so whos tracked w/ 15s and also 16s?

[makard]

I concur. Stick to 15s.

Until recently, the #96 car was still running a totally stock m20 with a Dinan chip. In fact, it still had stock exhaust as recently as early last season. None of the e30s running normal (non-cantilevered) tire sizes were remotely competitive with this car in the corners. More grip is even more important with lower power to better maintain
momentum!

[nando]

but you're talking wheels that cost $1500+, plus the tires (which are fairly cheap, but not *that* cheap).

and what are we talking here, HPDEs or competetive w2w racing? because getting every last ounce of grip in an HPDE isn't that important, relative to spending money on entrance fees & consumables rather than go-fast parts.

plus none of that will fit under stock fenders.

[Massive Lee]

16s is a great size, you can get wider tires.

16s isn't a great size. You can't get R compound with the proper diameter.
It is 15" or 17"...

[makard]

plus none of that will fit under stock fenders.

18x10 wheels, 305/30-18 both Kuhmo & Hoo-Hoo DOT Radials, stock e30 sheet metal....

Rolling Fenders....


Rolled Fenders....


More Rolled Fenders...


Painted Rolled Fenders, Street Legal e30...


Close-up of rolled BMW sheet metal fender...



Rolled Stock Fenders (see fendergate) e30 in IP at Barber...



More Barber....



So, having DONE it, I'm relatively certain that it CAN, indeed, be done!

As for availability of 16" stuff, I guess it depends on width as well because I've had absolutely no problem whatsoever finding 16" R compound Hoosier DOTs and radial slicks to fit the 16x10 REAL wheels covering my awesome MASSIVE BRAKES BBKs on the #96 car. Maybe no skimpy contact patch stuff on the shelf, but those fat ones are ready and MUCH less expensive than the 18s I've been running on #03 and will be running on the "new" e30 "Vader". :):):)

[Wh33lhop]

Those fenders aren't just rolled, they are pulled to all hell. And, we get it, you have MASSIVE BRAKES. Have some tact for god's sake.

[makard]

Those fenders aren't just rolled, they are pulled to all hell. And, we get it, you have MASSIVE BRAKES. Have some tact for god's sake.

Shop did it with the roller in the photo. Pulled, hammered, beaten, rolled....whatever, they are still stock sheet metal over the tire & wheel combos I mentioned.

I am very pleased to throw in repeated plugs for Lee, after all of the great things his BBKs have done for my cars...but especially when I am making a post in disagreement with his statement about 16" tire availability.

Uh, where were you with the tact jab when poster I was quoting said it couldn't be done after I had previously stated that I already had done it? :???:

Oh, and the photos are of the 18" stuff, the OP was asking about 16" stuff and it requires much less "pull(ing) all to hell" since the overall diameters are about 2" less.

[Wh33lhop]

Shop did it with the roller in the photo. Pulled, hammered, beaten, rolled....whatever, they are still stock sheet metal over the tire & wheel combos I mentioned.

Right, but the point is, regardless if they are stock BMW sheet metal you have highly modified fenders.

I am very pleased to throw in repeated plugs for Lee, after all of the great things his BBKs have done for my cars...but especially when I am making a post in disagreement with his statement about 16" tire availability.

Right, but you do not have to be a billboard. We aren't children--a quick mention of what the brakes have done for your car would help hawk his wares more than capitalizing or bolding or whatever in every post; that only brings attention to your affiliation and bias. Nobody likes having a product shoved down their throat.

Uh, where were you with the tact jab when poster I was quoting said it couldn't be done after I had previously stated that I already had done it? :???:

I think nando had a good point and may have a more relevant perspective to the OP; while this is the track forum, the vast majority of posters are not competing in time trials, they are looking to enjoy their time at track days. The OP was not specific in his question so it's reasonable to assume that he may not want to completely bash out his fenders and run 10J wheels and 305s. I am not saying your info is irrelevant, but in the context of the average r3v member it may be a long shot.

[makard]

Right, but the point is, regardless if they are stock BMW sheet metal you have highly modified fenders.

Right, but you do not have to be a billboard. We aren't children--a quick mention of what the brakes have done for your car would help hawk his wares more than capitalizing or bolding or whatever in every post; that only brings attention to your affiliation and bias. Nobody likes having a product shoved down their throat.

I think nando had a good point and may have a more relevant perspective to the OP; while this is the track forum, the vast majority of posters are not competing in time trials, they are looking to enjoy their time at track days. The OP was not specific in his question so it's reasonable to assume that he may not want to completely bash out his fenders and run 10J wheels and 305s. I am not saying your info is irrelevant, but in the context of the average r3v member it may be a long shot.

IMO, rolling/hammering/'pulling-to-hell' of stock sheet metal is not at all costly and the benefits of wider contact patch are very significant in the same way most all of the track day folks elect to use R compound tires vs normal street rubber. The take-off slicks I've been getting in 16" sizes were $75 each delivered, so overall cost for significantly better grip than otherwise obtainable is not extremely expensive initially, and much less expensive in the long run.

There is no relationship or "deal" that exists or in the works with Lee/Massive. I am pleased to speak up often because of the vast improvement it made over my well known brand name components that we removed at Lee's recommendation. I was very reluctant to do so, but Lee assured me I would be extremely happy and I am. The reason that I keep going on-and-on-and-on about it is because so many folks seem to be falling for the advertising hype of the others on the market that can't beat his stuff head-to-head, much less when the overall expenditure is considered. Sharing that news with would-be consumers is something I sincerely WANT to do rather than anything I am supposed to be doing as a part of any "relationship". Truly sorry that my excitement over a bang-for-bucks winner is overly offensive to some.

