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[nmehta211]

I have now officially deemed my stock 18" wheels to snow use and I am still trying to decide on wheels for the spring...here are options that I thought I would consider.

Keep in mind the car is a weekend warrior, but is destined to be driven in and out of Manhattan (potholes!) where I live. I do also track about 1-2x per year.

1. Avant Garde M310s in hypersilver. they are 19x8.5 upfront with 15mm offset, and 19/x9.5 with 22mm offset in the rear. I am getting the wheels used for ~$500 locally, and can then order new Michelin Pilot Super Sports for about $1500 installed. I believe these wheels weigh 23 and 26lbs respectively. Does the offset work or will i need spacers to sit near flush? About $2000 for the package.

2. Buy a used set of ZCP rims and tires. These tend to come with Continental tires which i heard aren't the best, but it generally runs about $2500 for the package in good shape.

3. ARC-8 18" wheels. 18x9.5 up front 22mm offset (19lbs) and 18x10.5 27mm offset (20lbs), These are gunmetal and extremely strong/lightweight, ideally made for track use. They run wider than what I have now, so I would need new tires for the rears but could use my current rear tires for the front, saving on cost. Wheels cost about $1200 plus the cost of two tires ($600) so about $1800 all said and done.

Thoughts?
Appreciate in advance.

[Eddy@ApexWheels]

The 19's will be more prone to potholes than 18's.

The offsets for the 1st option are correct and they would not need spacers. I'm sure a rather narrow tire would be used on the 19x8.5, which is not ideal at the track. If you don't have a decent amount of camber you could prematurely wear out the outer shoulder, and 19's are expensive.

The ARC-8's would allow for a noticeable amount of extra rubber while saving weight, and being 18's they'd be less prone to potholes. If you're not using the car for track use for a while, you could mount your stock sizes on them like others have done, but that's very dependent on the life of your tires and how you'll be using the car. You could also craiglist your take off tires.

[Martin_D]

ARC8 without question.

[LarThaL]

Avant Garde wheels will certainly fit nicely. Your stock wheel are 18x8.5 ET 29 and 18x9.5 ET 23.

I am running the competition wheels with 12mm spacers front and rear, so basically, I am running the equivalent of 19x9 ET 19 in front and 19x10 ET 13 in the rear. The wheel wells are nicely filled out and I have no rubbing issues whatsoever.

Honestly, unless you are going to go with a full custom forged wheel, like HRE, etc, etc, the competition wheels are a great way to go.

I think the ARC wheels will require big spacers in front and they don't have that really nice sculpted concave look.

Personally I couldn't do the Avant Garde thing. It is basically an HRE replica, and I would be bummed about not having the real thing. This is just a quirk of mine, however, with no real rational reason, but to me it's kinda like owning a print instead of the original painting.

From the choices you have listed, I would go with the comp wheels and get some Michelin PS2's or PSS.

[Eddy@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by VVG

Avant Garde wheels will certainly fit nicely. Your stock wheel are 18x8.5 ET 29 and 18x9.5 ET 23.

I am running the competition wheels with 12mm spacers front and rear, so basically, I am running the equivalent of 19x9 ET 19 in front and 19x10 ET 13 in the rear. The wheel wells are nicely filled out and I have no rubbing issues whatsoever.

Honestly, unless you are going to go with a full custom forged wheel, like HRE, etc, etc, the competition wheels are a great way to go.

I think the ARC wheels will require big spacers in front and they don't have that really nice sculpted concave look.

Personally I couldn't do the Avant Garde thing. It is basically an HRE replica, and I would be bummed about not having the real thing. This is just a quirk of mine, however, with no real rational reason, but to me it's kinda like owning a print instead of the original painting.

From the choices you have listed, I would go with the comp wheels and get some Michelin PS2's or PSS.

Why would the ARC-8 need a spacer up front?

They are 18x9.5" ET22, If that were a 9" wheel, that would be the equivalent of 9" ET16

They are also concave


APEX ARC-8 18x10 on E90 M3 by ApexRaceParts, on Flickr

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by paintpro21

Why would the ARC-8 need a spacer up front?

They are 18x9.5" ET22, If that were a 9" wheel, that would be the equivalent of 9" ET16

They are also concave


APEX ARC-8 18x10 on E90 M3 by ApexRaceParts, on Flickr

Sorry off topic but what is the width and offset of the rear wheel in this picture? Thanks.

[jonasaurus]

ARC8s would be a nice compromise for ride quality, track usage, and cheaper tyre replacement. Looks great too

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by paintpro21

Why would the ARC-8 need a spacer up front?

They are 18x9.5" ET22, If that were a 9" wheel, that would be the equivalent of 9" ET16

They are also concave


APEX ARC-8 18x10 on E90 M3 by ApexRaceParts, on Flickr

You may be right. I am not familiar with these wheels and I only glanced at them online. It looked like the front fitment was 18x8.5 with something like a 35 to 38mm offset. If you are looking at an 18x9.5" ET 22 front fitment, then, no, you would not need a spacer. I thought this was the rear fitment, but like I said, I don't really know these wheels.

Still, they don't have that deeply curved look, but this is just personal preference.

[Eddy@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by dbarnes

Sorry off topic but what is the width and offset of the rear wheel in this picture? Thanks.

That car is running 18x10" ET25 front and rear with 275/35/18 Super Sports. Those were picked up before our 18x10.5" ET27 wheel came out I believe. The 10.5's can fit in the rear with a 285 or 295 without rubbing.

You may be right. I am not familiar with these wheels and I only glanced at them online. It looked like the front fitment was 18x8.5 with something like a 35 to 38mm offset. If you are looking at an 18x9.5" ET 22 front fitment, then, no, you would not need a spacer. I thought this was the rear fitment, but like I said, I don't really know these wheels.

Still, they don't have that deeply curved look, but this is just personal preference.

You were look at E46 M3 wheels or some other fitment and not the E9X M3 fitment.

The M3 choices are 18x9.5" ET22, 18x10" ET25 and 18x10.5" ET27.

8.5's are not listed for the M3.



The front of the M3 can fit 9.5's and 10's with ease, and those sizes are very commonly run buy guys with 18's. 19's and 20's are more aesthetics and less functional, so they'll tend to be produced in narrower front widths as the owners of the cars don't want or need any extra rubber.

[M3SQRD]

paintpro21 - thanks!

nmehta211 - I'd recommend your option (3). Main reasons are these wheels are significantly lighter than your other two options and if you've never used light wheels before you'll notice a difference, and they are stronger. Plus I think the e9x M3 looks good with 18" wheels.

[nmehta211]

Thanks for all the updates! Decisions, decisions!

I do have to say that I like the Arc8s in hyper silver!

[snowmants]

I am leaning towards the new Avant Garde wheels that are copies of the factory E9X M3ZCP wheels. Any reason the guy you know is selling them for $500...? did he not like them or have issues? They go for $1,000 online new.