The BimmerWorld View: A 9.5" wheel is a very common size for non-staggered wheels on E46 M3. It takes a 255-265-275 tire and still leaves plenty of clearance in the front and rear. Yes, an 18x10" is also available but will almost certainly rub on fenders, especially with broad Hoosier or Continental slick tires. The 9.5" with a summer tire also makes a great setup for drivers who are looking to advance their car control skills at the track. Less grip from a street tire will make you a better driver! The EC7 has the same size and offset as an ARC8 but the spoke and barrel design is better for big brake kits.
ET22 or ET35? On the E46 M3, either offset will work for 9.5" wide wheels. The ET35 is a better option, in our opinion, because it fits with the least amount of hassle. In the front the ET35 sits 7mm closer to the strut so it still clears most coil overs. ET22 would have even more clearance on the inside but there is the very likely chance that it will rub on the fender. For the rear you only need a 10-12mm wheel spacer to make it work. We would rather use the spacers for a perfect fit than have the wheels rub.
Spacers for the rear wheels are strongly recommended but not required.An optimized car setup begins with the perfect wheel fitment. Without utilizing perfect wheel offsets and maximum tire widths, you're compromising the performance potential of your BMW. Because of this fact, the EC-7 offers three unique face profiles ranging from shallow to deep concavity, and this results in 13 unique 18" sizes. This wide range of fitments allows for vehicle-specific caliper clearance, offsets, and tire widths, giving you the widest range of optimal setup possibilities.
The EC-7's spoke profile has been designed with a curve to provide additional caliper clearance, often clearing a BBK on applications where the ARC-8 could not - spacer-free! Note: In race applications, we still often choose to use spacers.
Another significant improvement from the EC-7 design is the increased barrel clearance that allows for the 18" version of this wheel to properly clear the Performance Friction 378mm Brake Kit. As with the rest of the APEX wheel line, EC-7 achieves its combination of strength and light weight through flow-forming technology. By flow-forming the wheel, weight is reduced in the barrel through a process sometimes referred to as "roll forging." Roll forging, while not the same as the traditional forging, is superior to regular casting. The rolling process occurs under extreme pressure, yielding a barrel that is stronger than a standard cast wheel, with certain material properties that are similar to a standard forged wheel. This added barrel strength allows for a reduction in overall wheel weight, while not sacrificing any of the strength you'd expect from durable flow-formed wheels.
Thanks to its lightweight barrel and robust face design, the EC-7 stands up well against the rigors of endurance racing, as well as your average street potholes.
Key Features:
- Split-spoke design
- Flow-formed, roll forged barrel - superior strength and reduced weight
- Excellent clearance for aftermarket big brake kits
- No spacers required
- Carbon fiber pattern hub cap included
- Accepts BMW center cap (sold separately)
- Accepts factory lug bolts, studs, or wheel locks
- Compatible with factory tire pressure monitor sensors (TPMS)
Priced as a set of 4. Apex wheel center caps included. BMW center caps sold separately.
Rear wheel spacers are strongly recommended to avoid a "tucked in" look. Without the spacers the rear wheels will be further inboard than stock wheels. A 12mm spacer is perfect. These wheels, like many wheels, are not compatible with 10mm wheel spacers. We recommend using 12mm spacers, as 10mm hubcentric spacers have inherent design limitations that prevent them from sitting flush. See below for product link.
General Fitment Note: these are sold as a race-fitment only and rubbing with bodywork or on suspension may occur depending on tire choice and suspension settings. We cannot verify fitment with every combination of wheel-tire-suspension. Verification of wheel fitment is the responsibility of the customer. Please contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns. Returns are limited to quality issues only.
BMW Fitments:3 SeriesE46 (01-06) > M3
