Noah’s E36 M3 Coupe With APEX ARC-8 Wheels

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

Noah Holmes: I’m from the Bay Area originally, area code 415 before it was changed to only include San Francisco. I’m a game designer by trade, with about 18 years experience working in the electronic entertainment industry. My current track weapon is a 1998 E36 M3 coupe in dakar gelb II. I do almost all of my own maintenance and performance upgrades to my car.

APEX: What is your track day wheel setup?

Noah Holmes: APEX ARC-8 17×9″ ET42 with 5MM spacers and the black APEX 90mm bullet nose stud kit. Having been in the military, I am a firm believer in the concept of, ‘Keep It Simple Stupid.’ I like a square set-up to make wheel rotation easy and my car to be neutral. I like to use the throttle to help induce proper slip angle and over/understeer.

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

Noah Holmes: Each APEX wheel design is tested to rigorous industry standards, is affordable and look great as well. While a more expensive forged wheel might be lighter, you just can’t beat the warranty program from APEX and the quality for the price.

APEX: How did you get into track racing & for how long?

Noah Holmes: I knew I wanted to go fast, but I didn’t have deep enough pockets for a race school. I also didn’t want to put myself or other people at risk on the street being reckless, so I had to figure out the process to get my car on a track. I picked up an Evo in 2008 and started taking it to HPDE events in 2009. I’ve been tracking consistently since 2009 with a few months off each time my daughters were born.

APEX: What is your favorite memory or entertaining story from the track?

Noah Holmes: I made the mistake of following a Porsche GT4 into a plume of dust coming out of the sweeper at Buttonwillow. I finally came to a complete stop and waited for the dust to clear. I was about a foot from the Porsche bumper. That was a close one!

APEX: How many events do you participate in each year, care to share any track results?

Noah Holmes: I try at a minimum to get out there at least once a month. My family commitment and work can often make that tricky, but I try to make it work. Just like anything, I found the more time I take from the track the softer my skills get. With my E36M I’m still getting used to the RWD layout so my times aren’t amazing. In my Evo with just a tune I did manage to put down a 2:05 at Buttonwillow while running the popular CW13 configuration.

APEX: If you could give one tip to a new racer, what would your tip be?

Noah Holmes: Seat time is king. Drive as often as you can, regardless of the car.

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

Noah Holmes: Big thanks to: Gary @ Elite Performance in Burlingame Murad @ Mtech Dismantler for the replacement parts Hujan for the track inspired forum threads Maher @ RTD Shifters Alex @ RedLine360 Erick Wong for the late night wrenching

Noah’s Build Sheet

Engine: BMW E36 M3 S52 Engine VAC Baffled Oil Pan Mishimoto Coolant Reservoir Bimmerworld Race Exhaust Y-Pipe and Midpipe Strömung Muffler Z3M Three core OEM Radiator Lower Temperature Radiator Coolant Sensor Dinan Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake Bimmerworld SPAL Cooling Fan Turner Power Pulleys for Water pump, Alternator and Power Steering Pump Bimmerworld Dual Fuel Pumps w/ Crossover

Electronics: 8lb Pegasus Racing LiPO Battery w/ BMS

Chassis/Body: OEM X-Brace Rogue Engineering Mason Copy-Cat Front Tower Bar Ben Sipson Roll Bar (Powdercoated Semi-Gloss Black) Rolled Fenders with Cut Fender liners AKG RTAB Pocket Reinforcement Hard Motorsports Front Tow Hook (Powdercoated Semi-Gloss Black) Front Clear Corner Turn Signal Lenses Euro Style Rear Corner Tail Lights

Interior: OMP HTE-R Racing Seat Brey-Krause Floor Mounts w/ Anti-sub Bar Schroth Racing 6 Point Harness 3 Spoke OEM Steering Wheel Suede Wrapped Garagistic Clutch Stop Parabolic Interior Rear View Mirror Gutted Rear Interior Hard Motorsports Rear Trunk Panel Gutted Trunk

Suspension/Steering: MCS 1-Way Coilovers Swift Springs 616 ft/lbs/728 ft/lbs Ground Control Race Camber Plates VAC Rear Shock Mounts w/ Spherical Bushings Rogue Engineering Articulating Spring Perches AKG Rear Adjustable Lower Control Arms AKG RTAB Limiters Z3M Steering Rack Turner Rack Stop Limiters OEM Sway Bars OEM End Links

Wheels/Tires: APEX ARC-8 17×9″ ET42 255/40/17 Hankook Z221 TD C3 APEX 12mm BMW Spacers (Front) APEX 90mm Bullet Nose Studs

Drivetrain: RTD Race Length Cage Style Race Shifter AKG DSSR Revshift Engineering Solid Motor and Transmission Mounts Bimmerworld Stainless Steel Clutch Line Bimmerworld Stainless Steel Clutch Pivot Pin

Brakes: Hard Motorsports 3″ Brake Duct Inlets 3″ Brake Ducting Grüven Parts 3″ Duct Caliper Adapters Stop Tech Slotted Rotors OEM Calipers Bimmerworld Brass Caliper Guide Pins G-Loc R14/R12 F/R Race Pads ATE Super Blue DOT4 Fluid Bimmerworld Stainless Steel Brake Lines

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.