Wheel Size Preference

[Dj Buttchug]

ya if i was in your shoes I would def consider a set of 15s for the track. what wheels?

[Bishop]

I agree that 16s would probably look better, but this is mostly about going with what works and is going to be cheapest but still effective for track and autocross. Seems like more than enough people are just fine using 15s and 225 or similar sized high performance / dot r tires, and not just on e30s

[Dj Buttchug]

hmm i donno i just feel like 15 looks too small imo. they are quite popular and tires are cheaper.

if you go 15x8 and a 225 series i dont see you having any clearance issues.

[Bishop]

16s aren't really an option. With the $ I got from selling the 17s and tires, I can essentially pay in full plus shipping for the 15s and 225s from Tire Rack... I'm trying to keep costs down cause well, I'm in college, and I know car's as a hobby isn't the cheapest thing but I'm trying to do this as smart as I can. Plus 15s seem like a very popular size....

[Dj Buttchug]

16x8... Do it

[Bishop]

Bringing this back from the dead, hopefully some people will chime in again. The 17s are gone, and I have some $$ to play with now that the weather is starting to get nicer (knock on wood). I'm still leaning toward 15x8 w/ 225/45 RS3s. Any reason now why I shouldn't? Any specials going on that I should jump on for wheels or tires? Would this setup have any clearance issues if you guys had to guess? This would be my main concern right now, clearance issues w/ GC coilovers

[Bishop]

Also, to address the DD comment. It's either the 17s or 15s, I dd my bottlecaps

[kuzimmer]

w/ a 225/45 15 on a 15 x 8...what offset works best for clearance?....

et 20 works, I'm running et 16 (et 36 wheel with 20mm spacer) and -2.5 to -3.5 degrees camber without issues.

and isnt 225/45 a wee bit short? , it might force a shift into 5 th where I normally dont....I run 225/50s. Ill do a qwik calculation to see how short.

225/45 help with the gearing and my car seems to accelerate better with the smaller diameter tire.

225/45 shows as 584 mm in diam
225/50 shows as 606..........

thats almost an inch diff.......leading to higher revs...and prolly a bit better turn in due to shorter sidewall.

The turn-in is better, but not dramatically so when comparing 225/50-15 RA-1s to 225/45-15 RA-1s

[Bishop]

Thanks for all the input guys, it's still between the RS3s and the NT01s based on size and price.

[Massive Lee]

15" x 8" lightweight rims w/ 225.45.50 NT-01 R compound tires that will last a long time.

[JRKOUPE]

+1, on 15x8's, run them from full tread depth, they aren't the fastest tire out there but they are nice and consistent from start to end.

w/ a 225/45 15 on a 15 x 8...what offset works best for clearance?....

and isnt 225/45 a wee bit short? , it might force a shift into 5 th where I normally dont....I run 225/50s. Ill do a qwik calculation to see how short.

225/45 shows as 584 mm in diam
225/50 shows as 606..........

thats almost an inch diff.......leading to higher revs...and prolly a bit better turn in due to shorter sidewall.

[priapism]

It feels sluggish on 17s because it's effectively gearing the car up, not to mention the extra unsprung weight they're adding. Bigger wheels mostly serve to clear larger brakes or to accommodate wider tires. If you can still fit the width you want on a smaller size it's generally better to go with that one.

[SkinnyVT]

And Nitto NT01's in a 225/45/15 will suit you well.....

+1, on 15x8's, run them from full tread depth, they aren't the fastest tire out there but they are nice and consistent from start to end.

[7pilot]

Before you spend, I think it would be interesting for you if you could borrow some 15s and try them.

I usually run 225 45 16s on my M3. I switched back to the stock size 205 55 15s which were two BFG touring tyres and two off brand tyres.

I find that I prefer the steering feel on the street with the 15s.

Must be the read from the sidewall flex :)

m

[gverelli]

I would buy the rs-3's, just so they last a bit longer. You can always keep your 17's for daily driving and buy 15" with r-comps for track days??