[detroitm2]

I plan on doing a handful of track days per year, nothing serious, just some fun at the track. I know its probably a good idea to get a set of dedicated track tires. Since I daily my M2, and live in a part of the world where this crazy white stuff falls out of the sky for a few months, I plan on getting a set of 18" snow tires/wheels.

My question is, can I repurpose the 18" wheels during the better months of the year to use as my track wheels? Obviously I'd swap out the snow tires for some proper track rubber, but I was more curious if 18" wheel/tire setup are common/advisable on the track?

Would I be better off getting 19" snow tires instead?

Thanks

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by ashburyn54

If you need some 19" snows let me know. I have a set I won't be using anymore

Well, the biggest thing for me was I was under the impression that 18" was better for snow tires. I'm generally pretty careful (and good) at driving in snow, so I'm not too concerned with curb rash, so I guess I could run 19s.

I'll shoot you a message.

[ashburyn54]

Originally Posted by laszlof

Well, the biggest thing for me was I was under the impression that 18" was better for snow tires. I'm generally pretty careful (and good) at driving in snow, so I'm not too concerned with curb rash, so I guess I could run 19s.

I'll shoot you a message.

Sounds good!

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by ashburyn54

Sounds good!

You've got mail.

[mr_lab_rat]

I think most people do the 18s for cost (both winter and track). Square setup for track is probably more important than the sidewall height.

[dvas]

I use 18x10 square for dedicated track wheels. There are more tire options in this size wheel which is why you will see most M2/M3/M4 track guys running 18s.

In your case, I would be more concerned with what winter tire you can find for an 18x9.5 or 18x10 wheel. I haven't looked myself so maybe that is not a problem.

[detroitm2]

Originally Posted by dvas

I use 18x10 square for dedicated track wheels. There are more tire options in this size wheel which is why you will see most M2/M3/M4 track guys running 18s.

In your case, I would be more concerned with what winter tire you can find for an 18x9.5 or 18x10 wheel. I haven't looked myself so maybe that is not a problem.

Thanks for the clarity. I wasnt sure if 18" was common at the track or not.

I'm probably going to grab a set of 19" snow tires and swap them out with my streets for the winter, and get a dedicated set of track tires/wheels. Unsure on size yet, but nice to know that 18" is an option, and likely a bit cheaper as well. Will dig into this more when springtime gets closer. Its getting close to end of season here and I probably wont have time to get out to the track.

[chief1richard]

Apex has a group buy going on now for 18" SM-10 and FL-5 which fit M2. Just pledged for a set of 18" FL-5 Square set-up for the track. SM-10 is available for Staggered set-up if desired. I bought a 18" square set-up last year for dedicated winter wheels and tires for winter driving. Went with 245 wide and they were well worth the money spent. IMHO its a waste of money and time mounting and dismounting tires on wheels every year. Not to mention damage to wheels from wheel changers.

[dcmac]

Originally Posted by chief1richard

Apex has a group buy going on now for 18" SM-10 and FL-5 which fit M2. Just pledged for a set of 18" FL-5 Square set-up for the track. SM-10 is available for Staggered set-up if desired. I bought a 18" square set-up last year for dedicated winter wheels and tires for winter driving. Went with 245 wide and they were well worth the money spent. IMHO its a waste of money and time mounting and dismounting tires on wheels every year. Not to mention damage to wheels from wheel changers.

Did you have any trouble with the traction control when running the square setup?

I've pledged for a set of EC7 18's which, like the OP, I plan to run as my winter and track setup...

Apex assures me a square 18 setup won't cause any problems with traction control either at the track or during winter driving... but my local performance shop guy says otherwise.

Can anyone shed light on this?

[Expert@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by chief1richard

Apex has a group buy going on now for 18" SM-10 and FL-5 which fit M2. Just pledged for a set of 18" FL-5 Square set-up for the track. SM-10 is available for Staggered set-up if desired. I bought a 18" square set-up last year for dedicated winter wheels and tires for winter driving. Went with 245 wide and they were well worth the money spent. IMHO its a waste of money and time mounting and dismounting tires on wheels every year. Not to mention damage to wheels from wheel changers.

