I have a set of wheels and tires (street) waiting for my Z4 M Coupe and I plan on removing the continentals (selling them) and putting some track rubber on the stock wheels. I don't think I want to go as extreme as Hoosiers but these tires will be dedicated to track use. Can someone recommend a good 18" track tire that will fit on the stock M wheels? Thanks ahead of time.

http://www.toyo.com/docs/tires/product_spec.asp?lpid=18968&name=Proxes%20RA-1%99&category=sport

245/40/18 front, 275/35/18 rear.

Thanks Hack.

Does anyone know how RA-1's compare to Kumho's V710?

Comparable, but the RA1 is slighty better. Need to shave the Kumho's, may not need to shave the Toyo.

Comparable, but the RA1 is slighty better. Need to shave the Kumho's, may not need to shave the Toyo.

I've heard you get better performance and life (believe it) out of the RA-1s if you shave them.

My friends who's used VictorRacers and RA-1s swore the RA-1 is the superior tire.

At this point you may be more limited to the sizes of the rims (18"s unless you can find a 17" that will fit) and availability. Nitto NT-01s supposedly is available in the same sizes and a lot of club racers swear by it, but availability is a little iffy right now.

Yes, you do get better life out of the RA1 if you shave them, BUT you NEED to shave the Kumho's or they chunk and over heat

Don't know about shaving the V710's. The TireRack site says you don't need to. They are basicly slicks with two very shallow (4/32) grooves.

Here is a link... http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+V710

I used mine with just heat cycling and no shaving with excellent results.

Can't compare them to the RA1's because I never tried them, but I have had a couple of instructors swear by them.

btw, the V710 is different than the v700 and victoracer. Here is a quote about shaving the V700's: "Important Notice: Kumho VictoRacer V700 tires must be shaved to 3/32" - 4/32" of remaining tread depth for any track use in dry conditions.

Kumho advises that the VictoRacer V700 DOT-legal competition radial must be shaved prior to use in dry track conditions. If this tire is not shaved, excessive wear may occur causing the tire to wear to the cords prematurely in a localized area...."

This is all very good information for me. Thanks everyone. :buttrock

Does anyone know how the v710 and the RA-1's compare in price? I am leaning towards the RA's at this point because I hear a lot of M3 people are using them with great success. The v710 on the other hand has been known to blister after just a few events. I think the v710 might be a softer compound and I'd like to get some track/auto-x miles out of these tires vs having the absolute stickiest tire.

TireRack.com can give you comparisons and prices for your car. Follow The Hack's link for the RA1's or here: http://www.meisterschaftmotor.com/tires_wheels.html#toyo_target You can also get many opinions about track tires from the track guys in the Tires and Wheels section of this board, but the V710's and RA1's should be on your short list.

Concerning the V710's, I looked up the 18" sizes and they go from 245 to 285 wide. I wouldn't recommend going over 275 on a 9" rim. Plus, if you put a 285 wide on your 9" rim they might rub on the inside fender liner because they hang over the sides of the rim much more than the Continentals do.

So that may rule out the V710's in favor of RA1's or your next best choice.
Good luck on your search. I have to do the same thing except I will need to get track wheels too. My 17" track wheels won't fit over those huge front brakes!

My 17" track wheels won't fit over those huge front brakes!

Werd!!:buttrock

Wow. A lot of good info on that link! I have decided to go with RA-1's @ 275R and 245F. If they aren't what I expected I'll try some V710's when the RA-1's go away. Thanks again!

p.s. If anyone is interested in a set of stock Z4 M Coupe Continentals with about 100 miles on them I'll be putting them up for sale the day I get my car.