Aachen, Germany-based AC Schnitzer is a third-party tuning business that specializes on BMW and MINI automobiles as well as BMW motorbikes.
Herbert Schnitzer and Willi Kohl founded the company in 1987. Its product line now includes a motorcycle division and tuning for BMW, Mini, and Land Rover cars. The company has a facility in Aachen that houses various automotive companies, boutiques, and an upscale restaurant in addition to its customizing business. Although the corporation has connections to Schnitzer Motorsport, it is legally and financially an own entity. As a member of the Kohl Group, AC Schnitzer
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V8 Roadster by AC Schnitzer (BMW Z3)
The roadster designed by AC Schnitzer was a concept based on the 1997 BMW Z3 2.8i. The tuner not only installed a V8 from a BMW 540i inside the Z3, but they also balanced the crankshaft, installed their own bespoke camshafts, and created a custom high-performance exhaust system. It accelerated the roadster from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and produced 310 horsepower (24 more than the standard engine). The 540i’s suspension was thoroughly modified, and it also had a short shifter and a body package that increased aerodynamics and let more air into the cooling system.
Performance of the AC Schnitzer-tuned BMW M240i is improved in subtle ways.
- The newest BMW 2-Series chassis has been upgraded by AC Schnitzer with greater power, improved suspension, and custom wheels.
- The German tuning team from Aachen sought to produce a daily-drivable M240i with track capability and usable downforce.
- Although prices have not yet been disclosed, performance kits and individual pieces are anticipated to be made available by August 2022.
The engineers at AC Schnitzer have officially improved the performance of BMW’s newest lineup of 2-Series coupes. The company’s most recent endeavor, which builds on 35 years of in-house custom tuning in Aachen, is centered on the boxy, brand-new G42 2-Series. With decades of modification experience, AC Schnitzer has come to the conclusion that subtlety always prevails, as evidenced by the company’s take on an upgraded M240i.
It’s definitely not dull with an increase in power to 420 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine is piped out through carbon-fiber exhaust tips on an unique stainless steel exhaust system. The exhaust and intake improvements, when coupled with an AC Schnitzer control unit, result in a 12% boost in horsepower and a 17% boost in torque.
Although the M240i is equipped with BMW’s adaptive dampers, the modified coupe focused on a lower center of gravity and improved stance. The business chose to remove the adaptive dampers in favor of pre-valved shocks that had been tested on the Nurburgring and to employ lowering springs to achieve a 20–25mm drop front and rear. A pair of AC4 Flow wheels made by AC Schnitzer complement the reduced stance. Building 20-inch wheels with 245/255 staggered front and back tire configurations. The expanded stance is advised, along with a 12mm wheel spacer.
Enhancing aerodynamics was another important component of the AC Schnitzer upgrades because the M240i was designed in a boxy manner. A front splitter and two-piece rear spoiler balance out the visual presence and add downforce at each end in addition to reducing the stance and broadening the track. Although it may be difficult to envisage aftermarket aerodynamic components flowing neatly into a relatively unremarkable road car, Aachen’s engineers are definitely skilled at mixing bodywork and paint-matching.
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Few of the old 2-Series touch points are still present inside, despite the modest exterior. A 365mm leather and Alcantara wheel made by the firm has replaced the factory steering wheel. In order to aid drivers in orienting the wheel position during furious driving, the redesigned wheel has deep grips on the right and left for the driver’s thumbs and an AC Schnitzer emblem for the center mark. The unique steering wheel is paired with aluminum shift paddles, and aluminum pedals are also an option.
When it goes on sale in August 2022, the AC Schnitzer offers will be available as complete vehicles or in separate components. When it comes to aftermarket components, AC Schnitzer is difficult to beat in terms of quality, and a few parts come with two to five year warranties. The revised M240i appears to be capable of achieving the goal of everyday practicality and a high level of sportiness, which is stressed in the company’s publicity materials.
E. M. White
Emmet White, a native of the Pacific Northwest who relocated to New York, is passionate about anything that moves, including cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and airplanes.
Also available are lowering springs.
With decades of experience tuning BMWs, AC Schnitzer is showcasing a whole line of parts for the i4 EV. Due to the sports coupe’s electric propulsion, the business is unable to alter the engine or exhaust as usual. Instead, it concentrates on modifying the appearance and suspension.
New springs that lower the vehicle’s ride height are among the components. With the parts installed, the i4’s front is 0.78 inches (20 millimeters) lower and its back is 0.98 inches lower (25 millimeters).
With a new upgrade package, AC Schnitzer commemorates 35 years of tuning BMW vehicles.
The 35th anniversary of AC Schnitzer is being commemorated by the introduction of an unique upgrade package for a variety of models.
The tuner will sell vehicles with its optional front splitter and side skirts as part of its “35 Years Upgrades” program. The front splitter and side skirts are painted in gloss black as part of the enhancements, and the vehicles also receive ’35 Years AC Schnitzer’ decals.
A BMW 3-Series Touring, 4-Series Convertible, and 5-Series have all included the enhancements. The front splitter and side skirts that the tuner offers have been installed on the white 3-Series in the image, along with the 35 Years decals. In order to further enhance this 3-Series Touring’s outstanding appearance, AC Schnitzer also fitted it with two distinct sets of aftermarket wheels.
