Getting ready for track.

[danaldo]

Hi all, just looking for some advice on tyres and wheels.

Firstly at the moment i have two set of wheels, one oem and a set of volks, both in 19". I gather that more people are starting to run 18's, is there a marked improvement in doing so? Only interested for on track performance, not doing that many road miles at the moment.

Is another benefit of more types of track tyre available? Such as dunlops? Just really wandering what people are running and thinking of changing a set of 19's to 18's.

Secondly and more importantly I also need to get a new set of cups, especially rears, and was wandering where the best places to look for them are? Again also need to source some new rs29's and was wandering the best place to look for them is?

Many thanks.

[Dan_csl]

I don't know about 18'' Vs 19'' wheels, IMO the car was designed for 19's so just as well keep using them, but then I'm not exactly chasing tenth's on track!

As for the RS29's have a chat with Simpsons Motorsport, superb company who are very professional and will do a competitive price for you! :thumbs:

As for tyres the Cups I don't think are being made in 18'' any more, however for track tyres you have lots of choices, Michelin PS Cup, Toyo R888, Dunlop DZ03, Kuhmo V70....

[karbonkid]

If tracking on Cups, 19s are easier to get hold of than 18s but if considering other tyres, 18s are the way to go as they will be marginally cheaper, lighter etc and also gives you the option to run slicks later. I run 18"/ Cups for track, and tbh not sure what can top them for performance. Yet to try Dunlop DZ03s but being more expensive than Cups... Not worth changing.

Ref: RS29s are you standard or BBK? Most places will source them. Thorney is cheap for Fronts - AP fitment.

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/products/product_info.php?products_id=4812&osCsid=3c97c141df3ecd65a5cb5f36cd3f0394

I may be getting rid of a set of New 19" Cups v.soon.

[shimmy]

KK

18inch Cups are heavier than 19 inch !! (more rubber)

[karbonkid]

KK

18inch Cups are heavier than 19 inch !! (more rubber)

So I remember you saying, but ment the wheels as standard

[shimmy]

So I remember you saying, but ment the wheels as standard

I've never weighed the 18 inch BMW rims but I'd put money on them with 18" cups heavier than CSL rims with 19" cups

but anyway, 18s as KK says give you more tyre choice if you are in a budget

[karbonkid]

:119: Confused.com

Your right, was talking to Dan/ Matt ref: OEM 18s weight compared to 19" CSLs. OEM 18s - 18x8 24.7 lbs/ 18x9 26.9 lbs, real heavy when rubbers fitted.
Matt has 4 of the rear jobbies like I did before the TDs and when picking them up you can certainly notice some difference to OEM CSLs, but as 'standard' 18s go (not meaning OEM) they should be lighter if the correct set are chosen. In my case TD saved me 4.8lbs/ wheel over my previous OEM 18 rears. Shim, your Volks must have saved you big lbs here!?

[shimmy]

Def more rim choice in 18s as you say with variety of price points. My Volks/Cups save 2.2kg per corner over 9.5j CSL rims all round. And that's real weight measured in my garage, not some dodgy wheel salesman selling you a set.

As for Mat. He's driving around with a set of lead feet!

[karbonkid]

Def more rim choice in 18s as you say with variety of price points. My Volks/Cups save 2.2kg per corner over 9.5j CSL rims all round. And that's real weight measured in my garage, not some dodgy wheel salesman selling you a set.

As for Mat. He's driving around with a set of lead feet!

Impressive Ultra light savings with Cups fitted there.

@OP - danaldo, there is a couple of nice sets of cheap 18s in the FS section I have just stumbled across! :whistle:

[mattCSLnut]

Indeed I am :thumbs: and indeed they are (quite heavy) :banghead: but surely this is unsprung weight so it'll only be effecting the acceleration a bit ? :smt017 not that I've noticed it :whistle: Can someone please explain how this unsprung weight effects the car :smt017

:119: Confused.com

Your right, was talking to Dan/ Matt ref: OEM 18s weight compared to 19" CSLs. OEM 18s - 18x8 24.7 lbs/ 18x9 26.9 lbs, real heavy when rubbers fitted.
Matt has 4 of the rear jobbies like I did before the TDs and when picking them up you can certainly notice some difference to OEM CSLs, but as 'standard' 18s go (not meaning OEM) they should be lighter if the correct set are chosen. In my case TD saved me 4.8lbs/ wheel over my previous OEM 18 rears. Shim, your Volks must have saved you big lbs here!?

[_Nathan_]

Worse braking, worse acceleration, worse wheel control - harder for the damper to keep the wheel under control = worse handling.

[shimmy]

Indeed I am :thumbs: and indeed they are (quite heavy) :banghead: but surely this is unsprung weight so it'll only be effecting the acceleration a bit ? :smt017 not that I've noticed it :whistle: Can someone please explain how this unsprung weight effects the car :smt017

let me think....................maybe one of David's mates can do it better

[mattCSLnut]

Worse then what ???
Should I ditch the 9J 18's all round with semi slicks ? and just fit Michelin CUP tyres to my 19" CSL rims ?

Worse braking, worse acceleration, worse wheel control - harder for the damper to keep the wheel under control = worse handling.

[mattCSLnut]

Nice boots there Shimmy :whistle: definitely goes with the outfit :blalalala:

let me think....................maybe one of David's mates can do it better

[shimmy]

Worse then what ???
Should I ditch the 9J 18's all round with semi slicks ? and just fit Michelin CUP tyres to my 19" CSL rims ?

for a start youll have more grip on the drive wheels with 9.5J :thumbs:

slightly less grip on the front (maybe) :bigcry:

CSL lighter rims all round by i guess around 2kg per corner ( remember 18 inch tyres are 0.5kg heavier than 19 inch) so beter turn in will be the most noticable difference i would guess:thumbs:

19 inch Cups more pricey :bigcry:

19 inch look better :thumbs:



imho the biggest change ive made to my car this winter was the rims. i think overall htey made a bigger change to the car than all the other changes put together.

i think the lighter rims, stiffer rims and wider front rubber certainly has helped improve turn in and higher corner speed, reduced understeer.

i could tell you more but id have to kill you!