► APEX | 17” & 18” VW SM-10 Track Wheels For the MK7 Golf/GTI/R

[APEXWheels]

To check out our current pricing and availability for all of our MK7 Golf/GTI/R SM-10 fitments, please visit the following page on our website:

APEX MK7 VW SM-10 Wheels

APEX 17" & 18" SM-10 Lightweight Track Wheels Designed From The Ground-Up For VW Applications.​

Introducing the new SM-10 wheels for the MK7 VW GTI/R chassis. These 17” and 18” wheels will be offered in both 8.5” and 9” widths to ensure all types of drivers have access to the right wheel fitment for their specific needs. When the team at APEX Race Parts initially reached out to the Volkswagen community with the intention to offer a race-focused wheel line for the MK7 Golf chassis, the feature and functionality requests from engaged enthusiasts were overwhelming. We quickly learned there were numerous gaps in the current aftermarket offerings, and as a result, we made it our mission to engineer better wheel solutions for VW drivers on and off the race track.

Specifically, there was a demand for an aggressive, strong, and lightweight 17” track-focused wheel line with the ability to clear many of the popular big brake kits that typically forced enthusiasts to use 18″ wheels. For weekend track warriors and racers, running unnecessarily large 18” wheels meant more weight, less tire sidewall, and higher tire running costs. Leveraging laser scanning and exhaustive on-car fitment testing sessions, our engineers optimized the barrel shape and spoke curvatures of the SM-10 design which allows our most track-focused 17×9” wheel to clear the popular Macan/Q5 340mm brake upgrade, as well as noteworthy aftermarket BBK’s like Essex AP Racing and StopTech 355mm kits.

===> Find The Official APEX MK7 Golf, GTI, and Golf R Fitment Guide Here <===

===> View Full Image Gallery <===

Available Sizes

17x8.5” ET43 - 19.6lbs
17x9” ET42 - 20 lbs
18x8.5” ET43 - 20.8 lbs
18x9” ET42 - 21 lbs

Visit our VW MK7 wheel & tire fitment guide to learn more.


Available Finishes

About the Design

The SM-10 is part of our Evolution line, with features typically only found on higher-end forged wheels. For those who need a superior wheel, but don’t have the budget for forged.

- I-beam spokes for reduced weight
- Reinforced inner lip for strength
- Massive brake clearance
- Unmatched replacement program
- Lifetime structural warranty
- Independently tested and certified

===> Browse Our Current Pricing And Availability Here <===

About Us

Since 2007, APEX has produced lightweight wheels with extreme durability and unprecedented value for the performance driving community. Combining proven Motorsport design features, vehicle specific optimizations, and advanced flow-forming and forging technology, APEX engineers wheels that meet and exceed the diverse needs of weekend track warriors and competitive club racers.​

 

[APEXWheels]

Fitment Testing On The MK6 Golf GTI Chassis.

To start off, a HUGE shout-out is in order for everyone who decided to show up and help us knock this Group Buy out of the park in the first week! We were able to hit the max discount in under 48 hours, which we’re quite sure is a new record for APEX Group Buys. With that being said, we still have plenty of time left, and anything you can do to help share this deal with friends and family, or through your favorite social media channels, would be greatly appreciated.

Last week, we had the opportunity to do some fitment testing and a photoshoot with our first MK6 GTI. This particular GTI is running AST 4100 suspension, Ground Control camber plates, and a Stoptech ST-40 328mm BBK. Our 17x8.5” ET43 VW-Specific SM-10 wheels were able to bolt right on and clear the larger aftermarket brakes with ease. Wrapped in 235/45-17 Michelin Pilot AS4 tires, the Satin Bronze SM-10s gave this GTI a meaty and aggressive fitment. Stay tuned for our official APEX MK6 Golf, GTI, and Golf R fitment guide coming soon!

-Geirsen

 

[APEXWheels]

Meatier Tires and Faster Lap Times: The Benefits of 17" Wheels

As we continue into the second week of this Group Buy, I am happy to announce that we have officially surpassed 50 pledges! With 19 days remaining in this deal, there is still plenty of time to sign up for a set of our all-new VW-Specific SM-10 wheels at the max discount of $250 off plus free shipping*.

When we initially reached out to the VW community with the intention of developing a track-focused wheel for the Golf, GTI, and Golf R, we quickly recognized the lack of aftermarket 17” wheels that prioritized functionality. Many of the 17” aftermarket wheels available to VW enthusiasts were not designed from the ground-up for a chassis-specific application, nor were they offered in fitments that the VW track community desired. This resulted in many enthusiasts needing to run spacers and/or centering rings if they wanted to use 17” wheels, and even then, brake clearance was still a major concern. For the MK7 GTI and Golf R specifically, 18” wheels were often the only option available for a hub-centric track wheel that could clear larger OEM and aftermarket brake kits while providing a performance-focused fitment.

With our history in grassroots motorsports, we understand that many enthusiasts have to pursue their passion on a tight budget. When it comes to consumables, the price difference between a set of 17” and 18” tires can typically equate to another full day at the track. As enthusiasts ourselves, we recognize the value of any additional seat time that we can get throughout the season.

