Apex PS-7 18x8.5 Wheels BMW E46 ZHP

[BavarianZHP]

Apex PS7 review 18" x 8.5"

Hello all,

My Apex PS-7 18 x 8.5 ET35 5x120 wheels in Hypersilver (for BMW E46 non-M) arrived moments ago and I wanted to summarize my first impressions. These (from online pics) appear similar to the VMR710's. I'll be updating this thread as time passes (updating with necessary wheel weights to balance, view installed, etc...) so please feel free to comment, ask questions, and I'm also open for any requests (if you would like to see certain measurements, pic angles, etc...). Images were captured on a HTC one M8.

First off, I have no conflict of interest or anything to disclose. I'm not endorsed by any companies, have no bias towards aftermarket manufacturers, and no former experience in reviewing wheels. In fact, this is my first ever purchase of wheels (new or used).

0) NEEDS and WANTS
I needed to replace my stock m135 wheels as my rear-right suffered a crack and destroyed the tire with it. I'm not an aggressive driver, I DD my car, and I care about my ZHP. I usually only purchase OEM quality products (exception being rear camera, car nav, etc... things that cannot be helped). I wanted a square setup to replace the staggered stock one on the ZHP so I could rotate tires and reduce rubber costs. I wanted to go 18x8 all around (even considered 17's as well) but settled for 18x8.5's as Apex didn't offer the PS-7s in 8 (at time of order).

1) ORDER PROCESS

I ordered 4 PS-7's directly off of Apex's website as I couldn't seem to find them elsewhere:
http://www.apexraceparts.com/apex-products/e46/18x8-5-ET20-APEX-PS-7-Wheel.html#.VAjbJfldXh4

@ $289/wheel. I'm in WA so wasn't charged tax (CA residents would be charged 9.00%).


I also couldn't find any warranty information on their webpage so I emailed Apex and received a response quickly the next business day:


**************
"Update for Case #873 - "Warranty and test results"
[name redacted],

Apex wheels are warranted for 1-year for paint defects and/or blemishes and manufacturing defects. Structural defects are covered for 2 years. All warranties are only given to customers that have purchased through Apex or an authorized dealer. We also cover the cost of shipping and processing warranty replacements.Here are some screen captures of the VIA search available online:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/14224398546_7d0160b818_b.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2901/14224398696_82e4a63f21_b.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/14060911049_ffe4702df5_b.jpg


To see the results a username and password is required at this URL https://www.jwtc.jp/open/html/e/situmon1.html

Let me know if you had any other quesitons.

Best,
[name redacted]"
*********************

I couldn't ask for more. Keep in mind that warranty exists only if wheels are ordered from Apex or AD. I'm unsure if this warranty is "owner specific" or will follow the wheels even if they are sold/traded off.

I took advantage of their free shipping promotion and was not charged for shipping.

I ordered them on Sunday (9/31/2014 - to Seattle, WA) and the wheels arrived via UPS on 10/4/2014. So 3 business Days as Monday was Labor Day. The shipment was tracked and I didn't have to sign anything. I ordered 4 wheels and received two packages:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04125322_zps78f59204.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04125322_zps78f59204.jpg.html)

Slight cosmetic damage from shipping but no issues.


2) UNPACKING

In each package were 2 boxes where the wheels were individually contained:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04131817_zpsa2d1b26a.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04131817_zpsa2d1b26a.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04125848_zps55ed46ea.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04125848_zps55ed46ea.jpg.html)


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/cd294e19-c895-4a1c-877f-a58bc01800f1_zps10df14ab.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/cd294e19-c895-4a1c-877f-a58bc01800f1_zps10df14ab.jpg.html)


Each package contain 1] Wheel in protective cloth and 2] APEX center cap:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130522_zpsc0cdb9f5.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130522_zpsc0cdb9f5.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130531_zps8e94ad0e.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130531_zps8e94ad0e.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130717_zps2ee22593.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130717_zps2ee22593.jpg.html)


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130735_zps33bb90d0.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130735_zps33bb90d0.jpg.html)

3) WHEEL APPEARANCE - HYPERSILVER COATING

I'm fairly meticulous with purchases and took over 100 pics of the wheels - noting every marking on each wheel. Overall, the wheels look great (yet to see them in natural light) and appear to be uniform in shade.


