Making a statement!
Center-lock wheels — they are all the rage! And BMW has taken note! They are now offering them for the M2, M3 and M4, not quite yet for America. These are the same wheels as the 3.0 CLS, but their matte black finish is one of the main ways they stand apart.
This new center-locking wheel design has been added to BMW’s line of factory-developed performance parts. Drivers now have the ability to install them on their road-going BMW’s, where quick pit stops are not necessary!
This option, which turns a boring act of changing wheels into something much more thrilling, is courtesy of BMW’s M Performance Parts catalog and offered for ordinary M cars, making them not so ordinary anymore!
As far as size, the center lock wheels are only offered in one staggered size setup. That is 19 inches up front and 20 at the rear, with 275/35 ZR19 and 285/30 ZR20 tire sizes, respectively.
The cool matte black is a standout, and, as the wheel’s title makes clear, they connect to the hub via a single, massive lug in the center of the wheel. This is opposed to the typical five smaller ones. This single, dominating central nut is like the superhero version of lug nuts, boasting a torque rating of 686-pound-feet.
These wheels, which are lightweight forged units, feature a Y-spoke design as well as a subtle milled “M Performance” logo, which speaks volumes! A heavy-duty wrench is needed to tighten them, and the central screw needs to be torqued to 686 pound-feet to securely hold the wheel.
While these wheels won’t improve handling or make things easier for those drivers who swap their track wheels and tires on and off regularly, they look downright cool, and for many, that’s reason enough to make the change! But, looks aside, they do help reduce rotating masses.
While the wheels will go on sale across Europe at some point soon, pricing is not yet revealed. It is expected that European customers will be set back 12,000 euros or $13,000. And while these wheels are not yet available in the United States, it is hoped that BMW will begin selling them at some point next year.
In addition to these wheels, the BMW M Performance Parts program features a treasure of other fun enhancements to spruce up your M. That includes everything from suspension and driveline components to a wide range of carbon fiber parts for aesthetic and functional upgrades.
Considered the unsung hero of speedy pit stops, the center lock wheels are truly a statement in clean, sleek style and are all things cool. While not available this year in the United States, drivers need to be patient. For the M2, M3 and M4, making a statement is now a reality!