The 4-Series Convertible on display also features the same modifications, including new side skirts, a front splitter, and decals. The wheels are the same as those on the 3-Series Estate.
The BMW 5-Series has received the biggest improvements, including a new front splitter, side skirts, and updated front spoiler components.
Since 1987, AC Schnitzer has sold improvements for Toyota, BMW, and Mini cars. The company is known for providing some of the best-engineered tuning packages available. The business mentions in a news release that Auto Motor und Sport readers have chosen it 16 times in a row as the finest BMW tuner.
Is AC Schnitzer authorized by BMW?
No, only components imported and sold by BMW GB are considered “BMW Approved.” Up until 2007, when BMW developed their own line of accessories called BMW M Performance, AC Schnitzer was the dominant accessory brand in the UK. Rossiters Ltd. started importing AC Schnitzer at this point.
Schnitzer BMW: What is it?
The German racing team Schnitzer Motorsport was situated in Freilassing, close to Munich. The team has run an automobile racing squad for BMW since its inception and has achieved outstanding results in the touring car and sports car racing sectors. Frequently, the squad races the vehicles for BMW under the name “BMW Motorsport.” Under the moniker “BMW Team Schnitzer” in 2012, the team ran the DTM team for BMW.
BMW stated on December 4th, 2020, that it will end its more than 50-year partnership with Schnitzer Motorsport.
Can the BMW warranty be voided by AC Schnitzer?
You don’t always need it, and it isn’t really that significant. But if you require it and it isn’t available, that is an issue. Fortunately, AC Schnitzer rarely needs a warranty because we place a high value on quality. In theory, the manufacturer’s warranty on every AC Schnitzer product sold in the UK lasts for two years, or the remaining three years of the BMW guarantee, whichever comes first.
The essential warranty obligation of BMW AG in connection to the entire vehicle is unaffected by modifications using AC Schnitzer components. Only in the exceptional circumstance of a claim directly related to an AC Schnitzer component may the BMW warranty be excluded. Therefore, vehicles modified with AC Schnitzer parts are not necessarily disqualified from the BMW warranty.
A three year guarantee (or up to 100,000 km / 60,000 km for M vehicles) from the date of first registration is offered by AC Schnitzer for performance improvements in the UK and Ireland.
This warranty is offered without cost. So that you, the customer, are protected, we will step in if a problem arises with your car that has an AC Schnitzer performance modification for which BMW is not responsible.
What values does AC Schnitzer uphold?
Willi Kohl and Herbert Schnitzer established AC Schnitzer in 1987. The parent firm Kohl automotive GmbH and the dealership were situated on Neuenhofstrasse in Aachen; the ‘AC’ in the company’s name refers for Aachen, which is why many people shorten it to ‘Schnitzer’.
How can you recognize a genuine AC Schnitzer?
This is a question we are frequently asked, sometimes in reference to a vehicle that is up for sale or that was recently purchased. There is no straightforward response to this query, but keep reading as we make an attempt to clarify.
Despite having connections to BMW, AC Schnitzer is an aftermarket company (AC Schnitzer is part of the Kohl Group, owners of one of the largest BMW dealer groups in Germany). However, all AC Schnitzer vehicles leave the manufacturer as completely assembled standard vehicles, in contrast to Alpina vehicles, which are partially manufactured at the BMW factory before being finalized at Alpina. Then, at a BMW dealership when they are brand-new or at a later time in the vehicle’s lifespan, they can be modified to AC Schnitzer specifications.
There is no set standard for an AC Schnitzer car because owners can select from our selection of components for each vehicle. Some owners spend their money on aerodynamic wheels and equipment because they desire “the look”. Others will choose suspension and engine modifications because they seek improved dynamic performance. In their pursuit of a full AC Schnitzer, devoted enthusiasts will purchase the entire set – everything we have to offer.
How do we know what has been done to an AC Schnitzer automobile 20 years from now?
Importers of AC Schnitzer products, BMW dealers, independent dealers, and occasionally automobile owners can install AC Schnitzer parts. Of course, AC Schnitzer parts can be installed, taken out, or replaced at any point during the lifespan of the vehicle. Consequently, the only way to determine whether AC Schnitzer components are still installed in an automobile is by visual inspection.
If you’re lucky, the automobile will have a large file of paperwork that includes receipts for every service performed. But this is uncommon. You’ll probably need to conduct some investigation.
Genuine AC Schnitzer components almost always (99% of the time) include our part numbers. The part number for AC Schnitzer wheels begins with “36” and is located on the back. Beginning with 51, spoilers begin, and 31 or 33, suspension. Soon, we’ll write more about part numbers. Anywhere you see the AC Schnitzer emblem, search for our part numbers there.
We always appreciate photos you send us. We may occasionally be familiar with the vehicle, but more often than not, it has been modified elsewhere utilizing our or BMW GB-supplied parts (who were the importers of AC Schnitzer in the UK from 1997 – 2007). In any event, we’ll be able to identify what we think you’re looking at and perhaps even point out some components that we know aren’t authentic.
Ordering from AC Schnitzer: What do I do?
You can place an order with us in the AC Schnitzer Motorrad-Technik Shop by phone, fax, email, or online. Placing an order through the AC Schnitzer Motorrad-Technik Shop is the quickest and safest approach.