Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[larryn]

Finally got the wheels, and I think they look great. I went for fitment over form, but the form is pretty good, IMO.

The specs:
APEX ARC-8 Wheels -

• Rear 18x9.5 ET62, Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec 275/35/18, no spacers, and room for more... no rubbing at all. Stock rear camber (or darned close to it). Fenders unmodified.

• Front 18x8.5 ET38, Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec 255/35/18, no spacers. I'm running -2.7 deg camber (Vorschlag camber plates), and there's 1/2" room between the fender and the (very) tucked tire. No rubbing at all too. Fenders rolled. I think I can get it to about -2.3 deg, if I want to, and still not rub.

I did raise the front of the car about 3/4" from these pics, because it just looks way too dumped in front.

I posted these pics in the APEX Group Buy thread, but thought they needed to be here too. Sorry for the dirty car, as you can see, the weather is not conducive to detailing or even driveway washing...

For those who do not want to add camber plates, These wheels should work with 275R, 235F, with little issues, maybe removing the alignment pin and sliding the strut hat over (if you need anything at all).

One more thing, lemme tell ya, this thing has HUGE GRIP, with the camber and humongous tires, even in the cold weather....

Now for pics!

First, here's view of the fatty rear tires.



Next a few that I took at the entrance of a park down the street.





And here's some to show the GOOD clearance.




Been a LONG time coming, and I'm pretty happy. Thanks Eddy @ APEX.

[Feyd]

Finally some pics!

Those look HAWT!!

Check out how the star-specs fill up with snow... haha.

[Jcrewsn]

wow 275 awesome! Love the wheels

[aisthetes]

Apex's look spot on! Finally, a proper 135i bulldog stance, thanks to the correct offsets. I can only imagine how amazing the car would feel on track with that much rubber up front.

A few questions:

1) Do you plan to run the wheels/tires daily and keep the neg camber, or switch them out for competition use only? Not sure how -2.3 to -2.7 required camber to fit 255s would work for commuting.

2) How extensively did you modify the front fenders prior to fitment?

[larryn]

I plan to raise the front of the car about 3/4" to even it out, and then play with camber settings. I think that I can run close to -2 deg or so, from the room I have up front right now. If so, there's no need to swap them out, in my mind.

I can adjust my camber to around -3.3 deg or so for events, at its current height, and closer to -3 deg when I raise it a bit. I think it's going to be very tenacious like this.

I still was almost a disbeliever, until I bolted 'em on. Kind of cool to have the first full set of proper fitting, maximum width, non-custom wheels, all mounted up.

Oh, I previously rolled the insides of my front fender lip to be fairly flat (early in 2008), and did some modification to the fender/bumper mounting tab. Not major work...

[1013mm]

WOW!!! You went with a setup in the front that't crazier than most on this board!!! Are you planning to run this setup long term? How do you think that would affect your comfort/practicality levels when you drive? Also did you roll your front fender? I'm currently running 235 in the front and I have about a 3-5mm left, but I rub I was thinking I just need to roll the front and I'm set. Any advice? I dont want to do any modding to the car that would affect my daily driving even though I already did by using 235/35/19 up front....

could have also went with toyo or flakens to get more clearance but they dont really do that great in cold...

[aisthetes]

Originally Posted by larryn

Kind of cool to have the first full set of proper fitting, maximum width, non-custom wheels, all mounted up.

Indeed, plus light weight and very affordable. I've been waiting for one of you "early adopters" to post results before I took the plunge. Your efforts and feedback are much appreciated. Well done.

[randomquickness]

Looks great! Doesn't look like you're gonna get to put many miles on those direzzas anytime soon though.

I spy a POW MIA flag too!

[billspreston]

Sick stance, love it!

[135gofast]

amazing! what are there, about 8 weeks til you really get to exercise those puppies? looking forward to seeing them in person

[mechanicalmagic]

I'M GOING TO TRY AND RESTRAIN MYSELF, YOU A$$HO......

My tires and APEX rims are still in the garage, waiting for the shop, on Monday. 255/35-18 Dunlop Direzza SS all around. Too bad folks here can't see the size of the grips in the DDSS sipes.

But I'm going to get even, weather in California is great, so I get to REALLY test the grip before you do.

Fitful congratulations.
DJ

[emac08]

gad dang a them tires are wiiiiide!

[wu2x]

Looking good! I'm glad I got the same color

[larryn]

Originally Posted by mechanicalmagic

I'M GOING TO TRY AND RESTRAIN MYSELF, YOU A$$HO......

My tires and APEX rims are still in the garage, waiting for the shop, on Monday. 255/35-18 Dunlop Direzza SS all around. Too bad folks here can't see the size of the grips in the DDSS sipes.

But I'm going to get even, weather in California is great, so I get to REALLY test the grip before you do.

Fitful congratulations.
DJ

Funny...

Can't wait to see yours mounted up too! The anthracite and cashmere should look pretty sweet!

[vasracer]

looks great, thats going to be my next purchase!

[Badawe]

Those look awsome man! Where from? How much!!>

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Badawee

Those look awsome man! Where from? How much!!>

Thanks!! I raised the front by 3/4" this morning, and all's well now on the biggest of bumps, plus it looks more even. One other thing I should mentioned, after having runflats and heavy wheels on, then swapping to theses. They're 10lbs less on each corner, even with the much fatter tires. You can feel it in throttle response and seat-of-the-pants quickness.

I got in early on the group buy for the APEX ARC-8's. That thread is here.

[HIPSI]

Larryn, just to be certain you didn't find this to be true relative to the need for camber plates with 255's?:

This wheel is intended to be used with our 18x8.5" ARC-8 wheel. Our 18x8.5" wheel is an aggressive front fitment for the 1 series, as it was intended to be used with a 255/35/18 to complement the wide rear setup. Negative camber is a must to fit anything larger then a 225/40/18 onto the front of the 1 series when using the 18x8.5 wheel. We highly recommend the purchase of 1 series specific Vorshlag Camber plates


Looking at the site, the GB pricing appears to be still in effect...

[HIPSI]

Never mind I just read your initial post that mentions the use of the plates... THX

[rsjean]

Originally Posted by larryn

I still was almost a disbeliever, until I bolted 'em on. Kind of cool to have the first full set of proper fitting, maximum width, non-custom wheels, all mounted up.
...

That IS nice. Congrats. Nice look and now you'll have some fun! I'm jealous.

[Feyd]

Am I the only one who thinks we need a low shot directly behind your car..? I want to see what those wide-ass 275's looks like from the rear perspective.

[1013mm]

Originally Posted by Feyd

Am I the only one who thinks we need a low shot directly behind your car..? I want to see what those wide-ass 275's looks like from the rear perspective.

aka you want an ass shot.