So is it me, or do I merely need to look at the smallest of potholes whilst driving for my 20" wheels to buckle or even crack?

I know that the tires are low profile, but this is frankly ridiculous. I can't be the only one.

 

I just purchased an XF and in my search during the car buying process, 3 of the 5 cars I looked at had one of their wheels fixed for pothole damage.


All those XFs had 19' inch and up wheels.

 

Yes, especially the Nevis wheels are like 20" pieces of butter. I have bent three so far on the awful construction in this area. I don't think I have ever had a car with OEM wheels that are so fragile.

 

I'm in western NY, the pothole capitol of the US, and when my wife and I were shopping for our XF, I was insistent that it have the 18" wheels, specifically for this reason. However, this is not a new problem. I remember reading a Car&Driver road test of some hopped up 3-series BMW, about 10-12 years ago, and they bent 2-3 wheels, while the car was in their possession.

 

Its not you! its these 20's ! Winter and spring is dodging time!

 

I have 19s on my XF and so far so good with no damage yet. We have some pretty bad potholes which we constantly dodge. I am about to put on some aftermarket 20 inch wheels which look to be a little more sturdy. I will let you know how that goes minus the slightly harsher ride from the lower profile tires.

 

I have the 20 inch Dracos. They are soft beyond belief. It's awful. I consider myself lucky not have bent one already. The only reason I still have them is I love the way they are styled.

 

Nevis rims here, I've needed both front rims 're trued.

 

20" wheels look great, but in general, they deliver a harsher ride and are susceptible to damage.

 

I am now looking for a good quality used OEM front 20" wheel, just to have one as a spare. The last time I damaged a front wheel, I had to wait almost 3 months for a new one from Jag, at almost $900. The requirement of a 20" diameter wheel is in my view the worst aspect of the supercharged/xfr versions; and I just cannot accept the argument that there wasn't a smaller brake caliper that could be used.

 

Seems to be a combination of large wheel and a particularly soft alloy

There are a few 19inch wheels that fit - not many. A few people here made the switch - at least for winter tyres

Agree that a spare is a good idea...

You could also consider swapping to an aftermarket set - less than the cost of two OEM wheels for a full set

 

Or you could buy the full set I have...no shipping involved. And they're all straight

 

i have a beautiful set of Selena wheels available as well ; )

 

It is because the cars meet euro spec for safety.
They have some rule that the alloy has to be soft enough to crush in an accident instead of launching wheel and tire at a nearby group of girl scouts.
I have had 3 of my four wheels repaired for cracks and dents and curb rash.

 

As with above posts, and from personal experience with '10 XFR, cast OEM wheels are like butter. OTOH, forged 20" wheels on my current XFR-S are problem free after 2 1/2 years of all season driving including this past winter's pothole festival. Nothing beats a quality, forged wheel!

 

yah, just did bend repair on front 20'' selena and 2 welds and a bend repair on rear

 

I had to have a crack welded up on my 20" Volans. I watch for potholes wherever I go now.

 

I cracked a 20" volan on my 09 xf-s. I replaced them with aftermaket.

I have 3 non-cracked volans and one cracked if a member wants to buy

 

by far the worlds worst rims ever. i feel like superman, i can bend the rims just by looking at them