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130924_zpsfe930eb5.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130924_zpsfe930eb5.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130857_zps759296d9.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130857_zps759296d9.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130845_zps5ff00811.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130845_zps5ff00811.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130824_zps2f9d46e2.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130824_zps2f9d46e2.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04130941_zps088e8257.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04130941_zps088e8257.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04131123_zps8505e8b3.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04131123_zps8505e8b3.jpg.html)

4) Wheel #1
Pictured above in unpacking section:

No blemishes were readily visible or worthy to note. I weighed the wheel on my bathroom scale* and it came out to 22.8 lbs (wheel alone, no center cap, no protective surrounds).

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04131254_zpsf0f67b6b.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04131254_zpsf0f67b6b.jpg.html)

*Keep in mind that I do not know how accurate or precise my scale is... I have never calibrated it. I'll remeasure the wheels to increase the sample size and post new weight results to see if anything changes. If there are significant differences, then we'll know my scale is not reliable. If I can find some more precise way to measure, I'll update the results.

5) Wheel #2
Here's the second wheel I unpacked...

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04132806_zpsb55d0709.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04132806_zpsb55d0709.jpg.html)

1 visible QC stamp

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04133231_zpsc0726bda.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04133231_zpsc0726bda.jpg.html)

The only sort of blemish that I noted was on the center cap:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04133353_zpsf2e3905e.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04133353_zpsf2e3905e.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04133331_zpsc2e65fc9.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04133331_zpsc2e65fc9.jpg.html)

I'm not sure how this may affect the appearance of the wheel down the road... As I'm not familiar with purchasing wheels but it seems very minor and will be hidden away.

Wheel comes in at 20.0 lbs:
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04133455_zps02361101.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04133455_zps02361101.jpg.html)


6) Wheel #3

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04134118_zpse0b7866c.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04134118_zpse0b7866c.jpg.html)

The area around the center cap is a tad rough but nothing is peeling here:
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04134147_zps32c9fa51.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04134147_zps32c9fa51.jpg.html)

There's a small ding that's very noticeable if a finger is ran over it.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04134230_zpsd0aa52a0.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04134230_zpsd0aa52a0.jpg.html)

The wheel had 2 QC markings:
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04134240_zpsf441efbc.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04134240_zpsf441efbc.jpg.html)

The above was unreadable.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04134250_zps11bded99.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04134250_zps11bded99.jpg.html)

I'm not sure why this wheel was QC'd twice... Nothing to worry about as it did pass through QC.

The wheel came in at 21.2 lbs:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04134627_zps530c924e.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04134627_zps530c924e.jpg.html)


7) Wheel #4

I didn't see any major blemishes or dings on the wheel:
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04135540_zpsa1c9ec3d.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04135540_zpsa1c9ec3d.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04135320_zps23a9cbb4.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04135320_zps23a9cbb4.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04135520_zps235fd370.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04135520_zps235fd370.jpg.html)

However the only QC mark could not be read:
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04135424_zps00da7e9f.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04135424_zps00da7e9f.jpg.html)

Somehow it got smeared away before it was packaged and shipped to me.

This wheel had some extra clear coating or something on the rim edges. Nothing to be a concern about - seemed like it just wasn't cleaned before packaging:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04135208_zps59f4d0fb.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04135208_zps59f4d0fb.jpg.html)

Wiping it with my finger got rid of it:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04135217_zps270e1353.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04135217_zps270e1353.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04135222_zps9f5847d6.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04135222_zps9f5847d6.jpg.html)

The wheel weighed in at 21.2 lbs:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/e3dfc8a3-bfdf-4056-a049-59292acdcc40_zps5a968b5a.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/e3dfc8a3-bfdf-4056-a049-59292acdcc40_zps5a968b5a.jpg.html)


8)Summary

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/2014-09-04140158_zpsc966999b.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/2014-09-04140158_zpsc966999b.jpg.html)

This is only a preliminary review and contains immediate first impressions. I'll update with a qualitative review of ride quality, balancing, wrapping them with Conti DWS 235/40/18 tires, and keep an up to date log (cleaning, state of appearance, etc..) of the wheels. I'll only have the stock m135 wheels to compare to.

Overall, I'm very happy to see them. They are far lighter than the m135s, squared, and I'll have much more confidence riding with them than 11 yr old wheels that are prone to cracking. Wheel weights span from: 20.0, 21.2, 21.2, 22.8 lbs for an average of 21.3 lbs +/- 1.14 lbs, variance of 1.32 lbs*. This is slightly above the claimed 20.5 lbs that is noted on the webpage but no big deal for me (no weight weeny here).

Again, thanks for reading and I'll try to update this when I can. Feel free to post any comments, suggestions, and notes!

I should be ordering the DWS tires shortly later today... as I wanted to be sure to check out the wheels first.

