[charpour]

Hi all,

I am a (very) happy new owner of a 330d, what a fantastic car!
As a new owner though, I want to make sure that my car is as safe as possible and I've been looking around for some good quality locking wheel bolts to further secure my wheels.

The wheels can be seen in the below image (19' 442m orbit grey ):



Any idea what size the bolts should be, where to buy from and which ones (Europe)?

I've heard Gorilla and McGard are good ones but not sure if they can be found in Europe?

Thank you for your time!

[ErkanTR16]

Congratulations on your New purchase съсед.

Try searching Amazon or Ebay.

[Billfitz]

It looks like you already have McGards on them. Don't be too concerned about the 'quality' of locking bolts. Anything will deter an amateur from trying to steal your wheels, while nothing will stop a professional.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

It looks like you already have McGards on them. Don't be too concerned about the 'quality' of locking bolts. Anything will deter an amateur from trying to steal your wheels, while nothing will stop a professional.

This. I don't know what a McGard is, I see the OEM lock on there. (Google shows maybe that's who makes the OEM one, or the OEM one uses the same style of lock)

That will deter a stupid kid or whoever it is that tries to steal wheels these days.

Someone who is a pro (sucks that these people even exist) will just figure something out, whatever they do.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by smithf32

Someone who is a pro (sucks that these people even exist) will just figure something out, whatever they do.

There are tools for shops to get them off in case the owner has lost the key and the code to get a new key. Professional thieves can obtain those tools as easily as a shop can.
That lock is McGard, which BMW has recently started to use as OEM.

[Level3]

When I first got my car I had M Performance Brake kit installed. The shop I originally took it to have the brakes installed couldn't get the lock bolt off even the first wheel. Gave up after an hour. Had to go to BMW to order another lock key for my car. Seems like they're pretty secure. Dunno.

[charpour]

Thank you all for your replies. In case I need to buy some additional though, any ideas what size I should be looking for (cone seat, shaft length, I have no idea what that's all about)?

Thank you!

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Level3

When I first got my car I had M Performance Brake kit installed. The shop I originally took it to have the brakes installed couldn't get the lock bolt off even the first wheel.

I guess they didn't have one of these:
http://www.kentool.com/index.php/pro...ece-kit-detail

[Dang3r]

Normally you'll get with the bolt set a special nut just for the boltheads. Be clever and carry it with you during your rides, in fact you got a tire bang or flat, any automobile help service would be glad you have it with you.
What other people stated are correct, any pro thief is able to steal your wheels and you cant do nothing. Sad but truth.

[Level3]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I guess they didn't have one of these:
http://www.kentool.com/index.php/pro...ece-kit-detail

They tried something similar... it didn't work though. He was sure it would. I told him... yeah, I don't have the nut key. He said no worries. We can get it off. They failed.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Level3

They tried something similar... it didn't work though.

I had a dealer lose my key once, didn't discover it until the next time I wanted to rotate my tires. He got the locks off, but destroyed them in the process. When I ordered my McGards this time I got a spare key, one's in the car, the other safely stored in my garage. Even so now when I take the car in for service that requires removing the wheels I take the locks off and put the standard bolts on. Wheel locks and a grease monkey with an impact wrench is a recipe for trouble.

[charpour]

but how can I figure out which size I need?

[Dang3r]

What do you mean which size? If doubt or just turn out a bolt, go to the shop and buy the correct set.

[str86diesel]

Originally Posted by charpour

but how can I figure out which size I need?

14x1.25

http://www.mcgard.com/index.php/comp...=335i%20xDrive

[charpour]

Originally Posted by str86diesel

14x1.25

http://www.mcgard.com/index.php/comp...=335i%20xDrive

Thanks so much for your reply. It appears that 14.x1.25 is the right size for the wheel. Is there some special requirement with regard to the size of the bolt (e.g. Overall Length/Shank Length) ?

Thank you!

[charpour]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

What do you mean which size? If doubt or just turn out a bolt, go to the shop and buy the correct set.

I need to order online as they don't have the ones I need over here (Mcgard/gorilla). Furthermore, If I take one out then I have to apply the correct torque wrench which I'm not quite sure how to do!

Where in the manual is such information specified (regarding the size of the bolt/type and so on)?

[str86diesel]

Originally Posted by charpour

I need to order online as they don't have the ones I need over here (Mcgard/gorilla). Furthermore, If I take one out then I have to apply the correct torque wrench which I'm not quite sure how to do!

Where in the manual is such information specified (regarding the size of the bolt/type and so on)?

Just to clarify. The picture in the original post already shows wheel locks in place. Are these not working or is there a need to replace them?

[pjohns21]

Throw them away. I have spent hours at the dealership trying to prove which lock key I had and getting wheels off free of charge because anyone and their mother with a torque wrench could rip the lock key in two because they're made of out of some incompetent alloy which cannot stand a few ft lbs of twist here and there... waste of time and money! If someone cannot get to your rims they will go for the catalytic converter... Being as safe as possible allows for the individual with a gun to blow your head off to get what they want when they want it... Also, you know you are driving a rolling liability- anyone and their mother (again) could crash into you at any moment and ruin your precious investment. Therefore, you shouldn't have that much invested into something that depreciates so quickly and is liable to instant catastrophe. Sorry, but a vehicle that you drive several days a week does not make much sense in terms of capital and investments- a savings account may be a better option for you.

[charpour]

Originally Posted by str86diesel

Just to clarify. The picture in the original post already shows wheel locks in place. Are these not working or is there a need to replace them?

I'd like to add a second one (different key) to make it more secure. Doesn't that sound like a good idea?

[charpour]

Originally Posted by pjohns21

Throw them away. I have spent hours at the dealership trying to prove which lock key I had and getting wheels off free of charge because anyone and their mother with a torque wrench could rip the lock key in two because they're made of out of some incompetent alloy which cannot stand a few ft lbs of twist here and there... waste of time and money! If someone cannot get to your rims they will go for the catalytic converter... Being as safe as possible allows for the individual with a gun to blow your head off to get what they want when they want it... Also, you know you are driving a rolling liability- anyone and their mother (again) could crash into you at any moment and ruin your precious investment. Therefore, you shouldn't have that much invested into something that depreciates so quickly and is liable to instant catastrophe. Sorry, but a vehicle that you drive several days a week does not make much sense in terms of capital and investments- a savings account may be a better option for you.

I don't think that thieves would want to get physical to steal something, perhaps in that case they'd go for an easier target. Moreover, I don't see a car purpchase as an investement. It's something that you buy for yourself to enjoy. I don't see why trying to make it as safe as possible would be a bad thing...

[str86diesel]

Originally Posted by charpour

I'd like to add a second one (different key) to make it more secure. Doesn't that sound like a good idea?

Personally, I wouldn't waste the money. They are just a deterrent and can be removed if someone really wanted.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by charpour

I'd like to add a second one (different key) to make it more secure. Doesn't that sound like a good idea?

If they can remove one they can remove two. Don't bother.