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      03-21-2017, 02:30 PM   #1
ZM2
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Track day wheel/tire configuration

Hey everyone, quick question:

My uncle, who has a Turner track prepped supercharged E93 M3(!), has accumulated some extra wheels. He's kind enough to lend me some for track days, if I can figure out a worthwhile configuration.

Below are the sets and specs. I'm curious to hear what combo you'd use, or if you think it's a lost cause.

F: 19x8.5 30
R: 19x9.5 25
(He two identical sets of these, for 8 wheels total)

F: 18x8.5 29
R: 18x9.5 23
(OEM E93 M3 wheels)

From my limited knowledge and reading you all’s posts, I have a few initial thoughts.

Go 245/265 and 8.5/9.5 to maintain stagger, or get 10mm spacers and run 19x9.5 and 265s all the way around? If keep stagger, go with the 18s or 19s?

Once a config is determined from the above, how far off is that from what you guys are running on the track and what would I be missing out on?

A little more info is I'm keeping the car stock, and I'd likely start with RE-71R’s and drive to the track. Slicks someday, but I'm not that far into my track experience, yet.

Thanks a lot for your input and help!

Last edited by ZM2; 03-21-2017 at 02:59 PM.. Reason: Typo
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      03-21-2017, 03:35 PM   #2
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I think I can simplify this for you....none of those free wheels are worth using. If you want to follow the KISS theory just put RE71s or AD08s on your stock wheels and call it a day. The only variable might be to up size the fronts and perhaps the rears 10mm. If you want to take the next step, like most of us track rats, buy a set of 18 square wheels and run 265/35/18 all around or 275/35/18 with spacers and camber plates....again the RE or AD tires work to drive to and from the track. I did lots of research and concluded that the Tire Rack 18 inch wheels from Keith are the easiest ( and less expensive) way to go for wheels.
I hope this helps...after many hours of reading and investigation this was my conclusion but I am sure others may have different advise.
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      03-21-2017, 03:44 PM   #3
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Thanks Twt.

If I get softer tires, I'd get a dedicated set of wheels and keep my PSS's on my stock wheels for daily use.

Based on your feedback the TR 18s would be the way to go.

Anyone else with thoughts?

Thanks guys. Looking forward to seeing some of you out on the track sometime.
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      03-21-2017, 06:27 PM   #4
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ZM2, happy to help.....by the way, I have tracked all of the variations cited above and really like my RE71-18 square set up, plus we had great lap times in both wet and dry conditions.
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      03-21-2017, 06:41 PM   #5
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Thanks, great to know.

To throw you a curve ball, I'm in DC and these wheels are in SC. My uncle is renting Carolina Motorsports Park for a day for several friends and fam. I suspect we'll all get 6-hours of solid driving in that day.

I won't be able to transport wheels/tires with me, so would you hassle with sticking a set of tires on these wheels to burn up in a day?

I'm guessing your answer would be no, and if that's my goal, ship some super softs to SC, mount on my stock rims, burn them up, and switch back to PSS for the drive home?
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      03-21-2017, 08:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
Thanks, great to know.

To throw you a curve ball, I'm in DC and these wheels are in SC. My uncle is renting Carolina Motorsports Park for a day for several friends and fam. I suspect we'll all get 6-hours of solid driving in that day.

I won't be able to transport wheels/tires with me, so would you hassle with sticking a set of tires on these wheels to burn up in a day?

I'm guessing your answer would be no, and if that's my goal, ship some super softs to SC, mount on my stock rims, burn them up, and switch back to PSS for the drive home?
I had to make a similar decision when I shipped my car to Sebring, tracked for two days and drove back 8+ hours to Atl. I ended up putting AD08s on my stock wheels in factory sizes. The car will drive fine on the road, the tires wear like iron and should have plenty of tread to get home.
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      03-21-2017, 10:55 PM   #7
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Nice! I'll definitely look into this option and get dedicated 18s when it's time.

Separate note, we have CMP on 7/19. If you or any of the other folks on here want to show, give me a heads up.

We'll have the Turner M3, my M2, and I invited a few instructors from Spartanburg. They're bringing a cpl production race cars out, and it will be a hell of a day.

No cost to run, just gotta cover you own gas, tires, and brakes!
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      03-21-2017, 10:57 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
Nice! I'll definitely look into this option and get dedicated 18s when it's time.