Worthy to note is that the wheels did not come with any sort of paper (manual, specs, warranty card, etc...). Again, I'm unsure what to expect when ordering wheels but I now assume in this modern age of internet, all I need is the digital receipt to call in warranties:

For summary (re-iterated):
Apex wheels are warranted for 1-year for paint defects and/or blemishes and manufacturing defects. Structural defects are covered for 2 years. All warranties are only given to customers that have purchased through Apex or an authorized dealer. We also cover the cost of shipping and processing warranty replacements.


Thanks and happy travels.

[BavarianZHP]

OH snap... I realized I posted in the wheels section when there's an actual "reviews" section.. Mods feel free to move. Thanks!

[johnrando]

Good info.

[derbo]

Thanks for a thorough review of the unboxing. Awaiting for reviews post-mount :)

[WOLFN8TR]

Excellent review so far! Strange how the weight varies by 2lbs. My VMR 710's look exactly like the Apex wheels. They were packaged the same also and with NO paper work or receipt. I should of weighed mine also, oh well.

You will love the new look and the nice smooth ride!! I just installed the 10mm spacers on the rear. It actually improved the handling slightly, not that it was bad or anything but it's an improvement. Here is a photo of the car with spacers.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/05/576b11312d0e120678f25476b83243ef.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/05/229524ef63020f467605e78f1dc0f99f.jpg

235/40/18's Squared with 18x8.5 ET35 VMR 710's.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/05/33b8845ae4324c06ef756ff20fb49dd4.jpg

[danewilson77]

I'm surprised the wheels have such a weight disparity.

[OtterEffect]

I'm surprised the wheels have such a weight disparity.

Is this uncommon? What would the variety in weight indicate? Air pockets?


Sent from my potato using Tapatalk

[WOLFN8TR]

Hopefully it's just the bathroom scale being inconsistent.

[ELCID86]

Hopefully it's just the bathroom scale being inconsistent.

I was thinking that. Did you retry any of them and get same/diff weights?


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[stephenkirsh]

I showed up at Apex's HQ to buy two arc-8s after talking with one of their agents for 2 days. I arrived, and they only had one wheel. The rest are still on the water from china. This was nearly two weeks ago. Haven't received the last wheel yet (I bought both and took home the one they had and they'll ship me the other). Still waiting. Hope it arrived before my track day I've scheduled at end of the month. They weren't able to give me an ETA.



Hopefully it's just the bathroom scale being inconsistent.

I'm quite sure it's that. They're not really calibrated for things that low, and even then, the cheap units can vary widely. Mine does.

[derbo]

Hopefully it's just the bathroom scale being inconsistent.

Have you tried weighing yourself and then weighing yourself again holding the wheel? I tend to do this for shipping weight for items below 50lbs

[BavarianZHP]

Sorry guys for the late response! I was promoted at work to clinical research manager last week and things have been quite busy to say the least :applause2. I also somehow contracted the flu, so I'm taking things a bit easier.

YES. Bathroom scale is INACCURATE. I weighed them again multiple times and got different results... Variation of ~1 lb I think, and since these aren't calibrated, who knows what the offset is either. I'll try to find a more accurate scale to re-weight them.

[ELCID86]

Congrats on the promotion! More discretionary income? ;-)



Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[BavarianZHP]

Thanks! It was a significant raise. Yes... 90% will be discretionary. LOL. No, I'm rather frugal. FWIW, I weighed myself and held the wheel on the bathroom scale and it returned an average of 21.0 lbs for all 4 wheels this time. A little odd, but I've come to realize this isn't the most precise/accurate method to weigh them...

[BavarianZHP]

Ok. I weighed the style M135 18x8.5 rear wheel on the same scale using the same methods as the Apex PS-7's (weighed myself, picked up wheel, re-weigh, subtract).

It weighs 56.0 lbs with a 255/35/R18 bridgestone potenza RE040.... Which also happens to be the tire that is in this link:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42435

I have 30k on the tire and it's deflated (flat). Tread is 5/32 so it should weigh lighter (if anything) than the quoted 25 lbs for the tire weight... Which would mean my M135 wheel is ~31 lbs according to my scale!???? Holy cow...

[ELCID86]

That's about right. I just paid to have 4 135s shipped.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[BavarianZHP]

Wheels installed today, no spacers, stock suspension/height, conti DWS 235/40/R18:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0233_zpsfcf2ff01.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0233_zpsfcf2ff01.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0236_zps7b402551.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0236_zps7b402551.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0237_zps1495ec8d.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0237_zps1495ec8d.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0241_zps1924fe58.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0241_zps1924fe58.jpg.html)



Balancing...