Originally Posted by dcmac

Did you have any trouble with the traction control when running the square setup?

I've pledged for a set of EC7 18's which, like the OP, I plan to run as my winter and track setup...

Apex assures me a square 18 setup won't cause any problems with traction control either at the track or during winter driving... but my local performance shop guy says otherwise.

Can anyone shed light on this?

Thank you both for the support!

To answer the OP's question, 18s are perfectly fine, and actually preferred for both winter and track setups for the reasons mentioned in earlier posts - cost and weight. For a track setup, you typically want the smallest diameter possible that will clear the brakes. There isn't as much of a difference for a winter setup, but 18" tires are generally less expensive, and a slightly taller tire sidewall makes for much improved ride quality over rough roads.

With that said, the M2 Competition will require 19" wheels due to the larger factory brakes, so that makes it an easier decision.

We have compiled all of our recommendations in our fitment guide here: https://support.apexraceparts.com/hc...-Fitment-Guide

Hope this helps!

--Dylan

[chief1richard]

Originally Posted by dcmac

Did you have any trouble with the traction control when running the square setup?

I've pledged for a set of EC7 18's which, like the OP, I plan to run as my winter and track setup...

Apex assures me a square 18 setup won't cause any problems with traction control either at the track or during winter driving... but my local performance shop guy says otherwise.

Can anyone shed light on this?

I have run my square set-up all last winter and had no trouble what so ever.

[CaptChaos]

Originally Posted by dcmac

Did you have any trouble with the traction control when running the square setup?

I've pledged for a set of EC7 18's which, like the OP, I plan to run as my winter and track setup...

Apex assures me a square 18 setup won't cause any problems with traction control either at the track or during winter driving... but my local performance shop guy says otherwise.

Can anyone shed light on this?

I was part of the EC7 winter group buy last year. No issues with traction control with this setup.

[detroitm2]

Bumping this thread again cause I have another question.

The Apex fitment guide recommends 18x9.5 ET28 wheels if you're running 265 35 18 track tires. In browsing around, it seems this is a really limiting offset.

Is it possible to run a slightly higher offset, say ET35 and not have any issues? If I understand correctly, only lower offsets will run into clearance issues.

Obviously I wouldn't want to deviate too much, but I figured 7mm difference isn't going to change a whole lot.

I ordered a set of camber plates already, so that's out of the way.

EDIT: is it worth bumping up to 275/35r18 at this point as well? I can always dial in a bit more camber if needed. How is that going to affect my stock wheels and tires on the street?

[detroitm2]

Sorry, I think I had my offsets backwards. Looks like 35 offset would likely require at least 5mm spacers.

So let's go the other way, what about 25 offset? Those seem to be easier to find than the elusive 28 offset that Apex recommends.

[dcmac]

Originally Posted by laszlof

Bumping this thread again cause I have another question.

The Apex fitment guide recommends 18x9.5 ET28 wheels if you're running 265 35 18 track tires. In browsing around, it seems this is a really limiting offset.

Is it possible to run a slightly higher offset, say ET35 and not have any issues? If I understand correctly, only lower offsets will run into clearance issues.

Obviously I wouldn't want to deviate too much, but I figured 7mm difference isn't going to change a whole lot.

I ordered a set of camber plates already, so that's out of the way.

EDIT: is it worth bumping up to 275/35r18 at this point as well? I can always dial in a bit more camber if needed. How is that going to affect my stock wheels and tires on the street?

I recently picked up the Apex EC7 18x9.5 ET35s for my winter set (running square 255 Blizzaks) and they bolted on fine, however I am running a 10/12mm spacer setup for aesthetics. For track season I plan to run the exact tire size you mention on these rims, and add camber plates. I’m hoping my shop can dial in the right amount of camber to be great on track but also not Prematurely wear My stock tires on stock rims which I daily through summer. It might just take some trial and error... but yes ET35 is fine.