Description
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Fit Matters
The right solution for every application
An optimized car setup begins with the perfect wheel and tire fitment. Without model-specific attention, maximum performance is compromised. Each size was selected to find the right balance between a clean fit and the most grip possible. The EC-7's wide range of widths, diameters, offsets and face profiles result in unique fitments ranging from 8.5" to 11" wide. Each wheel combines these features to meet the different brake caliper, strut, and fender clearance needs of each BMW model. The EC-7 offers most vehicle applications a range from direct-fit to extremely aggressive. Daily drivers and professional racers don't have the same needs, so why should they be forced to buy the same exact fitment?
Face Profile
One design, many levels of beauty
The EC-7 wheel is available in three increasingly-concave face profiles; The shallowest face provides increased caliper clearance on narrow applications, while the deepest concave face reduces weight and creates a stunningly aggressive appearance on low offset and wide-width applications. The APEX EC-7 design offers these 3 face profiles in both 18" and 19" sizes.
Spokes
More than just a pretty face
The curved spokes of the EC-7 serve many purposes, both in terms of form and function. The split "Y" spokes were carefully evaluated from every aspect to ensure light weight and remarkable strength. Their curved design increases brake calipers in almost every application, allowing the EC-7 to fit where the ARC-8 design simply cannot. The unique curvature of each face profile reduces center pad material as they are optimally selected for each unique width and offset. The lack of a deep front lip and spokes that connect directly to the barrel's lip, producing a rigid wheel with even load distribution.
Brake Clearance - Spokes
Spokes that work for you
If the spokes of a wheel don't clear your brake calipers, then the wheel can't be used at all. We made sure all 18" APEX EC-7 wheels can properly clear OEM steel brakes, spacer free. Because of the large variation in clearance needs, APEX produced the EC-7 wheel using three unique face profiles. When the correct profile is used for each specific vehicle application, every Big Brake Kits can clear the spokes spacer free. The flattest face profile offers maximum caliper clearance for high offset, narrow wheels, and older vehicles with Big Brake Kits. The deepest 18" concave face still has enough room to clear wider aftermarket Big Brake Kits on almost all applications. Contact us to confirm brake clearances for your specific application.
Brake Clearance - Barrel
A lot of room in a tight space
Designing a wheel with spokes that clear a Big Brake Kit, is only half of the battle. The inside of the barrel needs to be large enough to physically fit large calipers and rotors. Be warned— not all 18" wheels are made equal. The barrel of the EC-7 wheel offers unmatched caliper clearance because wheels shouldn’t limit your choice of aftermarket brake kits, and brake kits shouldn’t force you to run oversized wheels.
The EC-7 barrel diameter is an improvement over ARC-8 design. That difference allows the EC-7 to clear a Brembo 6 piston, 380mm kit, where the ARC-8 simply cannot. This is vital on 18" applications because they are the ideal wheel diameter for performance and race applications. Without enough clearance, most larger diameter brake kits will almost certainly not fit behind typical wheels, forcing you to compromise with heavier, larger diameter wheels. Most 18" wheels on the market make aesthetic compromises to their design that consumers wouldn't even know have a major negative impact on barrel clearance. We 2D modeled most Big Brake Kits available in Solidworks and tweaked the wheel design of the EC-7 prior to production in order to fit as many kits as possible. Contact us to confirm brake clearances for your specific application.
Hub Center
Form follows function
Race wheels can't just be light, they need to function in a high performance environment. Unlike the narrow lug recesses of most other wheels, the EC-7 wheel features bored-out lug recesses that easily accommodate over-sized race lugs and beefy impact sockets. This allows for quick and easy wheel changes and prevents chips and scratches from tools.
Hub Centric
No rings or adapters here
All APEX EC-7 wheels are purpose built for select vehicle applications, and centering rings are never required for any BMW application. All 5x120mm bolt pattern wheels feature a direct-fit, 72.56mm center bore.
Center Cap
A factory fit and finish
We don't reuse one cap design for all of our wheels. Every EC-7 wheel is designed to work with factory center caps. You can easily replace APEX center caps with OEM BMW roundels for a clean factory look. The EC-7 wheels will ship with either our carbon-look center cap or our redesigned, Gloss Black center cap that mimics the size and shape of a BMW factory center cap.
Wheel Hardware
Original or Aftermarket, it all works
The EC-7 wheel can be used with all OEM and aftermarket mounting hardware with a 60° tapered seat. Lug bolts, wheel locks, and stud conversion kits all work perfectly. The EC-7 wheel also accepts wheel spacers without issue. The shallow rear chamfer allows the wheel to remain hub centric even when 5mm flat spacers are used. The chamfer is deep enough to clear the chamfered lip found on some aftermarket spacers that would typically cause improper seating of the wheel and, therefore, wheel vibration.
TPMS Sensors
They all fit
TPMS sensors, which monitor tire pressure, are one piece of technology that can't be compromised. The attention to OEM compatibility on the EC-7 wheel doesn't end with center caps. All APEX wheels accept OEM and aftermarket equivalent BMW TPMS sensors, and any standard sized metal or rubber valve stem.
Flow Forming
Benefits of forging, without the pain
These APEX wheels are produced using a manufacturing process known as flow forming. This process significantly reduces weight in the barrel, which has the greatest impact on rotational mass. During the manufacturing process, rollers apply high pressure to the inner barrel, compressing the aluminum into its final shape. This effectively eliminates porosity and aligns the grain structure of the metal, which increases tensile strength. The end result is a lightweight and extremely strong barrel that equals that of a traditional forged wheel at a fraction of the cost.
Testing & Certifications
Verifiable 3rd party testing
Many companies promote their wheels as being certified by the VIA when they actually aren’t. That’s like using the USDA logo on food without permission. APEX wheels get officially tested and registered by the VIA in Japan, and we have the proof to back it up. Learn more about false VIA claims.
Japan’s JWL is a commonly followed standard for wheel load ratings. Our flow formed wheels meet, and most exceed, their load rating requirements. Most manufacturers only meet the minimum while some don’t even do that. Check and verify load ratings before you buy. Learn more about wheels that aren’t JWL.
Weight & Strength Optimization
It’s all in the details
Various design features were implemented to ensure that the EC-7 wheel design was light, but had even more strength to handle the abuses experienced in endurance racing. We began with a beefy, multi-spoke, one-piece design. We added reliefs in the mounting pad to remove weight between lug holes, where we could safely save weight. The design was then run through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to further optimize the spoke and barrel design. The result is a lightweight wheel with extra strength in all the right places. Use the EC-7 with confidence. It’s over built for both street and track.
Finishes
Because being faster is just not enough
The EC-7 wheel is available in multiple finishes. All APEX wheels are finished using a comprehensive multi-stage liquid paint system over a powder coated base coat. Standard finishes include gloss-metallic finishes, and semi-gloss or matte finishes.
Often overlooked, painted or powder coated lug hole seats can cause hardware to loosen or begin the spread of paint chipping to more visible sections. The coating process of the EC-7 leaves lug holes, center bores and mounting pads untouched, which ensures proper fit and torque values.
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