Which tyre sizes for track - square? staggered?

funtime · 26-02-2013, 09:27 PM

Evening all,

Not quite back in a CSL yet - but wont be too long hopefully... anyway in the meantime I've just picked up an e46 M3 and want to get on track.

Question is.. what set up works best on track? I need to buy tyres and I don't mind selling what I have to buy some more options, but i'll outline my ideas below.

I'll be buying Michelin Pilot Super Sports which ever option I go for as I loved them on my CSL!

Option 1)
BBS CH 19x9.5" ET35 Front with 265/30/19
BBS CH 19x10" ET20 Rear with 265/30/19

Option 2)
OEM CSL wheels with standard size tyres (235 front 265 rear)

Option 3)
M3 9" Rears all round with 265/40/18 front and rear

What do you think guys? does anyone find that running a square set up makes the rear end more lively?

Thanks in advance, hope you're all well!

James

mattCSLnut · 26-02-2013, 10:53 PM

Hi James.
Good to see you back mate.
Having personally tried all the options you've mention I'd go with Option 2) as it's the best all rounder IMHO with an addition of 10 mm, 12 mm or 15 mm, spacers front & back. It's what I'm running on my Cecil with full PHAT CUPs

It's great on track and good on the road.

Option 3) 265/35/18 is Great On Track but U'll still need 12 mm spacers at the back to dial out some of the extra " steer from the rear ". Unfortunately with this option it will tramline on the road, especially on UK 'B' roads

I hope this helps and pix of the E46 M3 ASAP pleeeez !

funtime · 27-02-2013, 06:37 PM

Cheers Matt, thanks for the advice. I guess it would have been worth pointing out that I already have the CHs on the car so that's the easiest option to go with but if people seem to think that it will handle better with a smaller size up front then the CSLs are the obvious choice...

Any more any more?

funtime · 27-02-2013, 06:38 PM

Just to add Matt - when you say you've tried all the options I've listed - were your CHs in exactly the same size and offset, and what size tyres did you run? also did you have problems with any rubbing as I'm just worried that running a 265 on the front with that offset might case rubbing?

Cheers,
James

e46m3c · 27-02-2013, 06:53 PM

i think the bible says 265/35/r18 square on 9 or 9.5" rims.

26-02-2013, 09:27 PM	#1
funtime S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sussex Posts: 613 Casino cash: $5830	Which tyre sizes for track - square? staggered? Evening all, Not quite back in a CSL yet - but wont be too long hopefully... anyway in the meantime I've just picked up an e46 M3 and want to get on track. Question is.. what set up works best on track? I need to buy tyres and I don't mind selling what I have to buy some more options, but i'll outline my ideas below. I'll be buying Michelin Pilot Super Sports which ever option I go for as I loved them on my CSL! Option 1) BBS CH 19x9.5" ET35 Front with 265/30/19 BBS CH 19x10" ET20 Rear with 265/30/19 Option 2) OEM CSL wheels with standard size tyres (235 front 265 rear) Option 3) M3 9" Rears all round with 265/40/18 front and rear What do you think guys? does anyone find that running a square set up makes the rear end more lively? Thanks in advance, hope you're all well! James

26-02-2013, 10:53 PM	#2
mattCSLnut CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,460 Casino cash: $27763	Hi James. Good to see you back mate. Having personally tried all the options you've mention I'd go with Option 2) as it's the best all rounder IMHO with an addition of 10 mm, 12 mm or 15 mm, spacers front & back. It's what I'm running on my Cecil with full PHAT CUPs It's great on track and good on the road. Option 3) 265/35/18 is Great On Track but U'll still need 12 mm spacers at the back to dial out some of the extra " steer from the rear ". Unfortunately with this option it will tramline on the road, especially on UK 'B' roads I hope this helps and pix of the E46 M3 ASAP pleeeez ! __________________ UK CSL No.020 ... after 7 years of ownership I've now SOLD it !!!

27-02-2013, 06:53 PM	#5
e46m3c S3 - On the open road Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Berkshire Posts: 95 Casino cash: $1359	i think the bible says 265/35/r18 square on 9 or 9.5" rims. __________________ 2004 Carbon Black M3 Coupe Imola /// Eibach Pro Springs, K-Sport 356mm 8-Pot Front & 330mm 4-Pot Rear BBK with Carbone Lorraine RC6 pads, CSL alcantara wheel with tri colour stitching, Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 18/9 et30 with 265 R888 all round. 1997 Estoril Blue M3 Evo Track(R.I.P) /// HSD's, Whiteline Arbs, Bluestuff pads, floating disks, stripped. A048's, weighted knob (RIP)

27-02-2013, 06:37 PM	#3
funtime S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sussex Posts: 613 Casino cash: $5830	Cheers Matt, thanks for the advice. I guess it would have been worth pointing out that I already have the CHs on the car so that's the easiest option to go with but if people seem to think that it will handle better with a smaller size up front then the CSLs are the obvious choice... Any more any more?

27-02-2013, 06:38 PM	#4
funtime S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sussex Posts: 613 Casino cash: $5830	Just to add Matt - when you say you've tried all the options I've listed - were your CHs in exactly the same size and offset, and what size tyres did you run? also did you have problems with any rubbing as I'm just worried that running a 265 on the front with that offset might case rubbing? Cheers, James