2008-2013 M3 sedan (E90), coupe (E92), and convertible (E93). Fitment is identical across all models.
VS-5RS // Front & Rear: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires
Vehicle Covered in this Guide
2008-2013 M3 sedan (E90), coupe (E92), and convertible (E93). Fitment is identical across all models.
Chassis Introduction
The E9x generation of M3 is a staple of what BMW M-car performance is all about. Relatively light weight, a high-revving naturally-aspirated engine, and still nice enough to drive on the street every day. The E9x M3 also has much wider fenders than its non-M counterparts, which allows for wide, low-offset wheels and big grippy tires. We produce fitments in all of our designs for the E9x M3.
| Forged Designs | Flow Formed Designs | ||
|
ARC-8R |
EC-7R |
ARC-8 |
EC-7 |
|
VS-5RS |
EC-7RS |
FL-5 |
SM-10 |
| Bolt Pattern | Thread Pitch | Center Bore |
| 5x120mm | M12x1.5mm | 72.56mm |
OEM+ Fitments
Easy upgrades for street-driven cars
ARC-8 // Front & Rear: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires
Ideal for the driver who wants a no-nonsense direct bolt-on fitment. These fitments are a small step up from stock wheels and tires, and offer a small but noticeable performance improvement.
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: 18x9.5" ET22 with 265/35-18 tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit.
- 275/35-18 tires may also be used as a direct fit.
- Front & Rear: 19x9.5" ET22 with 265/30-19 tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit.
- 275/30-19 tires may also be used as a direct fit.
Staggered Setups
Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.
- Front: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7) with 255/35-18 tires
Rear: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit.
- Popular fitment.
- OEM 245/40-18 front and 265/40-18 rear tires can also be used as a direct fit.
- This fitment is 1/2" wider all around than the OEM 18" Style 219 wheels, meaning you can either reuse the stock tires or go wider. The widths and offsets mirror those of the OEM Competition Package/GTS wheels.
- Front: 19x9" ET28 (ARC-8) or ET30 with 255/35-19 tires
Rear: 19x10" ET25 with 275/35-19 tires- Direct fit.
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS
- 285/30-19 rear tires can also be used to mirror M3 GTS fitment.
- OEM 245/35-19 front and 265/35-19 rear tires can also be used as a direct fit.
- This fitment is 1/2" wider all around than the OEM 19" Style 220 wheels, meaning you can either reuse the stock tires or go wider. The widths and offsets mirror those of the OEM Competition Package/GTS wheels.
Aggressive Street Fitments
Flush fitments focused on aesthetics.
EC-7 // Front: 19x10" ET25 with 265/30-19 tires // Rear: 19x10.5" ET22 with 285/30-19 tires
10mm front spacers // 5mm rear spacers (additional mods shown)
Ideal for the driver who wants to fill out the wheel wells with the widest possible rubber and perfectly flush offsets. Sometimes these fitments are a direct bolt-on, but often times require small spacers, negative camber, or rolled fenders for the sake of dialing in the perfect blend of function and form.
Staggered Setups
Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.
- Front: 18x9.5" ET22 with 265/35-18 tires
Rear: 18x10.5" ET22 with 285/35-18 tires- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit.
- Popular fitment.
- Front 275/35-18 tires can also be used.
- Rear 295/35-18 tires can be used but may require rolled fenders to prevent rubbing.
- Front: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires
Rear: 18x11" ET25 with 295/35-18 tires- Available in: EC-7, VS-5RS
- 5mm front spacers may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- May require rolled rear fenders to prevent rubbing.
- This is another popular staggered fitment that is just a touch more aggressive than the 9.5/10.5" fitment above. These wheel widths are about as wide as the front and rear fenders will take without extensive modifications. For enthusiasts looking for a little more tire, this is typically a bolt on fitment with no modifications required. For staggered fitments, we typically do not recommend exceeding a 295 tire in the rear unless the car has a substantial bump in power (supercharged / stroker) as anything wider will likely be counter productive.
- The front tires may lightly scrub the inner fender liners at full lock or at particular steering angles, and most of the time things will "self clear" over time (a little divot will form in the plastic liner). This is considered par for the course with wider wheels and tires, and enthusiasts shouldn't worry as no major damage will come from this.
