18" Wheels

[MKoop]

Thinking about buying a set of 18" Oem M3 wheels to use them for track work.
I can then put on a set of Cups which are a good bit cheaper than buying 19's.

Which would be better for the track:

Standard CSL wheels or the 18's?

[shimmy]

Thinking about buying a set of 18" Oem M3 wheels to use them for track work.
I can then put on a set of Cups which are a good bit cheaper than buying 19's.

Which would be better for the track:

Standard CSL wheels or the 18's?

standard rims are fine, used them for 3 years,

if you go to 18s buy some TEam Dynamic 1.2 and go square set up and then you will get better tyre life and if you want, cheaper tyres.:thumbs:

OEm 18" are a tad heavy tbh

[nuttynat]

It's an interesting one when talking about going for 18" wheels since the 19" is going to be better for track work and 18" better for road use. Can understand (as was looking my self) at 18" due to tyre price etc but interesting how people have spent loads on suspension etc and then drop to 18".
Was speaking with Tim Harvey about tyres and dropping to 18" and his comment was the same as the above.:whistle:

[The Gorilla]

Hi,

Nuttynat- Are you sure that 19's are better
than 18's for Track work ?

Given you would want to run at least
a Type 'R' tyre if not slick, then the
tyre ratio aspect alone is going to limit not
only choice on the 19's but size.

Not sure I follow the thinking let alone
the logic here ?

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[MKoop]

I wish I could afford the Team Dynamics but Im getting a decent set of 18's with used Kumho's for 350 euros, can't go wrong really with that!

Are the 18's much heavier that the csl's?

[shimmy]

I wish I could afford the Team Dynamics but Im getting a decent set of 18's with used Kumho's for 350 euros, can't go wrong really with that!

Are the 18's much heavier that the csl's?

Yes, loads heavier.

Lots of people use them then stop as they are not very good rims.

[shimmy]

It's an interesting one when talking about going for 18" wheels since the 19" is going to be better for track work and 18" better for road use. Can understand (as was looking my self) at 18" due to tyre price etc but interesting how people have spent loads on suspension etc and then drop to 18".
Was speaking with Tim Harvey about tyres and dropping to 18" and his comment was the same as the above.:whistle:

Typically 18 are better for track. Bigger side Walls, better feel, better choice.

Most teams i understand would run as small a rim as possible but are limited by brake disc and calliper size

[karbonkid]

Are the 18's much heavier that the csl's?

OEM 18s:
18x8 et47 24.7 lbs
18x9 et26 26.9 lbs

OEM CSL:
19x8.5 et47 23.0 lbs
19x9.5 et27 24.2 lbs

[shimmy]

OEM 18s:
18x8 et47 24.7 lbs
18x9 et26 26.9 lbs

OEM CSL:
19x8.5 et47 23.0 lbs
19x9.5 et27 24.2 lbs

PLUS 18inch Tyres are 0.5kg heavier than 19inch Tyres typically each

[karbonkid]

PLUS 18inch Tyres are 0.5kg heavier than 19inch Tyres typically each

Even bald ones? :whistle:

[shimmy]

Even bald ones? :whistle:

% wise, even more:whistle:

[nuttynat]

Gorilla, the 19" vs 18" comment ignores cost and what tyres are available since as you say there are more limits on 19".
18" are normally better on the road as they will take out some of the road humps and bumps due to side wall movement which is why it is always said that the E92 M3 launch cars ran 18" rather than the much more popular 19".

On track you don't have the humps and bumps to worry about, since the 19" will have lower profile tyres (working on same rolling raduis) they will have less lateral movement when cornering so are better in the corners. Down side of this is they will be less progressive when they give up grip.

The other side of this is weight which is not so much of a compromise 18 vs 19 but for a lite weight car (F1) big wheel = lots more weight..... we then get onto unsprung weight etc

I may be talking crap :-) but Mr Harvey aka Touring car and porsche cup racer also said go 19 not 18 for best track (again this does not take into account cost etc)

[Dan_csl]

Nutty, How do you know the legend that is Tim Harvey? Have you asked him what he thinks of the CSL?

[shimmy]

The fact is that most race series don't have rims and tires free choice in the regs. Manufacturers of cars want their cars to look cool so Porsche will have 18 or 19 inch rims regulated in the Cup cars etc etc. Brakes will be specified as a certain size and they will want to run lightest, stiffest rims and tyre combo that works.

Tyres are then chosen first based on what manufacturers will give the most to the sponsor of the series and them what works best on the given rims.

[The Gorilla]

Hi,

NuttyMat- But you require an
element of lateral movement and
flex in the tyre side wall on Track,
with type R and slick tyres.

Regards,

The Gorilla.