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/38e36d3e-9a60-4506-8ac0-80a34d7e82ab_zpsc04c3c94.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/38e36d3e-9a60-4506-8ac0-80a34d7e82ab_zpsc04c3c94.jpg.html)

(FL)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0251_zps591ec7de.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0251_zps591ec7de.jpg.html)

(FR) HOLY WHEEL WEIGHTS BATMAN!!!
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0246_zps73fa28d3.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0246_zps73fa28d3.jpg.html)

(RL)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0253_zps754b9417.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0253_zps754b9417.jpg.html)

(RR)
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0248_zpscb41654a.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0248_zpscb41654a.jpg.html)

Tire Pressures

From Tru-Line Bellevue:

"****PLEASE MAINTAIN TIRE PRESSURE SETTINGS OF 40 PSI FRONT AND 36 PSI REAR AT ALL TIMES FOR BEST TIRE LIFE EXTENSION AND FUEL ECONOMY IN THE SEATTLE METRO AREA.

That caught me by surprise as I inflate my stock wheels and tires the other way around... ~40 psi rears and ~36 front... But I assume they know best. Anyone also do 40 psi front and 36 rear???

[WOLFN8TR]

Wheels installed today, no spacers, stock suspension/height, conti DWS 235/40/R18:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0241_zps1924fe58.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0241_zps1924fe58.jpg.html)


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0237_zps1495ec8d.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0237_zps1495ec8d.jpg.html)

With 10mm Spacers

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/05/229524ef63020f467605e78f1dc0f99f.jpg



Looks Perfect!!!

[BavarianZHP]

I'm really considering the spacers (they'll definitely improve the look!).... But the rears already stick out a little further than stock, so I think I will pass and instead get an alignment. I'm due for it! I'm getting used to the new look but being so familiar with the stock wheels makes me miss them.

[WOLFN8TR]

I'm really considering the spacers (they'll definitely improve the look!).... But the rears already stick out a little further than stock, so I think I will pass and instead get an alignment. I'm due for it! I'm getting used to the new look but being so familiar with the stock wheels makes me miss them.

You will get use to these real Fast! :drool

[Pip]

Looks great. I always think aftermarket wheels look best with a slight drop, but they look great either way. These are one of my favorite wheels I've seen in person.

[stephenkirsh]

+1 on the tire pressure. I have my rears a few pounds higher than the fronts.

[danewilson77]

Yeah....they go crazy with the weights. Just thank baby Jesus that they put the weights on the inside (barrel)

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[BavarianZHP]

+1 on the tire pressure. I have my rears a few pounds higher than the fronts.

Yeah... They told me to put higher pressures on the FRONTS instead of the rears for this square setup... Odd.

Here are some more pics of her today:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0257_zps658382a9.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0257_zps658382a9.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0261_zps5b007ff0.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0261_zps5b007ff0.jpg.html)

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/Bike_enthusiast/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0262_zps4ca3c8ae.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/Bike_enthusiast/media/BMW%20ZHP/IMAG0262_zps4ca3c8ae.jpg.html)


Yes... It needs a drop and some spacers.. But I'll leave it stock height for now.

[danewilson77]

:drool

Looks great.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[ELCID86]

+1 love those wheels.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Pip]

This really makes me miss my ZHP

[johnrando]

Def looks great.

[tkundhi]

Yeah... They told me to put higher pressures on the FRONTS instead of the rears for this square setup... Odd.



Odd indeed. What was their reasoning?

FWIW, I run the same pressures front and rear. On both stock (staggered) and square. Car balance is fine. On the square setup the car is more neutral.

t.

[brettbimmer]

Odd indeed. What was their reasoning?

FWIW, I run the same pressures front and rear. On both stock (staggered) and square. Car balance is fine. On the square setup the car is more neutral.

t.

+1. That's exactly how I run on the road or track.

Sent from my pineapple under the sea.

[stephenkirsh]

That makes sense since the car is 50/50 weight.

[stephenkirsh]

I showed up at Apex's HQ to buy two arc-8s after talking with one of their agents for 2 days. I arrived, and they only had one wheel. The rest are still on the water from china. This was nearly two weeks ago. Haven't received the last wheel yet (I bought both and took home the one they had and they'll ship me the other). Still waiting. Hope it arrived before my track day I've scheduled at end of the month. They weren't able to give me an ETA.


My other wheel showed up finally. 5 weeks after I ordered it. Missed a track day I had planned cuz of it. :(

[johnrando]

Glad you finally got it. SUX it took so long

[stephenkirsh]

Yea :(. Apparently their shipment from china got delayed 2 weeks. Still, bad planning on their part.

