APEX ARC-8 Product Details: E9X M3 Specific Track wheels

[gobrigavitch]

I think I've decided to get these next spring. I'm torn between Anthracite and Satin Black, but leaning toward black for that all black look. I understand that the Satin Black don't have any clear coat. Does that make them any more susceptible to rock dings or scrapes then a wheel with clearcoat? Should that factor into my decision?

[1Sleeper]

Originally Posted by gobrigavitch

I think I've decided to get these next spring. I'm torn between Anthracite and Satin Black, but leaning toward black for that all black look. I understand that the Satin Black don't have any clear coat. Does that make them any more susceptible to rock dings or scrapes then a wheel with clearcoat? Should that factor into my decision?

I have the Satin Black and I love them. Brake dust? What brake dust?

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

Originally Posted by gobrigavitch

I think I've decided to get these next spring. I'm torn between Anthracite and Satin Black, but leaning toward black for that all black look. I understand that the Satin Black don't have any clear coat. Does that make them any more susceptible to rock dings or scrapes then a wheel with clearcoat? Should that factor into my decision?

Theoretically the satin finish is more vulnerable because it doesn't have a traditionally glossy clear coat that you could apply wax to. But we've never had a single finish issue with any wheel besides an issue that is noticed immediately upon opening the box (which we replace right away and happens 2~ times year), damage from mounting, or curb rash.

Our Satin finish has held up great.

[gobrigavitch]

Originally Posted by paintpro21

Theoretically the satin finish is more vulnerable because it doesn't have a traditionally glossy clear coat that you could apply wax to. But we've never had a single finish issue with any wheel besides an issue that is noticed immediately upon opening the box (which we replace right away and happens 2~ times year), damage from mounting, or curb rash.

Our Satin finish has held up great.

Your reply seems to indicate that these wheels can't be waxed. Can they be protected with something else? Do you recommend no protection or some other product?

[Z K]

Originally Posted by gobrigavitch

Your reply seems to indicate that these wheels can't be waxed. Can they be protected with something else? Do you recommend no protection or some other product?

He is referring to the black wheels. They are matte paint. The other colors can be waxed fine.

[gobrigavitch]

Originally Posted by Z K

He is referring to the black wheels. They are matte paint. The other colors can be waxed fine.

The Satin Black was the wheel I was asking about. His response leads me to believe they can't be waxed. I hadn't thought of that before, but it makes sense with the finish. I'm wondering if anything can be used on them as a protectant.

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

Originally Posted by gobrigavitch

Your reply seems to indicate that these wheels can't be waxed. Can they be protected with something else? Do you recommend no protection or some other product?

3 out of the 4 finishes have a full gloss clear coat and they can be waxed. The satin black finish is not a glossy wheel. If you apply wax to it, the finish will look significantly different. It would be like applying wax to a car with a satin paint finish.

[jel014]

Originally Posted by paintpro21

Staggered Setups

18x9.5" Front 265/35/18 - 18x10/10.5" Rear 285/35/18
18x10" Front 275/35/18 - 18x10/10.5" Rear 285/35/18 Rear
18x10" Front 275/35/18 - 18x10.5" Rear 295/35/18 – Preferred setup

I would like to wrap these around with Michelin Pilot Super Sport, however it seems they don't have 295/35/18 size available. I was wondering if it would be better to go with:
a) 18x10" Front 275/35/18 - 18x10/10.5" Rear 285/35/18 Rear
b) 18x9.5" Front 265/35/18 - 18x10/10.5" Rear 285/35/18
c) 18x10" Front 265/35/18 - 18x10/10.5" Rear 285/35/18 Rear

This will be used primarily for daily driving, and I try to go to performance driving schools maybe 2-3 times a year. I would like to maintain the oem handling feel as much as possible.
Thanks!

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

Originally Posted by jel014

I would like to wrap these around with Michelin Pilot Super Sport, however it seems they don't have 295/35/18 size available. I was wondering if it would be better to go with:
a) 18x10" Front 275/35/18 - 18x10/10.5" Rear 285/35/18 Rear
b) 18x9.5" Front 265/35/18 - 18x10/10.5" Rear 285/35/18
c) 18x10" Front 265/35/18 - 18x10/10.5" Rear 285/35/18 Rear

This will be used primarily for daily driving, and I try to go to performance driving schools maybe 2-3 times a year. I would like to maintain the oem handling feel as much as possible.
Thanks!

Based on your driving needs I would recommend option (B). 265 front vs the 275 would reduce tramlining while you're on the street. It's better on the 9.5" wheel because it's not an overly wide tire vs. an r-compound. It would be stretched in comparison to the rear 285 if the 265 were mounted on a 10" wheel.

If you wanted to go wider in the rear you could go 295/30/18. but 285/35/18 is a better overall rear diameter for street use, as it's much closer to the original tire diameter, while the 295/30/18 would be short. It's OK to be shorter, but if the track is less of a priority then there is less reason to make that compromise.

