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Thread: tire/wheel combo for SOLO1/DS use Q's

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2001
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    Charlotte, NC
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    92 328iFI, 02 325iT, 00 528iT

    tire/wheel combo for SOLO1/DS use Q's

    Would you guys run a 245/45/16 on an 8 inch rim or a 225/45/15 on an 8 inch rim for drivers schools and SOLO1 competition? I run an E36 325i that currently weighs 2900lbs. I currently own a set of 16x8 BBS rims that I have been running 225/45/16 street tires for DSs. I am going to start running SOLO1s and will eventually be running in Jstock CCA racing. Stock class allows one inch larger than stock in width and diameter. So I have found out how much it would be to have custom 15x8s made vs using the 16x8 BBSs I already own. The only down side to the BBSs is that they are heavy. I have not found R comps in the perfect 225/45/16 size that I run in a street tire. I say perfect because the 225's sidewalls are nice and perpendicular to the tread. IMHO that makes for optimal tire/ground contact, tire pressures and suspension being optimal. I have only seen R comps in 225/50/16 and 245/45/16. Both of which are taller(diameter wise) than the stock tire size. But the 225/45/16 is smaller in diameter than the stock size which equals a small gearing advantage. So it seems to come down to wider footprint and slightly larger diameter with 245/45/16s or narrower 225/45s on 15 inch rims which would be a decent gearing increase, would be substantially lighter, and the "optimal size" for the 8 inch rim. Plus lower CG from the lower ride height and reduced chances of rubbing when the coil-overs are dropped down. Which would you do? TIA

    Ryan
    Ryan
    92 328i TCD TrackTurbo stage 1
    02 325iT SportWagon
    00 528iT SportWagon

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    get a set of non-staggard m3 wheels, 17x7.5 and run 235/40s all around

    clik sig 4 17" tires

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
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    Houston
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    1994 BMW 325i, 1996
    the 245s will be quicker


    Quote Originally Posted by Specter325
    Would you guys run a 245/45/16 on an 8 inch rim or a 225/45/15 on an 8 inch rim for drivers schools and SOLO1 competition? I run an E36 325i that currently weighs 2900lbs. I currently own a set of 16x8 BBS rims that I have been running 225/45/16 street tires for DSs. I am going to start running SOLO1s and will eventually be running in Jstock CCA racing. Stock class allows one inch larger than stock in width and diameter. So I have found out how much it would be to have custom 15x8s made vs using the 16x8 BBSs I already own. The only down side to the BBSs is that they are heavy. I have not found R comps in the perfect 225/45/16 size that I run in a street tire. I say perfect because the 225's sidewalls are nice and perpendicular to the tread. IMHO that makes for optimal tire/ground contact, tire pressures and suspension being optimal. I have only seen R comps in 225/50/16 and 245/45/16. Both of which are taller(diameter wise) than the stock tire size. But the 225/45/16 is smaller in diameter than the stock size which equals a small gearing advantage. So it seems to come down to wider footprint and slightly larger diameter with 245/45/16s or narrower 225/45s on 15 inch rims which would be a decent gearing increase, would be substantially lighter, and the "optimal size" for the 8 inch rim. Plus lower CG from the lower ride height and reduced chances of rubbing when the coil-overs are dropped down. Which would you do? TIA

    Ryan

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    E36 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by toopercentmlk
    get a set of non-staggard m3 wheels, 17x7.5 and run 235/40s all around


    Did you even read his post?

    Specter325,

    I would run the 245's. The increase in grip will make up for the slight gearing disadvantage they might make. Wheel weight won't be much between a 15" and 16" if they are already light (SSR comps, Koseis, etc).

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Cincinnati, OH
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    325i
    Well, since the sport package wheels are 16"x7" wouldn't that make 17"x8" the largest allowable rim size? He did say one extra inch in width AND diameter. If that's the case then grabbing a set of M3 wheels and throwing on some 245/40's might not be a horrible idea. Not sure if 17's will help that much or not, but if they arelegal, why not consider them as an option? They may not be super-light, but M3 wheels are dirt cheap and durable. Plenty of people love them as track wheels.

    Just a though,

    -Bret

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