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      11-10-2020, 07:39 AM   #12
CSBM5
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Drives: 2019 M2 Comp, 2011 M3, etc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanAutM3 View Post
I don't have any empirical data on hand, but it is what I've read in quite a few specialized literature on the science of tires. It is essentially the same general principle as with suspension tuning, a stiffer suspension will yield improved response at the expense of ultimate grip while a softer suspension will yield better ultimate grip at the expense of handling response. A softer tuning allows the tire to stay more in contact with the tarmac as it faces irregularities which improves its ultimate grip.

If there were only performance advantages to stretched tires (wider wheels for a given tire size), we would see all sports, super and hyper cars on super stretched tires, which often is not the case. Like everything else in life, it is all about the desired compromise.
Oh no, not talking about "stretched" tires at all here; only tire/wheel combinations within the official TRA window on rim width. In rapid transient conditions and/or rough pavement where sidewall spring rate increases may yield slightly less max Cf, perhaps there is a tiny reduction in maximum Cf available momentarily. However, from all data I've seen over the years, there is not a drop off in max Cf with a wider rim (within the TRA width specification for that tire size) in steady state conditions; in most cases it is the opposite...especially if you're comparing a tire mounted to the min TRA width spec versus on the other end (i.e. a 275/35-18 on a 9" rim versus a 10.5" rim; note max TRA spec in this case is 11").
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