AC Schnitzer to close at the end of 2026

[FrankL]

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/bus...-down-end-2026

This make me so sad, First we lost Alpina as an independent company now Schnitzer.

They raced E9's and did so much for the BMW brand. Germany (Merkel) shutting down nuke power plants and Germany losing Nordstream has caused totally chaos in Germany with energy prices plus the EU pushing EV.

I know Schnitzer had set up a USA operation in Miami. Sad that all these German companies have to move things out of Germany due to the FU'ed German and EU govt. Any new production goes to USA, Mexico or Hungary because Hungary is still buy cheap energy from Russia.

[tom @ eas]

AC Schnitzer is also one of the most counterfeited EU brands out there by companies that have nothing invested in marketing, R&D, TUV, homologation,etc.

Don't need a crystal ball to see this happening with other brands in the near future. Support companies that innovate.

[M-technik-3]

Sad day, the First to go was Hartge back in 2019. I was living in Germany in from 2000-2005 and I must say I loved going to German junkyards and all the US base junkyards. I collected so many early 80's E chassis parts over the years it was an obsession.

All three major Tuner's then Manufacturer's have passed all based upon BMW's great cars of the past. The writing was on the wall with the idea of going all electric. Tough to improve on what's been made.

[vt100]

Originally Posted by FrankL

Sad that all these German companies have to move things out of Germany due to the FU'ed German and EU govt. Any new production goes to USA, Mexico or Hungary because Hungary is still buy cheap energy from Russia.

I keep saying that for years already, that the only way for Porsche to survive - is to move their HQ and operations to the US entirely

Not so sure about other EU car makers, BMW and VW seems like lost any interest for making drivers cars. It really feels like it's only Porsche (specifically their GT division) who is still making fun toys.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by vt100

I keep saying that for years already, that the only way for Porsche to survive - is to move their HQ and operations to the US entirely

Not so sure about other EU car makers, BMW and VW seems like lost any interest for making drivers cars. It really feels like it's only Porsche (specifically their GT division) who is still making fun toys.

I don’t know. The current M2 is definitely a fun toy.

[maticCRO]

Germany is its own worst enemy, from the most powerful country with the most stable currency (Deutsche. Mark) they formed EU and took Euro and so on...ask literally any German older than 30y old, who remembers those days, they were living a LOT better back then.

[RM7]

Well that's sad. They seemed to have a lot of thought and engineering in their products, vs. some of the other stuff that was hack-job-level. Their springs for my car were specifically for that variant/trim, vs. others that would be across many different trims that obviously weighed significantly different, so some combinations would obviously not work.

[kudos]

AC Schnitzer had one of the ugliest body kits of any car I've ever seen on the E90. That front splitter was just... no words.

[learntocode]

Originally Posted by kudos

AC Schnitzer had one of the ugliest body kits of any car I've ever seen on the E90. That front splitter was just... no words.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48

Also, the brand name logo is plastered all over the body kit. Even though the font is small.. I guess it could be removed if it's on double sided adhesive.

[LH44]

Shame. I didn’t think they were were too relevant in modern times, but AC Schnitzer was legendary up through the E46 days. Their wheels are all time classics.

[FrankL]

Originally Posted by DanG

I don’t know. The current M2 is definitely a fun toy.

Absolutely. Porsche prices for 911 are astronomical and no I don't want their SUVs or EVs. I considered the 911 T which has a manual gearbox, etc. I think it is $140K. The prices of parts are insane and the 911 has become kind of bloated.

BMW is not cheap but you can get a M340i or M2 or lots of used options like the little one series like 135i. Porsche has become closer to Ferrari. Porsche owners want ICE sports cars. The hit they have taken on EVs has been a killer.