The new BMW iX3 is barely beginning its life as the first production model of BMW’s Neue Klasse era, and the aftermarket has already arrived. AC Schnitzer now offers its first upgrades for the iX3 NA5.
Don’t expect a 600-hp power kit or a fake exhaust system. For now, the Aachen tuner is concentrating on wheels and interior accessories, which raises a more interesting question anyway.
How much sense do 22-inch aftermarket wheels make on an electric SUV where efficiency matters?
AC Schnitzer offers two main designs for the iX3: AC5 Flowforming and AC2 alloys. Both measure 22 inches and are available with staggered tire configurations.
The AC5 is probably the more interesting of the two. Its open five-spoke design leaves plenty of the brakes visible, and buyers can choose BiColor silver/black or an all-black finish. AC Schnitzer uses flow-forming production to reduce weight compared with a conventional cast wheel.
One AC5 rim weighs around 17.8 kg according to the tuner.
A complete AC5 wheel-and-tire package with Hankook rubber is currently listed at €4,990 including German VAT, down from €5,490. The package comes assembled and balanced and includes tire-pressure sensors plus the required mounting hardware.
That’s not pocket change. But anyone considering 22-inch wheels for a brand-new premium BMW probably wasn’t expecting a €799 wheel-and-tire special either.
Visually, they work.
The standard iX3 has relatively clean surfaces and a much simpler design language than several recent BMWs. Bigger aftermarket wheels add aggression without requiring a carbon splitter, giant wing or decorative vents.
There is, however, an EV-specific tradeoff worth considering.
Wheel and tire choice affects rolling resistance, aerodynamic drag, unsprung mass and ultimately energy consumption. A large wheel also generally means a lower-profile tire, which can change ride comfort.
So while 22s might improve the stance, an owner who bought an iX3 primarily for maximum driving range might want to think twice before changing the factory setup.
AC Schnitzer’s use of weight-optimized flow-formed construction helps the argument. This isn’t simply an enormous, heavy cast wheel chosen for appearance. The company says the AC5 was engineered specifically for BMW applications and the iX3 setup uses different front and rear tire widths.
For buyers who prefer another design, the AC2 is also available in gloss black.
The first iX3 program extends inside the cabin too, although things remain fairly restrained. AC Schnitzer offers aluminum pedals, an aluminum footrest and a branded key holder.
More components will presumably follow as the NA5 spends more time on the market. And that’s when things could become genuinely interesting.
The iX3 represents an entirely new generation of BMW hardware. Traditional BMW tuners spent decades extracting more power from straight-six engines, changing exhausts and modifying suspension.
Neue Klasse gives them a different puzzle.
For now, AC Schnitzer’s answer is simple: don’t mess with BMW’s new electric drivetrain. Start with the parts owners can see and feel.
Whether you’d sacrifice even a little EV efficiency for a better stance is personal. And, judging by the history of BMW tuning, plenty of owners already know their answer.