- Front: 19x9.5" ET22 with 265/30-19 tires
Rear: 19x10.5" ET22 or ET25 (EC-7RS & VS-5RS) with 285/30-19 tires
- Direct fit.
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, VS-5RS
- Rear 295/30-19 tires can be used but may require rolled fenders to prevent rubbing.
- Front: 19x10" ET25 with 275/30-19 tires
Rear: 19x10.5" ET22 or ET25 (EC-7RS & VS-5RS) with 295/30-19 tires- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, VS-5RS
- Front 5mm or larger spacers may be required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below. The 19x9.5" ET22 front wheel can be used to avoid spacers, see previous fitment.
- Rear rolled fenders may be required to prevent rubbing.
- Front: 20x9.5" ET22 with 255/30-20 tires
Rear: 20x11" ET44 with 295/25-20 tires- Available in: VS-5RS only
- 15-18mm Rear Spacers required
- 305/25-20 rear tires can also be used but rear fender rolling and/or additional negative camber may be required
Performance Street & Track
Wider fitments for enhanced performance
ARC-8 // Front & Rear: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires (additional mods shown)
These fitments are effective for both performance oriented street cars, weekend track warriors, or even a dedicated race car. The suspension type,
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: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit, but a 5mm front spacer may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- Popular fitment.
- Front & Rear: 18x10.5" ET22 with 295/30-18 tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Requires -3º or more of front camber
- This aggressive square fitment is also popular amongst track enthusiasts looking to maximize sidewall support with 275/35-18 R-compounds or slicks.
- Since you'll be using all available real estate under the fender arches to accommodate these wide wheels, coilovers with linear race springs are a must for inner clearance (JRZ, MCS, Ground Control, AST, Moton, etc.).
- Front & Rear: 19x10" ET25 with 275/30-19 tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, EC-7RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit, but a 5mm front spacer may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
Staggered Setups
Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.
- Front: 18x9.5" ET22 with 265/35-18 tires
Rear: 18x10.5" ET22 with 285/35-18 tires- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit.
- Popular fitment.
- Front 275/35-18 tires can also be used.
- Rear 295/35-18 tires can be used but may require rolled fenders to prevent rubbing.
- Front: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires
Rear: 18x11" ET25 with 295/35-18 tires- Available in: EC-7, VS-5RS
- 5mm front spacers may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- May require rolled rear fenders to prevent rubbing.
- This is another popular staggered fitment that is just a touch more aggressive than the 9.5/10.5" fitment above. These wheel widths are about as wide as the front and rear fenders will take without extensive modifications. For enthusiasts looking for a little more tire, this is typically a bolt on fitment with no modifications required. For staggered fitments, we typically do not recommend exceeding a 295 tire in the rear unless the car has a substantial bump in power (supercharged / stroker) as anything wider will likely be counter productive.
- The front tires may lightly scrub the inner fender liners at full lock or at particular steering angles, and most of the time things will "self clear" over time (a little divot will form in the plastic liner). This is considered par for the course with wider wheels and tires, and enthusiasts shouldn't worry as no major damage will come from this.
- Front: 18x10" ET25 - 275/35-18
Rear 18x11" ET44 - 305/35-18- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- 5mm front spacers may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- May require rolled rear fenders to prevent rubbing.
- Many drivers remove the rear fender liners to avoid contact.
- 295/35-18 rear tires may also be used.
- This is the most aggressive staggered fitment out of the lineup, and would typically be reserved for either a serious track/race car or a car with a substantial bump in power (supercharged / stroker). The drivers goal is to maximize wheel and tire width under the front and rear fenders, and enthusiasts running slicks may even opt for a 10.5" front wheel for superior sidewall support. We recommend 12mm or 15mm spacers to clear the subframe, however the spacer requirement varies due to differences in tire brand and alignment settings from car to car. Using these spacers results in an effective offset of ET32 (with 12mm spacers) or ET29 (with 15mm spacers). These higher offsets provide greater fender clearance compared to our 18x11" ET25.
- Even with spacers, the rear tires may still make contact with the subframe under full droop, such as on a lift.
- The front tires may lightly scrub the inner fender liners at full lock or at particular steering angles, and most of the time things will "self clear" over time (a little divot will form in the plastic liner). This is considered par for the course with wider wheels and tires, and enthusiasts shouldn't worry as no major damage will come from this.