Taking into consideration that larger diameter wheels are quickly becoming more popular amongst enthusiasts, we feel that it is worth diving into some of the benefits that come along with downsizing to a proper track-focused 17” wheel.

The Main Benefits of 17" Wheels

+ Less weight

+ Lowest price

+ Less expensive tire costs

+ Additional wheel protection against road hazards or going off track

+ Can fit taller tire sidewalls for improved ride quality

+ Provides a functional and performance-oriented appearance

-Geirsen

 

[9uns]

@Will_ looking tough!

 

[Will_]

@Will_ looking tough!

Thank you!

Feel obligated to pick up a set but already have Neuspeed track wheels, debating 17x8.5 for daily use OR grab 17x9 and use those as track wheels once I burn through tires on my current set, then convert Neuspeed’s to dailies. Decisions decisions.

Look, price, and quality is on point though!

 

[arob157]

Definitely move the Neuspeed's to daily use. I am going with 18x9s for daily and moving my 8.5" Hypergrams to winter duty.

 

[APEXWheels]

Get to know our APEX360* Program

Our Group Buys offer a tremendous opportunity to purchase track-proven wheels at a terrific price point. That value only gets better once you factor in our APEX360* Program!

Because wheel warranties do not cover accidents or damage caused by misuse, wheels can quickly become an expensive consumable if you beat them up at the track or get unlucky on the street. The norm in the wheel industry is for customers to absorb 100% of all replacement costs. However, that ideology is cold and transactional instead of supportive and considerate of the overall experience enthusiasts go through during the ownership of their wheels.

Let’s face it: Whether you are a weekend warrior practicing at the track, or a club racer pushing the limit for a podium finish, mistakes happen, and parts can get damaged along the way. We are not really a performance company if we sell wheels in a way that penalizes the pursuit of driving at the limit. For this reason, we stepped up and created a program to significantly reduce the costs of properly maintaining a set of wheels by making replacements extremely affordable.

Our goal was to make replacing a damaged wheel with a brand-new one much more appealing than ignoring the problem or performing any questionable and compromising repairs. This program will also help keep damaged wheels from being passed on to unsuspecting enthusiasts via the secondhand market.

Discounted replacements are ideal for customers who accidentally damage their wheels with curb rash, bends or dings from potholes, berms, road debris, and off-track excursions. Complete destruction of a wheel from serious accidents also qualify, including tire wall or barrier impacts, contact with other racers, or any accidents resulting in a total loss.

All pledged members that participate in this Group Buy would be eligible for this replacement program. For more details, be sure to visit our website here.

-Geirsen

 

[APEXWheels]

Pre-Weekend Update:

As we begin to enter the final stretch of APEX’s first-ever VW Group Buy, we wanted to start this update by expressing our gratitude for the amount of support the VW community has shown for this deal thus far. With 64 pledges officially locked in and 94 currently listed as interested, it is quite clear that VW enthusiasts are eager to pick up a set of our all-new VW-specific SM-10 wheels at the current discount of $250 off plus free shipping*.

With that said, as this is our first time offering a Group Buy for the VW community, we feel that there are a few things worth noting for some of the first-timers to the GangUp experience. With this deal closing in 11 days, it is important to highlight the differences between an “official pledge” and listing yourself as “interested.” By pledging to this deal, you are officially entered into the Group Buy, and your order will be processed once this deal ends. However, if you are listed as “interested”, your order will NOT be processed once this deal ends. As all of our Group Buys are “first come, first serve,” the sooner you submit your pledge, the better your chances will be at getting your preferred choice for wheel spec and finish.

Happy Pledging!

The OEM+ BBK That Started It All.

When we initially started working with the VW community to develop a wheel for the MK6 and MK7 Golf chassis, one of the more common requests we saw from enthusiasts was for a 17” wheel that could clear the popular Porsche Macan BBK. Due to the growing popularity of this modification, our first step in the development of our VW-specific SM-10 wheels was to laser scan a Macan BBK mounted on a MK7 Golf R. By using a Faro Arm laser scanning tool, we were able to create a detailed and to-scale 3D model of the Macan caliper. The 3D model was then sent over to our engineering team, which they utilized to design the barrel and spokes of our all-new VW-specific SM-10 wheels to ensure optimum brake clearance without the need for spacers.

-Geirsen

 

[APEXWheels]

Introducing APEX’s First Official VW Motorsport Partnership

APEX is proud to officially announce that we will be teaming up with Easthood Racing for the upcoming 2021 racing season. Easthood Racing (EHR) is a Pro-Am motorsports team specializing in Time Attack competition. EHR’s goal is to help introduce newcomers to the world of motorsport and showcase the versatility of Volkswagen’s MQB platform by competing in events across the US and Canada. EHR intends to dominate in all competitive categories with their race-spec MK7 GTI, while their newly acquired MK7 Golf R will allow them to establish a new baseline in preparation for some serious track-focused modifications. EHR plans to transform their Golf R from a street car to a dedicated track weapon, with the intention to push the platform to the very edge of its performance envelope.

