Mario’s E90 M3 Safety Car With APEX Wheels

APEX: Tell us some details about yourself & your car.

Mario: My name is Mario Blanco and I live in North Hollywood, California. I like to do long cruises and enjoy working on my car and others. I own an upcoming shop called “Mastermiindz”. I drive a 2008 BMW M3 sedan also known as the E90 M3.

APEX: We must know, are you allowed to turn on the lights while on the road?

Mario: I was very skeptical about getting this particular color light bar at first. The person who sold it to me specifically said “do not turn it on while driving as to you can get arrested”. I asked him how long would they throw me in jail for and he said “it’s a sentence of 10 years in prison or a huge fine”! I was invited by a few friends to a photoshoot a few days after I had finished the car and I went directly to my local police station and asked them “I replicated a racetrack safety car with a light bar that had red and blue, am I allowed to turn the lights on?” The officer said “you are allowed to turn the lights on as long as the vehicle is at a standstill or parked. You aren’t impersonating a law enforcement officer as to the car not being wrapped black and white” I was like YES!!! So to briefly answer your question, yes, I can turn lights on legally.

APEX: What is the wheel setup on your M3?

Mario: – 18×10.5” ET27 EC-7 wheels in race silver – 15mm Front Spacer – 20mm Rear Spacer – 275/35/18 tires up front and 285/35/18 in the rear (plenty of meaty tire to grasp the road) – KW Sleeve Kit at its lowest setting

APEX: Why did you choose APEX Wheels over the rest?

Mario: I chose APEX EC-7’s specifically for the reliability they have had on both street and track. It’s a very light wheel with a super aggressive look. The look was a huge concern for me because I was going for a BMW track look. These wheels look like the ZCP or also known as the competition wheels from BMW but in a smaller version.

APEX: What other modifications have been done to your car?

Mario: My M3 has the latest tune through Gintani with burble deleted and cold start because my neighbors hate me! So yes it takes me a very long time to warm up my car haha. I have Remus test pipes deleted secondary cats, stock X pipe and high flow resonators. After the resonators is where the magic happens with these fat flames. I also did my headlights through my own company “Mastermiindz” they are (F8X or New M3/M4) style lights with the switchback turn signal. My car is also wrapped on the outside with the full sponsorship of Mclogan Supplies here in Chatsworth. It’s avery pearlescent high gloss white wrap, with Avery triple M performance color and safety car decals. We went for the full look and even installed LED light bar by my father (Mario Blanco Sr.) with some custom brackets to mount on my bike rack mounts. The light bar is from SMD leds here in Whittier and lower bumper LEDs. I have a front GTS trinity lip from JL Motoring (very nice people). The M3 also features a rear challenge diffuser I customized to fit off an E92 M3. Did a full 2011 iDrive cic upgrade in the interior with new controller and center console swap. After a long time of convincing I managed to get my friend Vahan (@1sweet_m3) to sell me his console. I also did rear LCI trunk and light conversation for that more aggressive and desired rear end. My latest mods have been new red push start button from ModBargains also gifted from a friend ALI and my Yellow RPM gauge from @EurocustomsPR good guy Emanuel is also the owner.

APEX: Where can we follow you?

Mario: Instagram: @White_devil_w211

APEX: Do you have any clubs, shops or racing buddies you want to give a shout out to?

Mario: I want to give huge thanks to my friends and business partners at Mastermiindz for helping me and getting this car out together. We have a small crew that have some of the cleanest M3’s. Shout out to my loved ones and my friends! @mcmayra, @coniee_0712, @mastermiindz, @fedeev91, @limerockm3, @dima.d.m, @1sweet_m3, @findingnick, @killemwithkindnes5, @mark.a.king, @m3flight, @bmwm3_e93 @narvinbeans, @ds_e93m3, @ygayeron, @harut_h, @chadybarra, @e9xm3socal

Tom M.

Tom is a BMW Fitment Expert at APEX Wheels. Prior to joining the company in 2019, he worked for BMW of North America as Fleet Manager: Portland (OR) for the ReachNow car-sharing program, and as Warranty Administrator/Loaner Fleet Manager at BMW Portland. In addition, Tom has extensive training in BMW TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) as well as in-depth knowledge of all BMW chassis and their wheel fitment options, with and without aftermarket brake and suspension upgrades. His high-performance driving experience includes autocross events in southern Oregon and track days at PIR in his 2004 E46 330i with 17x9 ET42 APEX ARC-8 wheels. Vehicles he owned prior to indulging his passion for BMWs include a 1989 Jaguar XJ6 and a 2006 S197 Ford Mustang. Fun Fact: Tom is a huge Formula 1 fan. Have questions about wheels for your BMW? Use our contact form and ask for Tom.