14 inch race tires & wheels?

[Lair]

I'm planning to run a couple of DE's this year in the 325is I just bought.

Does anyone have recommendations on tires/wheels for the E30? I'll be running at Barber Motorsports Park and possibly Road Atlanta/Roebling.

Is Tire Rack still the best place for race rubber?

[Axxe]

Are you experienced enough to run R-comps? If you are, RA-1's are as good as it gets, you can fit 225/50R14's onto stock bottlecaps if you use a 15mm front spacer. Edgeracing.com for the tires (great prices).

[Lair]

Are the Ra-1's better than a dedicated race tire - like Hoosiers?

[aaron.j]

can you run ra1s on 14" baskets without spacers?

[BMW2ner]

I run hoosiers on bcaps

[nando]

Are the Ra-1's better than a dedicated race tire - like Hoosiers?

they should last a bit longer - the hoosiers are pretty soft. not sure which is stickier though. but if you are just starting out, a good set of street tires is all you need.

as far as spacers, you might need a small one up front - I know you need one with 225/50-14 hoosiers on the bottlecaps.

[2002maniac]

Are the Ra-1's better than a dedicated race tire - like Hoosiers?

no but they are good for the price and long tire wear that they offer. However, I would go for some used hoosiers (or V710 if you autox too). I think they are the best value. you can fit 225/50/14's on bottlecaps or weaves with a small spacer up front.

[Stu]

no but they are good for the price and long tire wear that they offer. However, I would go for some used hoosiers (or V710 if you autox too). I think they are the best value. you can fit 225/50/14's on bottlecaps or weaves with a small spacer up front.

Right on. Though I wouldn't say 'small spacer, you might need a 15mm spacer to clear the front struts under loading. On a test drive, an 8mm spacer barely cleared the tire from the strut (225/50/14 hoosier), but on the track, it rubbed and a 15mm spacer was needed. My experience atleast.

[Axxe]

15mm spacer is perfect for the 225/50/14's. Absolutely zero rubbing.

[155///MPH]

225 is unnecassary. Just save the dough and headaches and go with a 205.

Hoo Hoo's are a complete waste of money for a DE. Especially since used 205 Ra-1's pop up on Ebay quite often.

[Stu]

225 is unnecassary. Just save the dough and headaches and go with a 205.

Hoo Hoo's are a complete waste of money for a DE. Especially since used 205 Ra-1's pop up on Ebay quite often.

What do you base your claims on? First hand experience with both a 225 and 205 tire?
Consider higher-HP cars, some of them need a larger tire.

Hoosiers a complete waste of money?
Check www.honda-tech.com for cheap used race tires. They even have a 20ish-page thread dedicated to for sale/wtb used race tires, I paid under $160 shipped for a full set of "hoo hoo's"

[Lair]

225 is unnecassary. Just save the dough and headaches and go with a 205.

Hoo Hoo's are a complete waste of money for a DE. Especially since used 205 Ra-1's pop up on Ebay quite often.

Good advice. I'll go with the narrow tires until I get the car sorted out and I become comfortable with it.

[Lair]

What do you base your claims on? First hand experience with both a 225 and 205 tire?
Consider higher-HP cars, some of them need a larger tire.

Hoosiers a complete waste of money?
Check www.honda-tech.com for cheap used race tires. They even have a 20ish-page thread dedicated to for sale/wtb used race tires, I paid under $160 shipped for a full set of "hoo hoo's"

Thanks for the link. That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for. For $160, I'll take a chance on a set of Hoosiers.

[JRKOUPE]

ur gonna get alot opinions here......some good some bad.... my .02 is



I track my e 30 2.5i.....I run 225/50-15's,..... K1 wheels .....no rubbing..but Im close to strut tubes for sure. You can run 205 or 225's........for a 2.5 engined car..205's are fine.... I prefer the look of 225's........ the car may actually feel more nmble on 205's. RA's go forever.....and are cheaper than HO HO's........but sure you can find used deals all over.......if youve never gone R then do RA's........theyre pretty friendly........it depends so much on your experience, skill, style etc.

[Scott///M]

Are the Ra-1's better than a dedicated race tire - like Hoosiers?

Hoosiers are the best... but you better have deep pockets.

My father law used to say "ice cream costs more than sh!t" and Hoosiers are the best ice cream there is.

I run the Toyo Ra-1's and highly recommend you get them shaved.

However, it you've never done more than a few DE's get something like the Toyo T1R. You'll have more than enough traction plus a tire you can drive on every day. However, the T1R's don't give you much traction when it drops below 32°