All years and models of 1-Series coupes (E82) and convertibles (E88). Hatchback (E81 & E87) fitment may differ
ARC-8 // Front & Rear: 18x8.5" ET45 with 245/35-18 tires (mods required)
Vehicles Covered in this Guide
All years and models of 1-Series coupes (E82) and convertibles (E88). Hatchback (E81 & E87) fitment may differ, please contact us for information on these models. This guide excludes the 1M. Fitment between all other 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.
Available Wheel Designs (click images to enlarge)
All APEX wheel designs are available for this chassis. Staggered fitments are only available in the ARC-8 and EC-7 designs.
| Forged Designs | Flow Formed Designs | |||
| VS-5RS | ARC-8 | EC-7 | FL-5 | SM-10 |
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| Bolt Pattern | Thread Pitch | Center Bore |
| 5x120mm | M12x1.5mm | 72.56mm |
Performance Street, Track, or Race Fitments
ARC-8 // Front: 18x8.5" ET45 with 235/40-18 tires // Rear: 18x9.5" ET58 with 265/35-18 tires
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.
- Front & Rear: 17x8.5" ET40 with 235/40-17 tires
- Available in ARC-8
- May require minimal front negative camber.
- 235/45-17 tires can also be used for better tire availability but are more likely to rub with compounds that run wide or cars that are lowered.
- 245/40-17 tires can fit, but will require approximately -1.5 degrees or more of front camber. Rear rolled fenders and/or rear negative camber may also be required.
- Front & Rear: 17x9" ET52 with 255/40-17 tires
- Available in ARC-8
- Front 12-18mm spacers required for suspension clearance. Exact spacer requirement will depend on suspension configuration.
- Not recommended for cars with OE suspension or aftermarket coilovers that reduce inner clearance.
- Aggressive front negative camber required. Approx. -3° to -4°. Rear camber recommended for on-track performance.
- 245/40-17 tires may also be used to reduce the camber and spacer width requirements.
- Full fitment notes
- Front & Rear: 18x8.5" ET45 with 235/40-18 tires
- Popular fitment.
- Available in ARC-8, EC-7
- Direct fit with stock suspension, lowering springs, and a variety of aftermarket coilovers. 5mm front spacers required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- 245/35-18 tires can fit with 5mm front spacers and approximately -1.5 degrees of camber or more. Larger front spacers may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- 255/35-18 tires can fit with 5mm front spacers and approximately -2.5 degrees of camber or more. Larger front spacers may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- For a spacer-free fitment, see alternate fitment below.
- Front & Rear: 18x8.5" ET35 or ET38 (ARC-8) with 235/40-18 tires
- Alternate fitment.
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, FL-5, SM-10
- Requires at least -2 degrees of front camber.
- Rear fender roll and/or negative camber may be required.
- 245/35-18 tires can fit with additional front negative camber.
- Front & Rear: 18x8.5" ET40 with 225/40-18 tires
- Alternate fitment.
- Available in: VS-5RS
- Direct Fit in most street tire compounds
- Wider 225 section tires or 235/40-18 tires can fit with -2° of front camber
- 245/35-18 tires can fit with additional front negative camber.
- Rear fender roll and/or negative camber may be required with tires that run wide.
- Front & Rear: 18x9" ET42 with 245/35-18 tires
- Available in: ARC-8
- Front 5mm or larger spacers required for suspension clearance required.
- Front negative camber required.
- Rear rolled fenders and negative camber required.
- 255/35-18 tires may also be used with additional negative camber.
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.
- Front: 18x8.5" ET45 with 235/40-18 tires
Rear: 18x9.5" ET58 with 265/35-18 tires
- Popular fitment.
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7
- Direct fit with stock suspension, lowering springs, and a variety of aftermarket coilovers. 5mm front spacers required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- 245/35-18 front tires can fit with 5mm front spacers and approximately -1.5 degrees of camber or more. Larger front spacers may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- 255/35-18 front tires can fit with 5mm front spacers and approximately -2.5 degrees of camber or more. Larger front spacers may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- 275/35-18 rear tires can be used with negative camber and/or rolled fenders. Aggressive tire compounds that run wide often rub with this fitment and the passenger side rear wheelwell liner must be periodically checked to ensure the fuel filler neck area is not rubbing.
- Front: 18x8.5" ET35, ET38 (ARC-8), ET40 (VS-5RS) with 235/40-18 tires
Rear: 18x9.5" ET58 with 265/35-18 tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, VS-5RS
- Requires at least -2 degrees of front camber. ET40 VS-5RS requires less camber depending on the tire.
- 245/35-18 front tires can fit with additional negative camber.
- 275/35-18 rear tires can be used with negative camber and/or rolled fenders. Aggressive tire compounds that run wide often rub with this fitment and the passenger side rear wheelwell liner must be periodically checked to ensure the fuel filler neck area is not rubbing.
What About Concavity?
ARC-8 // Front: 18x9" ET30 with 225/40-18 tires // Rear: 18x9.5" ET35 with 255/35-18 tires (mods required)
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.
- Front: 18x9" ET30 with 225/40-18 tires
Rear: 18x9.5" ET35 with 255/35-18 tires- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Requires front and rear fender roll and pull.
- Requires front and rear negative camber to prevent rubbing.
Additional Fitment Information
Concavity & Face Profiles
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. Only Profile 1 faces are available for the E8x 1-Series due to the high offset requirements.
Available Face Profiles
| ARC-8 | EC-7 | FL-5 | SM-10 |
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To determine the face profile of a specific wheel visit the "Specifications" tab on the product page for that wheel. For example:
Identifying Aftermarket Suspension Types
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. Lowering springs (Eibach, H&R, Dinan, etc) and shocks (Bilstein, Koni, etc) do not effect inner clearance.
Aftermarket 1-Series Suspensions Known To Reduce Inner Clearance
(includes but not limited to):
- Bilstein PSS9 & PSS10
- KW Height-Adjustable Spring (HAS) kit
- KW Variants
- KW Clubsports
- Öhlins Road & Track
- BC Racing BR Coilovers
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.
Big Brake Kit Clearances
We have tested many big 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 |
| StopTech ST-60 6-Piston |
| This table applies ONLY to 18x8.5" ET35/38 and ET45 ARC-8 and EC-7 designs. |
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.
Still have questions?
Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form
Call us: 925-245-0773
Email us: support@apexraceparts.com