Nov 2016 M3/M4 Competition Package change - 437M wheels now available

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by dmk08

How do you figure? You really think the majority of new zcp owners will tick for the 19s? I dont.

Because BMW wouldn't offer the swap out if they were getting the 70% take rate they'd budgeted for. They're not changing up an option package out of kindness, they're doing it because they have data that shows the lower-than-forecasted ZCP buy-up is because of the 666Ms.

And that means there'll be fewer 666Ms and, as judged by this forum, non-scientifically very few people love them BEFORE they bought them which means very few will tick the box.

In any event, the last bit is non-scientific speculation; the first - where BMW changed up the ZCP wheel option - that's fact: a plurality no likey the 666 wheels.

EDIT: personally I'm gonna tick the box for the 666Ms. But then I'm also going to go for the white birch ... because why the fuck not? I'm sick of looking at the same carbon shit. And, if it sucks, I'll just put a piece of duct tape over it - that'll look just as good as the aluminum trim I figure.

[Gibson6594]

Originally Posted by dmk08

How do you figure? You really think the majority of new zcp owners will tick for the 19s? I dont.

Duuude, the 666 wheels are ugly on the F8Xs. Just admit it already.

[KevinM]

Wow, 7 pages of posts because BMW is giving customers another choice. And I just added to it.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Wow, 7 pages of posts because BMW is giving customers another choice. And I just added to it.

Hey, it's a competition. That's why it's called the competition package.

[JoeyBananas]

I just saw another ZCP IN alpine white and I literally went from hating to loving in 3 seconds ��������

[WestBankM4]

The 666m's will make you slowly love them once you've stared too long. Mark of the beast!

[z335is]

So is it possible that there are other "unspoken" changes coming in November that we aren't aware of? Just sayin...

[minn19]

If they are going to do this they might as well let you choose the 18s if you want as well.

[theroadrunner]

666m in solid black should be an option. love the 437m but the half black half silver thing kinda bugs.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by z335is

So is it possible that there are other "unspoken" changes coming in November that we aren't aware of? Just sayin...

November has often been a month of 'silent' production changes.

[ctgeorge]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

For those on the fence about wheel choice, starting 2018, BMW will be offering mixed sets of wheels: 437M in front and 666M in the rear. See spotted LCI mule below:

I couldn't decide, so I run both the 513m & 666m.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by ctgeorge

I couldn't decide, so I run both the 513m & 666m.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

I really don't claim to be an expert, but someone who I really respect told me that 18s are on the sweet spot of the bell curve when it comes to performance. (i.e., 18s are better than 16s, 17s, 19s, and 20s.)

16s, 17s, 18s, 19s, 20s

For maximum grip tires require some sidewall deformation (this is called slip angle) as rims get larger and sidewall gets smaller slip angle will decrease. As the slip angle decreases grip will improve up to the point that the optimum slip angle is reached and then it will start to decrease. I am not sure what the optimum rim size is on an M3/4 but you can't assume that a larger rim equates to better handling as it may very well result in worse handling. My gut feeling is that 19s would be the best choice for an M3/4 but I have no data or test results to back this up so it is speculation based on experience with other cars,

Also keep in mind that while something called "Competition Package" may sound impressive you really do not want to drive a car that is properly set up for the track on the street. The competition package would be more aptly named the "High Performance Package"

As for tires most race cars run soft compound slicks, these tires provide maximum grip in ideal conditions but they can be treacherous in the hands of many drivers. Slicks do not give as much warning as treaded tires when they are about to lose grip and they are treacherous on wet pavement and they are illegal on street cars. Race car drivers can pull into the pits and change to rain tires which is not an option when driving on the street. Race tires also wear out very quickly due to the soft compound.

Ride stiffness is also something that should be taken into consideration. You can not assume that a stiffer ride equates to better handling, particularly on public roads. Even notoriously bumpy tracks like Sebring are smoother than many public roads. It is the job of the suspension to keep the tires in contact with the road surface and if a suspension is not compliant enough the tires will start bouncing and losing contact with the road surface. Obviously a tire that is not in contact with the road is not going to have any grip. There again there is a "sweet spot" for suspension stiffness. As the suspension gets stiffer and less compliant handling will improve until the ideal point (Sweet Spot) is reached and then it will start to deteriorate. The Adaptive M Suspension is in my opinion a great choice as it allows you to choose the overall level of firmness and it is constantly, and virtually instantly, adjusting to conditions.

In any case what is a good choice for the track may very well be a very bad choice for the street.

[tke743]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

But then I'm also going to go for the white birch ... because why the fuck not? I'm sick of looking at the same carbon shit. And, if it sucks, I'll just put a piece of duct tape over it - that'll look just as good as the aluminum trim I figure.

I think it can be argued that it will look better.

[Draper]

Originally Posted by DavidGP

...and both are crippled with tire choices for the track. Why do you think the GT3 Cup cars run 18's. Professional teams dont run 20's. 20's is for show plain and simple. Does it look cool, yes. I am referring to performance. The 19's are much lighter vs. the 20's and have better tire options. This is a fact.

I sure those GT3 cup cars are really missing that crisp turn-in from not using 20's.

The 918 posted a sub-7 minute ring time on 20s (actually 20/21 combo).

Maybe someone should tell Porsche about this thread...

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

It's always and only this: BMW isn't getting the 70% take-rate and they probably have focus group data that shows it's because of the wheels.

The 666s are like Christina Ricci: a plurality don't like them, but some people would pay to hit that.

ROTFLMAO at this analogy.

But so true....

[adc]

Originally Posted by Draper

The 918 posted a sub-7 minute ring time on 20s (actually 20/21 combo).

Maybe someone should tell Porsche about this thread...

I think they did, because their LeMans winning car is not running on dubs.

[sjuhawks19]

On the site you can't configure the car with the black wheels anymore at all. It's either the 20s, the regular 18s, or the silver 19s. The blacks are nowhere to be found.

[z335is]

Originally Posted by sjuhawks19

On the site you can't configure the car with the black wheels anymore at all. It's either the 20s, the regular 18s, or the silver 19s. The blacks are nowhere to be found.

The blacks can still be added on ZCP equipped models. I just modified my order to do just that.

[YMB-M3-J2]

Originally Posted by sjuhawks19

On the site you can't configure the car with the black wheels anymore at all. It's either the 20s, the regular 18s, or the silver 19s. The blacks are nowhere to be found.

I think the configurator is broken or not totally up to date. BMWNA is known for have a really shitty site. It's actually quite sad how many issues they have with it....nevermind the mobile version. That's even worse.

[gblansten]

I'm pretty surprised that going from the 437s to the 666s adds 23.5 pounds of total unsprung weight. That has to make a real world difference. Am I wrong?

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by dmk08

How do you figure? You really think the majority of new zcp owners will tick for the 19s? I dont.

absolutely i think so