BMW Plans Rollout of Carbon Fiber Wheels and More CFRP Components

Dog Face Pony Soldier · 02-20-2014, 10:51 PM

In 10 years metal wheels will probably be looked at as heavy relics of the past.
I think if carbon brakes can deliver the low dust, long life, and high performance they promise, steel brake rotors may eventually go the way of the buggy whip also.

ToyotaBMW · 02-20-2014, 10:57 PM

Don't care if they are going to be $5k or $10k because sh!t is going to hit the fan when the wife curbs them as these most likely won't be repairable.

If I had to take a guess BMW will price these about $6-8k.

georgere · 02-20-2014, 11:08 PM

Good news. Let's see how affordable these will be.

Greenkirby21 · 02-20-2014, 11:22 PM

carbon fiber performance seats??

reborn · 02-20-2014, 11:33 PM

Carbon Revolution has a set out. From what I read on their website they seem pretty amazing. The big downside is that they are 15k for a set.

Www.Carbonrev.com

Paul-Bracq-BMW · 02-21-2014, 12:50 AM

That's the future folks: BMW future cars will be CFRP intensive (5 and 7 series) and I am sure that they will be the leaders in mass produced automobile with this material...

A very interesting article on the reasons why from bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...auto-edge.html

They want to "get the expense of a carbon-fiber frame down to the level of aluminum by 2020"

biglare · 02-21-2014, 01:32 AM

Sick!!!

M5007 · 02-21-2014, 01:37 AM

Safety would have been a concern. But I am sure the engineers at BMW tested the hell out if them.

I know of companies that make CF wheels but the putter diameter is still aluminum.

M5007 · 02-21-2014, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

That's the future folks: BMW future cars will be CFRP intensive (5 and 7 series) and I am sure that they will be the leaders in mass produced automobile with this material...

A very interesting article on the reasons why from bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...auto-edge.html

They want to "get the expense of a carbon-fiber frame down to the level of aluminum by 2020"

That would be awesome.

pruettfan · 02-21-2014, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjayfan

That will depend on a great deal more than just lighter wheels.

Lowering unsprung weight will allow the suspension to react more quickly, and whether it's a sport setup or a luxury setup, I'd suspect that comfort will increase.

Now if they'd just ditch the RFT tires.....

I agree that ride will be dependent upon several factors but reducing unsprung weight is a huge advantage to being able to tune the ride and handling and it has an tremendous impact on braking performance. This can end up being a major performance advantage for BMW.

bavarianride · 02-21-2014, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fravel

I'm an engineer at a test house that specializes in mechanical testing of carbon fiber and composites for the aerospace industry. I can't talk any hard numbers but I will say that I think all the naysayers will be quite surprised when these components come to market. The carbon fiber and composites industry has come a long, long way. CF doesn't shatter like glass, and it typically offers phenomenally better properties than metals (depending on the application).

Regarding curb damage, should you manage to hit them hard enough to get all the way through the clear coat/finishing resin, you would still only be able to damage 1-2 plies worth of carbon at the most. The damage could easily be filled back in with resin and polished back to shine, sure the top weave might be slightly imperfect but it will be very hard to notice. These wheels will have a very large ply count and structural integrity will be unaffected. You'll break suspension bits before you fail one of these wheels.

Does CFRP crack under stress? If so, does hitting a pothole with a CFRP wheel result in a shattered wheel instead of a bent(alloy) wheel?

b0bab0i · 02-21-2014, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianhn1

Anyone remember Dymag about 6-8 years ago?

Yeah, but the centers weren't CF like the Weds Sport wheels.
And these weds sport wheels were ~$12k per set in 2008.

Tåst · 02-21-2014, 02:52 AM

How about oem CF three piece wheel, whit aluminium or forged stainless steel outer rim. That would be nice...

N & M · 02-21-2014, 04:13 AM

Let the lightweight revolution begin! BMW go on a diet and all shall enjoy the sweet taste of improved dynamics (and bragging rights).

Suzi1 · 02-21-2014, 04:15 AM

Yes!!

Christtalite · 02-21-2014, 04:28 AM

Doesn't Moto GP already use full carbon fiber rims on their bikes?? If they do I can see car rims being similar in performance

IS3andME · 02-21-2014, 05:39 AM

Anybody remember that the one and only one M8 had I believe was a hybrid wheel---carbonfiber hub, and metal rim...

cncmastr · 02-21-2014, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

Did I hear spare wheel? Maybe they can have a comeback and we can call it quits on run flats. I would have zero issues with a cf spare wheel.

I can see people ditching the regular wheels just running spare wheels instead.

monkawekrue · 02-21-2014, 06:02 AM

sickkkkkkk

Mavus · 02-21-2014, 06:43 AM

If it works on Boeing 787 you can bet your mother it will work for cars ... or you may bet other members if you like her. BMW and Boeing partnered to buy raw material and produce mass market cf parts. The aerospace and motorsports have many areas of overlap, i.e. parts, weight, aerodynamics, structures ...

gds52 · 02-21-2014, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianhn1

Anyone remember Dymag about 6-8 years ago?