Separate note, we have CMP on 7/19. If you or any of the other folks on here want to show, give me a heads up.

We'll have the Turner M3, my M2, and I invited a few instructors from Spartanburg. They're bringing a cpl production race cars out, and it will be a hell of a day.

No cost to run, just gotta cover you own gas, tires, and brakes!
Can your family please move to WA? We have a couple of great tracks in the area
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      03-21-2017, 11:20 PM   #9
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Tell me about it! I definitely want to hit tracks all around the US.

Something tells me CMP will turn into an annual event that will just get bigger.

The more the merrier!

Last edited by ZM2; 03-22-2017 at 12:01 AM.. Reason: Typo
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      03-22-2017, 07:49 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
Nice! I'll definitely look into this option and get dedicated 18s when it's time.

Separate note, we have CMP on 7/19. If you or any of the other folks on here want to show, give me a heads up.

We'll have the Turner M3, my M2, and I invited a few instructors from Spartanburg. They're bringing a cpl production race cars out, and it will be a hell of a day.

No cost to run, just gotta cover you own gas, tires, and brakes!
That's sounds like a blast....I assume Mike Renner is coming...he is a ninja bad ass in any BMW. I am "sponsored " by Gran Turismo East in Atlanta (they put stickers on my cars and I get tires at cost!)...maybe we can work sometime out and haul up some sticky tires for you!
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      03-22-2017, 08:05 AM   #11
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I actually don't know who all from Spartanburg is coming. I invited Derek Leonard (who I met last June when I paid for a cpl of private hours to track the M2 and make sure it was the car for me), and he's bringing other folks and some race cars.

If you decide to come out, send me a PM and we'll see about some tires!

Thanks Twt.
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      03-24-2017, 04:14 AM   #12
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A couple more quick questions: why do you guys prefer running 18s on the track, vs 19s?

And, I understand why a square setup makes it easier to manage tire life, but do you loose any feel and balance of the car by not maintaining stagger?

Thanks.
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      03-24-2017, 12:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZM2 View Post
A couple more quick questions: why do you guys prefer running 18s on the track, vs 19s?

And, I understand why a square setup makes it easier to manage tire life, but do you loose any feel and balance of the car by not maintaining stagger?

Thanks.
Great question. Most BMWs , and other production cars, have built in under steer for safety reasons. By removing stagger you reduce understeer and add rotation, which may give you slight oversteer. Having said that I posted a conversation I had with Randy Pobst who told me that this car has perfect balance so leave the stagger. In spite of his advise I felt the front tires were undersized and had loss of grip on turn in. The best way to add grip to the front ( 265/275 ) is to move down to an 18 inch wheel for clearance. I must say the 18 square set up feels much better on turn in and the car rotates better, plus better and cheaper tire option that I can rotate. I am sure Randy can still turn a lap time 5 seconds faster than me on the stock set up but I am happy with the square option.
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      03-28-2017, 03:43 PM   #14
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Cool, all that makes sense. Thanks for your input!

Separately, I'm going to start another thread regarding some brake issues I was having on my last track day.
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      03-28-2017, 09:19 PM   #15
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I have seen threads of people running 265 on the front OEM wheels though. Will it rub? What about a 265/275 setup some stagger but not a lot
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      03-28-2017, 09:39 PM   #16
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Not sure what are you trying to achieve by doing so as the difference is minimal.
To make it worth it you will need to run 285 or 295 at the back.
I was debating running square vs staggered and finally decided to go square 265. I also realized that tread width can vary a lot from one tire to another in the same category.

As an example and based on Tirerack information tread width for AD08R tires are considerably larger (approximately 1/2 inch) than Re-71r for the same size tire 265/35/18.
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      05-23-2017, 11:37 PM   #17
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265 re71 on sq wheel sounds great. Does anyone have link/spec of the wheels from tirerack?
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      05-24-2017, 06:16 AM   #18
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Here's the thread for the wheels: http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1311897 I have a set, good deal for the money.

I also have a set of RE-71Rs with only one track weekend for sale if you decide to get the wheels: http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1386613
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      06-02-2017, 06:58 AM   #19
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I'm planning to run the CCW wheels and Nitto NT01 I have been running on my M4, given identical offset. Hoping the body clearance is the same.

They are 18x10 front and 18x11 rear running 275/40-18 up front and 305/40-18 in the rear (for good corner exit traction). It has been a very good set up for the M4 on-track for the past few years.
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