First, gotta say that I've been doing a lot of searching lately on this forum. There is a TON of great info available! It's interesting to see what people were doing back 2-3 years ago. This forum absolutely ROCKS!!!

Anyways, in all of my searching for some 18 inch rims for my e36...I failed to come up with the desired offset.

I would like to fit the absolute widest rim I can on a stock body. I'm not afraid to *manipulate* the fenders and and rear quarters to stuff 'em in there. I'm thinking 18x9's would be a good choice for now. If you guys agree, what offset should I get?

The second part of my question is where do I find these scrub slicks everyone keeps talking about for cheap money? I'm assuming we're talking Dunlops, right? Just need the source and what size I'd want to order if it's installed on some 9 inch rims!

Thanks again guys!

Ken Arutunian

Hey Ken! Call Brad at Evosport, he can hook you up with CCW's or OZ's in 18x9.

Unfortunately, the takeoff Dunlop slicks have dried up from the major source. Now that source has some Hoosier Slicks and some Yok takeoffs. I am moving to completely new slicks as I am tired of chasing setup issues that MAY have been tire related. I will be running Yokohama Slicks exclusively in the second quarter of next year. Brad is also working on some deals with a couple other major manufacturers not readily known in the US slick market for new price competitive tires.

The second part of my question is where do I find these scrub slicks everyone keeps talking about for cheap money? I'm assuming we're talking Dunlops, right? Just need the source and what size I'd want to order if it's installed on some 9 inch rims!

Our source is mostly gone since Dunlop lost the GrandAm contract. The days of $0-25 tires are behind us.

I would go with a 45mm offsett. The max tire you can fit depends on alignment somewhat. ET45 will push it close to the inside to maximize the tire you can fit. You can always add a 3mm spacer if necessary.

I have some 17x9s with ET45, and I've run them with and without a 3mm spacer.

Chris

As for size, a Dunlop 250/640R18 seems to fit under stock E36 and E30 fender with rolling/lip grinding. In inches, that translates into around 25.2 inches in diameter, a 10.1" section width and a 9.5" tread width when mounted on a 9.5 inch wheel. I would use those numbers as your max constraints when looking at other slicks on the market.

Hey Ken! Call Brad at Evosport, he can hook you up with CCW's or OZ's in 18x9.

Unfortunately, the takeoff Dunlop slicks have dried up from the major source. Now that source has some Hoosier Slicks and some Yok takeoffs. I am moving to completely new slicks as I am tired of chasing setup issues that MAY have been tire related. I will be running Yokohama Slicks exclusively in the second quarter of next year. Brad is also working on some deals with a couple other major manufacturers not readily known in the US slick market for new price competitive tires.

Jon,

I'll give Brad a call for sure. When I was searching the archives...I found one of your posts from '04. You were potentially going to run some inexpensive ASA AR1 rims. Did you ever give them a shot? Like you said, for under $250 they're disposable rims, but I'm thinking what the heck. Hope all is well with you. I'm going to shoot you an email.

Ken

As for size, a Dunlop 250/640R18 seems to fit under stock E36 and E30 fender with rolling/lip grinding. In inches, that translates into around 25.2 inches in diameter, a 10.1" section width and a 9.5" tread width when mounted on a 9.5 inch wheel. I would use those numbers as your max constraints when looking at other slicks on the market.

Bryan,
Thanks for getting specific! The rim size you mention is 9.5 inches for the 250/640R18's...are you suggesting that I consider that tire size even if I use 9's and not 9.5's?

This may be a moot point if I can't get scrubs in the Dunlops anymore, which frankly is why I was looking at going to 18's! LOL

I've yet to run on slicks. My experience has only been with Hoosier dot's. So, I really wanted to test the water with scrubs. Sounds like Yok's might be an option. Thoughts?

I'm now wondering if I'd be better off just sticking with the 17's I've got right now and pick up some Yok slick scrubs from a source.

Ken

Do it right and buy quality the first time...Can't stress it enough. If you go cheap, you'll have more headache and expenses in the end.

Barely any 17" scrubs on the market, the people who buy them, run them until they are corded.

You can still get 18" slicks in 250 and 280, and above.

You can run 250 slicks all around.

I would go with a 45mm offsett. The max tire you can fit depends on alignment somewhat. ET45 will push it close to the inside to maximize the tire you can fit. You can always add a 3mm spacer if necessary.

I have some 17x9s with ET45, and I've run them with and without a 3mm spacer.

Chris

Thanks Chris!

Yeah, I've got some 5mm spacers as well. So, ET45 it is!

Ken

Ken - The range of wheel sizes for that tire is 9-10", so a 9" wheel should work fine. The measurements are just taken on the "optimum" wheel size, which is 9.5".

Even if you decide on Yoks, you might have a hard time finding 17" scrubs. Most of the scrubs on the market are in 18" size, no matter the manufacturer. We are likely going to switch over to Yoks as well for race tires, running on our leftover Dunlops for practice (we have about 40 tires still I think)...it's not optimum from a setup perspective, but it saves some $$ on practice tires.

