number on wheels

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vricardo - 06 Mar 2006 12:50 GMT

Hi all!

I was wondering what is the meaning of the number on my BMW original 16''
1999 E39 wheels, on the outside, near the air inflation ... thing (sorry,
English is NOT my main language).
I know it's not any size, the sizes are inside as well as the part number
for the wheel.

Thanks!

Vasco

99 E39

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Pete - 06 Mar 2006 17:10 GMT

> I was wondering what is the meaning of the number on my BMW original 16''
> 1999 E39 wheels, on the outside, near the air inflation ... thing (sorry,
> English is NOT my main language).

Well, if you could tell us what is written there, it may be easier for us to
take a guess as to what it means.

Pete

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vricardo - 07 Mar 2006 09:48 GMT

Thanks Pete, but it's just a number: my wheels are all 5, but I've seen
some 4, 7 and some 10s. Can they be mixed?

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Mike G - 06 Mar 2006 21:57 GMT

> Hi all!
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I know it's not any size, the sizes are inside as well as the part number
> for the wheel.

Could be a casting number. Related to a batch of castings or a pattern
number.
Enables trackback if any faults develop.
Mike.

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vricardo - 07 Mar 2006 10:33 GMT

Thanks Mike. And can they be mixed?

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Mike G - 07 Mar 2006 17:59 GMT

> Thanks Mike. And can they be mixed?

If it is a pattern or batch casting mark. Sure. Regardless of the batch
number, all the wheels of a specific design and size would be the same.
The batch number would only be used if a fault was later found on a wheel.
They could then maybe recall or check all the wheels manufactured in the
same production run, in case the fault affected the whole batch.
Mike.

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vricardo - 07 Mar 2006 21:28 GMT

Thanks again Mike!

Maybe it is, as you say, just a batch number. But why on earth would BMW
put a internal check code on the outside of the wheel if all the others
(part number and size) are on the inside?

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