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Posted: Jan 22, 2009 8:18 PM
by Scottinva
They are so pretty

Posted: Jan 22, 2009 8:28 PM
by ncpaladin
paintpro21 wrote:To answer the previous question the facility is in Asia, but is one of the top 5 factories in that part of the world. They produce over 2 million wheels a year primarily for OEM use. They do not use recycled aluminum in their castings and are one of the only facilities that has the flow forming technology (barrel forging) which is similar to what is used by BBS and other performance wheel manufacturers to strengthen their wheel and remove an extra 20%+ in weight off each wheel. These are not cheap cast wheels.
Ummm, hate to be a pain on this, but Asia is a continent and not a country. Let's get to the point, are these wheels manufactured in China, Taiwan, Viet Nam, etc.? Or are they manufactured in Japan? Are they TUV approved? If they are Chinese, saying they're high quality because they're coming from one of the top five wheel factories in China leaves much to be desired. Baby formula anyone?
Posted: Jan 22, 2009 9:14 PM
by crazy88
Thanks for the info. Have these wheels been stress tested and have they successfully survived an scca, or semi pro, or pro race season?
Posted: Jan 22, 2009 9:43 PM
by paintpro21
ncpaladin wrote:
Ummm, hate to be a pain on this, but Asia is a continent and not a country. Let's get to the point, are these wheels manufactured in China, Taiwan, Viet Nam, etc.? Or are they manufactured in Japan? Are they TUV approved? If they are Chinese, saying they're high quality because they're coming from one of the top five wheel factories in China leaves much to be desired. Baby formula anyone?
The main facility is in China. The Company has 4 separate facilities they run across Asia. Different facilities produce different products. They are SFI, JIS, VIA and TUV approved. ISO9001 and QS9000 certified. They've been in business since the early 1970's. They provide me with a full test document for every single variant of the wheel after they each under goe 1 month of testing (single millimeter of offset change is retested) . And as stated before they have $5,000,000 in liability coverage that they've never tapped into since they've been in business.
I appreciate your concern, but the country alone says nothing about a manufacturer. I was simply stating the facts when I said the production process they use is above and beyond the vast majority of wheel manufacturers simply by their use of flow forming (roll forging technology) and the quality of raw material (unrecycled, virgin aluminum) that is put into each wheel. I was trying to avoid unneeded and incorrect generalizations about the wheel's quality. In addition to my previous years search, I spent two whole days at SEMA speaking to nothing but wheel manufacturers and found nobody else that offered similar services besides the big guys who manufacturer under their own name only. I should have been more transparent the first time, but it is uncommon for companies to release to much manufacturing information because of risk from competition.
I hope that clarifies all your questions about the quality and origin of these wheels.
Thank you,
-Eddy P
Posted: Jan 30, 2009 4:13 PM
by paintpro21
Just some more images of the wheels out in the sun. People have been picking up the 17x8's and the e36 guys are jumping all over the 17x9's
motorsport/Hyper silver/Hyper Black left to right

