Bolt Pattern
5x120
Centerbore
72.56mm
Lug Seat
60° conical
Lug Thread Pitch
M12x1.5mm
Vehicles Covered in this Guide All years and models of 1-Series coupes (E82) and convertibles (E88). This guide excludes the 1M. Fitment between all E82 and E88 models is identical.
Chassis Introduction Some say it’s the modern-day E36. Or E30. Or 2002. Either way, it’s an incredibly popular chassis with enthusiasts for its substantial out-of-the-box capabilities, as well as its tremendous aftermarket support. However, when these cars first hit the market, we at APEX ran into a challenge (and we love solving challenges). The stock wheel offsets are much higher than those of any other BMW model, which meant new fitments had to be produced specifically for this platform. We began by producing the AERO-7 as a 1-Series-specific wheel (now discontinued), and it proved to work well for street and track applications. The fitment was popular, but demand for our classic ARC-8 and EC-7 designs increased, so we adapted those designs to work as well. The results were excellent, and the ARC-8 & EC-7 1-Series wheels have been in high demand ever since.
Wider fitments for enhanced performance
These fitments prioritize (in order): 1. Performance 2. Ease of fitment 3. Aesthetics - this comes naturally as a result of a perfectly flush fitment.
Square Setups Recommended for most types of street and performance driving. Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance.
Staggered Setups Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width. Staggered setups are recommended for highly tuned cars that need extra rear tire width in order to control their increased power output.
Aggressive fitments focused on appearance and concavity
What About Concavity?
This fitment prioritizes (in order): 1. Aesthetics 2. Ease of fitment 3. Performance
Many of you have asked about running concave fitments on your 1-Series. Over time, deep concave fitments have proven difficult to fit on the 1-Series due to its high offset requirements. However, with a little fender "persuasion," enough negative camber, and slightly skinnier tires, it can be done. Forget about running performance-oriented tire sizes without a widebody or overfenders though, this is purely a street/aesthetic fitment, and is not recommended for track or HPDE use.
Concave Setup Recommended for those who prefer concavity at all costs.
Each of our wheel designs is available in two or three different levels of concavity, which we call Profiles. The Profile is dictated by the width and offset, meaning wide lower-offset wheels will have more concavity, while narrow higher-offset wheels will have less concavity.
If you’re using coilovers, see the image below to identify which type of coilover spring you have, as it may effect your wheel fitment.
About Camber Plates
Adjustable camber plates do more than just aid in wide wheel and tire fitment. They provide increased grip and reduced tire wear by spreading the load evenly during cornering. The photo above shows what happens without negative camber dialed in. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.
We have tested many brake kits with the wheels listed in this guide. Please email us with any questions related to brake clearance, we’ll be happy to help.
Brake kits known to clear | Brake kits known not to clear |
---|---|
Stock 135i M-Sport Brakes | Brembo/Dinan 6-Piston 355mm |
Brembo 6-Piston 355mm | Brembo 6-Piston 380mm |
FAQ:
What about the 18x9.5” ET43? The 18x9.5” ET43 is too aggressive to fit on a stock-body 1-Series. It would require fender flares or heavily rolled and pulled rear fenders in order to clear without rubbing.
What if I have 1M front fenders and stock rears? In this case, you can use the 18x9.5” ET22 front wheel (may require negative camber depending on tire brand/compound) paired with the 18x9.5” ET58 rear. This results in a deeper concavity up front than the rear due to the lower offset. While you still can’t properly rotate tires, it’s a great way to run a 9.5” square setup.
Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form Call us: 925-245-0773 Email us: support@apexraceparts.com