We've Got Bad News About BMW's Epic Center-Lock Wheels

The BMW M Performance parts catalog recently grew to accommodate new center-lock wheels, but it seems these racing-inspired wheels won't be coming to America.

A BMW USA spokesperson told The Drive that the performance wheels will not be available in the United States for now. It could be introduced later, but for now, BMW M2, M3, and M4 owners will have to make do with the standard wheel options.

While North American customers can't get their hands on these desirable wheels, European BMW M car owners will be able to purchase them — but there's a slight problem. Aside from the eye-watering €12,000 (approx. $13,000) price, BMW doesn't include the tools needed to remove the wheels.

Unlike regular wheels, which use four or five lug nuts, center-locking wheels have one large lug that keeps the vehicle fixed to the hub.

As such, they require a special tool to remove the wheels. Strangely, BMW charges its customers extra for a tool like this. Center-locking wheels are favored by performance drivers who hit the track and often need to change the tires. After all, that's the point of them. This design is favored in motorsport, where they can be removed quickly and efficiently, saving time in the pit lane.

There's no word on how much the lug wrench costs, but we'd feel affronted if we had to pay for a tool after forking out $13,000 for new wheels. If customers choose not to get the lug wrench, they'll have to go to a specialist tire shop or BMW dealership whenever they want their wheels or tires changed. It must be a heavy-duty tool, requiring 685 lb-ft of torque to tighten the single lug nut.

And the expenses won't end there, either. Aside from the socket, owners will require a breaker bar to move the socket. In all fairness, the center-locking wheels on a Porsche need the same tools. However, the difference is when you buy a GT3 RS or Turbo S, Porsche at least throws the socket in for free.

If and when these M Performance center-locking wheels are introduced in America, perhaps the German marque would see fit to include the socket as part of the package. In Europe (and other regions), BMW has been known to be rather stingy regarding standard specification, so this is no