AC Schnitzer is the premier high end European performance tuner. They specialize in premium performance and aesthetic parts for BMW, MINI, Jaguar and Land Rover. BMW remains their main focus however. You may have noticed the electric blue AC Schnitzer-modified BMW i8 on display at recent events such as BMW Laval’s M Cars and Coffee and Cars On Fire and we certainly did too.
The company was established in 1987 in Aachen, Germany and actually began as a collaboration with Schnitzer Motorsport to develop bespoke performance accessories for BMW. Schnitzer and AC Schnitzer remain two separate companies despite their shared name and initial collaboration so it’s important not to confuse the two.
AC Schnitzer’s goal is to develop products from the standpoint of racetrack to road using materials that are BMW-quality or better while emphasizing functionality and aesthetics (in that order). Think of it as an ultra-premium product that is one step beyond the M Series brand.
The company holds several records for fastest street legal cars on racetracks across Germany:
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- 150d prototype fastest diesel in Hockenheim
- M2 modified by AC-S, fastest M2 tested on the Sachsenring
- M3 modified by AC-S, fastest sedan on the Sachsenring
- ACL2 prototype (2-series with M4 drivetrain and extensive upgrades) 570HP, VMAX: 330km/h, fastest street-legal BMW around the Nurburgring
Exhausts Systems
AC Schnitzer produces high-performance exhaust systems for most current BMW models including twin tail-pipe and quad-pipe versions for 4-cylinder 3/4 series. Many of them incorporate motorized exhaust flaps for that Jekyll and Hyde personality. All of them are built to the highest standards of fit and finish and provide great flow and sound without droning as they go down the road.
High performance suspension systems
The emphasis is on ride quality and precision. Their credo of “better fast than hard” stems from fact that an overly hard suspension is never the fastest around the track. A suspension needs a certain degree of “give” to keep the wheels planted firmly on the road. Each AC-Schnitzer suspension system is tested and vetted on the road and on the track by engineers and racing drivers and tuned specifically to deliver a great ride despite the vehicle likely having larger wheels and tires. Suspension products are divided into three categories:
Lowering springs: AC-Schnitzer makes a very extensive range for most current BMW models, customized to each application. No one-size-fits-all approach but still very accessibly priced.
Sport suspensions: Springs and shocks for lowered stance, sharper handling and a great ride.
Racing suspensions: Fully-adjustable coilover sets for many applications and can still be used on the street. The race applications are designed for maximum mechanical grip with the most comfortable ride possible. Independent tests that can be found on YouTube show that M3/M4 equipped with these suspensions deliver greater grip and control with better high-speed comfort and body control than BMW’s own M-adaptive suspension.
High performance wheels
Wheels are available in cast, forged or two-piece and range in sizes from 18-23 inches. Cast wheels are comparable quality to BMW OEM wheels. Forged and two-piece designs are stronger and lighter than even BMW’s in-house forged wheels. For example:
- 20-inch forged AC1 wheels are 2kg lighter (each!) than the style 666 M-wheels. That is a massive reduction in unsprung weight delivering a sharper, more tactile, more responsive driving experience.
- The i8 21-inch forged wheel set is lighter than the stock 20-inch wheels. Combined with the lowering springs, an i8 so-equipped feels more planted and responsive but still rides as well as the stock vehicle.
Aerodynamic products
These add-ons are made of « pre-preg » carbon fiber or polyurethane (like OEM). AC Schnitzer undertakes an extensive development program conducted by in-house engineers and designers. Using computer models, clay mock-ups and wind-tunnel testing they obtain TUV certification (a very stringent German regulatory certification) for all their on- road products. Off-road products follow the same process but may not be TUV-certified, generally because of EU pedestrian safety requirements. These products are available for export however and built to the same high standards. They feature unquestionable quality, durability, fit and finish, safely and functionality. To give you an idea of the functionality, the racing wing for the M4 generates a whopping 68 kg of downforce. These are not the types of products developed by a couple of kids in their basement using pirated CAD software and built someplace in the far east. Every AC-Schnitzer product is the fruit of hours and hours of work by engineers, artists and professional testers. Theirs will never be the first products to market nor the least expensive but they will consistently be among the finest quality automotive accessories available.
Where to buy
We just learned that BMW Laval has acquired the exclusive distribution rights for AC Schnitzer in Canada. For more info, email Alfredo at alfredo.diodati@bmwlaval.com. »