Another "affordable" option to consider are the Hankook slicks. I haven't tested them to see what they are like, but David Daniels seemed to like them at VIR, especially from a price perspective.

Bryan, I think we tossed a bunch out :)

There might be some new slicks entering the market next year, should be interesting.

I just wish Michelin's became more affordable.

Do it right and buy quality the first time...Can't stress it enough. If you go cheap, you'll have more headache and expenses in the end.

Barely any 17" scrubs on the market, the people who buy them, run them until they are corded.

You can still get 18" slicks in 250 and 280, and above.

You can run 250 slicks all around.

Steeevo. I've got the biggest grin on my face as I type! If I could count on one thing, it would be you telling me not to chince out on my car!:D

I keep wanting to save money and you keep spending it. LOL
I do understand your point and it's noted. Thanks. If I can find some used rims that are quality...I'll go for that.

Yeah, 18's still make the most sense!

Thanks Steve.

Ken

Oh, Used all the way man! Second hand is the way to go, but just make sure you get good second hand stuff.

I'm a huge fan of used parts, but for specific applications.

You can probably find some grand/wc teams with extra wheels if they are selling thier cars :)

Definitely go 18's, no question.

I like spending other peoples money for themselves, haha. Would rather spend it on myself though ;)

Ken - The range of wheel sizes for that tire is 9-10", so a 9" wheel should work fine. The measurements are just taken on the "optimum" wheel size, which is 9.5".

Even if you decide on Yoks, you might have a hard time finding 17" scrubs. Most of the scrubs on the market are in 18" size, no matter the manufacturer. We are likely going to switch over to Yoks as well for race tires, running on our leftover Dunlops for practice (we have about 40 tires still I think)...it's not optimum from a setup perspective, but it saves some $$ on practice tires.

Another "affordable" option to consider are the Hankook slicks. I haven't tested them to see what they are like, but David Daniels seemed to like them at VIR, especially from a price perspective.

Bryan,

Gotcha. If I can find a deal on some 9.5's I'll go that route since it's optimum and would still fit on the stock body;) If not, the 9's will do for now.

Yeah, David was quite fast. I'm not too proud to run Hankook slicks. Last I checked, no one is sponsoring me with tires...or anything for that matter!!! LOL
Thanks again.

Ken

Jon,

I'll give Brad a call for sure. When I was searching the archives...I found one of your posts from '04. You were potentially going to run some inexpensive ASA AR1 rims. Did you ever give them a shot? Like you said, for under $250 they're disposable rims, but I'm thinking what the heck. Hope all is well with you. I'm going to shoot you an email.

Ken

Don't do it. They have a center valve stem - it comes out at about the center of the wheel rim - so you need a 90degree valve stem for them to work. Then you have to be careful of your brakes hitting the valve stem also. At least that was the problem in early 04.

Don't do it. They have a center valve stem - it comes out at about the center of the wheel rim - so you need a 90degree valve stem for them to work. Then you have to be careful of your brakes hitting the valve stem also. At least that was the problem in early 04.

I am not sure when the ASA AR1s I had were made but the valve stems had no issues clearing the brakes. Here is a pic of my old ASA AR1 18x9s. They are pretty darn inexpensive wheels.

Here is what my old ASA's looked like http://www.vandtracing.com/pictures/IMG_3405.JPG

I am not sure when the ASA AR1s I had were made but the valve stems had no issues clearing the brakes. Here is a pic of my old ASA AR1 18x9s. They are pretty darn inexpensive wheels.

Here is what my old ASA's looked like http://www.vandtracing.com/pictures/IMG_3405.JPG

Yours are 18x9, mine were 17x9. Tighter fit. So Ken, if you want 18's, I take back my comments.

Evosport makes some pretty pimp wheels too :)

http://www.evosport.com/images/product/wheels/evosport/evosport_rg8silver.jpg

for 17in 235 slicks what rim width would i need?

Slicks are normally in 230 Size, and a nice rim would be 17x9. 8.5 is a tad small, but it works.

I would suggest getting 18's though.

thats what i ment, ive been told by a few that 17x8.5's with 230 yoko's on them is a great set up on the e30m3. what advantages does 18's hold for me?

More scrubs available :)

Plus, more people use 18" slicks then 17", more likely for someone to have them in stock.

lol, most likely gonna run fresh slicks. i was just wondering if 8in wide rims were to small cause i have a nice line on some for cheap. might just goto 18 since i cant find any rims for a decent price in 17x8.5

Yes 8" is way too small, I think 8.5 is pushing the limit too. I had 230 yoks on 8.5 and dunlop on 8.5, dunlop fit ok, but yok 230 is slightly larger and they were a little small in my opinion. Would have done better on a 18x9.

You do know how much new 17" slicks cost right? And they are not always available...might want to look into running 18's.

Still going to run $1200-2k (yok being on the cheaper end, michelin/goodyear on the high end) for a full new set of mounted/balanced slicks, and that should last a race weekend or two.