Apex Wheels | F81 M3 Build Feature & Wheel Showcase

There’s simply one thing particular a couple of quick wagon, is not there? Once we first obtained David’s photoshoot volunteer type, we knew instantly that the automotive had that particular one thing. The Marina Bay Blue paint is undeniably putting, however the seamlessly executed M-car conversion this wagon has undergone is in a category of its personal. There are just a few different F81 wagons on the market, however David’s automotive is undoubtedly the cleanest one we have seen and would idiot anybody that did not know higher into considering it left the manufacturing unit as a bonafide M3 Touring. When David expressed curiosity in making the photoshoot occur, we knew we needed to shoot as lots of our cast and flow-formed wheels as attainable on the automotive whereas we had it — it is simply that good! Luckily, we had been in a position to do exactly that. Now we have to say it appeared improbable on each Apex wheel fitment we threw at it, although we predict all F80/F81/F82/F83/F84s look unimaginable on our wheels — which you’ll see for your self with our F8x car configurator. So, what precisely goes into an M conversion like this? We’re glad you requested.

The Construct

With timeless attractiveness and a potent twin-turbo powerplant, the F80 M3 has been a standout chassis for fanatics since its launch. Between these attractiveness, nice energy, sharp dealing with, and the unimaginable practicality of its roomy sedan structure, this era of M3 has remained a primary selection for fanatics within the sports activities sedan phase. Whereas the usual F80 sedan works very well as a dual-duty automotive, discerning fanatics have at all times dreamt of an M3 Touring variant. Whether or not its simply the visible enchantment and added capability of the wagon structure, or simply the attraction to have one thing completely different, the decision of the forbidden wagon is one thing many BMW followers hear loud and clear.

David’s “F81” M3 solutions that decision, and does so with such attention-to-detail that his automotive really appears like what could have been had BMW made such an superior machine a factory-born actuality. We’re definitely not strangers to engine swaps and main modifications right here at Apex, however David’s construct has a degree cleanliness and element that makes it actually arduous to inform it was modified in any respect. Many readers are aware of this construct from David’s discussion board posts, however for many who aren’t, listed here are the cliffnotes:

David’s automotive started life as an F31 3 Collection wagon, however has had all the drivetrain, inside, modules, subframes, and suspension from an F80 M3 Competitors swapped in. The S55 motor and the 6 pace handbook swap had been carried out so seamlessly they appear like they had been fitted to this automotive from day one.

Severe F31 fanatics love these vehicles and shall be fast to lament how few of the wagon variants BMW’s provided within the US. In reality, all US BMW F31s had been geared up with automated transmissions, 4 cylinder fuel or diesel engines, and xDrive AWD. Whereas these variations of the automotive are nonetheless improbable, they are not precisely a great fanatic platform. In any case, most individuals do not want the pace, dynamic RWD dealing with, or an interesting 6-speed handbook transmission in a grocery getter or after faculty soccer hauler.

Some of the outstanding issues about this construct is how full the conversion is. Every bit of the F80 inside has been swapped in. Did we point out that this automotive seems to be manufacturing unit? David even made certain coding was carried out to maintain the wagon’s tailgate options functioning as they might in an ordinary F31. Whereas a construct like this may appear simple to place collectively as a result of all of the elements are manufacturing unit BMW, anybody that is tried to construct a automotive like this is aware of that getting any automotive near manufacturing unit performance, even with all OE elements, is extremely tough. David and everybody that constructed the automotive did an excellent job.

The Wheels

David’s M3 was shot on 4 units of our cast and flow-formed wheels. We’ll stroll by the specs and fashions under. Fortunately for anybody that is impressed by the look of David’s automotive on Apex wheels, the fender clearances and fitments are largely the identical as an ordinary F80, making these photographs an awesome reference level for a way our wheels will match on an M3 or F82 F83 M4, regardless of the distinctive look of the Touring chassis. David’s M3 is operating MSS top adjustable reducing springs.

19″ ML-10RT

Wheels: Cast, machined lip race silver end

Entrance: 19×9.5″ ET22, Rear 19×11″ ET44

Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

Entrance: 275/30-19, Rear 305/30-19

Extra Mods:

3mm entrance spacers

Apex Fitment Notes

This 19″ staggered fitment is our hottest wheel fitment for the F8X M3/4. These wheels clear the manufacturing unit carbon ceramic brakes when you have these optioned and simply clear the usual metal M3 brakes on David’s construct. The 19s provide a superb vary of tire decisions and the diameter seems to be visually balanced on this chassis, particularly with a lipped wheel design just like the ML-10RT, which tends to cut back how giant the wheels look.
To see the complete on-car gallery that includes these wheels, head over to our gallery web page.

