Best track wheel and tire set up?

SH3REVS · 10-03-2023, 01:26 PM

Hello everyone, somewhat new to the community here and looking for the best track, wheel and tire set up that doesnt rub.

Im currently on the stock 359 wheel set up with the stock tire sizes but want to size up for the track. I also have Stoptech racing brakes front and rear.

Is a square set up best, or is it best for handling dynamics to run staggered? What are the best size wheel and offset for both front and rear? Also as a bonus whats the best non slick R compound tire to run? Im sure there is a ton of opinions on tire preferences.

I am assuming there is a thread for this but I couldn't find in my searching so thanks in advance for your responses and or direction.

MineralWhiteF80 · 10-06-2023, 10:24 AM

there are a million threads on this topic that could keep you busy reading for a year, but I think the link below to the Apex Wheels fitment guide is fantastic. It gives all sorts of options that lets you choose what you think is right.

https://apexwheels.com/fitment-guide...-fitment-guide

Tire brand/compound is entirely based on your experience and skill level, so it's never easy (or good) to blindly recommend tires to someone without knowing their talent level first.

In my personal situation, I run a square 18x10 +25 offset setup with 275/35/18 Bridgestone RE71R tires. There is zero understeer in my setup, the car is really easy to rotate, and the balance leans on moderate oversteer when pushed. I feel this setup is awesome but it also makes me feel a 275 is a little narrow for a heavy car and could benefit from a wider 295+ setup.

If I were going to buy track wheels and tires from scratch, I'd go up to an 18x10.5 +20 or +22 square setup with a 295/30/18 tire. But you need at least roughly -3* camber to fit that setup in the front. A 275/35/18 tire would also work great on the 10.5" wheel (depending on exact tread width of the tire brand/model).

aus · 10-10-2023, 01:56 AM

Can you fit the 10.5" square with 295 tires in the back seat?

The 18x10 et25 with 275 fit snug but totally doable in the back seat. Many will run a 5mm spacer up front to clear coilovers.

I love the RE71RS tires but some say the Yoko AD051 are faster but don't last long.
Others swear by the NT01 and they last forever.
.

amg6975 · 11-02-2023, 11:09 AM

"The best tire" is extremely dependent on your goals. Does "best" mean fastest? Supercar 3R. Does "best" mean most consistent? NT01. Does "best" mean longest lasting? ExtremeContact Force. etc.

MaximusB · 11-02-2023, 01:23 PM

Tire wise it really depends on your driving level and type of driving.

Are you looking for the fastest 200tw tire to set lap time? Or consistency that'll last a full session? Durability that'll last you one track season (depends how many days you a year)? Also depends on your level, some tires do mask mistakes. You want something that you can learn from. My suggestion is just try out different tires and see what you're most comfortable with.

OmairK · 11-04-2023, 12:57 AM

If cost is a concern, I run a 17x10 ET25 Apex ARC-8. Fits over stock brakes and ST40R with the 355mm Rotor. The tires are a considerable source of weight on the rotating assembly. The closer you bring them into the middle, the less rotational force they’ll have. It just clears the stock brakes. Some decent track tires are also available as well in 275/40R17. I do not track my car but I had both 275/40R17 Conti DW’s and now I have 265/40/R17 PS4S. A good street setup.

M3SQRD · 12-17-2023, 08:10 PM

Apex makes multiple wheel designs (arc8, EC7 and SM10 in either flow formed or forged options) that fit the e92 m3 and allow you run 295 tires. 18x10.5et22 should be a direct bolt on but may require a front wheel spacer to clear strut/spring).

BW offers their TA16 forged and TA5R flow formed wheels in either 10.5et22 or 10.5et27. Small spacers may be needed front or rear.

Tires are a much harder thing to recommend because it depends on skill level, cost/per, grip level vs. heat cycles, tire weight, 295 width vs a brand’s actual 295 width, street compounds vs r compounds vs race compounds, etc. If you relatively new to tracking and/or in beginner-intermediate run groups then you definitely want to start on 200TW tires. It’s also not a bad idea to run the lower grip versions of 200 TW tires so you can develop your driving skills and get used to driving at the limit on a more forgiving tire than one that provides to warning when grip is exceeded and/or requires running at higher slip levels.

