Wheelset development at AC Schnitzer
A few definitions in advance
Wheel/complete wheel = rim incl. tyre
Wheel set = 4 wheels
xi/xd wheel sets = special wheel sets for all-wheel drive vehicles (xDrive)
Mixed-sized tyres = tyres wider on the rear axle than on the front axle
All-round tyres = same tyre size on the front and the rear axle
The wheels have a really important role: they are the postcard-sized connection between the vehicle and the road. They play a key role in the driving and propulsion as well as the deceleration - i.e. braking - of your vehicle. This gives the wheels a key role. Anyone who develops and sells wheels therefore has a great responsibility. We are aware of this responsibility; we have internalized it and implement it with every new development.
AC Schnitzer only uses high-quality brand tyres, which are developed in close cooperation with premium tyre manufacturers. On the one hand, the tyres have to transfer the power of the engine perfectly to the road, on the other hand, properties such as braking behaviour, lateral control, water drainage in rain and the properties in straight running are important decision criteria for or against a tyre.
A wheel set with wide base tyres is always also an investment in increasing driving safety and dynamics. In order to maintain driving comfort when using larger wheel dimensions, we at AC Schnitzer have actively opted against run-flat tyres and for sporty, conventional tyres. Conventional tires build up less rolling resistance and offer noticeably more comfort.
AC Schnitzer specialises in mixed-sized tyres, i.e. wheel sets in which the wheels of the rear axle are wider than those of the front axle. This makes sense in terms of driving dynamics, as it allows strong drive forces to be transmitted while at the same time enabling high steering precision. Although the wider a tyre is, the more power you can put on the road, the rolling resistance caused by the tyre must not become too high. As the rolling resistance increases the wider a tyre is, AC Schnitzer works out the wheel dimensions that are balanced.
AC Schnitzer develops special wheel/tyre combinations for all-wheel drive vehicles and orientates itself on the specifications of the vehicle manufacturer. These AC Schnitzer wheel sets are marked "xi/xd". Only those wheel dimensions are developed and approved for all-wheel drive vehicles that are as gentle on transfer cases as standard wheel sets.
All AC Schnitzer wheel sets are tuned in multi-stage driving tests in traffic and on race tracks. Only after successful test runs the wheels are released for sale. All AC Schnitzer wheel sets are delivered fully assembled and balanced. They are subject to a two-year manufacturer's warranty. The scope of delivery includes mounting materials such as adapters and wheel bolts as well as the homologation certificate (with the exception of marked wheelsets for export).
Philosophy/Design
Technical and Visual Revolution: Forged Racing Wheel Type VIII from AC Schnitzer
If light alloy wheels consist of more than one component, they are referred to as multi-piece light alloy wheels. Three-piece AC Schnitzer alloy wheels consist of two rim halves and the wheel star.
The Forged Racing Wheel Type VIII is based on the design of the Type VI wheel but has even more to offer. The genuine three-piece designer product is a revolution in the broad marketplace for popular spoked wheels, and complements perfectly the styling language of BMW.
The visual charm of the rim with its classic 5 double-spoke design comes from the cast, forged and machined inner star and a spoke frame held in anthracite.
The visible bolted connections to the wheel bed are a deliberate visual highlight. At the same time, the stainless steel bolts confirm the multipiece nature and hence the exclusivity of the wheel.
The outer and inner rim beds consist of flow-formed forged metal. Despite the wealth of detail, the multipiece Forged Racing Wheel Type VIII does not look busy, but the simple lines give it a masculine, athletic appearance.
- 3-piece rim
- Visible bolted connection with stainless steel screws
- Outer bed: forged, milled, rolled and clear lacquered
- Inner star: forged, milled and black painted
- Surface turned, clear lacquered
- Inner bed: aluminium block, milled, rolled and Anthracite anodized
- weight reduction through forging technology
- reduction in unsprung mass and gyroscopic forces on the car, therefore
- improved driving dynamics
- better acceleration and deceleration due to lower masses
- improved cornering handling
- striking, slim design in Anthracite and Silver
- high quality clear lacquer protects the wheel against corrosion, therefore
- long life
- exclusive appearance of the Racing Forged rims
Material
Inner star: Forged block of high-strength aluminium
Outer bed: High-strength aluminium
Inner bed: high-strength aluminium
Manufacture
Steps on the way to perfection
Inner star forged
Outer bed deep-drawn, CNC-machined, high-gloss polished and clear lacquered
Inner bed deep-drawn, CNC-machined, anodized
The individual components are connected to each other with high-strength titanium screws.
Surface BiColor Anthracite/Silver
In this process, the wheel is first primed, then completely painted. Now the AC Schnitzer and Forged logos as well as various detail areas, which are later to shine metallically bright, are milled. A two-layer clear coat is then applied, consisting of a polyester primer and the matt acrylic clear coat.
Outer bed / surface
In this process, the outer bed is first polished to a high gloss. A two-layer clear coat is then applied, consisting of a polyester primer and the glossy acrylic clear coat.
Inner bed / Surface
In this process the inner bed is anodized
Test Procedures / Safety
After their design, the first sample rims are manufactured under real production conditions. These must undergo a multitude of tests. Among other things, the strength is tested. The "rim life" is simulated in the bending circumferential test. Every AC Schnitzer rim must withstand this intact in order to be allowed to be produced and sold at all.
This is followed by vehicle-specific tests, including test installations with check of unobstructed movement and driving tests on public roads and on race tracks. Only after these procedures our rims receive their homologation, i.e. the approval to be used in road traffic.
Wheels are safety-relevant components. Therefore, they are checked and tested with the greatest care. This starts with the first chemical material tests and ends with hard testing machine endurance runs:
- § 30 StVZO wheel guideline
- ECE R124
- Bending-rotation tests
- 90° impact test
- unwinding tests
Scope of delivery:
- 4 complete wheels:
AC Schnitzer Type VIII Racing Forged Wheel BiColor Anthracite Silver with premium tyres – mounted and balanced
- pentagonal hub cover with AC Schnitzer logo
- quality tag
- certificate of authenticity
- care instructions
- homologation certificate
Uniqueness of the wheel set with Racing Forged Wheels Type VIII:
- Developed exclusively for BMW vehicles
- Engineered in Germany
- Specially developed for vehicles with high axle and wheel loads
- With exclusive AC Schnitzer, Type VIII and forged lettering
- Compatible with standard RDC system
- Rim also available separately
- Warranty 2 years
- Production monitored according to ISO standard
- BiColor Anthracite/Silver
- KDS mount for wheel alignment according to BMW specification is available