I'll do one more autox on my all season tires before switching to the apex wheels. Can't wait though.

[Vas]

Curious to how you been liking them since you had them installed.

No issues with rubbing?

[JeffSaysThings]

This is interesting... ECS tuning sells a VMR V710 knockoff called the Alzor Style 349 that look nearly identical to these but are really inexpensive. I initially thought these were the same wheels, but these appear to be much higher quality. I bought a set of the Alzors for my old R32 and they weighted about 27 lbs each (same size and offset as OP but with different bolt pattern). I would have loved them, but they were advertised as weighing quite a bit less than they really did. Oh well, I sold the car and the wheels.

Nice looking wheels OP!

[WOLFN8TR]

You get what you pay for applies here...

Alzors=Good- Gravity Casting
VMR's=Better- Low Pressure Casting
Apex=Best- Flow Forming

Apex-Flow-Forming manufacturing process. Flow-Forming, which has also been called “Roll Forging” or “Spin Forging”, produces a barrel with similar strength to that of a fully forged wheel. This significantly reduces weight in the most significant part of the wheel, as it has the greatest impact on rotational mass. Even with key strength improvements that add weight in select areas, static weights are reduced by 20% on average versus cast alternatives.
In a Wheel Manufacturing perspective:

Gravity casting is a method of manufacturing a cast wheel of an specific metal alloy, typically aluminum, although Magnesium is also used, which involves supplying molten metal to a mould cavity via a feeder through a running system where the molten metal entry point is located above the top of the mould cavity. In this manufacturing process all the metal entering the mould is subject to turbulence. This turbulence can cause severe defects such as oxide inclusions and entrapped gas porosity and in some cases mould erosion and hotspots.

Low-pressure casting in the other hand takes care of the disadvantages of Gravity casting by filling the mould through an in-gate just below the top of the mould cavity from a source under the mould through a method which allows complete filling of the mould. The force of gravity acts against the upward flow of the metal and eliminates the possible turbulence caused by the falling liquid metal. The molten metal is stored in a pressured container and by increasing the pressure metal is then forced into the mould.


Low Pressure Casting Compared to Gravity Casting

In low-pressure casting the method in which the metal is forced into the mould is the main difference/advantage over gravity casting and is absolutely controlled. As explained above it results in a low turbulence or turbulence-free mould filling with little to no corrosion.

The molten metal in the furnace is in a closed container under protected atmosphere. Because of this the metal absorbs less hydrogen and any other impurities as well as the oxide formation being greatly reduced. As opposed to gravity casting, the metal surface is not interrupted constantly since it is been forced from under the metal surface. What you get is a very clean quality metal.

Basically low-pressure casting uses positive pressure to move molten metal into the mold quickly thus resulting in a finished product with an Aluminum that is denser than Gravity cast. The cost involving the production of low-pressure cast are higher than gravity

As per Tirerack.com:

GRAVITY CASTING
Gravity casting is the most basic process of pouring molten aluminum into a mold utilizing the earth's gravity to fill the mold. Gravity casting offers a very reasonable production cost and is a good method for casting designs that are more visually oriented or when reducing weight is not a primary concern. Since the process relies on gravity to fill the mold, the aluminum is not as densely packed in the mold as some other casting processes. Often gravity cast wheels will have a higher weight to achieve the required strength.

LOW PRESSURE CASTING
Low pressure casting uses positive pressure to move the molten aluminum into the mold quicker and achieve a finished product that has improved mechanical properties (more dense) over a gravity cast wheel. Low-pressure casting has a slightly higher production cost over gravity casting. Low pressure is the most common process approved for aluminum wheels sold to the O.E.M. market. Low-pressure cast wheels offer a good value for the aftermarket as well. Some companies offer wheels that are produced under a higher pressure in special casting equipment to create a wheel that is lighter and stronger than a wheel produced in low pressure. Once again in the quest for lighter weight, there is a higher cost associated with the process.

In a Wheel Quality perspective

The advantages of low pressure die casting process are several :
- higher yield achievable
- reduction of machining costs
- excellent control of process parameters
- good metallurgical quality
- leads to an optimal use of the aluminum
- excellent mechanical and technological properties of the castings.

Disadvantages of gravity die-casting:
- High porosity rate
- High absorption of impurities
- Less dense material which results in a heavier wheel to be able to achieve the required load rating
- Very high process variations which leads to more defective units

Gravity casting does get the job done but with a higher rate of defective units as opposed to a stronger and lighter wheel made by low-pressure casting.

[johnrando]

Good info Gary!

[WOLFN8TR]

Good info Gary!

Thanks John...:thumbsup