M3 Wheel Question - DSII or LTW?

[blak blur]

I thought only stamped wheels are forged. Correct me if I'm wrong.

DS2 wheels are very inexpensive here in the US, so it would be an easy trade. Are they authentic LTW wheels? If so, the LTW wheels are the better deal as they are true forged wheels.

[bluptgm3]

I thought only stamped wheels are forged. Correct me if I'm wrong.

There are three forged double five spoke wheels, two were offered on production cars for USA market.
The painted, “BMW””Motorsports” embossed (1995 LWT)
The polished, non-embossed (1996+M3)
The polished, “BMW””Motorsports” embossed (Euro)


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[Braymond141]

I thought only stamped wheels are forged. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You are wrong and have been corrected (jokingly). Additionally they are made by Fuchs who are known for their forged Porsche wheels.

- - - Updated - - -

There are three forged double five spoke wheels, two were offered on production cars for USA market.
The painted, “BMW””Motorsports” embossed (1995 LWT)
The polished, non-embossed (1996+M3)
The polished, “BMW””Motorsports” embossed (Euro)


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The painted, “BMW””Motorsports” embossed (1995 LWT)
The polished, non-embossed (1996+M3)
The polished, “BMW””Motorsports” embossed (Euro)

Painted and Stamped are not exclusive to the Lightweight M3, nor were they an introduction on that car.
Polished and Stamped are exclusive to the M3 GT only. "Euro" is not an appropriate descriptor.

[bluptgm3]

You are wrong and have been corrected (jokingly).

The painted, “BMW””Motorsports” embossed (1995 LWT)
The polished, non-embossed (1996+M3)
The polished, “BMW””Motorsports” embossed (Euro)

Painted and Stamped are not exclusive to the Lightweight M3, nor were they an introduction on that car.

Right, offered as an optional wheel on pedestrian M3s, however the LWT introduction is generally accepted/recognized as the US model that introduced them in the US, as the ‘pedestrian’ 1995 M3 was generally shipped with ‘square’ Double-Spokes, possibly ‘square’ Contours.

Polished and Stamped are exclusive to the M3 GT only. "Euro" is not an appropriate descriptor.

Fair, but the GT didn’t come to the US or NA (Canada). Did the GT delivered Green throughout the world, except red in the UK and Australia. No US delivery.

While these are apparently ALL Style 24 wheels, here is an artifact from realoem indicating them as
“M Double-Spoke, Forged”


And here is a second artifact indicating these as
“M Double-Spoke, Polished (Style 24)”



BMW painted/embossed Style 24 wheels were first introduced in 1994 as an optional wheel for the E36 M3. These wheels came standard on the limited production E36 M3 LTW in 1995 which is the model M3 that made these wheels gain some real recognition.

Style 24's came only in 17-inch diameter with 7.5 inch wide fronts and 8.5 inch wide rears. The offset is ET+41 and each front wheel weighs 8.94 kg (19.71 lbs) with the rears weighing 9.48 kg (20.90 lbs) each. Although an inch difference in width, both the front and rear wheels use the same tire dimensions of 235/40-17. Each wheel produced was individually inspected using X-ray and precision balanced after forging and machining, as a result some wheels show evidence of grinding on the inside to get true balance.

The pre face-lift E36 M3 (3.0L S50 engine 1994 - 1995) had a slightly different version of wheel than the face-lift E36 M3 (3.2L S52 engine 1996 - 1999).

It is worth knowing what to look for in differences if you are in the market for a set. Let's get into the details of what makes the wheel.

Style 24 Wheel Details

The 1994 - 1995 wheel has the "BMW MOTORSPORT" stamp on the outside of the wheel. Only offered in US with a painted silver finish or as the polished GT wheel outside the US.
The 1995 - 1999 wheel has the "M" badge decal below the center cap. Only offered polished.
Has BMW stamped on the inside of the spoke.

Style 24 Manufacturer Stamp Codes

A 3 digit stamp exists on the outside of the wheel next to the valve stem, the 3 digits decode to:
350 : original painted front rim
360 : original painted rear rim

759 : original polished front rim M3 GT only
760 : original polished rear rim M3 GT only

850 : later polished front rim face lift
860 : later polished rear rim face lift

851 : later polished 7.5" rim convertible

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