Larry Cable writes... From: Larry Cable <Larry.Cable@Eng.Sun.COM>
Date: Tue, 10 Sep 1996 17:01:12 -0700
Subject: E36 M3 track wheels ... to summarise.

        Thanks to everyone that responded, I finally decided to
        go with a set of BMW 7.5"x17" forged alloys with 
        235/45ZR17's all round. This tire is approx 0.9" larger
        in diameter but that's no big deal on a track wheel.
        I did hope to get the new Yokohama A032R's in 235/40ZR17 
        but apparently they wont be available for some time according
        to the Tire Rack.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I, too, use the BFG R1, 235/45/17 . Great tire. Try 34 lbs front and back, hot or cold. works for me. Rotate often. Heat cycle before using. Store out of sun, in sealed plastic bags.

I wish that BFG would make a 235/40, or 245/40. the 235/45 DOES change the gearing, more noticeably in autocrossing. I also saw a substancial difference in top speed at the end of the straights at Thunder Hill. Also, the 235/45 LOOKS quite a bit taller. They are the right choice, for now, but those are the drawbacks.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

        I also went for the 7.5" wheel all round to better
        facilitate tire rotation .... no that kind of rotation
        silly! 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I agree. Keep all the wheels the same size. I like 8", but 7.5 is fine. I have eight 7.5" stock M3 wheels, and one set of 8" "street wheels." (Antera Opus Ones. show lots of brake)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

        If anyone has experience of the A032R's vs the R1's can
        they let me know of their experiences?

 E-Mail: Larry.Cable@Eng.Sun.Com         Mail: Laurence P. G. Cable,
                                               Senior Staff Engineer,
                                               JavaSoft Inc., 
                                               Mailstop UCUP01-201,
 Phone : 408-343-1776 (x51776)                 2550 Garcia Avenue, 
 Fax   : 408-343-1553                          Mountain View CA 94043.

                                               JavaSoft Inc.,
                                               10201 North De Anza Blvd,
                                               Cupertino, Ca 95014

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

HOOSIER makes a 245/40/17. Comes in both autocross tread (wears out in a matter of feet. not recommended unless you are vying for a National SCCA Solo II title), and a road race tread. Same tread pattern, different compound. I WANT SOME! But they are MUCH bigger than your normal 245/40, and will require wheel spacers and fender flairs for fit. IF your car is standard ride height, they "may" fit without mods. My car is seriously LOW and the larger tires won't fit. Now there is an interesting thread....if you have to make a choice, should you keep your car stock ride height, and be able to go to wider tires, or should you lower the center of gravity, get more negative camber, but limit your wheel and tire width because of clearance problems? I say, lower C-O-G, max negative camber, and flair the hell out of your fenders, and add 20mm of spacers for good measure!

regards,

Carl
I have now wasted my whole mourning on the computer, and my clients are screeming for attention. So, over-and-out, see you Monday...famous last words.

Carl Buckland
1000 Boston Bldg
Nine Exchange Place
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
801-531-6686
Fax 531-6690
E Mail buckland@alinc.com