save ? 0.5 cents ?
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11-19-2014, 01:03 PM	#52
sabirnie Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2015 228I xdrive sport Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: BC iTrader: (0)	Ok I'm still under 1,000 km and I lost my center cap. If the 1 Series cap fits better does anyone have the part #?
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11-30-2014, 08:07 PM	#53
five3three Major 163 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: m2c Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	Seems like I go about 3-4000 miles between losing these. Lost one at 3k and just lost one today at 7k. I paid for it the first time around but the second time I was so annoyed I went to the dealer and they just gave me a replacement.
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12-01-2014, 04:27 PM	#54
tcinoc Private 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2015 m235 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	They should always pay for it as long as it is still under warranty. Maid you try the tape fix ? My knucklehead self.... I had actually forgot to place tape around mine. At about 800 miles, I took care of driver's side. I was using plumbers tape and ran out. So....didn't get to passenger side. Thanksgiving Day, showing the car to some family I look down and BAMN!!! Passenger side was gone. ugh.... Texted my CA and picked it up the same day.
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12-01-2014, 08:04 PM	#59
chaswyck1 Lieutenant 76 Rep 506 Posts Drives: 2015 228i Valencia Orange Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Southern CA iTrader: (0)	Is this just a 235 issue or are 228's affected as well?
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03-07-2015, 10:36 AM	#62
midwest 340xi 6sp Lieutenant Colonel 358 Rep 1,797 Posts Drives: 2018 340xi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Great Midwest iTrader: (6)	Damn - my friggin front left wheel cap is gone! Just noticed it this morning... First world problem I know. Going to have buy some BMW OEM Tape for my next one.. __________________ Previous Rides: 535xi, M235xi, X3, E92 M3, E70 X5 35d, X6 50i, X6 35i, E60 550i, E46 M3 Cabriolet, E39 540i, E36 328i
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03-07-2015, 10:54 AM	#63
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]	Isn't it part of the wheel? Why would they change the part if its a standard BMW OEM wheel of some sort?
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03-07-2015, 01:31 PM	#64
jwr0721 First Lieutenant 180 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2010 135i 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	This hasn't happened to me yet. When it does I'm going to be extremely pissed. This car costs more than $50,000. Unacceptable.
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