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      08-13-2013, 09:50 AM   #1
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Track wheels/tires... wider or lighter?

I'm considering a few options for wheels/tires, and would appreciate advice from experienced track drivers. These will serve double duty as DD and occasional track use, and I would prefer to stick with a 19" setup unless it's a significant compromise on the track.
The plan is to go with a square setup.

In terms of width, would I be better off squeezing a 9" wheel up front at the expense of a few pounds of unsprung weight per wheel? From what I've read, when it comes to grip, width of the wheel is more important than tire tread width (i.e. a 245 versus 255 tire on an 8.5" wheel makes little to no difference, but either tire on a 9" wheel will provide more grip), but weight is also certainly a strong consideration...

So which is more important?
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      08-16-2013, 10:23 AM   #2
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Anyone?
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      08-16-2013, 03:28 PM   #3
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19" are a bit tall and heavy. I think 245/40/18 are ideal. I like my Apex Arc 8s; 18x8.5 are a nice size. Contact jbass on this forum if interested.
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      08-16-2013, 03:30 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMK007 View Post
19" are a bit tall and heavy. I think 245/40/18 are ideal. I like my Apex Arc 8s; 18x8.5 are a nice size.
8.5 or 9"?
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      08-16-2013, 03:32 PM   #5
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I have the 9" but that is a bit wide for anything under 245.
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      08-16-2013, 04:05 PM   #6
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So you felt like the extra wheel width was worth the weight penalty?
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      08-17-2013, 12:36 PM   #7
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Check out jbass's Apex ec7 thread in the wheels section. The 9s will rub in the front.
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      08-17-2013, 06:21 PM   #8
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Depends on camber and offset. A lot of guys are running 9s up front (without fender rolling) with no rubbing.
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      08-17-2013, 06:50 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DVCperformance View Post
Depends on camber and offset. A lot of guys are running 9s up front (without fender rolling) with no rubbing.
My car is very low and it's only rubbing a little on the fender liner, not the fender.

More negative camber probably wouldn't help but it would allow a 255 in there!!
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      08-19-2013, 10:50 PM   #10
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More selection of tires in 18" as well.
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      08-29-2013, 10:55 AM   #11
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OK, I pulled trigger on a set of Apex ARC-8s in 18x9 et42 in satin black. At 18.65# per wheel, I am willing to stick with 18s. The more I learn, the more it seems that 18s are the way to go for performance anyway; 19s are for boulevard cruising.
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      09-03-2013, 12:43 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DVC View Post
OK, I pulled trigger on a set of Apex ARC-8s in 18x9 et42 in satin black. At 18.65# per wheel, I am willing to stick with 18s. The more I learn, the more it seems that 18s are the way to go for performance anyway; 19s are for boulevard cruising.
Let's see 'em!!
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      09-03-2013, 01:51 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbass524 View Post
Let's see 'em!!
Just got confirmation today that they arrived at the shop. Which is exciting... but it will be more exciting when the car arrives

My 2014 335i should be delivered in a week or so; once I pick it up, I'll get the wheels installed and post some pics.
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      09-03-2013, 08:11 PM   #14
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Same setup here. I'll post some dirty pics tomorrow with m perf brakes and suspension. Get your wallet out lol
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      09-11-2013, 03:23 PM   #15
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Guys I'm new in the tire sizes stuff, but I crossed on the internet with these camber tires, I have a 225/50 R17 7.5" front and 255/45 R17 8.5" rear but they only have 245/45 and I don't know if it will fit in the front..so I contact camber tires and he (John Scott) said it might he has to see the car but I live in Egypt anyone have tried 245 in the front ?
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      12-02-2013, 09:38 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DVC View Post
OK, I pulled trigger on a set of Apex ARC-8s in 18x9 et42 in satin black. At 18.65# per wheel, I am willing to stick with 18s. The more I learn, the more it seems that 18s are the way to go for performance anyway; 19s are for boulevard cruising.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbass524 View Post
Let's see 'em!!
@jbass524, I finally snapped a couple of pics with the new ARC-8s on the car...



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      12-03-2013, 09:37 AM   #17
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Looks good!
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      12-03-2013, 04:09 PM   #18
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looks nice

IMHO you should pop-out the APEX center caps and put the roundel ones back in - they'd touch off the black wheels with the blue paint and blue calipers nicely
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      12-03-2013, 04:47 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by utenigma View Post
looks nice

IMHO you should pop-out the APEX center caps and put the roundel ones back in - they'd touch off the black wheels with the blue paint and blue calipers nicely
Thanks! Re: the center caps, I am usually not a fan of the roundels on aftermarket wheels - particularly black wheels. But you do make a good point about the blue calipers... might have to give that a try.
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      12-06-2013, 05:32 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DVC View Post
Thanks! Re: the center caps, I am usually not a fan of the roundels on aftermarket wheels - particularly black wheels. But you do make a good point about the blue calipers... might have to give that a try.
My winter wheels are also black and look similar to yours + I got the M brakes also, I too am not a fan of putting the roundel on aftermarket... but I´m considering it cause it does look better breaking up the black.
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      01-03-2014, 11:59 PM   #21
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You decided to not stagger then? How was it on the track?
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      01-04-2014, 02:35 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shivaswrath
You decided to not stagger then? How was it on the track?
Exactly what I was going to ask.

I think I'm set on 18 x 8.5 +35 square for my dedicated track wheels, but deciding on tire sizing still 235 or 245
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