What’s keeping you from using wheel locks?

[PaintPro21]

Am I the only one that feels that current wheel lock offerings for many aftermarket BMW applications are missing key features? Below are the issues I’ve spotted that are holding back many members plus myself from installing them.

What features/needs would have to be met before you’d buy wheel locks for your BMW?

OEM sized locks are readily available in many finishes, but if you look at all the offerings available in the market for the below applications there are only compromised solutions.

Applications that currently have very poor choices:

• Cars that use spacers of any size
• Cars with stud kits (M12 or M14)
• Aftermarket wheels that need smaller tuner bolts
• Anyone that wants a more secure design (i.e. more secure key pattern... not just something you can hammer a socket over)
• Anyone that doesn’t want chrome or silver finishes in combination with any of the above

Current options for above applications

• Available extended length locks come in an unattractive silver finish, not in black, along with a primitive security design.
• All locks on the market come in sets of 4. Most members who use spacers would need two different lengths, resulting in the need for 2 full kits (8 locks purchased) to complete an install.
• Only available M12, open-ended, locking nuts that work with studs come in a chrome finish
• No real option for M14 studs that need open ended locks
• Tuner nuts are not really locking (1 basic socket removes all nuts from that brand, or a regular socket can be made to work)
• Most locks including OEM locks have a low security design (only 1 or a few key patterns, standard socket can again be forced on to remove lock).

Full disclosure: We’re working with the OEM wheel lock/hardware supplier for brands like Porsche, Lotus, Audi, VW, Bentley, Maserati… to develop a solution that fills these voids in the BMW aftermarket. We’d like your help to confirm what’s been missing.

[Nesset]

Whats keeping me from using wheel locks is I have basketweaves.. And uh, no one wants them so bad they are willing to steal them. Although I do agree, I see a lot of build threads with BBS RS's and such without locks. I would be really, really paranoid.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Whats keeping me from using wheel locks is I have black steel e30 wheels and e30 hub caps. And uh, no one wants them so bad they are willing to steal them.

[dsphil]

Whats keeping me from using wheel locks is I have 14" bottlecaps. And uh, no one wants them so bad they are willing to steal them.

[agent]

All the reasons listed in the OP. I'm very interested to see more/better options.

[ST1G]

What's keeping me from using wheel locks is my car being so low to the ground. Ain't nobody got a jack that fits under there.

[Vincent Brick]

I don't use them because of long wheel studs, though I should due to daily driving on real Alpinas. I've thought about getting the open-end 7-sided lug nuts like I had one one of my old cars.

My long studs are my wheel locks, those fools would be there forever if they don't have power tools.

[PaintPro21]

I don't use them because of long wheel studs, though I should due to daily driving on real Alpinas. I've thought about getting the open-end 7-sided lug nuts like I had one one of my old cars.

My long studs are my wheel locks, those fools would be there forever if they don't have power tools.

90mm stud conversion?

[DER E30]

Stud kit+spacers. Also cheap Rota wheels...

One day I will get real BBS and then will be looking for a solution...

[fanofe30s]

I'd want to, but I haven't really found anything that fits under the hubcaps; plus I'm using adapters.

[TobyB]

I don't use them because when I do, I lose the key, have to hammer them off, and then
realize how easy they are to defeat.

And then I realize that a set of 14" Libres isn't really what the kids want this year, anyway.

t

[PaintPro21]

I'd want to, but I haven't really found anything that fits under the hubcaps; plus I'm using adapters.

Thick spacer style adapters that bolt on, and then you bolt your wheels into the spacer?

Does regular oem wheel hardware clear your hubcaps?

[varg]

What's keeping me from using wheel locks is my car being so low to the ground. Ain't nobody got a jack that fits under there.

The car in your sig? a long reach jack would get it up by the diff, trailing arm or spare tire well.

[mr2peak]

Ronal LS wheels have the best design. A cap that requires a real key. Defeating that means either sweet lock picking skills, or ruining the wheels you're trying to steal.

[Todd Black 88]

My three piece ACT are the same. A real key is needed to remove the center cap.

The only reason I don't use wheel locks though, is how easy they are to defeat.