[gobrigavitch]

I'm having difficulty figuring out what Hyper Black looks like from the picture. The pictures look like a dark silver, But I'm Wondering then why it has black in the name. Is there an underlying black hue that doesn't show up in pictures. Is it line a Black Chrome look? Any help greatly appreciated

[bigjae1976]

hyper black is like dark silver with a slight sheen to it. Think of a silver wheel with brake dust that's a bit shiny. Looks excellent!

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

Originally Posted by gobrigavitch

I'm having difficulty figuring out what Hyper Black looks like from the picture. The pictures look like a dark silver, But I'm Wondering then why it has black in the name. Is there an underlying black hue that doesn't show up in pictures. Is it line a Black Chrome look? Any help greatly appreciated

Hyper Silver and Hyper Black go through the same process except the base coats are different. One has a silver base coat and the other has an all Black base coat. Then both of them receive a misted on "Hyper" coating which is just an ultra fine silver. Silver over black looks darker than silver over silver. The inner barrel of the black wheels also creates more shadows which darkens up the wheel.

If it had it's own name it would be called "shadow chrome" or "slightly darker silver".

[spiff]

So... I'm a sucker for as much tire as I can get..

Has anyone tried a square 10.5" setup with 285/35-18's? Love me some RS3's and they come in 285's... their next tire down is a 265/35, so I'd like to keep it with the 285's.

Judging by the pictures (exterior), it LOOKS like 285's will fit on the front.

But the question is will the 10.5's fit on stock suspension?

Would be potentially ordering all this within the month if the sizes work.

Thanks!

[montreal red]

^^ i doubt 10.5 in the front will work. clearance on the strut side is pretty tight even with 10" wide wheels.

[spiff]

Would square 285's work then? Reading through the thread it looks like 275's have been the only tire run up front.

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by spiff

Would square 285's work then? Reading through the thread it looks like 275's have been the only tire run up front.

u should be able to fit square 285 on a 10" wide wheel. its really dependent on what kind of tire you run though. for example if you run a 275 size hoosier R6 tire, which runs a little wide, it would be almost equivalent to running a 285 PS2 tire.

i dont recommend going 10.5" in the front due to the tight clearance on the strut side (something that more negative camber wont be able to fix).

[persian54]

A friend of mine has 18x10.5 et20 285/35/18 RS3 square

How is he running it? I have no idea

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

285/35/18 is tall for the front.

18x10.5" ET27 can work up front but you will need camber plates to dial in a decent amount of camber. A spacer for wheel/tire to strut tube clearance and the right sized tire.

I placed a 285/35/18 on 18x10" up front before just for the heck of it on a stock E90 M3. We did not drive around so we have no idea if it will rub on the fender side, but here are the photos. judging by the photos it will rub a lot, but with negative camber it would clear. The 10.5's would need even more camber due to the added with and more aggressive offset once spacers are included.



Because of how tall a 285/35/18 is it may actually be easier to fit a 295/30/18. Our sponsored E90 M3 team is waiting to do final testing on their 295/30/18 on 18x10.5" square setup. But that's a dedicated race car.

[spiff]

Interesting. Looks like a staggered setup may be in my future, or just suck it up and run 275's all around..

I just really wanna run RS3's.... UGH.

edit:

just found that RS3's come in 275/35-18! Might have to run this setup soon!

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

Originally Posted by spiff

Interesting. Looks like a staggered setup may be in my future, or just suck it up and run 275's all around..

I just really wanna run RS3's.... UGH.

edit:

just found that RS3's come in 275/35-18! Might have to run this setup soon!

If you want to run RS-3's you can do the following:

18x10" ET25 with 275/35/18 all around

or

18x9.5" ET22 with 265/35/18 and 18x10.5" ET27 with 285/35/18

They make great tire sizes for the E9X M3

[persian54]

Originally Posted by paintpro21

285/35/18 is tall for the front.

18x10.5" ET27 can work up front but you will need camber plates to dial in a decent amount of camber. A spacer for wheel/tire to strut tube clearance and the right sized tire.

I placed a 285/35/18 on 18x10" up front before just for the heck of it on a stock E90 M3. We did not drive around so we have no idea if it will rub on the fender side, but here are the photos. judging by the photos it will rub a lot, but with negative camber it would clear. The 10.5's would need even more camber due to the added with and more aggressive offset once spacers are included.


Because of how tall a 285/35/18 is it may actually be easier to fit a 295/30/18. Our sponsored E90 M3 team is waiting to do final testing on their 295/30/18 on 18x10.5" square setup. But that's a dedicated race car.

What negative camber do you feel will make it possible to run a 285/35 in the front?

[spiff]

Originally Posted by paintpro21

If you want to run RS-3's you can do the following:

18x10" ET25 with 275/35/18 all around

or

18x9.5" ET22 with 265/35/18 and 18x10.5" ET27 with 285/35/18

They make great tire sizes for the E9X M3

Will probably run the square setup!

Lets see how work goes, and perhaps I will order me a set this or next month .