Cheap Track Tires - Page 3

Teutonaddict · 27th February 2004, 03:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in NC

Correct, you don't need R compound track tires and they are not needed/recommended for beginners.....A set of tires for the track avoids killing the far more expensive street tires.

That was my reason for making the jump. I discovered a nail in my street tires the night before one of my first events, so I mounted up a brand-new tread up front. After my very first weekend at Sebring, it looked like I'd traveled 30K hard miles! Of course, Sebring is like a cheese grater on tires, but keep in mind I was a real novice running at relatively low speeds.

Having dedicated tires for each purpose has extended the lives of both: I've surpassed 28K miles on my Pilot Sports, after getting 22K on my OE Dunlops.

Teutonaddict · 27th February 2004, 03:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSBM5

Are the Type E's available in a wider width than 8"? I assume that you must run at least 9's on the rear?

Correct. I believe they're 9.5" I've never seen the wider widths in their ads or on their website. For the last couple of years, I've been dealing with Luke at the Tire Rack.

FWIW, I did run 245/45-18s all the way around on my '98 540i/6 (before BMW was equipping the sport package E39s with staggered widths). However, with all that torque on tap, you'll want and appreciate the 275s.

-Dave

rebel1 · 27th February 2004, 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasM5

By the way, I'm thinking about entering several track events a year and I already have the BBK, so I might end up with a new suspension setup (haven't decided which yet). If so, getting some track wheels and tires might be my first step. Any recommendations for a high quality track wheel with the understanding that cost is more important than appearance? I don't know that I need $2,400.00 worth of SSRs.

Thanks again,
TexasM5

What type BBK kit do you have? Check with Dave Zeckhausen on fitment of wheels with your brakes. His site has some wheel options that fir Stoptech and Brembo.
I have SSR comps with pilot cups, Brembos and dinan stage three with strut braces. It is an outstanding track set up, yet civilized enough for the street.

Hope this helps

Redshift · 27th February 2004, 06:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSBM5

My skills are rusty after lack of use for so long, plus the M5 is vastly more powerful than the old Bavaria. The Bav could hold its own against the E28 M5 however. Anyway, I will need some ramp up time for sure. I'm sure you can clean my clock at VIR

I'll have to check out the next monthly dinner -- let me know if you plan on going.

Here's the link to Ray's open house They always have decent door prizes and good food. I've know Ray for 23 years now...we took my Bavaria to Mid-Ohio back in 1981 and Ray proceeded to clean up in the Instructor's sessions against 911SC's and such. I dominated the A sessions as there weren't too many triple-Weber Korman engine/trick suspension cars back then...just a bunch of 528i's and 320i's. He's a great story teller and just a fine person. I think you would enjoy the event. I would love to drive the M5 to it, but I have to take the 540i to hopefully interest a buyer for it.

I'm sure this qualifies me for old fart status, but attached is a shot of the Bav in turn 3 at Summit Point circa 1987.

So far looks good for both events. Need to see if I can cajole the wife into attending the open house

TexasM5 · 27th February 2004, 06:37

I have the front StopTechs from Dave. I emailed him and am waiting to hear back since I know that at the very least I am going to need to switch brake pads. I'm going to price out some of the wheel/tire combos I've heard about here and talk with my Dinan dealer about suspension possibilities.

Thanks,
TexasM5

Teutonaddict · 27th February 2004, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasM5

I have the front StopTechs from Dave. I emailed him and am waiting to hear back since I know that at the very least I am going to need to switch brake pads. I'm going to price out some of the wheel/tire combos I've heard about here and talk with my Dinan dealer about suspension possibilities.

TexasM5-

FWIW, I run the StopTech 355mm front kit and have no clearance issues with the 17" Borbets. Dave Z recommended Performance Friction 01s for the track, and I found them to be superb. For the very first time, I experienced ZERO fade.

BTW, I still run my street pads (Axxis Deluxe Plus, also from Dave) on the rears. Even with different pads, the balance was not adversely affected, and my rotor and caliper temps still were much lower in the rears than the fronts (per my laser temp probe).

FWIW(2): I tracked for three full seasons before upgrading to the StopTechs. Previously, I ran the opened M-Technic euro brake ducts, high-T fluid, and intermediate track pads (Mintex C-Tech 1144 compound). That worked reasonably well (still had to manage fade) as my lap times decreased.

I can't tell you how liberating it was to do an entire track weekend without once considering brake fade! Whereas I used to lift before the end of the long straights, I now accelerate right up to the brake zone. Woo-hoo!

-Dave

M5ROKIT · 27th February 2004, 20:30

According to the Tirerack the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup does not fit the stock M5 wheel. What wheel dimensions would be optimal if going with that tire? I'm not sure what sizes they come in as I'm off the site now. I sent an email to the corporate office asking when, or if, the cup will come in stock wheel sizes.

M5ROKIT · 27th February 2004, 20:32

Correction: According to [B]Michelin [/b] website the tire does not come in the stock wheel sizes.

Richard in NC · 28th February 2004, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5ROKIT

Correction: According to Michelin website the tire does not come in the stock wheel sizes.

M5ROKIT;
That is why I ended up with Kuhmos and ATS Type 10 wheels.

BTW; I believe the wheels are 17x8 front and 17x9 rear.

Teutonaddict;
I went with the Axxis Deluxe Plus pads hoping to have street pads good enough for occasional track use. Unfortunately, they weren't bedded in properly and with the rain during the whole weekend at the track, I ruined all 4 rotors. After shelling out the bucks to replace the rotors (with factory units since it is a leased vehicle) I am afraid to put non-stock pads on it again. I'll have brake ducts and fresh high-temp fluid hoping that is enough for my experience level.