APEX is very excited to support EHR with our all-new VW SM-10 wheels, and we are looking forward to sharing their build progress with both cars as we move forward into the 2021 racing season. Here is a brief rundown of the wheel and tire setups EHR plans to run on their MK7 racecars:

Brian Smith’s (EHR Founder/Driver) GTI:

Brian plans to start the season off with an Anthracite reverse stagger SM-10 setup using an 18x9” ET42 front and 18x8.5” ET43 rear, wrapped in Accelera 651 Sports in a 275/35-18 or 265/35-18 front, and a 245/35-18 rear. Brian had great success running a reverse stagger setup last season and is excited to see how the reduced weight of our new SM-10 wheels, combined with the enhanced contact patch of the 18x9” upfront, will affect his lap times this year.

Later in the season, Brian is also looking forward to experimenting with a set of 17x9” ET42 SM-10s, as previously he has been unable to run a 17” wheel that could clear his Stoptech ST-60 brakes. He intends to wrap the SM-10s in a set of 255/40-17 Accelera 651 Sports and is excited to see how they feel out on track with an all-new aggressive aero setup that he plans to install around the same time.

Louis Dauphin’s (Driver) Golf R:

With a massive 380mm 6-piston BBK and AWD, Louis plans to run a square setup with an 18x9” ET42 SM-10 in Satin Black with 255/35-18 or 265/35-18 Accelera 651 Sports at all four corners. As the season progresses, Louis plans to continue to modify the car to unlock the chassis’ full potential.

Here is a quick breakdown of the two main racing series that EHR plans to compete in this year:

Competition Series - Candian Sports Compact Series (CSCS)

• Entering its 18th season, the CSCS is recognized as one of North America’s largest sport compact championships.
• The CSCS is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of the North American automotive scene by working with industry leaders to produce a safe and entertaining motorsports event for enthusiasts and competitors.

GRIDLIFE

• GRIDLIFE TrackBattle is one of America’s most competitive time attack series that provides safe, spirited, and fun competitive track time for advanced and expert drivers.
• TrackBattle is open to all makes and models and all drive train layouts, from all-wheel drive to front-wheel drive.

If you would like to learn more about Easthood Racing, you can find their website and social media accounts via the following links:

Main Website: https://www.easthoodracing.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/easthoodracing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastHoodRacing44/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easthoodracing

-Geirsen

 

[APEXWheels]

Less Than 12 Hours Remain!

Today is officially the last day of our VW SM-10 Group Buy. With 85 enthusiasts currently pledged to this deal, we are incredibly excited to see such an impressive turn-out for APEX’s first venture into the VW market. With this deal ending tonight at midnight (PST), there is still some time left to get those last-minute pledges in for a set of our all-new VW-specific SM-10 wheels at the max discount of $250 off plus free shipping*!

Introducing Project Long Roof:

APEX is proud to announce our new MK7 Golf Sportwagen build journal, designated Project Long Roof. Project Long Roof will follow the build progress of a humble 2017 Golf Sportwagen 4-motion TSI, as it is transformed from a completely stock example to a practical and fun-to-drive dual-duty street/track car. This project aims to create the perfect “dual-duty” Sportwagen, with a focus on improving upon all aspects of performance without sacrificing any of its creature comforts or practicality. With a 1.8-liter turbo 4-cylinder motor, 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, and 4motion all-wheel drive, this MK7 GSW offers a solid starting point for an engaging and fun-to-drive chassis, both on the street and at the track.

APEX’s all-new VW-specific SM-10 wheels will be the first of many modifications planned for Project Long Roof. Not only will this be the first time we have fit our 17x8.5” ET43 SM-10 wheels to a Sportwagen, but this will technically be the only VW rolling around on these wheels until Group Buy orders start shipping out before the end of May. Wrapped in a set of 235/45-17 Michelin Pilot AS4 tires, this setup provides a perfect fitment on a completely stock ride-height GSW. Compared to the factory 16x6.5” ET46 wheels wrapped in 205/55-16 tires, the new SM-10s paired with the sporty Michelin all-seasons provide a significant performance boost in both handling and grip. After a few hours of seat time with the new wheels and tires installed, it became quite clear that the car was significantly under-tired from the factory. With the increased contact patch of the new setup, the chassis felt far more compliant and confident when getting thrown around in the twisties.

Stay tuned for future Project Long Roof updates on the APEX website blog moving forward!

-Geirsen

 

[MonkeyMD]

Got confirmation today!!! Countdown begins

 

[krs]

Any way to jump on the late bandwagon?

Have been out of town for a bit, didn't get back in time.

 

[APEXWheels]

Any way to jump on the late bandwagon?

Have been out of town for a bit, didn't get back in time.

A majority of our first production run is already spoken for by the Group Buy participants. However, if you would like to send me a PM with your preferred wheel spec and finish, I would be more than happy to look into some options for you.

-Geirsen

 

[krs]

PM Sent

 

[Lord_Flexington]

LONG ROOFS STICK TOGETHER