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      01-09-2013, 09:34 PM   #1
TAL2GK
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Comparing aftermarket wheel brands

Apparently Apex is a well-loved brand around here, but if you aren't looking for a mesh-look wheel for your Z4, you're out of luck with them.

I love the look of the OEM Style 224, but am having difficulty finding them. Browsing through Tire Rack is fun, but I have no idea what brands are quality and what are not likely to hold up. In other words, which wheel brands are the BMW's (great performance rep, but high prices), which are the Infiniti's (comparable performance rep, upper middle prices), which are the Lincoln's (upper middle price, but no real reason to justify that price), which are the Ford's (middle price, solid performance), and which are the Kia's (low price, look good, but performance may suffer)?

My usage is spirited street driving only as a weekend, 2nd car. No track time in the 9 years I've owned her and none really planned, as fun as that would be. Any guidance in a language I understand, car manufacturers?
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      01-09-2013, 09:46 PM   #2
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have you considered VMR (velocity motoring)?

great rep. many different styles. excellent pricing. not recommended for track use over 18" due to weight.
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      01-10-2013, 12:31 AM   #3
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Why don't you just get some style 224s? people are always selling them on here. If you search around a few people have put the M wheels on non-Ms on this forum and the UK forum.

I absolutely love the stock M wheels, only reason I'm going to replace them is to go wider and lighter. If I could get reps that were 1" wider and lighter I would.
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      01-10-2013, 09:58 AM   #4
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You can also check out Avant Garde as an option.

If you're looking at Tire Rack the OZ Ultraleggera are a lightweight wheel many have used. More than the VMRs would be, but a good quality wheel.

http://tires.tirerack.com/tires/Oz%20Ultraleggera
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      01-10-2013, 10:28 AM   #5
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APEX is a race wheel. It's made for function over form.
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      01-10-2013, 02:24 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
APEX is a race wheel. It's made for function over form.
But it looks darn good too! Honestly, the Apex wheels are the best bang for the buck out there.
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      01-10-2013, 02:59 PM   #7
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I dunno, I am starting to look harder at VMR. Not planning to do too much track except a few fun days here or there and the VMR look like a decent quality wheel for a lot less than Apex. Looking at the 710 or 718 in Gunmetal.
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      01-10-2013, 03:15 PM   #8
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Yeah, they're around 2/3 the price. It's a serious consideration. There's subtle differences in appearance with the APEX that I'm really fond. But it's around $800 vs. 1200 for a set. That's $400 you can put toward better rubber. However, for the quality and weight you get with the Apex, the price is very, very good.
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      01-10-2013, 04:17 PM   #9
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I had 19" V710s (8.5"f/9.5"r) on my previous 3.0si coupe. If I remember correctly with Faulken 452s they were the same weight as the stock setup up front and a couple pounds heavier each in the rear. They looked great but a lot of people thought they were too big. My taste has gone more toward 18" now. Overall, my experience with them was good but performance-wise they're definitely not top notch. If you go VMR I recommend going straight through VMR. They're very easy to deal with and they have good deals on tires so your new setup will show up ready to bolt on.
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      01-10-2013, 04:56 PM   #10
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@TAL2GK
do you have a budget in mind?
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      01-10-2013, 07:24 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hogzilla View Post
But it looks darn good too! Honestly, the Apex wheels are the best bang for the buck out there.
Didn't say I disagreed. I love them

Quote:
Originally Posted by hogzilla View Post
Yeah, they're around 2/3 the price. It's a serious consideration. There's subtle differences in appearance with the APEX that I'm really fond. But it's around $800 vs. 1200 for a set. That's $400 you can put toward better rubber. However, for the quality and weight you get with the Apex, the price is very, very good.
I'm real fond of the drop in weight. Every lb shed in unsprung weight is 4-10 lbs of sprung.

OEM wheels weight...what? 25lbs IIRC?

Go to an APEX 17x9.5 weights 17lbs...that's a drop of ~128 pounds on the low end and ~320 pounds on the high end, and ...not counting the weight savings in tire.

