Gary, suggestions for track setup for E46 M3 coupe

I know the recommended setup is SSR Comps 18x9.5 et35 with 265/40/18 all the way around.

However, that setup is $$$.

Is there any other setup that you can recommend that will allow me to run wide tires and have a square non-stagger setup for the track?

Thanks!

Jimmy

OZ Superleggeras would be a less expensive replacement for the SSR comps. Plus, they're stronger.

Originally Posted by The HACK

How often do you track, and how much experience do you have?

I would suggest if you're going to plunk down that much $$$, to go with R comps. 265 seems too wide for the front, but what the heck do I know.

The way I see it, unless you're ready to move past the stock setup and move to R-comps, there's no need for a seperate set of track and street tires/rims.

And also keep in mind, on the track brakes work in tandem with the tires, so you should upgrade the brakes as well along with the rims/tires, and also if you're going to use R-comps make sure you sure up all your suspension parts as well.

Wazzup Hack,

You raise excellent points. I am a track junkie wannabe who's still learning and will do around 6 events for 2004. The reasons I'm trying to find a separate set of track use tires/wheels is...

1. Keep burning 19's on my M3 is not going to be economical.
2. The E46 is such a piggy that I'd like to find ways to dial out some understeer.
3. I'm reaching adhesion limits on street tires.

I'm not ready for coilovers, bbk, and r compounds, and would suffice with more aggressive pads, alignment, and wheels/tires to use at track so I save on my street tires, 19's.

Oh yeah, also, 265 fronts have been used by many for the E46 M3 with great success, that's why I mentioned it. But then, what do I know as well? Might be too wide for me for now.

Jimmy

Originally Posted by Nick325xiT 5spd

OZ Superleggeras would be a less expensive replacement for the SSR comps. Plus, they're stronger.

Okay, let me check the available widths.

Everything else I know of would be staggered.

Originally Posted by Gary@Tirerack

Everything else I know of would be staggered.

So I guess the SSR Comps are the ONLY non staggered solution then.

Thanks Gary.

Originally Posted by The HACK

You're reaching adhesion limits on street tires because you're not being smooth. That's probably why you're wearing through tires so quickly as well. The more experience you have the better you will be at being smooth thus conserving your tires AND go quicker without exceeding the limit of grip.

I'm talking about this like I am experienced...I'm not. I've only had 5 schools so far and I can tell you, I went through a lot more tire and rubber on my first 2 schools than I did with my last three. What I thought was tire limit turns out to be my own driving skill's limit.

One quick and cheap way to dial out understeer is actually with swaybars. Put on adjustible sways and tighten the rear and loosen the front will do, and it's cheaper than upgrading all around in rims. Also, you CAN go 245 front and 255 rear and that'll aso go a long way in dialing out understeer I believe.

Finally, I would still run at least one school in stock form before I make any changes. The biggest regret that I have is still spending all that time and $$$ on mods, only to find out that I can't even out-drive my car in stock form.

But don't let me stop you from getting those rims and tires...I think they'll go a long way and will be big improvements.

Yeah, I've noticed the same too. Smoothness equals a bit less rubbing of the rubber. Most of it is due to lack of proper camber for the track though. However, I find myself hindered by the lack of grip on the 225 front tires. I'm doing quick enough in my own group, passing slower cars left and right, yet another M3 was pulling on me, he's got r compounds, sways, coilovers, harness etc.

I'm not about to make the jump now, going to do another event on street tires and then get track wheels with street tires so I can conserve the 19's.

It just kills me to see my 19" tires go so fast.

Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 is available in 18 x 9's. Not quite 9.5" but definitely alot cheaper than the wheels mentioned so far.

Originally Posted by speedminded

Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 is available in 18 x 9's. Not quite 9.5" but definitely alot cheaper than the wheels mentioned so far.

Also, Enkei has some great options now too.