OEM wheels flaking; bead leaks

[Dennis Unsworth]

OEM wheels are flaking where the bead contacts the wheel. New Cooper  
CS4's won't maintain pressure. '03 Allroad 2.7T; 83k miles, new to me  
last summer; OEM 17 x 7.5, 5 spoke wheels. External surface looks  
great and there are no signs of abuse, but 3 of 4 tires won't  
maintain pressure for more than a week. Worst one loses half its  
pressure in 7 - 10 days. Bath confirmed leaking at the bead. There's  
quite a bit of flaking apparent once the tire is removed.

Ever see such a thing? Time to go wheel shopping?

Dennis