- Front: 19x9.5" ET22 with 265/30-19 tires
Rear: 19x10.5" ET22 or ET25 (EC-7RS & VS-5RS) with 285/30-19 tires
- Direct fit.
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, VS-5RS
- Front 275/30-19 tires can also be used a direct fit.
- Rear 295/30-19 tires can be used but may require a touch of negative camber or rolled fenders to prevent rubbing.
Hardcore Track & Race
All-out performance for fastest lap times
EC-7 // Front & Rear: 18x10" ET25 with 27/65-18 slicks (additional mods shown)
These no-compromise fitments are ideal for dedicated track / race cars.
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: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit, but a 5mm front spacer may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- Popular fitment.
- Front & Rear: 18x10.5" ET22 with 295/30-18 tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Requires -3º or more of front camber
- This aggressive square fitment is also popular amongst track enthusiasts looking to maximize sidewall support with 275/35-18 R-compounds or slicks.
- Since you'll be using all available real estate under the fender arches to accommodate these wide wheels,
coilovers with linear race springs are a must for inner clearance (JRZ, MCS, Ground Control, AST, Moton, etc.).
Staggered Setups
Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.
- Front: 18x10" ET25 - 275/35-18
Rear 18x11" ET44 - 305/35-18- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- 5mm front spacers may be required for certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
- May require rolled rear fenders to prevent rubbing.
- Many drivers remove the rear fender liners to avoid contact.
- 295/35-18 rear tires may also be used.
- This is the most aggressive staggered fitment out of the lineup, and would typically be reserved for either a serious track/race car or a car with a substantial bump in power (supercharged / stroker). The drivers goal is to maximize wheel and tire width under the front and rear fenders, and enthusiasts running slicks may even opt for a 10.5" front wheel for superior sidewall support. We recommend 12mm or 15mm spacers to clear the subframe, however the spacer requirement varies due to differences in tire brand and alignment settings from car to car. Using these spacers results in an effective offset of ET32 (with 12mm spacers) or ET29 (with 15mm spacers). These higher offsets provide greater fender clearance compared to our 18x11" ET25.
- Even with spacers, the rear tires may still make contact with the subframe under full droop, such as on a lift.
- The front tires may lightly scrub the inner fender liners at full lock or at particular steering angles, and most of the time things will "self clear" over time (a little divot will form in the plastic liner). This is considered par for the course with wider wheels and tires, and enthusiasts shouldn't worry as no major damage will come from this.
Our wheels are popular for winter use because of their unmatched caliper clearance. We recommend a square fitment in order to allow front-to-rear tire rotation, although staggered fitments can also be used.
Square setups
- Front & Rear: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7) with 245/40-18 winter tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
- Direct fit.
- Front & Rear: 19x9" ET28(ARC-8) or ET30 with 245/35-19 winter tires
- Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS
- Direct fit.
Additional Fitment Information
Identifying 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.
Aftermarket E9x M3 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
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.
Available Face Profiles
| ARC-8 | EC-7 | FL-5 | SM-10 |
 |
 |
 |
To determine the face profile of a specific wheel visit the "Specifications" tab on the product page for that wheel. For example:
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, then see our E9x M3 camber plate pages here.
Big Brake Kit Clearances
We have tested over 20 big brake kits with most of 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 18x10" ET25 ARC-8 |
Brake kits known NOT to clear 18x10" ET25 ARC-8 |
| AP Racing 368mm | Brembo 6-piston 380mm |
| AP Racing 378mm | Harrop 381mm |
| Brembo 6-piston 365mm | Sparta Saturn 380mm |
| StopTech 6-piston 380mm incl. Trophy |
| Brake kits known to clear 18x10" EC-7/SM-10/FL-5 |
| AP Racing 368mm |
| AP Racing 368mm Competition |
| AP Racing 378mm |
| AP Racing Radical 370mm |
| Brembo 6-piston 365mm |
| Brembo 6-piston 380mm GT (not including 1T1.9001A_ kits) |
| Harrop 381mm |
| StopTech 6-Piston 380mm |
Still have questions?
Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form
Call us: 925-245-0773
Email us: support@apexraceparts.com