You'll notice that.
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      01-10-2013, 09:01 PM   #12
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^ Well said.
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      01-10-2013, 09:13 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
OEM wheels weight...what? 25lbs IIRC?
They're often quoted as weighing 24.69 / 25.79. But they might be a little heavier, roughly 28/30. Here's ron stygar's measurement (with tire).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
Go to an APEX 17x9.5 weights 17lbs...that's a drop of ~128 pounds on the low end and ~320 pounds on the high end, and ...not counting the weight savings in tire..
I really want 17" wheels, I think they look good and the weight savings are great (the tire will be a little heavier though). Problem is PSS tires don't come wider than 245 for the 17" size, and for a daily PSS is hard to beat.
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      01-10-2013, 10:13 PM   #14
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APEX probably represents the high side of my budget. I don't want to load too much money into what will be a 10 year old car. Then again, I've had her since new and she's only got 35k on her - plus there's no real plan to dump it anytime soon.

I seriously considered getting a set of refurbished 224s, but the vendors I've found are sketchy at best. I prefer a stock look and don't want wheels that scream aftermarket. I'm liking what I hear about Apex, VMR, and others. This type of direct feedback is extremely helpful in making a decision vs. just picking an attractive wheel and hoping for the best.
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      01-10-2013, 10:58 PM   #15
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18" style 313's in e9x fitment, ala 335is...

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      01-11-2013, 09:22 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TAL2GK View Post
I seriously considered getting a set of refurbished 224s, but the vendors I've found are sketchy at best. I prefer a stock look and don't want wheels that scream aftermarket. I'm liking what I hear about Apex, VMR, and others. This type of direct feedback is extremely helpful in making a decision vs. just picking an attractive wheel and hoping for the best.
That's why I went with the V710s. At the time I wanted something bigger but also wanted something that looked like it would have been an option from BMW.
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      01-18-2013, 02:22 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by v3.2mc View Post
18" style 313's in e9x fitment, ala 335is...
Updating the thread - v3.2mc was a huge help in getting me hooked up with a dealer willing to sell me the 313's at the BMWCCA price. After looking over the pics on his previous ride and remembering I wanted a stock look (just a better stock look than my 16" style 104's were providing me), I decided on the 313's once it looked like they would be more affordable than the huge prices I was finding for them online.

I called my local dealer, Hendrick BMW, and was quoted a price averaging over $600/wheel. I even quoted THEM the price it should be, and was told it was lower than their cost. Eric got me to the dealer in Des Moines, who had no problem providing them at the cost I was told (averaged $360/wheel).

At the end of the day, the advice I received on here was priceless. I was very close to going with Apex EC-7 or VMR VB3 and I'm confident I'd have been happy with either of those purchases. Those 313's were just calling to me. I'll post pics once I get them and finish exploring my options for rubber.
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      01-18-2013, 02:23 PM   #18
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Side note, those stock 16" Style 104 wheels will be available to a good home in need of a replacement or perhaps winter wheels once I get these mounted. I'll post in the classified section when that time comes.
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      01-18-2013, 02:57 PM   #19
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i'm glad DSM was able to help you out! now...









-eric
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      01-18-2013, 06:40 PM   #20
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That's awesome! Look forward to seeing a fellow 2.5er with wheels.
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      01-25-2013, 05:47 PM   #21
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Got my shipment of 313's in today and my rubber from Tire Rack was sent directly to my installer (the Infiniti dealer where I bought my FX turned out to be a better option than my local independent BMW service shop). They'll be matched together tomorrow, but in the mean time, here are a few pictures.

I thought one would be more interesting with a naked black girl laying in front of the wheels.

I'll get better pics once they're on my ride. These pics are blurry, but these are beautiful wheels. The 18" versions are made by Ronal, if you're interested.

If anyone wants OEM wheels and your local dealer is giving you the runaround like Hendrick BMW gave me, don't hesitate in reaching out to Tom Vinci at Des Moines BMW. Yeah, you'll pay shipping, but it turned out to be a little less than sales tax would have gotten me if I used a local shop. (I'd rather pay UPS than Barry.)
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      01-26-2013, 09:41 AM   #22
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damn, i miss those.
what size tires are you getting?

congrats on the purchase!
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