IMO, folks that go autoxing, DEs, and racing all want to go faster, even when it is totally just for the fun of it. These days, most everyone is watching the disposable income budget much closer than ever before. So, when I feel like some of my experience in making e30s go faster might help....especially when I believe it to also be a low-cost alternative in the long run...I like to share the idea(s) with enthusiasm. :):):)

[Wh33lhop]

IMO, rolling/hammering/'pulling-to-hell' of stock sheet metal is not at all costly and the benefits of wider contact patch are very significant in the same way most all of the track day folks elect to use R compound tires vs normal street rubber.

Right, but what you're not getting is that some--most even--of these people have a dual purpose car that they want to be able to swap wheels and tires on, then go back to street shoes. Fenders rolled and pulled to that extent are going to look retarded without absurdly wide rubber beneath them.

There is no relationship or "deal" that exists or in the works with Lee/Massive. I am pleased to speak up often because of the vast improvement it made over my well known brand name components that we removed at Lee's recommendation. I was very reluctant to do so, but Lee assured me I would be extremely happy and I am. The reason that I keep going on-and-on-and-on about it is because so many folks seem to be falling for the advertising hype of the others on the market that can't beat his stuff head-to-head, much less when the overall expenditure is considered. Sharing that news with would-be consumers is something I sincerely WANT to do rather than anything I am supposed to be doing as a part of any "relationship".

See? That did way more for me than seeing MASSIVE BRAKES mentioned unnecessarily once or twice in every post.

These days, most everyone is watching the disposable income budget much closer than ever before. So, when I feel like some of my experience in making e30s go faster might help....especially when I believe it to also be a low-cost alternative in the long run...I like to share the idea(s) with enthusiasm. :):):)

Good. I don't want to discourage that. Think of my comments as constructive criticism.

[nando]

18x10 wheels, 305/30-18 both Kuhmo & Hoo-Hoo DOT Radials, stock e30 sheet metal....

Rolling Fenders....


Rolled Fenders....


More Rolled Fenders...


Painted Rolled Fenders, Street Legal e30...


Close-up of rolled BMW sheet metal fender...



Rolled Stock Fenders (see fendergate) e30 in IP at Barber...



More Barber....



So, having DONE it, I'm relatively certain that it CAN, indeed, be done!

As for availability of 16" stuff, I guess it depends on width as well because I've had absolutely no problem whatsoever finding 16" R compound Hoosier DOTs and radial slicks to fit the 16x10 REAL wheels covering my awesome MASSIVE BRAKES BBKs on the #96 car. Maybe no skimpy contact patch stuff on the shelf, but those fat ones are ready and MUCH less expensive than the 18s I've been running on #03 and will be running on the "new" e30 "Vader". :):):)

sure, stock sheet metal, but with the fenders pulled that far they aren't really "stock fenders". I get that you can make it work with a lot of effort, but that wasn't my point.

Now imagine that was your DD, and you had to go back to 195/65-14 snow tires for the next 4 months. It's going to look rather silly, no?

The OP isn't talking about a dedicated track car, nor does he neccesarily require 305 hoosiers. and yeah, they're $75 each, but how long do they last? I've gone through the hoosier crack addiction, and yeah they're sticky, but they're like bubble gum. My toyos were about $120 each, but they've lasted about 2 seasons of street/track driving. IMO, that's pretty damn good value. You can't drive those hoosiers on the street.

The fact is your wheels and tires cost as much as my wheels and 3 *new* sets of 15" toyos.. that's 6 seasons of tires for my driving conditions!

[JRKOUPE]

15 and 16s

fellas..

My intention was not to start any rumble...lol

Mikey....I know about you and your cars...we have spoken a few times via e mails....and your experiences have always been great learning tools for me..I doubt there is another e 30 owner that has gone where you have gone w/ these cars, at least regarding serious track work.

My goal would be to try 16s for more BBK clearances and more wheel choices..but I really dont want to play alot w/ my fenders or blow big cash at this point.... maybe after a few yrs of s50 driving though!


For a quick choice and for budget, it looks like 15s will stay...

thanks to all.....!...you guys rock.

[kishg]

relax guys. i am sure mike is just very enthusiastic about e30s and anyone whose seen him race knows he definitely knows how to maximize them. i don't see him pushing products on anyone.

[kishg]

fellas..

My intention was not to start any rumble...lol

Mikey....I know about you and your cars...we have spoken a few times via e mails....and your experiences have always been great learning tools for me..I doubt there is another e 30 owner that has gone where you have gone w/ these cars.

My goal would be to try 16s for more BBK clearances and more wheel choices..but I really dont want to play alot w/ my fenders or blow big cash at this point.... maybe after a few yrs of s50 driving though!


For a quick choice and for budget, it looks like 15s will stay...

thanks to all.....!...you guys rock.

Is your S50 finally in? Am I going to see you on the track this century? Going to the Glen next week with GVC, you going? Maybe I can take a ride with you.

[Wh33lhop]

fellas..

My intention was not to start any rumble...lol

Yeah, my apologies--I was a bit harsh.

[nando]

fellas..

My intention was not to start any rumble...lol

Mikey....I know about you and your cars...we have spoken a few times via e mails....and your experiences have always been great learning tools for me..I doubt there is another e 30 owner that has gone where you have gone w/ these cars, at least regarding serious track work.

My goal would be to try 16s for more BBK clearances and more wheel choices..but I really dont want to play alot w/ my fenders or blow big cash at this point.... maybe after a few yrs of s50 driving though!


For a quick choice and for budget, it looks like 15s will stay...

thanks to all.....!...you guys rock.

no rumble, just discussion. Makard has a pretty fast setup, not saying it's not great. I mean, who wouldn't want 305 slicks and a BBK? It's just maybe not all that practical or realistic for a street car that sees a handful of HPDEs a year.