Prototype Apex Wheels

[liam821]

Question, you think these will be similar in price to the volk 21a wheels? I think the attraction to using apex is due to their fair price points. If it’s apples to apples with volk, I’d rather just go volk

Those Volk wheels are about $1100 a wheel, I'm assuming the Apex are going to come in around $600 a wheel or so. So maybe half the price.

Those Volks DO look good though...

[Bry5on]

I'm not into replicas

What’s this a replica of? Asking as I have no problem paying and love this design. Not a big fan of the heavy E88 barrels and complexity of 3 piece vs a nice one-piece, if that’s what you’re referring to.

I filled out the survey specifically asking for an 18x9 et46 front wheel. This would give the best steering feel, properly fit a 245 or 255, and fit with a factory alignment. Seems to me to be a gap in the market for the perfect size/offset street e46 M3 front wheel. It would pair great with an 18x10 or 10.5 rear for a 245/275 or even 255/285 staggered setup.

[liam821]

I'd argue that e46m3 and e92m3 owners are keeping Apex wheel well-fed (gotta be something like 75% of their sales) and I'd be surprised if they didn't make wheels for those two cars.

[usdmej]

I can't see how these are e88 reps, they're not even 2 piece, and knowing apex forged wheels, they'll probably come in lighter than a comparable E88

These are closer to volk 21a reps except hopefully apex will actually do some legwork to ensure bbk fitment for end users

[headlock]

those are great, i love my ARC-8's but i'd buy the hell out of these

[DJAM3]

I can't see how these are e88 reps, they're not even 2 piece, and knowing apex forged wheels, they'll probably come in lighter than a comparable E88

These are closer to volk 21a reps except hopefully apex will actually do some legwork to ensure bbk fitment for end users

I would say they're E88 inspired not exact reps. The wheel face has the scalloped spokes and race pocket look of E88s.

[Gt4]

This wheel is 18x11 -1 offset made for an E46 M3 with GTR race car body kit. Wheels for street car should look different

[inlinesix123]

This wheel is 18x11 -1 offset made for an E46 M3 with GTR race car body kit. Wheels for street car should look different

rip concav

[Slideways]

These wheels might have the same fitment issues as the BBS RE686 - 17x9 ET -7. Whenever you combine a deep lip and spokes to clear a BBK, you get a very aggressive fitment. Stuff like this is mainly used on custom wide body track/race cars.

[newton22]

Replicas at one point used to indicate poor quality wheels. They no longer necessarily do and as such I don't hold such stigma. If it's a decent wheel, it's a decent wheel.

[9kracing]

Replicas at one point used to indicate poor quality wheels. They no longer necessarily do and as such I don't hold such stigma. If it's a decent wheel, it's a decent wheel.

Srs question... why do you think Apex wheels are half the price of other forged wheels? Where are they saving the money?

[Tbonem3]

Srs question... why do you think Apex wheels are half the price of other forged wheels? Where are they saving the money?

Could just be China vs Japan. The forging could still be good enough.

[newton22]

Srs question... why do you think Apex wheels are half the price of other forged wheels? Where are they saving the money?

Materials, manufacturing, supply chain, economy of scale etc. A BMW M3 also costs less than GT3RS. Where are they saving the money? You get my point. Not everyone needs the "top tier" stuff. Apex wheels have performed well on numerous race cars. I can also find examples of BBS E88s failing on track. We can go around and around.

[liam821]

Materials, manufacturing, supply chain, economy of scale etc. A BMW M3 also costs less than GT3RS. Where are they saving the money? You get my point. Not everyone needs the "top tier" stuff. Apex wheels have performed well on numerous race cars. I can also find examples of BBS E88s failing on track. We can go around and around.

Apex says they forge with a 10k ton press, but I'm not sure if Apex has their own forge press or if they get blanks that have already been forged elsewhere. I'd imagine it's the latter. Volk Racing has their own 5.5k ton, two 8k, and a 10k-ton forging press and everything is done in-house in Japan. BBS of Japan also has a number of their own presses, with their newest being a 12k ton press that was installed in 2019.

[Gearhead55]

Having a forged wheel isn't a magic bullet either. I've bent/cracked a bunch of Enkeis on track, but I've bent Volks as well. It's good to keep in mind that wheels are a consumable on a car, especially one that is tracked. Choosing a wheel thats potentially 90% of the quality for 50-75% of the price is a reasonable choice for a lot of people's needs.