BMW M Performance's Center-Lock Wheels: Elevating The Aesthetics Of BMW M2, M3, and M4
by AutoExpert | 20 November, 2023
Today we'll talk about the ultimate car style statement, which comes in the form of center-lock, motorsport-style alloy wheels. While the stock rims on the BMW M2, M3, and M4 are perfectly fine, the mono-bolt forged alloys from BMW M's Performance Parts program take the allure to a whole new level.
Designed with a Y-spoke pattern, a Jet Black finish, and the distinctive M Performance branding, these wheels, supplied in 19-inch for the front axle and 20-inch for the rear, elevate the visual appeal of the M2 and M3. Priced at €12,000 ($13,000) in Europe, their cost in North America remains undisclosed.
While BMW argues that the new fixing arrangement offers dynamic advantages by reducing rotating masses, the real-world impact on a street car may be negligible. Center-lock wheels were once commonplace in sports cars, often requiring a hide mallet in the trunk for tightening and loosening the eared spinner. The technology gained prominence on race tracks, where quick wheel changes in the pitlane mattered.
However, for roadgoing M cars like the BMW M2, M3, and M4, the absence of a spare wheel and the hefty 686 lb-ft torque required for tightening make such considerations less practical for roadside scenarios. In essence, these wheels are about making a statement, a pose that enthusiasts gladly embrace.