order reversed below
As you can see the hyperblack is not black. but it shines differently because of the black undercoating. I believe it will be slightly darker when they roll off the assembly line as hand painting these wheels and misting silver is difficult.
Posted: Jan 30, 2009 6:26 PM
by dinanm3atl
Saw these on bf.c
Very nice!
17x8 et20 maybe be nice on a slammed e36.
Posted: Feb 04, 2009 3:47 PM
by paintpro21
Thanks rylee for signing up for a Matte Black set. Can't wait to see it on your car when it's complete.
Will you be going down to bimmerfest this year? (just got the email invite/reminder today, so I thought I'd ask)
APEXES
Posted: Feb 05, 2009 2:19 AM
by rylee
Thanks Eddy, I sent my check the other day, and cant wait to get these rims......One thing I thought odd was that the 17X9's are actually lighter than the 17X8's......And that your initial estiate put these at 15 something Lbs..Also wanted to get an idea of how heavy some 17X8 throwing stars are by comparison........Also wanted to get your suggestion as to what tires you might suggest to put on these 17X8's...
Thanks
Posted: Feb 05, 2009 2:27 AM
by rylee
Bimmerfest - the location has been set? where? I'll go...
Re: APEXES
Posted: Feb 05, 2009 5:18 AM
by paintpro21
rylee wrote:Thanks Eddy, I sent my check the other day, and cant wait to get these rims......One thing I thought odd was that the 17X9's are actually lighter than the 17X8's......And that your initial estiate put these at 15 something Lbs..Also wanted to get an idea of how heavy some 17X8 throwing stars are by comparison........Also wanted to get your suggestion as to what tires you might suggest to put on these 17X8's...
Thanks
Ryan,
The et20 wheels have added weight because of the offset, it's as if a spacer will built right in. The 17x9" wheels have a high offset which means they have less metal on the back hub area. Also the barrel is roll forged, so there is very little weight added to the barrel to make that width increase, while a decent amount is added for the offset change.
It's no different then running any other wheel and then adding 0.5-0.75lbs of weight with each 20mm spacer. If you bought a light set of e36 fitment wheels and then needed spacers, your in the same weight range again as these bolt on wheels. although there is nothing heavy about an et20 wheel that is under 17lbs.
fully forged 17x9" throwing stars without caps are 21lbs. The original 15lbs weight estimate came from the guy who was my original contact. He didn't realize that was not possible what so ever, and basically pulled it out of his ass. Fully forging this wheel would only drop a fraction of a pound at this point. The important thing to note though is the high weight of the 17x8" is due to the offset and is unavoidable.
APEX rims
Posted: Feb 08, 2009 3:26 PM
by rylee
Thanks Eddy for the answer, I appreciate youir honesty.....Considering what I'm currently running, these will be a big improvement ( I've got some Bourbet's with 205/50 R16's on em, and they come in at 41 Lbs apiece........I was just hoping to get 17's with more rubber on the road, and not be any heavier.....So, my intention is to keep the ride height just the same, since I'm going from 16's to 17's, I could get a lower profile tire without changing the radius/circumference of of my current setup.....What tires would you recommend?

Re: APEX rims
Posted: Feb 09, 2009 1:57 AM
by paintpro21
rylee wrote:Thanks Eddy for the answer, I appreciate youir honesty.....Considering what I'm currently running, these will be a big improvement ( I've got some Bourbet's with 205/50 R16's on em, and they come in at 41 Lbs apiece........I was just hoping to get 17's with more rubber on the road, and not be any heavier.....So, my intention is to keep the ride height just the same, since I'm going from 16's to 17's, I could get a lower profile tire without changing the radius/circumference of of my current setup.....What tires would you recommend?

If you want to keep the same circumference on the 17's then a 235/40/17 would be the closest, but I believe that is a little undersized for what 5 series people run. You'd want to look around on these boards, but I believe a 235/45/17 is the more appropriate size. Tire brand wise I think that has a lot to do with how you want to use the car. I tend to only care about max performance summer tires and r-compounds. I have much less input on DD tires.
dunlop direzza star spec z1's are a favorite to recommend for a performance tire.
Posted: Feb 09, 2009 2:14 AM
by wkohler
Proper size for an 8" wheel is a 225/45/17. 235/45 is too tall, but is the size used on the E34 and E39.
Posted: Feb 09, 2009 2:10 PM
by paintpro21
wkohler wrote:Proper size for an 8" wheel is a 225/45/17. 235/45 is too tall, but is the size used on the E34 and E39.
225/45/17's are within 1.4% of the same diameter of 235/45/17's. the change going from his 205's on the 16's to those 225's is a 3.6% change.
So there is nothing too tall about 235's. it's a 0.3" height difference. A tire's circumference can wear more then that throughout it's life.
Posted: Feb 09, 2009 3:35 PM
by wkohler
paintpro21 wrote:wkohler wrote:Proper size for an 8" wheel is a 225/45/17. 235/45 is too tall, but is the size used on the E34 and E39.
225/45/17's are within 1.4% of the same diameter of 235/45/17's. the change going from his 205's on the 16's to those 225's is a 3.6% change.
So there is nothing too tall about 235's. it's a 0.3" height difference. A tire's circumference can wear more then that throughout it's life.
They're still too tall. They're not the right size for an E28.
Posted: Feb 09, 2009 3:54 PM
by Tucker
wkohler wrote:paintpro21 wrote:wkohler wrote:Proper size for an 8" wheel is a 225/45/17. 235/45 is too tall, but is the size used on the E34 and E39.
225/45/17's are within 1.4% of the same diameter of 235/45/17's. the change going from his 205's on the 16's to those 225's is a 3.6% change.
So there is nothing too tall about 235's. it's a 0.3" height difference. A tire's circumference can wear more then that throughout it's life.
They're still too tall. They're not the right size for an E28.
FWIW, 235/40/17 Toyo RA1's look awesome on an E28, the slight profile reduction makes all the difference. Saw a set on naked T-stars a while back, I don't think it's anyone here.
Posted: Feb 09, 2009 5:08 PM
by paintpro21
Tucker wrote:wkohler wrote:paintpro21 wrote:wkohler wrote:Proper size for an 8" wheel is a 225/45/17. 235/45 is too tall, but is the size used on the E34 and E39.
225/45/17's are within 1.4% of the same diameter of 235/45/17's. the change going from his 205's on the 16's to those 225's is a 3.6% change.
So there is nothing too tall about 235's. it's a 0.3" height difference. A tire's circumference can wear more then that throughout it's life.
They're still too tall. They're not the right size for an E28.
FWIW, 235/40/17 Toyo RA1's look awesome on an E28, the slight profile reduction makes all the difference. Saw a set on naked T-stars a while back, I don't think it's anyone here.
I was going to recommend 235/40/17 as that is shorter then any of the other two and is what I run on my e30 m3. provides for a nice square setup.

