Which tires 18 x 8.5 square?

mechanicalmagic · 01-29-2010, 02:13 PM

OK, I should have rims TODAY, 18x8.5 ET 38 square setup. APEX. I have a 135i, Sport Package, Koni, otherwise stock suspension, daily driver 10,000/year, 8+ autocross per year. It will not be lowered, but camber plates are a good possibility.

I have fit 235/40-18 NT-05 on these rims, both front and rear, with no rubbing. (But did not have a lot of time.) Post #146 in this thread.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271625
I have read several of the other tire threads.

I don't like the additional height of the 235/40, so I would prefer 245/35, but I have not done a test fit, and don't have a warehouse full of tires to test (Hi Gill). Given the lack of camber on the stock suspension, I would like to avoid a sharp corner on the tread. Tire noise is a minor issue, rough ride (hell, I'm on RFT's and cranked down Koni's).

My main concern is getting grip on the front end for autocross.

I'm not rich, so I'm looking near the $200 mark, looking at tirerack my first choices are:
Bridgestone RE760 Sport (low test ratings)
Kumho XS (bad user ratings)
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asym (older design)
Toyo T1R (non tirerack, unknown testing data)

The lower tier:
Goodyear F1 G@-D3 (old design)
Hankook V12 or Ventus (no testing)
Yoko S drive

Any suggestions?

Gary@TireRack · 01-29-2010, 02:25 PM

If grip for autocross is the top priority, nothing is going to touch the Kumho XS in this grouping. They grip like mad but don't have many creature comforts.

mechanicalmagic · 01-29-2010, 03:21 PM

Gil,
Thanks for the quick response. Do you know if there is a possibility of rubbing, since I haven's had a chance to mount any 245/35's?

Actually I can mount some stock RFT's, but don't know the sectional profile of the Kumho's vs the Bridge RE050. Can you shed some light?

TIA

Gary@TireRack · 01-29-2010, 03:36 PM

With the camber plates you should be able to adjust to where these won't rub. It's aggressive, but likely workable.

WyattHerb · 01-29-2010, 04:50 PM

Maybe some additional info here:
Car and Driver Tire Test

VMRWheels · 01-29-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill@Tirerack.com

With the camber plates you should be able to adjust to where these won't rub. It's aggressive, but likely workable.

I agree. For these tires to work to the best of their potential, some camber should be added.

-Charles@VMRWheels

01-29-2010, 02:13 PM	#1
mechanicalmagic Private 12 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 135i Cashmere Silver Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasanton, CA iTrader: (6)	Which tires 18 x 8.5 square? OK, I should have rims TODAY, 18x8.5 ET 38 square setup. APEX. I have a 135i, Sport Package, Koni, otherwise stock suspension, daily driver 10,000/year, 8+ autocross per year. It will not be lowered, but camber plates are a good possibility. I have fit 235/40-18 NT-05 on these rims, both front and rear, with no rubbing. (But did not have a lot of time.) Post #146 in this thread. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271625 I have read several of the other tire threads. I don't like the additional height of the 235/40, so I would prefer 245/35, but I have not done a test fit, and don't have a warehouse full of tires to test (Hi Gill). Given the lack of camber on the stock suspension, I would like to avoid a sharp corner on the tread. Tire noise is a minor issue, rough ride (hell, I'm on RFT's and cranked down Koni's). My main concern is getting grip on the front end for autocross. I'm not rich, so I'm looking near the $200 mark, looking at tirerack my first choices are: Bridgestone RE760 Sport (low test ratings) Kumho XS (bad user ratings) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asym (older design) Toyo T1R (non tirerack, unknown testing data) The lower tier: Goodyear F1 G@-D3 (old design) Hankook V12 or Ventus (no testing) Yoko S drive Any suggestions? __________________ 2009, tuned 135i, gone, but not forgotten. Fear of dying exceeded thrill of speed. (and coordination.)
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01-29-2010, 02:25 PM	#2
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	If grip for autocross is the top priority, nothing is going to touch the Kumho XS in this grouping. They grip like mad but don't have many creature comforts. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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01-29-2010, 03:21 PM	#3
mechanicalmagic Private 12 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 135i Cashmere Silver Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasanton, CA iTrader: (6)	Gil, Thanks for the quick response. Do you know if there is a possibility of rubbing, since I haven's had a chance to mount any 245/35's? Actually I can mount some stock RFT's, but don't know the sectional profile of the Kumho's vs the Bridge RE050. Can you shed some light? TIA __________________ 2009, tuned 135i, gone, but not forgotten. Fear of dying exceeded thrill of speed. (and coordination.)
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01-29-2010, 03:36 PM	#4
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	With the camber plates you should be able to adjust to where these won't rub. It's aggressive, but likely workable. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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01-29-2010, 04:50 PM	#5
WyattHerb Private First Class 5 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Maybe some additional info here: Car and Driver Tire Test __________________ 2008 Jet Black 135i Coupe
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