I have a common problem that are known with the Chrome shadow wheels, the edges of the spoke where it meets the outter has pitts. It looks like they didn't do a good job spraying that area of the wheel when it was made. I took a look at the wheel in the showroom and they had no evidence of the pitts.

Is this grounds for warranty? I know several people have had their wheels warrantied, but I am not sure if I would be a likely canidate. Any ideas?

Good luck. I tried for 2 years on my 99 -- even after 2 visits from th regional rep and many phone calls with BMWNA they were unwilling to do a damn thing.

In fact they blamed me saying that I had used acidic wheel cleaner. Now the Irony of that one is the dealer uses that crap, I use soap and water.

So far my 02's wheels show no signs of damage.

Go to the dealer and give it a shot. I'd certainly say it's a warrenty item, but I'm not a BMW dealer... :( Your car is only a year old...

It is a warrantied item. All it took for me to get them to replace the wheels are 3 visits to the dealership and 1 conversation with the Regional Rep and 3 services Reps over a 2 months period. They WILL give you the "you wash your wheels with acidic cleaner" crap, but if you are nice they will likely give you a new set of wheels, however unwilling they maybe. But I also showed proof that I didn't use any harsh wheel cleaner on the wheels since I got the car, so..... Hopefully you have a nice dealer and friendly service people.

i have a similar problem, but those spots are black (or dark grey) on mine, the dealer says its the finish, i dont like the look of it, i would love to trade wheels with 99-00 m coupe, the silver looks alot better, they should have stuck to silver finish or much darker "shadow" finish.

Is there anything to that "using acidic wheel cleaner" stuff, at all?

I have only washed my wheels with soup and water. I waxed them with pure carnuba paste wax when they were new, and since then just need soap and water to clean them. New coat of wax like once a year... :dunno