I'm low on cash for expensive things (track wheels), but I know I need to pickup a second set. I have 18" SSR GT2's on the car now, but that's the only set of wheels i have. To avoid having to adjust the ride height, I figure I should get another set of 18's, maybe even another set of GT2's, but I'd prefer to find a used set for less, if anyone has them and wants to provide a good deal to another enthusiast/track junkie...

Thanks for your time.

I got some for sale and could possibly deliver them to you.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432580

To avoid having to adjust the ride height, I figure I should get another set of 18's

I'm confused as to what wheel size has to do with ride height...

I'm confused as to what wheel size has to do with ride height...

exactly.

Also for the price you can sell your gt2's, you can probably pick up 2 sets of used kosei, or one set of used ssr comps.

I'm confused as to what wheel size has to do with ride height...
I don't want to give up sidewall (increase it) to keep the same diameter that I have now (have 245/35/18 on 18x8.5 wheels, and don't want to have to increase the sidewall to run a 17" diameter wheel). I'd much rather keep 18" wheels for both driving to the track, and at the track, with the same sidewall (35 aspect ratio). The Already have one set of GT2's, and the other I'm getting at a discount since TireRack made some mistakes on my last order. Least they're making it right (1200 shipped for a set of new GT2s).

Also, since the tires with the suspension as it is now are a tight fit, I'd rather keep the wheels the same size, to avoid fitment issues.

If you did give up sidewall, and got lower, that would be an entirely good thing unless you are worried about bumps on the road during street driving, as it wouldn't change suspension travel etc. It also would only clear up more room fitment wise.


Besides, you are worried about stuff (sidewall height) that is going to matter very little. Better to figure out what brand of tire you want to use, and see what sizes are available. If there is a 17 inch fitment in that size you will save a lot of money with no discernable downside. It may even perform better due to reduced weight.

I The Already have one set of GT2's, and the other I'm getting at a discount since TireRack made some mistakes on my last order.
i'm confused, i thought you were looking for a second set...it sounds like you already have one coming... :help

i'm also not following your reasoning for wanting to stay with 18's...do you not like the way a 40 series 17" tire looks vs a 35 series 18 tire? as far as performance goes, you're most likely going to save some weight with 17's (with "off the shelf" wheels) and i dont think you're going to notice that much of a difference between the aspect ratios of 40 and 35 on an r-comp tire...

also, a set of kosei's is quite a bit cheaper than 1200...17" tires are going to be a little cheaper too

17" track wheels must not be all that bad, almost all IP/HP club racers run them... ;)

I appreciate all of the feedback, here is some clarification:
-I already have a set of 18's on the car (SSR GT2's), was consdiering ordering another set (one street, one track)
-The 17" wheels/tires would be lighter

One thing I'm concerned about is big brake kit fitment with 17" wheels. Can anyone comment on that? (one of my biggest concerns). Going with 17" wheels/tires will save me a lot of money on tires over time for sure. I don't have a BBK yet, but that will be happening as soon as money allows.

Also, I don't see Kosei wheels currently listed up no TireRack Anymore (when I go to look for vehicle fitment), Assuming the 17" Kosei's can indeed take almost every BBK, this may be a good solution.

Thoughts?

One thing I'm concerned about is big brake kit fitment with 17" wheels. Can anyone comment on that? (one of my biggest concerns). Going with 17" wheels/tires will save me a lot of money on tires over time for sure. I don't have a BBK yet, but that will be happening as soon as money allows.

ah, that makes more sense, you should have mentioned that earlier...

i run stoptechs up front under my 17's (17x9 ssr comps) with no issues...

ah, that makes more sense, you should have mentioned that earlier...
i run stoptechs up front under my 17's (17x9 ssr comps) with no issues...
Sorry for the confusion, David. What offset are your 17x9 comp's? ...(sigh) and now I go to look for the 17x9 SSR Comps up there, and they're not listed (wonder if this is due to the new ownership, and stopping production), going to give them a call...

the ssr in 17x9 are out of production due to the purchase, with none in stock that fit our cars. The Kosei K1 racing are currently out of stock, with another container expected around Thanksgiving (sigh). I'll need to see if anyone else has them in stock (other than TireRack)

i think my comps are et45, whatever the ones that tirerack used to sell...i run a 15mm spacer up front and a 5mm out back with 245/40/17 hoosiers...

good luck finding new ones, supposedly SSR is under new ownership and they will supposedly start making comps again in the future...check with other tuners/suppliers, when i got my last set from tirerack (which i think was the last set of silver 17x9 comps they had) i shopped around some and i think tc kline still had some, but that was over a month ago...

there are always some comps or koseis popping up on the used market, just look around...

good luck!

Thanks David :) I appreciate all of the information.

Another good wheel to look at is the OZ superlegerra.

A bit heavier than the SSR Comps, but still light, and they are a good bit cheaper.

Maybe a better question is to ask...


What wheel (Brand/model/diameter/width/offset) are folks running on lowered E36 M3's that do heavy track time / club racing and intend to add a big brake kit?

Maybe a better question is to ask...
What wheel (Brand/model/diameter/width/offset) are folks running on lowered E36 M3's that do heavy track time / club racing and intend to add a big brake kit?

most are running 17x8.5 or 17x9's et 40-45. 17" wheels will fit a 13" bbk, some without a spacer.

kosei
ssr comps
oz superleggra
forgelines
fikse

most are running 17x8.5 or 17x9's et 40-45. 17" wheels will fit a 13" bbk, some without a spacer.
kosei
ssr comps
oz superleggra
forgelines
fikse
Thanks for the info, any recommendations for picking up the Kosei K1's other than tirerack? (since they won't have any until thanksgiving or so)