Vehicles Covered in this Guide All years and models of 4-lug 2WD E30 coupes, sedans, convertibles, and touring. This guide excludes the E30 M3 and 325ix models. Fitment between all other 2WD E30 models is identical.
Chassis Introduction Throughout history, the E30 has always been a popular choice for track enthusiasts. Its simplicity and versatility makes it an excellent choice for pretty much any type of use case. The first wheel we ever made was the ARC-8 for the E30 M3, made specifically to fit perfectly, be lightweight, and clear big brake kits. To this day our philosophy remains the same. We produce two 4x100 wheels for the E30, the 17x8" ET25 and 17x8.5" ET20. If you're interested in 5x120 E30 M3 fitments, be sure to check out our E30 M3 Wheel and Tire Fitment guide.
Available Wheel Designs
Flow Formed Designs
OEM+ Wheel Fitment
Easy upgrades for street-driven cars
BMW 3 Series E30
BMW 3 Series E30
BMW 3 Series E30
For most street or track applications, we recommend this wheel. This is the non-concave version of the ARC-8, and is a direct bolt-on fitment with no modifications required.
Square Setup
Recommended for most types of street and performance driving. Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance.
Wheels
- Front Wheel Size: 17x8" ET25
- Rear Wheel Size: 17x8" ET25
- Available in ARC-8 design only.
- Popular fitment.
Tires
- APEX Staff Pick:
- Front Tire Size: 215/40-17
- Rear Tire Size: 215/40-17
- Direct fit with no spacers or modifications required.
- 235/40-17 tires can also be used with front negative camber and rear rolled fenders.
Aggressive Street Wheel Fitment
Aggressive fitments focused on appearance
This fitment prioritizes concavity and aesthetics above all. It will require 5mm spacers up front in order to clear OEM brakes (and most aftermarket BBKs). Certain aftermarket BBKs with thicker calipers than the stock brakes may require thicker spacers and hub extenders for brake clearance. In addition, quite a bit of negative camber will be required front and rear in order to avoid rubbing the fenders. This fitment is not recommended if you're looking for a direct bolt-on setup.
Square Setup
Recommended for most types of street and performance driving. Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance.
Wheels
- Front Wheel Size: 17x8.5" ET20
- Rear Wheel Size: 17x8.5" ET20
- Available in ARC-8 design only.
- Requires front negative camber.
- Requires 5mm front spacers for brake clearance.
- Requires rolled rear fenders to prevent rubbing.
Tires
- APEX Staff Pick:
- Front Tire Size: 215/40-17
- Rear Tire Size: 215/40-17
- 235/40-17 tires can also be used, but more negative camber will be required.
Additional Resources
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. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.
Still have questions?
Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form Call us: 925-245-0773 Email us: support@apexraceparts.com