18″ ML-10RT

Wheels: Cast. Machined lip gloss motorsport gold end

Entrance: 18×9.5″ ET22, Rear 18×11″ ET44

Tires: Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02

Entrance: 265/35-18, Rear 295/35-18

Extra Mods:

5mm entrance spacers

Apex Notes:

It is a very related fitment to the 19″ fitment proven above, however these 18s cannot be used with CCB brakes. Tire availability can also be extra restricted within the smaller diameter, therefore our selection of 295s on an 11″ large rear wheel. Regardless of that, the 18s provide a lighter wheel and tire bundle for patrons seeking to maximize efficiency. Our new cast ML-10RTs present a visually putting lipped look that offers this fitment a traditional aesthetic.
To see the complete on-car gallery that includes these wheels, head over to our gallery web page.

18″ VS-5

Wheels: Movement-formed, race silver end.

Entrance & Rear: 18×10″ ET25

Tires: Toyo Proxes RR

Entrance & Rear: 275/35-18

Extra Mods:

No spacers

Apex Notes:

Our latest flow-formed wheel design seems to be proper at house on this M3. The VS-5 is a extra reasonably priced tackle our widespread break up 5-spoke design that many F8X house owners have fallen in love with. We packed this wheel filled with options sometimes reserved for cast wheels, like side-milled spokes and extra strong, harder inside lip. The result’s a wheel good for the road or the observe that’s extra attainable with out compromising the options that matter most. This sq. fitment provides the proprietor a rotatable setup with unimaginable tire availability relative to staggered fitments, together with a rise in entrance finish grip relative to the rear.
To see the complete on-car gallery that includes these wheels, head over to our gallery web page.

19″ VS-5RS

Wheels: Cast, brushed clear end

Entrance: 19×9.5″ ET22, Rear 19×10.5″ ET45

Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

Entrance: 275/30-19, Rear 305/30-19

Extra Mods:

5mm entrance spacers, 12mm rear spacers

Apex Notes:

This fitment is one which we’ve not featured on an F8X M3 or M4 earlier than. The 19×10.5″ ET45 wheel is a fitment produced particularly for the F87 M2, nevertheless it works properly on an M3, particularly with spacers. This particular fitment was used for this shoot as we wanted an identical pair of wheels, however solely had a set of M2 rears accessible on this end on the time. Most clients shopping for a rear wheel for an F80 that plan on operating a 305 rear tire could be higher off with our 19×11″ ET44 rear wheel. That wider rear wheel was made particularly for the F80 and is extra concave and higher helps wider tires like most 305s in the marketplace.
To see the complete on-car gallery that includes these wheels, head over to our gallery web page.

Along with the F81, we took this chance to shoot a twin function with Andrew’s M2. Andrew is an energetic member of the BMW neighborhood and his M2 recurrently hits the observe, together with Sonoma the place we shot these vehicles. Andrew’s M2 has been tastefully modified with AP brakes that enable him to run 18″ wheels, which we took full benefit of for this shoot.

If you would like to see extra photographs of the F87 M2 from this shoot, try that separate gallery right here.

Sonoma is at all times a putting observe to go to and one of many house tracks for a lot of the Apex staff. Its intimidating partitions, elevation adjustments, and technical corners make it a tough observe to grasp. We love that includes it within the winter and spring earlier than the grass has an opportunity to die.

Thank You David and Andrew!

Apex was created years in the past to resolve the issues that face fanatics. We’re an organization of fanatics in the beginning and our purpose as an organization is to help the neighborhood with wheels that convey an unbeatable worth in fitments optimized particularly for fanatic chassis. That additionally means we depend on house owners like David and Andrew to create content material like what you’ve got seen right here, in addition to many others that assist us with the event of latest merchandise by way of our laser scanning classes and brake testing.

An enormous thanks goes out to David (@touringm3) for driving all the best way down from Bend, OR. Your construct is actually spectacular and it had all the Apex staff drooling over the photographs and movies. One other big thanks goes to Andrew (@farkle_tech) for letting us shoot your M2. Andrew is a repeat volunteer and helped us with the launch of our VS-5RS years in the past. We’ll need to get Andrew again in along with his private F31 sooner or later. Perhaps this shoot will encourage an engine swap of his personal!

When you’ve wished to see your automotive on a set of Apex wheels, or when you have a brand new automotive that we do not but make wheels for that has an fanatic following, please submit a reply to our photoshoot volunteer type. You will sometimes have to be positioned within the bay space and have just a few hours to cease by our workplace for many shoots. We’re at the moment in search of G45 X3s and G60 5 collection in addition to various non-BMW chassis to usher in for preliminary testing. Present us what you’ve got obtained!