Quick answer: the BBS RT88 is a two-piece forged wheel from BBS Motorsport. It combines a forged wheel center derived from the legendary BBS E88 with the original forged BBS Japan LM rim. The result is a road-focused interpretation of BBS Motorsport engineering, available in vehicle-specific bolt and centerlock applications.
Last updated: August 2026 using the latest RT88 technical and application information supplied by BBS Motorsport.
What is the BBS RT88?
The RT88 sits in an unusual position within the BBS range. It is not simply a road wheel styled to look like a race wheel, and it is not a pure competition wheel adapted as an afterthought. BBS Motorsport describes the RT88 as a two-piece wheel that brings the character and engineering heritage of professional motorsport to high-performance road cars.
Its architecture is the key to understanding it. The wheel center is forged and derived from the BBS E88, a design with deep motorsport history. That center is combined with the original forged LM rim from BBS Japan — the same rim technology associated with the BBS LM for more than three decades. BBS Motorsport therefore brings together two of the company’s most recognizable engineering lineages in one wheel.
- Construction: two-piece forged wheel
- Center: forged, derived from the BBS E88
- Rim: original forged BBS Japan LM rim
- Applications: vehicle-specific bolt and centerlock fitments
- Rim finishes: SLD Silver Diamond and BKBD Black Diamond
- Center finishes: Silver, Motorsport Gold, White Gold, Midnight Gold and Black in satin or gloss
- Manufacturing: BBS Motorsport, Black Forest, Germany
Why the E88 and LM connection matters
The visual identity of the RT88 makes more sense once the two components are separated. The center has the open, motorsport-led structure associated with the E88, while the rim brings the stepped, polished-lip character that made the LM one of the most recognizable BBS wheels ever produced.
BBS does not present this simply as a styling exercise. The forged center is based on engineering developed for motorsport applications, while the LM rim has been proven over decades of road use. The RT88 is therefore built around a balance of structural rigidity, low mass, precision and long-term durability rather than around a single headline number.
Two-piece forged construction
“Forged” is often used as a broad marketing term, but the RT88 construction is specific: both its center and its LM rim use forged technology, assembled as a two-piece wheel. That matters because the RT88 should not be described as a forged monoblock or as a generic multi-piece wheel.
The two-piece layout also gives the RT88 a very different visual and technical character from monoblock BBS Forged designs such as the FI-R family. If you want a one-piece forged wheel with a more modern monoblock architecture, the FI-R / FI-R EVO range is the more relevant comparison. If you want the combination of BBS Motorsport center design and classic LM-rim construction, the RT88 occupies its own position.
OEM-level paint and surface technology
BBS Motorsport specifies a premium three-layer paint system for the RT88 center. According to BBS, the finishing process follows automotive-industry manufacturing and inspection standards rather than a simple aftermarket coating process. This is particularly relevant on a wheel with exposed hardware and multiple surface finishes, where long-term finish quality is part of the overall product.
BBS RT88 center colors
The current RT88 program lists five center-color families:
- Silver
- Motorsport Gold
- White Gold
- Midnight Gold
- Black — satin or gloss
The center color is only half of the configuration. The forged LM rim is available in two distinct finishes, SLD Silver Diamond and BKBD Black Diamond. BBS states that both rim finishes are manufactured to the same quality standard and are available without a list-price difference.
For photos, combinations and a detailed explanation of each option, see our complete BBS RT88 Finishes Guide.
SLD Silver Diamond vs BKBD Black Diamond
SLD – Silver Diamond uses a silver-coated inner rim with a polished outer rim protected by clear coat. It is the more traditional RT88 configuration and visually closest to the classic polished-rim BBS aesthetic.
BKBD – Black Diamond uses a deep black inner-rim coating and a diamond-finished outer surface before final clear coating. It creates a darker, higher-contrast appearance while retaining the exposed forged-rim character.
Some RT88 application numbers are specifically listed by BBS with a “-BKBD” suffix. Always order by the exact BBS reference for the intended application rather than assuming that every reference is interchangeable.
Vehicle-specific engineering
One of the most important differences between the RT88 and many aftermarket wheels is the way the application list is structured. BBS Motorsport does not publish one generic RT88 and rely on spacers or broad offset ranges. The current list contains individual references with fixed widths, diameters, offsets and connections for specific vehicles.
