Photoshoot: 19″ EC-7 Wheels on Alpine White BMW E90 335D

Edited 6/9/23.

Note: This article references some discontinued EC-7 fitments. To view all the new APEX recommended options for your E90 or E91 LCI sedan or wagon, head over to our shop by vehicle configurator.

We took our APEX shop car that normally runs a staggered set of 18×9/18×9.5″ EC-7 wheels, and we mounted up a set of 19″ EC-7’s in equivalent sizes. Our 2011 Alpine White LCI E90 335D was tested and photographed running 19×9″ ET35 (Profile 2) front and 19×9.5″ ET33 (Profile 3) rear wheels. A setup like this would typically be used by someone wanting to run a mildly aggressive street setup, as it is more aggressive than our most conservative combination available for the 3-series. For this test fitment we used 245/35/19 and 255/35/19 Hankook V12’s. Since we like everything to be track worthy, this diesel 3-series was already equipped with MCS single-adjustable coilovers and Ground Control camber plates. As tested the car had only 1.5 degrees negative camber dialed-in up front, which was unnecessary to fit these 9″ wheels and 245 tires. Typically this diesel would be running 255 Michelin Super sports up front on a 9″ wheel along with wheels that use a more aggressive offset, so we had more than enough front fender clearance the way our shop car was configured. The ET35 offset of these 19″ wheels in combination with a 245 tire allows them to be a direct flush fitment on a stock E9X non-M, but careful attention is still needed to avoid any suspension clearance issues with some aftermarket kits due to their added wheel width in towards the strut. For the easiest front fitment, or for those looking to run tire widths closer to OEM sizes, the 19×8.5″ ET35 wheel is the right choice. 8.5″ wide wheels with a 235 are an easy fit, and still provide a nice performance increase over stock.

Non-M owners have been asking for more spoke concavity for years, and we’ve answered that request with our new 9.5″ ET33 rear wheel, which is now produced using the most aggressive profile 3 face. This wheel was specifically created for the non-M 3 series to maximize concavity for this application. Now M3 levels of spoke concavity are available for non-M models without a major compromise in wheel fitment. Pre-LCI models can run the new ET33 wheel with a wide range of tire sizes as there is plenty of rear fender clearance. Sadly LCI E90 models like our diesel suffer from BMW’s widened track width change during the LCI switch over. This resulted in about an 8mm push out on each side of the car, which translates to 8mm less clearance on each side for the same set of wheels and tires to clear the fenders. As a result LCI models cannot run as much rear tire, or as aggressive of a wheel offset as the pre-LCI equivalents. At APEX we like to fit as much wheel and tire as we can without compromise, so for our test we opted to run the 19×9.5″ ET33 wheel with 255 tires. The 18″ setup this car normally runs includes 265 Michelin Super Sports in the rear, and we are encountering rear rubbing on the plastic liner. By running a 255 non-extreme summer tire on our 19″ set we’ve added additional clearance and rear rubbing is avoided. Tire size and tire brand will play a big part into whether or not the rear of an LCI car will rub slightly on big bumps. We suggest consulting us prior to throwing anything on the car that may be too wide unless you are willing to roll rear fenders and/or dial in additional negative camber in the rear.

If you’re looking to fit a meaty 265 tire on the back of an LCI model 3-series, then we have another rear option for you. To compensate for the wider track width of these cars, we also produce an LCI-friendly ET43 version of our 9.5″ rear wheel using the medium concavity profile 2 face. This higher offset pushes the wheel in further and allows for much more fender clearance. They can be used in combination with either the 8.5″ front or 9″ front wheel for a clean fit.

Although the most common fitment run by customers will be the 19×8.5″ ET35 and 19×9.5″ ET43 wheel, we know enthusiasts with a few other mods will appreciate the truly vehicle specific features the 19×9″ ET35 and 19×9.5″ ET33 wheels offer.

EC-7 DESIGN:

The 19″ EC-7’s are manufactured using three unique face profiles ranging from moderate to extreme concavity. This wide range of vehicle-specific 19″ fitments allows for maximum concavity, proper brake caliper clearance, wider tires, and an overall ideal setup. The EC-7 wheel’s design has been tweaked to further enhance functionality and appearance. The center pad depth has been increased on all sizes to further accentuate spoke concavity on the EC-7 wheels. The wheel’s inner lip was thickened to increase strength as well as better handle the abuse from low profile and stretched tires. These wheels include a newly redesigned sleek black center cap made from a more heat-resistant material for increased durability in track environments. The OEM BMW center caps and TPMS sensors are still perfectly compatible with the 19″ EC-7’s.. The EC-7 wheel line was originally created to address the concerns of more and more racers and track day enthusiasts: long term durability, fit and performance. With the increase of faster and heavier cars being used in racing, HPDEs, and spirited driving, the EC-7 was designed and engineered to handle extreme abuse on the track & street and offer a wide range of direct fitments, all while producing a lightweight wheel. We’ve taken these strength and endurance features even further with the 19″ line to produce a very stylish and functional wheel.

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.