Dymag cf rims with magnesium spokes were for around $10-11k

vladberca · 02-21-2014, 07:16 AM

It's always great to have more performance options

02-20-2014, 10:51 PM	#67
Dog Face Pony Soldier 2006 TIME Person Of The Year 9705 Rep 6,445 Posts Drives: M Sport 335i Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 335i [9.74]	In 10 years metal wheels will probably be looked at as heavy relics of the past. I think if carbon brakes can deliver the low dust, long life, and high performance they promise, steel brake rotors may eventually go the way of the buggy whip also. __________________
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02-20-2014, 10:57 PM	#68
ToyotaBMW Lieutenant 8 Rep 420 Posts Drives: Whitetintedwindows Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Don't care if they are going to be $5k or $10k because sh!t is going to hit the fan when the wife curbs them as these most likely won't be repairable. If I had to take a guess BMW will price these about $6-8k.
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02-20-2014, 11:08 PM	#69
georgere Lieutenant Colonel 588 Rep 1,935 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 BSM Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stamford CT iTrader: (1)	Sounds good Good news. Let's see how affordable these will be. __________________ My 1st love was 2006 BMW 325i Sport + Prem 6MT but I married the 2016 M3 BSM MDCT.
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02-20-2014, 11:22 PM	#70
Greenkirby21 Vrooom :) 329 Rep 2,597 Posts Drives: C7 Stringray Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dream Land iTrader: (1)	carbon fiber performance seats?? __________________ 2014 C7 Corvette Stringray - Laguna Blue - NPP Exhaust - Competition Seats
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02-20-2014, 11:33 PM	#71
reborn Private 10 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	Carbon Revolution has a set out. From what I read on their website they seem pretty amazing. The big downside is that they are 15k for a set. Www.Carbonrev.com
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02-21-2014, 12:50 AM	#72
Paul-Bracq-BMW Moderator 4131 Rep 1,973 Posts Drives: 1981 323i, sports M5, LSD Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	That's the future folks: BMW future cars will be CFRP intensive (5 and 7 series) and I am sure that they will be the leaders in mass produced automobile with this material... A very interesting article on the reasons why from bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...auto-edge.html They want to "get the expense of a carbon-fiber frame down to the level of aluminum by 2020" __________________ 1981 323i, 143 Kashmir-Metallic, 0094 Pergament, Sports M5, LSD.
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02-21-2014, 01:32 AM	#73
biglare Bulldog 485 Rep 3,355 Posts Drives: BMW & Porsche Join Date: May 2008 Location: ? iTrader: (3)	Sick!!! __________________ Prev: Individual F80 M3 - Fjord Blue/Silverstone(interior) \| Fashion Grey(exterior) GTS
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02-21-2014, 01:37 AM	#74
M5007 Major 71 Rep 1,410 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 Competition Package Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	Safety would have been a concern. But I am sure the engineers at BMW tested the hell out if them. I know of companies that make CF wheels but the putter diameter is still aluminum. __________________
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02-21-2014, 02:52 AM	#79
Tåst Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 220 Posts Drives: BMW, I think. Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: FIN iTrader: (0)	How about oem CF three piece wheel, whit aluminium or forged stainless steel outer rim. That would be nice... Last edited by Tåst; 02-21-2014 at 05:11 AM..
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02-21-2014, 04:13 AM	#80
N & M Captain 371 Rep 769 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: The Gulf iTrader: (0)	Yeaha! Let the lightweight revolution begin! BMW go on a diet and all shall enjoy the sweet taste of improved dynamics (and bragging rights).
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02-21-2014, 04:15 AM	#81
Suzi1 New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: E91 55 plate Ti silver Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: W-s-m iTrader: (0)	Yes!!
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02-21-2014, 04:28 AM	#82
Christtalite New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: E36 m3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Doesn't Moto GP already use full carbon fiber rims on their bikes?? If they do I can see car rims being similar in performance
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02-21-2014, 05:39 AM	#83
IS3andME Major 482 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: Lexus IS300 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Anybody remember that the one and only one M8 had I believe was a hybrid wheel---carbonfiber hub, and metal rim...
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02-21-2014, 06:02 AM	#85
monkawekrue Brigadier General 70 Rep 3,214 Posts Drives: f25 X3 AW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: LOS ANGELES, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2004 e46 M3 AW RETIRED [0.00] 2003 e46 M3 CB RETIRED [0.00] 2013 f25 X3 AW [0.00] 2007 e92 328i SG RE ... [0.00] 2007 e90 335i AW RE ... [0.00]	sickkkkkkk __________________
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02-21-2014, 06:43 AM	#86
Mavus Colonel 2287 Rep 2,893 Posts Drives: E90 335i, F80 zcp Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (9)	If it works on Boeing 787 you can bet your mother it will work for cars ... or you may bet other members if you like her. BMW and Boeing partnered to buy raw material and produce mass market cf parts. The aerospace and motorsports have many areas of overlap, i.e. parts, weight, aerodynamics, structures ...
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02-21-2014, 07:16 AM	#88
vladberca Major General 778 Rep 5,567 Posts Drives: '18 octavia 2.0 tdi dsg Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Craiova iTrader: (0)	It's always great to have more performance options
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