261M wheels for track use?

[ZIPNBYE]

I am wondering if anybody has run 261M wheels (or any other similarly-sized 18" 135i wheels) on their 1M?

I have an extra set off our 135i, which I'm thinking of installing Michelin Sport Cup competition tires on. Should I consider running spacers to preserve the look, as the wheels are narrower by 1.5" at all corners?

Thoughts, concerns, comments?

Thanks!

[bdaddylo]

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

I am wondering if anybody has run 261M wheels (or any other similarly-sized 18" 135i wheels) on their 1M?

I have an extra set off our 135i, which I'm thinking of installing Michelin Sport Cup competition tires on. Should I consider running spacers to preserve the look, as the wheels are narrower by 1.5" at all corners?

Thoughts, concerns, comments?

Thanks!

I personally would not run anything smaller than a 9.5" wheel on a 1M for the track which is just right for a 265 or 275 tire. Anything smaller, you're giving up too much traction.

[ZIPNBYE]

I'd wager thought that there's a lot more traction in a 255-section R-compound tire than there is in a 265- or 275-series street tire.

[Smiley1175]

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

I'd wager thought that there's a lot more traction in a 255-section R-compound tire than there is in a 265- or 275-series street tire.

I tend to agree, R compound would have far more grip.
My only thoughts are that on the rears the offset is so different that the rear track would be significantly reduced and this would lead to handling issues.

Have you tried mounting a set to see what it looks like?
I've recently fitted a set of 19"s I had on my 135i and they just look wrong on the 1M on the rear, even for track use.
See pic below. Obviously these aren't 261 rims so not sure what they'd look like tho.

[MDORPHN]

How do the offsets compare?

Neil

[bdaddylo]

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

I'd wager thought that there's a lot more traction in a 255-section R-compound tire than there is in a 265- or 275-series street tire.

Remember the discussion is about wheel size. I agree that a 255 R-compound mounted on a proper size wheel would have more traction than a 275, but possibly not when mounted to a 8" wheel. Wheel width dictates the tread width. Turn in and handling are crisper on a stretched tire.

[ZIPNBYE]

245 is the standard tire width on the 8-1/2 wide 261M wheels, and I currently have 255s on ours, as the selection is a) that much better and b) the ever so slight increase in rolling diameter (retaining the same sidewall percentage) nearly fixes the 135i's optimistic speedo / odo error.

I would assume that a 10mm or 15mm spacer would be required to run the 261M wheel in the back of a 1M, to preserve the look.

Prior to going through that expense, I just thought to inquire if anybody has done so already.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

I'd wager thought that there's a lot more traction in a 255-section R-compound tire than there is in a 265- or 275-series street tire.

Sorry the question is MOOT ! <Jesse jackson voice>


http://www.maniacworld.com/question-is-moot.html


one really needs a 285 in the rear to actually put all the power to the ground.