wheel and tyre options

[tweeks]

i currently have 15" bbs on 205/55 proxes but I am getting too much tyre roll and its a bit vague at high speed cornering. am thinking of going down to 50 profile or going to 16" wheels and a 45 profile. think lensos look ok but what is the quality like? does anybody run these tyre sizes or wheels that can give me any info on how these feel on the road? cheers

[TheHeap]

I would not only come down to 50 but opt for paradas rather than proxes even continental contact sports would be better. imo of course

[polsta]

a large percentage of e30 owners have 15" wheels with 205/55 tyres, so are you sure its the tyres and not something else thats causing it ?

[bullwinkle]

I'm running the 15's with 205/50 (was on 55 profile) and it has sharpened things up a tad when really pressing on. Not that much difference until your really leaning on it though.

Are your running M3 control arm bushes? If not, fit them and have the tracking re-set. Will be cheaper and will have a much bigger effect over the cars handling. Crisper turn in and more stability at speed.

HTH

[Duke137]

I run 50 profile (handles well), ditch toyo's altogether they are sh*t and go for michelin pilot sport. If you really want good handling they are worth every penny.

Toyo's are very much overated IMO compared to your Michelin, then bridgestone/continental (top spec ones).

That is why toyo aren't really used in motorsport because you guessed it, they are crap

[bullwinkle]

TOYO's aren't used in Motorsport?

Ever heard of the R888 or the Toyo tyres sponsored race series in which there are many E30's competing?

[Duke137]

TOYO's aren't used in Motorsport?

Ever heard of the R888 or the Toyo tyres sponsored race series in which there are many E30's competing?

Apart from that lol but toyo's are going to get used if they sponsor it. I mean factory/manufacturer type teams should have made that clearer.

I've used Toyo's michelins and conti's on cars and bridgestones and michelins on bikes (amongst numerours budgets and cheapo's) and I have to say Toyo's don't really cut it in my honest opinion.

This is all road use mind and it is just my opinion.

Oh and if Toyo's are used more widely in motorsport than I thought I take it back but I still think they are crap and wouldn't buy them again

Edit: I went from michelin pilot to toyo proxes on one car and the difference was unbelievable! same tyre size, and proxes were "recommended" to me by someone...
I'll Never take anymore advice off them lol

[Barx325i]

205 50 15's and give it some pain

[bullwinkle]

At the end of the day tyres are a really personal choice and which make/compound/size suits one person may not suit the next. It's funny that you say you would not buy them again (especially as you were 'recommended' to buy them) - I ditched a set of Goodyear Eagle's after following a recommendation (hated them!).

The only thing to do with tyres is suck 'em and see.

I still think that Tweeks' issues would be better resolved with offset CAB's though.

[tweeks]

When I got the car it was on bridgestone potenzas. 55 on rear and 50 pn the front. It was pretty planted on them. But my budget would not stretch that far when I bought the tyres towards the end of last summer. I had a bit of a chat with the man at the tyre shop and these were highly recommended by him, he also talked me round to going with 55s all round. The first time I had a good rip over the mountain road I was very dissappointed. Felt like a boat compared to driving on the bridgestones. Every time I have driven it fast since then I have been disapointed with the tyres. I am waiting on a couple of paycheques to come in and i want to sort this out. The car has a 30mm drop all around. All bushings have been replaced with power flex apart from a couple of genuine BMW ones and m3 drop links. Still undecided about wheather to get some better tyres for the bbs or go to 16s, a mate who works in a car breakers has just told me he has a car in with almost brand new 215 45 16 avons that I coulg get for £80 for the set and can get some wheels for just under 500. Some good tyres alone are a similar price. What does everyone think? All recommendations and non recommendations will help

[ed325i]

Has anyone used >> http://www.vredestein.com/


Ed

[bullwinkle]

I'd stick with 15's personally. The most you'll ever need to spend per tyre will be £100 MAX. If you liked the Potenzas why not give them another go?

You say the car had 55 profiles out the back and 50's on the front - were the widths the same (ie: 205 f+r)?

Did you lower the car and do the bushes etc before or after changing the tyres?

[Duke137]

Has anyone used >> http://www.vredestein.com/


Ed

Yes got Sportrac 3's on the rear of my girlfriends E36 and one on my E30. They are a good tyre IMO plenty of grip!

[Duke137]

When I got the car it was on bridgestone potenzas. 55 on rear and 50 pn the front. It was pretty planted on them. But my budget would not stretch that far when I bought the tyres towards the end of last summer. I had a bit of a chat with the man at the tyre shop and these were highly recommended by him, he also talked me round to going with 55s all round. The first time I had a good rip over the mountain road I was very dissappointed. Felt like a boat compared to driving on the bridgestones. Every time I have driven it fast since then I have been disapointed with the tyres. I am waiting on a couple of paycheques to come in and i want to sort this out. The car has a 30mm drop all around. All bushings have been replaced with power flex apart from a couple of genuine BMW ones and m3 drop links. Still undecided about wheather to get some better tyres for the bbs or go to 16s, a mate who works in a car breakers has just told me he has a car in with almost brand new 215 45 16 avons that I coulg get for £80 for the set and can get some wheels for just under 500. Some good tyres alone are a similar price. What does everyone think? All recommendations and non recommendations will help

you've just confirmed exactly what I said apart from the 55 - 50 profile

BUY CHEAP BUY TWICE