Friday 17th November 2023

Check out BMW's new centrelock wheels for the M2

BMW's standard wheels for the M2 are a bit meh - this is more like it

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Wheels and tyres are usually top of the list when it comes to modifying. There’s the potential performance improvement through both less weight and enhanced grip, plus a look that’s more to your taste, which is just as important. Previously renowned for their standard wheel design, some of BMW’s showroom-spec rims haven’t been so inspiring of late - just as the best stuff is saved for the M Performance Catalogue. Hmm.

The M2 is the latest M car to get some direct motorsport influence made optionally available, with forged centrelock wheels. You might say a tad over the top for a road car - they’re useful for quicker wheel changes and shorter pit stops - but they do look fantastic. And will save some precious kilos from the unsprung, rotating mass. They’re the standard size, too: 275/35 ZR 19 up front, and 285/30 ZR 20 behind. Disappointingly, they’re sold in black, but that could be sorted. When it comes to changes, a torque of 930Nm is required, so make sure Kwik Fit knows that. Inspired by the wheels of last year’s 3.0 CSL, these centrelocks are available for the M2, M3 and M4. Yes, including the Touring.

But you’re probably done looking at the wheels, right? Because this is the completely kitted-out M Performance Parts M2, out in the real world after some studio shots issued a year ago. In Zandvoort Blue, for maximum impact - it’s like BMW knew that AC Schnitzer had something to show this week. The notable bits include carbon fibre-reinforced plastic add-ons at the front, rear and side, the touring car-style spoiler and the strange slats. There aren’t interior images yet - expect plenty of carbon and Alcantara. Don’t forget there’s a brake and suspension upgrade, too, so it isn’t all cosmetic.

BMW’s UK press release says its info has been directly copied from the German equivalent, so it’s not clear what might be available in the UK and what it’ll cost. Bear in mind that the M Performance wheels currently offered here for the M2 start from £5,450 and it’s clear the centrelocks won’t be a minor purchase. The best bits never were when it comes to modifying. Just maybe steer clear of the carbon…

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• BMW M2 Competition (F87) | PH Heroes
• AC Schnitzer goes to town on BMW M2

[Turbobanana]

Lovely wheels.

Shame about the warty, fussy add-ons that blight the rest of the car.

[cerb4.5lee]

They are a nice looking wheel I reckon, although I think that I would prefer them in either silver or gunmetal grey as opposed to black though.

[Motormouth88]

It pains me to say it…but…I quite like it now

[thegreenhell]

Nobody with any sense would choose to have centrelocks on a road car. Totally impractical.

[brillomaster]

930Nm is an insane amount of torque. you definitely aren't changing them yourself, and i reckon there are only a handful to tyre places (likely pirelli premium places that are used to dealing with porsche GT products or other supercars) that'll be able to change them.

yes having one wheel nut is great, but when that one nut needs more torque than 5 normal ones combined... nah.

[M3_Simon_Fr]

Oh my god, could it BE more hideous?

[Roger Irrelevant]

I'm not sure I can take much more of this excitement - first it was Porsche bringing out grey badges, now BMW have got some centre lock wheels, next it'll be Mercedes revealing some new door handles that are slightly different from the ones they had before, at which point I expect I'll pass out.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Looks like what happens when you bolt every additional wing, splitter, sideskirt etc on in Forza Horizon. I may live in the past but give me a tidy E46 M3 and the change over this any day of the week.

[MightyBadger]

hahahahah those arch thingies

[Om]

More strakes, slashes and scars than Edward Scissorhands' penis. Is there no value in simplicity any longer?

[cowboyengineer]

thegreenhell said:

Nobody with any sense would choose to have centrelocks on a road car. Totally impractical.

I’ve done 40000 miles in cars with centre locks. Never had an issue. How many issues have you had?

[Robertb]

It’s ok, but I think it needs more stuck-on bits of black plastic.

Maybe even a plastic card in the spokes so it goes “rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr’ as it goes along.

[Jonno02]

cowboyengineer said:

I’ve done 40000 miles in cars with centre locks. Never had an issue. How many issues have you had?

Well, at 930Nm I'd imagine most tyre fitters are a no-go. And good luck changing any brake components yourself.

[NGK210]

930Nm!
In other words: for new tyres, swapping winter / summer tyres, any maintenance or servicing that needs wheel removal, you’re pretty much locked-in to using a main dealer because “it needs a special tool, squire”.
Cynical feckers.

[camel_landy]

NGK210 said:

930Nm!
In other words: for new tyres, swapping winter / summer tyres, any maintenance or servicing that needs wheel removal, you’re pretty much locked-in to using a main dealer because “it needs a special tool, squire”.
Cynical feckers.

Or even just a simple puncture.

M

[Magikarp]

If anything merited a doubly exclaimed "Behold", it's this. Missed opportunity.

[Alias218]

I’m sure BMW will provide a torque multiplier box for a reasonable cost when it comes to home spnnering… either that or a 30ft long torque wrench. Good grief that’s a lot of torque.

And regarding the car itself… good grief to that too. BMW really are churning out some utter turds aesthetically at the moment.

[fantheman80]

camel_landy said:

NGK210 said:

930Nm!
In other words: for new tyres, swapping winter / summer tyres, any maintenance or servicing that needs wheel removal, you’re pretty much locked-in to using a main dealer because “it needs a special tool, squire”.
Cynical feckers.

Or even just a simple puncture.

M

I am guessing cars with centre lock wheels are normally a bit special and don't carry a space saver so it would be a rescue jobie each time anyway. Home, then trailer to the dealer

[Augustus Windsock]

Behold!
Another grotesque design to add to the hideousness that is the new M2, brought to you by the design studio of ‘R Charles & S Wonder’….

[anonymous-user]

Motormouth88 said:

It pains me to say it…but…I quite like it now

My neighbour has got one recently, and I'm coming round to the same opinion. It's the proportions and stance really, just looks quite aggressive. There is some very iffy detailing, but I can get past that.