10-03-2023, 01:26 PM	#1
SH3REVS New Member 8 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW M3 e92 Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Best track wheel and tire set up? Hello everyone, somewhat new to the community here and looking for the best track, wheel and tire set up that doesnt rub. Im currently on the stock 359 wheel set up with the stock tire sizes but want to size up for the track. I also have Stoptech racing brakes front and rear. Is a square set up best, or is it best for handling dynamics to run staggered? What are the best size wheel and offset for both front and rear? Also as a bonus whats the best non slick R compound tire to run? Im sure there is a ton of opinions on tire preferences. I am assuming there is a thread for this but I couldn't find in my searching so thanks in advance for your responses and or direction. Attached Images
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10-06-2023, 10:24 AM	#2
MineralWhiteF80 Dont listen to me 795 Rep 562 Posts Drives: F82, E92 M3, G30 M550i, E46 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Atlanta,Ga iTrader: (1)	there are a million threads on this topic that could keep you busy reading for a year, but I think the link below to the Apex Wheels fitment guide is fantastic. It gives all sorts of options that lets you choose what you think is right. https://apexwheels.com/fitment-guide...-fitment-guide Tire brand/compound is entirely based on your experience and skill level, so it's never easy (or good) to blindly recommend tires to someone without knowing their talent level first. In my personal situation, I run a square 18x10 +25 offset setup with 275/35/18 Bridgestone RE71R tires. There is zero understeer in my setup, the car is really easy to rotate, and the balance leans on moderate oversteer when pushed. I feel this setup is awesome but it also makes me feel a 275 is a little narrow for a heavy car and could benefit from a wider 295+ setup. If I were going to buy track wheels and tires from scratch, I'd go up to an 18x10.5 +20 or +22 square setup with a 295/30/18 tire. But you need at least roughly -3* camber to fit that setup in the front. A 275/35/18 tire would also work great on the 10.5" wheel (depending on exact tread width of the tire brand/model). __________________ Instagram: @thatwhitem4
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10-10-2023, 01:56 AM	#3
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Can you fit the 10.5" square with 295 tires in the back seat? The 18x10 et25 with 275 fit snug but totally doable in the back seat. Many will run a 5mm spacer up front to clear coilovers. I love the RE71RS tires but some say the Yoko AD051 are faster but don't last long. Others swear by the NT01 and they last forever. . __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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11-02-2023, 11:09 AM	#4
amg6975 Captain 500 Rep 645 Posts Drives: '12 M1.5, '05 ZHP, '98 M3/4/5 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Rochester NY iTrader: (0)	"The best tire" is extremely dependent on your goals. Does "best" mean fastest? Supercar 3R. Does "best" mean most consistent? NT01. Does "best" mean longest lasting? ExtremeContact Force. etc.
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11-02-2023, 01:23 PM	#5
MaximusB Major 1394 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: 13 Frozen White E92 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	Tire wise it really depends on your driving level and type of driving. Are you looking for the fastest 200tw tire to set lap time? Or consistency that'll last a full session? Durability that'll last you one track season (depends how many days you a year)? Also depends on your level, some tires do mask mistakes. You want something that you can learn from. My suggestion is just try out different tires and see what you're most comfortable with.
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11-04-2023, 12:57 AM	#6
OmairK Engineer 51 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 1995 M3 - 2011 E90 M3 6M ZCP Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	If cost is a concern, I run a 17x10 ET25 Apex ARC-8. Fits over stock brakes and ST40R with the 355mm Rotor. The tires are a considerable source of weight on the rotating assembly. The closer you bring them into the middle, the less rotational force they’ll have. It just clears the stock brakes. Some decent track tires are also available as well in 275/40R17. I do not track my car but I had both 275/40R17 Conti DW’s and now I have 265/40/R17 PS4S. A good street setup.
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12-17-2023, 08:10 PM	#7
M3SQRD Major General 2161 Rep 5,543 Posts Drives: E92 M3,G20 330ix,F22 240iX,F82 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (11)	Apex makes multiple wheel designs (arc8, EC7 and SM10 in either flow formed or forged options) that fit the e92 m3 and allow you run 295 tires. 18x10.5et22 should be a direct bolt on but may require a front wheel spacer to clear strut/spring). BW offers their TA16 forged and TA5R flow formed wheels in either 10.5et22 or 10.5et27. Small spacers may be needed front or rear. Tires are a much harder thing to recommend because it depends on skill level, cost/per, grip level vs. heat cycles, tire weight, 295 width vs a brand’s actual 295 width, street compounds vs r compounds vs race compounds, etc. If you relatively new to tracking and/or in beginner-intermediate run groups then you definitely want to start on 200TW tires. It’s also not a bad idea to run the lower grip versions of 200 TW tires so you can develop your driving skills and get used to driving at the limit on a more forgiving tire than one that provides to warning when grip is exceeded and/or requires running at higher slip levels.
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