Applications include BMW M cars, Audi RS models, Porsche GT and Carrera models, the Ferrari 488, Nissan GT-R R35, Tesla performance models, Honda Civic Type R, Ford Focus and Volkswagen T6, alongside a number of broader BMW, Audi and Mercedes references.
For every current BBS reference, size, offset and connection, use our BBS RT88 Applications & Fitment Guide.
Centerlock RT88 applications
The RT88 is available in centerlock specifications for several Porsche GT models. Current BBS references include the Porsche 991 GT3, Porsche 992 GT3, Porsche 992 GT3 RS and Porsche 718 GT4 RS. These are dedicated centerlock applications; they should not be treated as conversions from a standard five-lug RT88.
Our most established current RT88 centerlock products are the Porsche 992 GT3 and Porsche 992 GT3 RS sets.
Real-world BaanVelgen experience with the RT88
RT88 content is most useful when it goes beyond manufacturer specifications. BaanVelgen has handled and supplied the wheel for real customer and in-house configurations, including an early Porsche 992 GT3 centerlock set and BMW G8X applications.
Read the Porsche 992 GT3 RT88 world-first case study for exact RT88-058 / RT88-059 dimensions and first-party photos, or see our BMW G80 M3 / G82 M4 RT88 case study for the 5 × 112 G8X specification.
RT88 vs BBS Motorsport E88
The E88 is the reference point for the RT88 center, but the two wheels should not be treated as the same product. The RT88 uses an E88-derived forged center together with the BBS Japan LM forged rim and is explicitly positioned by BBS for high-performance road and track use. The E88 remains a dedicated BBS Motorsport wheel family with its own sizes, hardware and applications.
If your priority is the classic E88 motorsport architecture itself, browse our BBS Motorsport collection. If you want the E88-inspired center with the iconic LM-rim character in a vehicle-specific road application, the RT88 is the more direct choice.
Who is the BBS RT88 for?
The RT88 makes the most sense for an owner who cares about exact BBS engineering and wants a wheel with a visible connection to the company’s motorsport history. It is particularly well suited to cars where wheel specification is part of the engineering package — Porsche GT models, modern BMW M cars and other high-performance platforms with large brakes and demanding offsets.
It is also a design-led choice. The RT88 does not try to hide its two-piece construction: the forged rim, exposed hardware and motorsport center are a major part of the appeal. That makes finish selection and vehicle stance just as important as the specification itself.
BBS RT88 FAQ
Is the BBS RT88 a monoblock wheel?
No. The RT88 is a two-piece forged wheel with a forged E88-derived center and a forged BBS Japan LM rim.
Is the BBS RT88 a road or race wheel?
BBS Motorsport positions the RT88 as a motorsport-derived wheel for high-performance road cars, with engineering intended to work on both road and racetrack. Exact suitability depends on the vehicle application and local regulations.
What does BKBD mean on the BBS RT88?
BKBD refers to the Black Diamond / Black Bright Diamond Cutting rim finish. It combines a black inner-rim coating with a diamond-finished outer surface and clear-coat protection.
Is BKBD more expensive than SLD?
BBS states that there is no list-price difference between the SLD and BKBD LM-rim finishes.
Which BBS RT88 finishes are available?
The current center finishes are Silver, Motorsport Gold, White Gold, Midnight Gold and Black in satin or gloss. Rim choices are SLD Silver Diamond and BKBD Black Diamond, subject to the exact application reference.
Does BBS make an RT88 for the Porsche 992 GT3 RS?
Yes. The current BBS list specifies RT88-060-BKBD 10 × 20 ET45 and RT88-061-BKBD 13 × 21 ET31, both centerlock and marked as Overseas Edition.
Does the RT88 fit the BMW G80 M3 and G82 M4?
Yes. BBS lists RT88-041 10 × 20 ET17 and RT88-042 11 × 20 ET14.75 in 5 × 112 for the BMW M2 G87, M3 G80 and M4 G82.
Buy BBS RT88 wheels
Browse the current BBS Motorsport range at BaanVelgen, or use our RT88 fitment guide to identify the correct BBS reference for your car. We verify vehicle, model year, brake configuration and finish before every RT88 order and ship worldwide.
