Front, 17", Profile 1, 5 Lugs, Anthracite- Rear, 17", Profile 1, 5 Lugs, Anthracite
VW MK5 GTI Wheels
Lightweight forged & flow formed APEX wheels for your 2003-2009 VW MK5 GTI
Construction Type
AllFinish: Anthracite
Total
$1,376.00Overview
MK5 GTI Wheel Performance
The 5th generation GTI has long been praised by enthusiasts for its refined driving dynamics but the stock MK5 GTI wheels and tires tend to be less than ideal when enjoying a spirited drive on a twisty backroad. This is mainly due to the slim OEM wheel and tire sizes used, as they quickly reach their limit of grip at a much lower speed than what the chassis is capable of. If you want to maximize the performance of your MK5 GTI, a chassis-specific set of lightweight wheels in a wider fitment will completely transform your driving experience. We developed our forged VS-5RS and flow formed SM-10 wheels to reduce weight and improve overall traction. You can check out all of our offerings for MK5 GTI wheels via our chassis specific MK5 GTI wheel & tire fitment guide.
History of the MK5 GTI
If you’re searching for MK5 GTI wheels, you’ve come to the right place! However, before you lock in your final fitment, design, and finish selections let's first take a quick look at the history of the MK5 GTI chassis.
The 5th generation GTI made its debut at Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and was sold during the model years of 2004-2009. In North American markets, the MK5 GTI was offered in 3-door and 5-door hatchback variants and was marketed under the Rabbit nameplate. The MK5 GTI was offered with a 2.0T 4-cylinder engine making just shy of 200 hp at the crank. Power was sent to the front wheels via a standard 6-speed manual, or optional 6-speed DSG transmission. Over the years, these cars have become an enthusiast favorite for a budget-conscious, yet fun and practical hot hatchback. With plenty of aftermarket parts support and a very tunable engine and chassis, the MK5 GTI makes a great option for a cheap and reliable track car. For the best “bang for your buck” modification we suggest starting with a set of Apex MK5 GTI wheels and tires in a wide and flush fitment.
For the MK5 chassis, we recommend a smaller diameter 17” wheel, which offers more performance and functionality benefits compared to larger diameter wheels. You can learn more about the benefits of 17” wheels via our VW-focused article: Meatier Tires and Faster Lap Times: The Benefits of 17” Wheels
While a set of Apex MK5 GTI wheels paired with some sticky performance tires can completely transform your car’s handling ability, it is important to always consider maintenance before mods. Especially with an older chassis such as the MK5, there are plenty of things to keep an eye on to ensure your car is running smoothly. TopGear wrote up an excellent used buyers guide/review on the MK5 GTI.
MK5 Gallery
No galleries found matching current filters.
SM-10 Specifications
Reproductive Harm - www.p65warnings.ca.cov 
REAL DRIVERS NEED REAL PERFORMANCE.
Not all claims of performance are backed up by facts—and it's a big problem. Don't get sold fashion when you want function.
Fitment guides
Which Wheels Should I Get?
Check out our Fitment Guides, the most in-depth, authoritative guides for wheel and tire fitments, tailored for your vehicle and how you drive it.
SM-10 features
The Flow Form Advantage
Flow forming enables us to create high performance wheels without the price premium of forging. It improves the mechanical properties and grain structure of the barrel, increasing its strength and stiffness, which allows us to use less material and reduce weight. Thanks to our superior engineering, our flow formed wheels have a higher load rating than some competitors' forged wheels.
"I" Beam Spokes
One of the most prominent features of the SM-10 is its advanced "I" beam spoke machining. Any excess material that doesn’t add strength is carved out from the sides of the spokes using a precision CNC ball cutter. This process is often deemed cost-prohibitive by others, but for performance without compromise we believe it's essential.
Bigger, Tougher Inner Lip
The inner lip is the most vulnerable part of a wheel because it has no spokes for support. Our Flow Formed Evolution line adds more material to this high-impact area as an extra layer of protection against track berms, potholes, and whatever else the road may throw at you.
Maximizing Concavity
We use the deepest concave face profiles we can for every application after factoring in critical clearances such as brake calipers. The SM-10 utilizes 3 unique profiles to make this possible, with the deepest concave face delivering reduced weight and a stunningly aggressive appearance.
Big Brake Clearance
Big brakes often require bigger, heavier, more expensive wheels, which aren’t ideal in a performance environment. The SM-10 is one of our many wheels which solve this problem. Through comprehensive laser scanning and endless rounds of test-fitting, we’ve created 18” wheels to clear huge brakes that typically require 19” wheels from other manufacturers.
Weight Optimized
We conducted extensive Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to reinforce high-stress areas and to remove material where it didn’t improve strength. The result is a wheel that is exceptionally light without the strength compromises found on typical lightweight wheels.²
Built for Impact Sockets
Track wheels need track tools. Don’t settle for wheels that require undersized tuner lugs or thin walled sockets. All APEX wheels accommodate over-sized race lugs and impact sockets to make swapping wheels lightning fast.
32mm
Socket Diameter Clearance
Finishing Touches
The SM-10 is finished using a multi-stage liquid paint over a powder coated base coat. This coating process leaves lug holes, center bores and mounting pads untouched, which ensures proper fit and torque values.
JWL and Beyond
All APEX Flow Formed wheels meet or meaningfully exceed JWL load rating requirements. Some manufacturers don't meet the minimum requirements, yet still claim to be compliant. Always compare load ratings to ensure you aren’t sacrificing critical strength for a slightly lighter wheel.
True VIA
The VIA is an independent wheel testing and auditing agency similar to TÜV. Many companies falsely claim their wheels have been certified, and even use the VIA stamp without permission. Our Flow Formed wheels have been certified, and we provide the registration numbers for every wheel. Protect yourself. Demand registration numbers from manufacturers.
Additional features
Hub Centric
All SM-10 wheels are purpose built for select vehicle applications. Very few applications require centering rings.
Center Caps
All APEX wheels come with our gloss black cap included that is interchangeable with the OE cap. We also offer additional colors for select fitments.
Wheel Hardware
APEX wheels can be used with all OEM mounting hardware, proper aftermarket hardware and most wheel spacers. Wheel locks and stud conversion kits also work perfectly.
TPMS
All APEX wheels accept OEM and aftermarket Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors and standard fit valve stems. If you don’t have sensors, then select from our metal stems available in multiple finishes.
Accessories
A Wheel You Can Depend On
Accidental damage replacement
Curb rash or pothole damage on the street? Make an oopsie at the track? We’ve all been there. APEX is proud to offer 50% off replacement wheels, no matter the damage.
Lifetime warranty
All APEX wheels come with a lifetime structural warranty against defects in workmanship and materials, plus a 1 year finish warranty. Exchanges are fast, easy, and hassle-free.
¹ All wheels compared with equivalent 18x10” ET25 5x120mm /72.56mm fitment
If you like cheap gear you will hate this newsletter.