I'd love to remove these ugly turbine covers on my M5's wheels, but where in god's name do you get that 12pt driver? :)

I'd love to remove these ugly turbine covers on my M5's wheels, but where in god's name do you get that 12pt driver? :)

Try Fastenal stainless steel . They even carry alot of metrics when needed.You may have to email them for such a specific item as a 12 point. They should end up being the best price....even for mild plated steel.(http://fastenal.com/)
Cheers,Vinny

SnapOn, Matco, Craftsman, whatever.

You're likely searching for a metric "triple square" tool...

Some cars also use them on CV joints, brake/axle parts, etc.

Search FleaBay: You will also find cheap sets there also

SK tools

I'd love to remove these ugly turbine covers on my M5's wheels, but where in god's name do you get that 12pt driver? :)

oops !:rolleyes I didn't catch the word "TOOL" ,sorries. I thought you were after the hardware nuts and bolts......speaking of nut.;)
CHeers,Vinny

You can remove them with a standard Torx. Not sure what size you have to use, but as long as it's not ridiculously seized/corroded/stuck in place, it'll come off.

I tried a regular T30 torx and it was fitting a little bit loosely, every set I have goes from T30 to T40. I just don't want to strip it out. I suppose I could try turning it and see what happens.

Nice, thanks guys. Got a set of them on ebay for $10.62 shipped. :)

autozone and schucks stock them in their tool sections, get the one that is already affixed to the 3/8 socket head, costs about 15 bucks for hte set of 4 of them

Well, even using the correct tool, a hammer to tap it in, and slow patience, I've managed to strip at least 1 of the damn things on each wheel. Perhaps 17 years of sitting outside has just made this not meant to be. :(

I guess I'll try a backout tool next.

Reminds me when I went to have a couple of tires replace on my Touring with M5 throwing stars wheels. The tires that I brought where directional and the kid at tire america didn't realized that the rims with the throw stars were also directional. When they mounted the wheels back on the car I had to inform the service writer that the wheels were mounted backward on two side. They look and couldn't believe that the rims were directional. They took off the wheels and looked at the throwing stars and they thought that it might be easier to just remove the cover and exhange them. I informed them that they will probably break the bolts holding the covers to the rims and said that used M5 wheels were going for about $1000.00.

They decided to dismount the tire and remount them correctly. The service writer said that teach the kid something about BMW.

I'm going to try a back-out bit this weekend.... the bolts are easily replaced but I'm not going to get crazy and try to drill it out if that doesn't work. If they don't back out these are going to be turbines for life I'm afraid. :(

Update - finally got around to trying the back-out bit yesterday. It didn't work. Getting really angry and pulling the stupid turbine covers off with a prybar did though.

Naked M systems look a whole lot better...

http://www.duke.edu/~elevine/pictures/topless-msystem1.jpg

Update - finally got around to trying the back-out bit yesterday. It didn't work. Getting really angry and pulling the stupid turbine covers off with a prybar did though.

Most just drill out the bolt and then replace it with an allen bolt.

Are the turbines destroyed? I'll take em if you don't want them.

The stock bolts strip very easily . . .

Update - finally got around to trying the back-out bit yesterday. It didn't work. Getting really angry and pulling the stupid turbine covers off with a prybar did though.

Naked M systems look a whole lot better...

http://www.duke.edu/~elevine/pictures/topless-msystem1.jpg

No they don't, but to each his own I guess. Black wheels with polished/silver lips got played out about 5 years back IMO.

No they don't, but to each his own I guess. Black wheels with polished/silver lips got played out about 5 years back IMO.

+1, i too really like turbines (though i'm a function over form type of guy), throwing stars are a distant second, bare wheels just don't do it for me.

I bought the 12 pt tool at autozone one night when my 9" rear wheels arrived, they stocked the tool.

Are the turbines destroyed? I'll take em if you don't want them.

Nah they are ok. The heads just popped off the bolts almost as easily as they stripped trying to unscrew them.

Going to hang onto the turbines incase I ever decide to refinish the wheels, get them done as well.

+1, i too really like turbines (though i'm a function over form type of guy), throwing stars are a distant second, bare wheels just don't do it for me.


I'm a function over form guy too when it matters, but lets be honest here. The car gets driven 6 miles to work and back, on the street, at 45 mph. The brakes don't get anywhere near hot enough for fancy cooling fans to be helpful in any way shape or form. If anything they are adding weight to the wheels.