Posted: Feb 09, 2009 8:59 PM
by paintpro21
I received a new sample of the hyper black wheel today. The first sample I received has too much of the silver sprayed over the black, making it look too similar to the hyper silver wheel.
It doesn't photograph well as out in the sun it looks light again since the camera picks up a lot of reflection, and then with a flash it looks very dark. best light to look at it in is a low light room, then it's very different from. Imagine a finish that is in between the 3 photos you see below.

Posted: Feb 11, 2009 5:18 PM
by paintpro21
Posted: Feb 11, 2009 7:02 PM
by wkohler
I would so bolt that onto the rear hub while the car was on a lift and just watch it go around.
Posted: Feb 11, 2009 8:01 PM
by paintpro21
wkohler wrote:I would so bolt that onto the rear hub while the car was on a lift and just watch it go around.
Ha, I wonder how many rpm it could turn before the whole rear hub snaps off from vibration. Maybe I should sell those slices to people who can't front all the money at once. They can buy their set in pieces and then put them together once they collect them all

Posted: Feb 18, 2009 6:30 PM
by paintpro21
I've held the GroupBuy open until the 25th since a number of people who contacted me needed additional time for payment. This is your last chance to get in on the pre-order at the discounted price!
For those who have signed up, keeping the GroupBuy open longer is not delaying the wheel shipment.
Posted: Feb 23, 2009 6:13 PM
by paintpro21
GroupBuy closes on the 25th!
Posted: Feb 24, 2009 9:54 AM
by Russianblue
what is the planned non-group-buy MSRP once this initial run has completed? or will these wheels not be available after the initial GB is complete?
Posted: Feb 24, 2009 12:54 PM
by paintpro21
Russianblue wrote:what is the planned non-group-buy MSRP once this initial run has completed? or will these wheels not be available after the initial GB is complete?
Non groupbuy price will be increasing by $25+ a wheel from what I understand. They will be available post-groupbuy from a few vendors.
Posted: Feb 25, 2009 2:13 PM
by paintpro21
I received a few quality images of the Hyper Black and Hyper Silver. More are on their way, but with the groupbuy ending tomorrow, I'll post what I have.
SEE POST BELOW
Posted: Apr 21, 2009 2:49 AM
by paintpro21
Wheels arrive this Wednesday, and will be available for pickup by local buyers. All colors are still available and can be shipped out starting this Thursday.
-Eddy P
Posted: Apr 29, 2009 6:11 AM
by Russianblue
couple of questions....
what forms of payment do you accept?
what colors are the et20 wheels available in right now with the current shipment?
Posted: May 04, 2009 2:51 PM
by paintpro21
Posted: Jul 09, 2009 2:14 PM
by paintpro21
Motorsport Silver: SOLD OUT
Hyper Silver: ONE set left
Matte Black: 3 Sets Left
Hyper Black: 5 sets left
I have a local buyer picking up two of the sets at the end of the month. Not sure which colors they are taking.
Get these while you can