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[looking]

Hey guys,

What's the best tires and rim set up (size, stagger/non-stagger) that gets the 1 to handle the best on stock suspension?

[SpeedballTrix]

We're still trying to figure that out.
IMO you're probably best with 235-245 up front and 245-255 in the rear for stock power. I like keeping a 10-20mm gap in front to rear tire width to keep a little bit of understeer in the car so I don't end up hugging the guardrail if I get to triggerhappy on the throttle in the local twisties =X
When the nicer weather hits (its soooo close now I can taste it... almost 60º today and 100% sunshine) Im hoping to run 255/275 (or 265) to get a bit of the understeer out of the car (the stock setup has a 30mm gap between front and rear tire width) and future proof it for when I inevitably put more juice under the hood. Those sizes are excessive for stock power, but Im cheap and dont feel like buying a set now and another later =P
The Berk Technology car runs equal widths all around and I think they are 265s? They are also running a JB3 which is good for 80hp over stock. Doing this makes the car very snappy (as you can see from their track videos) which is great fun and faster around the track -if- you can handle it.

[looking]

^^^

Great start to the thread, thanks for your input. Please keep it coming.

[1surgon]

I'm on the same page.. trying to fit some 19's and wondering if 235-245 up front and 245-255 in the rear will still work without rubbing ? Would love to hear if anyone has put 19's on.

[looking]

no one else? Come on guys there has to be more input than this, no one else cares about tire/rims set up to better performance? All I see are threads that are concerned with cosmetics - nothing wrong with that but what about the hunt for "ultimate"
performance .

[fourtailpipes]

the problem with using 255, 265, 275 tires on the back is that this car comes with a stock 245/35-18. the available 255, 265, and 275 tires use the same aspect ratio (35%), which means they're increasingly larger in diameter than stock. this car is already geared longer than i'd like, and each of those will cause a linear increase in the gearing ratio, whch equates to a linear decrease in torque application.

simply put, those tires are just too tall for this car. 285/30-18 is an available size, and is closer to the correct diameter (because of the 30% aspect ratio). i'll be using toyo T1-R 255/35-18 in front and 285/30-18 in back as soon as some wheels with workable offsets become available.

if you're putting a limited slip diff in the car, get one with a significantly shortened final drive, then 265/35-18 and 275/35-18 will work better.

[looking]

So you're sticking with the staggered then? What's the reason?

[WhiteOne]

How about 245/35/17's on some lightweight wheels?
Wider is not allways better. Lighter is.
JMHO

[looking]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

How about 245/35/17's on some lightweight wheels?
Wider is not allways better. Lighter is.
JMHO

I agree unsprung weight is huge but is going with 17's going to make the car's backend break loose faster? Basically, is going with 17" going to give up too much grip?

[gnpower]

Originally Posted by 1surgon

I'm on the same page.. trying to fit some 19's and wondering if 235-245 up front and 245-255 in the rear will still work without rubbing ? Would love to hear if anyone has put 19's on.

19's look great, but weigh to much.

[dcarchitect]

How about 245/35/17's on some lightweight wheels?
Wider is not allways better. Lighter is.
JMHO

I think this guy nailed it.
Go back and read the reviews of the 95 e36 M3 when it arrived in the US, it was the bomb for handling w/ 17x7.5" all four, running 235/45 all four as well.
in 96-99 they dialed in understeer with 255 front and 245 rear.
No one is going to overspin the rear because of 17", Tread width is what resists acceleration traction loss.
If 17" were the bane of acceleration, you've never been to the drag strip. Micky Thompson slicks are mounted to 15" rims.
Drag racing has been run on WIDE tires mounted to the back on 15" rims since they started tinkering with the flat head ford v8 (1937)
E30 spec racing and NASCAR ( the WWF of motorsports) run 15"
Formula one is not using 18" rims either.
Lower the car, add lightest wheels, set them wider,
on a 128i you could actually run 16".
going larger is mostly for looks, since you can by a short sidewall with any rim size, though your speedo will be off a few percent.

[looking]

HMMMM interesting idea of going down a size. The thing is, i'm running 17's right now, snow tires, and the car seems to feel more unsettled. But that could be because of the higher side walls.

Anyone actually down sizing their tires, any actual experience with the 245/35/17 on their 1er?

[looking]

no one else is interested in the best set up for performance?

[Onehp]

Originally Posted by looking

no one else is interested in the best set up for performance?

I am and chose my set-up firstly for maximum performance (roadholding + comfort). I'm running lightweight OZ Alleggerita's 17x8.5 with 225/45 GY F1 Asymmetric all round. Saved 44lbs unsprung weight compared to the stock 17" w/rft set-up. I really feel the difference, car feels tighter, no longer heavy footed yet comfort is intact. Of course a 135i has 50% more power than mine, but at least I see no problems with traction - could handle a lot more, and the car behaves very neutral (with some camber -1 front).

Here is someone with a 135i running a similar set-up and also happy about it.

[looking]

Thanks, are you getting any rubbing and is it on stock suspension? You mentioned camber did you add camber plates?