APEX EC-7 | 18" x 11" ET44 | 5x120mm | 72.56mm

Need help selecting the proper wheel fitment for your BMW? APEX Race Parts have tirelessly test-fitted hundreds of setup combinations in order to provide direct-fit, spacer-free wheel packages for everything from showroom-fresh cars to all-out race builds. Their detailed fitment guides help you avoid costly trial-and-error and walk you through every step of finding your perfect setup.

Fit Matters

An optimized car setup begins with the perfect wheel and tyre fitment. Without model-specific attention to each wheels specifications, maximum performance is compromised. Each size was selected to find the right balance between a clean fit and the most grip possible. The EC-7’s wide range of widths, diameters, offsets and face profiles result in unique fitments ranging from 8.5" to 10.5" wide. Each wheel combines these features to meet the different brake caliper, strut, and fender clearance needs of each BMW model. Most vehicle models have options for wheels that range from direct-fit to aggressive for specialty applications.

The EC-7 wheel is available in three increasingly-concave face profiles; The shallowest face provides increased caliper clearance on narrow applications, while the deepest concave face reduces weight and creates a stunningly aggressive appearance on low offset and wide-width applications.

The curved spokes of the EC-7 serve many purposes, both in terms of form and function. The split "Y" spokes were carefully evaluated from every aspect to ensure light weight and remarkable strength. Their curved design increases brake calipers in almost every application, allowing the EC-7 to fit where the ARC-8 design simply cannot. The unique curvature of each face profile reduces centre pad material as they are optimally selected for each unique width and offset. The lack of a deep front lip and spokes that connect directly to the barrel's lip, producing a rigid wheel with even load distribution.

Spoke clearance is only half the problem. The barrel construction on a wheel also needs to be big enough to clear the sides of your caliper and rotor. Many aftermarket wheels that have aesthetic compromises in their design may work with smaller stock brakes, or smaller diameter big brake kits, but the larger kits will pose a major problem. The barrel of the EC-7 wheel offers unmatched caliper clearance because wheels shouldn’t limit your choice of aftermarket brake kits, and brake kits shouldn’t force you to run oversized wheels. APEX 2D modelled most Big Brake Kits available in Solidworks and tweaked the wheel design of the EC-7 prior to production in order to fit as many kits as possible.

Race wheels can't just be light, they need to function in a high performance environment. Unlike the narrow lug recesses of most other wheels, the EC-7 wheel features a wide open hub centre that easily accommodates oversized race lugs and beefy impact sockets. This allows for quick and easy wheel changes and prevents chips and scratches from tools.

All APEX EC-7 wheels are purpose built for select vehicle applications, and hub locating rings are never required for any BMW application. All 5x120mm bolt pattern wheels feature a direct-fit, 72.56mm centre bore.

APEX don't reuse one cap design for all of their wheels. Every EC-7 wheel is designed to work with factory centre caps. You can easily replace APEX centre caps with OEM roundels for a clean factory look. The EC-7 wheels will ship with the APEX Gloss Black centre cap that mimics the size and shape of a BMW factory centre cap.

The EC-7 wheel can be used with all OEM and aftermarket mounting hardware with a 60° tapered seat. Lug bolts, wheel locks, and stud conversion kits all work perfectly. The EC-7 wheel also accepts wheel spacers without issue. The shallow rear chamfer allows the wheel to remain hub centric even when 5mm flat spacers are used. The chamfer is deep enough to clear the chamfered lip found on some aftermarket spacers that would typically cause improper seating of the wheel and, therefore, wheel vibration.

TPMS sensors, which monitor tyre pressure, are one piece of technology that can't be compromised. The attention to OEM compatibility on the EC-7 wheel doesn't end with centre caps. All APEX wheels accept OEM and aftermarket equivalent TPMS sensors, and any standard sized metal or rubber valve stem.

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These APEX wheels are produced using a manufacturing process known as flow forming. This process significantly reduces weight in the barrel, which has the greatest impact on rotational mass. During the manufacturing process, rollers apply high pressure to the inner barrel, compressing the aluminium into its final shape. This effectively eliminates porosity and aligns the grain structure of the metal, which increases tensile strength. The end result is a lightweight and extremely strong barrel that equals that of a traditional forged wheel at a fraction of the cost.

Many companies promote their wheels as being certified by the VIA when they actually aren’t. That’s like using the USDA logo on food without permission. APEX wheels get officially tested and registered by the VIA in Japan, and they have the proof to back it up.

Japan’s JWL is a commonly followed standard for wheel load ratings. The APEX flow formed wheels meet, and most exceed, their load rating requirements. Most manufacturers only meet the minimum while some don’t even do that. Check and verify load ratings before you buy.

Various design features were implemented to ensure that the EC-7 wheel design was light, but had even more strength to handle the abuses experienced in endurance racing. APEX began with a beefy, multi-spoke, one-piece design. They then added reliefs in the mounting pad to remove weight between lug holes, where they could safely save weight. The design was then run through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to further optimize the spoke and barrel design. The result is a lightweight wheel with extra strength in all the right places. Use the EC-7 with confidence. It’s over built for both street and track.

The EC-7 wheel is available in multiple finishes. All APEX wheels are finished using a comprehensive multi-stage liquid paint system over a powder coated base coat. Standard finishes include gloss-metallic finishes, and semi-gloss or matte finishes.

Often overlooked, painted or powder coated lug hole seats can cause hardware to loosen or begin the spread of paint chipping to more visible sections. The coating process of the EC-7 leaves lug holes, centre bores and mounting pads untouched, which ensures proper fit and torque values.

As of recent, all APEX wheels now come with a lifetime structural warranty and 1 year finish warranty, so you can be confident in your purchase. Please contact us for the full terms and conditions.