New Flow-Formed VS-5 Wheels

Apex’s Iconic 5-spoke Look at an Unbeatable Price Point

With the VS-5, Apex delivers our iconic split 5-spoke style in a high-performance flow-formed package for the first time ever. At a fraction of the price of its forged sibling, starting at $1255 a set, VS-5 delivers that premium look at an attainable price point that welcomes all enthusiasts. Within its price bracket, the flow-formed VS-5 offers huge performance for your dollar, and brings features that are typically exclusive to forged wheels to the flow-formed market. Its  performance stacks up impressively to the forged VS-5RS, making it an unbeatable value.

VS-5 18" fitments are in-stock and will ship within 5 days of ordering, and pre-order begins today for 17" and 19" fitments, with 15% off and FREE shipping on pre-orders. 19" fitments will ship in May and 17" will ship in July.

Uncompromising Origins

The original forged version of the VS-5 was designed to be one of the most uncompromising competition-focused wheels on the market. The new flow-formed version is a contender in its own right. Engineered in-house leveraging nearly two decades of experience perfecting and manufacturing flow-formed wheels, the VS-5 doesn’t just maximize the performance potential of a flow-formed wheel, it does so while staying surprisingly true to the look of the forged VS-5RS.

Designed with many performance features rarely seen outside of forged wheels, the VS-5 boasts aggressive, side-milled spokes that provide significant weight-savings and a reinforced inner lip for durability and strength at the wheel’s most vulnerable point – a hugely important feature that sets the flow-formed VS-5 apart as a truly track-ready wheel. We also designed the VS-5 with ultra-deep face profiles that maximize concavity using our massive library of 3D scans, which ensure a tailored fitment on a wildly diverse range of platforms. Additionally, a 0-degree draft barrel design was included for maximum brake clearance, another critical feature to accommodate larger OE brakes and upgraded big brake kits. Track wheels also require track tools, like impact sockets for quick wheel changes, and like all Apex wheels, the VS-5 accommodates oversized race lugs and impact sockets to make swapping wheels in the heat of battle a breeze.

These features make the VS-5 not just a top tier option in the flow-formed space, but a wheel we consider the last step in performance before leveling up to a fully-forged design. To that point, the flow-formed VS-5 and the forged VS-5RS have some specific differences.

We engineered the flow-formed VS-5 to have an impressive strength-to-weight ratio that gets as close as possible to a well-optimized forged wheel. On average, the flow-formed VS-5 weighs approximately 2 to 2.5 lbs more than its forged counterpart, making it an extremely competitive option for those looking for legitimate weight-savings without the higher cost that forged wheels command. As an example, a VS-5 in a popular 18x9” ET30 BMW fitment weighs 19.8 lbs, while the forged version weighs 17.9 lbs. The flow-formed VS-5 is undeniably competition-grade, but not quite the ultra-high performance, hardcore track spec that its forged counterpart offers.

Apex Does Flow-Formed Differently

It’s important to note that forged manufacturing does not automatically make a wheel lighter, stronger, or stiffer. In fact, a well-engineered flow-formed wheel like the VS-5 can easily surpass a competitor's under-developed forged wheel in terms of strength, and the flow-formed VS-5 is a wheel that’s fully capable of handling the rigors of on-track abuse. Most brand’s flow-formed wheels are designed to be as universal and affordable as possible. That means using ultra-conservative face profiles, widths, and offsets, and eschewing upscale features like side-milling and reinforced inner lips, which are typically seen as cost-prohibitive in this category of wheel. The result is an underwhelming design, an underwhelming fitment, and an unimpressive feature set. The result would not be a Real Performance wheel.

The VS-5 was designed using Apex’s decades of vehicle-specific research, which includes our comprehensive 3D scans of cars. As such, we were able to produce this wheel in fitments for a staggering number of platforms – including many JDM platforms that we’ve never produced wheels for until now. The VS-5’s initial fitment offerings include 17x8" ET30, 17x9" ET35, 18x9" ET35, 18x9.5" ET22, 18x9.5" ET40, and 18x10.5" ET22, all with 5x114.3 lug patterns and a 73.1mm center bore. With the utilization of centering rings, these fitments cover many Honda Civics, Nissan Zs, Subaru WRXs, and JDM halo cars like the Mazda FD RX-7, Nissan R32-R34 Skyline, and many more. The VS-5 is also the first Apex wheel we’ve ever made available in our stunning Hyper Black finish outside of the ARC-8, an incredibly dynamic finish that really brings out the little details that make the VS-5 not just a high-performance wheel, but a visual show-stopper.

Built to Last. Covered Just In-Case.

Like all Apex wheels, the VS-5 is covered by our famous wheel replacement program and warranty post-purchase, and are backed by Apex’s industry-leading customer support. If you have additional questions about these products or how they fit your specific application, feel free to email our Fitment Experts at experts@apexwheels.com.

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.