Message: 3 Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2001 17:33:01 -0400 From: Mike Whitney Subject: Re: Wheels for E30 track cars (and some FOR SALE) dhermann@quickarrow.com wrote: > not. Can anyone weigh in on wheel fitments on lowered E30s? I would > like to run 16x8 wheels, but I'm thinking I'll probably have to run > 16x7 or even 15x7 to avoid rubbing with the coilovers. I'll concur that the best budget setup is probably the Kosei's from Tire Rack and 225-50-15 tires. With R tires, the sidewall is plenty stiff, so 16's don't offer any performance advantage. 15" wheels are typically lighter, and they bring the rim mass closer to the hub (compared with bigger wheels), which helps with acceleration. Personally, I'm using Ronal LS 15x7.5 wheels. They're a bit heavier, but I like the extra 1/2 inch, and, besides, Tire Rack was out of the Koseis when I needed them. The LS also gets more style points (yeah, yeah, I know, it's a track car, but dammit, it still needs to look good :) I would love to have Tire Rack get some custom-drilled Kosei 15x8's for the E30. Offset would probably need to be about 20mm. FWIW, I use 225-50-15 Kumhos, Toyos, and RE-71s on Smiths 15x7, Ronal LV 15x7, and Ronal LS 15x7.5 with no strut rubbing problems on a severely lowered car. I *did* have to roll the rear fender lips, and I do have some rub on the front fender liner. No big deal. Speaking of track/auto-x wheels, if anyone is interested in a budget or "starter" set of wheels and tires, I have some stock 14x6.5 basketweaves with half-tread Kumho V700s in 205-55-14. Wheels had some curb rash, nicks, and gouges, but have been resprayed. $400, you pick up in Cary, NC. -- Mike Whitney - whit@attglobal.net No Gum Racing - http://pws.prserv.net/whitney/nogum.html 97 Integra GS-R, 93 Miata LE, 89 BMW 325is Message: 5 Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 10:48:11 -0400 From: Mike Whitney Subject: Re: E30 Wheels & Question(s) "Scott Miller Family" wrote: > I run 205/55-15 Dunlop SP8000s on 15x7 wheels, the handling is great, and > the ride is fine. For autocrossing I use 225/50-15 Kumho V700s on 15x7 ASA > wheels (from the Tire Rack, no affiliation) without rolled fender lips. I > haven't experienced any rubbing, but the fit is tight, and I don't think I'd > go with 225s again, since 205s on 7 inch rims still puts plenty of tread on > the ground. If anyone is interested in some other competition tire "data", here are some competition wheel/tire packages I have seen on E30 325is track/autocross cars: 225-50-15 on 15x7 <-- very, very common 225-50-15 on 15x7.5 <-- my DSP 325is 225-45-15 on 15x9 <-- Tom Bleh's DSP 325is 245-45-16 on 16x9 <-- Brian Flanagan's DSP 325is (4.10 diff) The 245's on 9" wide rims required extensive fender rolling. Scott, the rest of the autocross community seems to disagree with your comments that 205's are enough :) Ever seen the 2400lb ES Celica GT cars show up at an autocross with 245's? They usually win :) -- Mike Whitney - whit@attglobal.net No Gum Racing - http://pws.prserv.net/whitney/nogum.html 97 Integra GS-R, 93 Miata LE, 89 BMW 325is