18” Staggered Track Setup Official Thread

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by calubi

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but this seems like an appropriate place...

I'm looking for an 18" staggered setup with RS-4 tires for track duty plus to/from the track and light street use. I'm thinking TA5R 18x10 ET25 fronts and 18x11 ET44 rears, but there are a few tire size choices:

265/40ZR18 - 295/40ZR18
Can anyone confirm this fits without issue on stock zcp suspension? Seems like a solid choice to try, if it fits. This thread seems to hint it will work. Would the 3.4% F-R stagger be too much for DSC/MDM off track? Would the 40 profile hold up well on the track vs the 35 profile options?

265/35ZR18 - 285/35ZR18
Safer choice, but it gives up some width in the rear.

265/35ZR18 - 295/40ZR18
Hybrid that uses the safer front size with the beefier rears. But at nearly 8% F-R stagger, this sounds too exaggerated.

275/35ZR18 - 295/40ZR18
Almost missed this option as this 275 is not showing up on tire rack. But would this still be too much stagger?

I'm looking for pros/cons between these options (or other 18" staggered options for this tire if I missed something). Goal is to maximize grip without requiring fender modifications. I'm hoping more people have tried the RS-4 in an 18" staggered setup since the last replies about that tire in this thread.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by fanatic1

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1652671

I have a post earlier in this thread and talk a lot about the RS4s in the linked thread as well.

265-295/40/18 RS4 will fit fine on OEM suspension and your listed wheels with no rubbing.

275/40/18 fronts RS4 would be better for the stagger but may rub a little. It's really close as the 275/35/19 fits fine and the 40/18 are only a few mm bigger. I can't find anyone who has actually tested this fit yet (ps you should do it!)

Don't go with the 35/18 profile they are way too short imo. Though 275-295/35/18 would be OK I guess. The 40 profile is likely overall better even if the fronts are a little narrower.

Don't go with 35 F and 40 R profile as it's too much stagger.

[calubi]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

Don't go with the 35/18 profile they are way too short imo.

That's exactly the setup I ended up ordering for now: 265/35+285/35. Getting the tires mounted on Tuesday, so we'll see how bad it is. I did want to go 265/40+295/40, but the 295/40 are special order and I needed something before next weekend.

[edkwok99]

Does 18x11 et35 with 305/35/18 (Nt01) rub on rear fender? I think it is fine during street driving. I worry about during hard corner and/or compressed at the track.
I understand the ideal setup is et44

[jacobe92]

Originally Posted by edkwok99

Does 18x11 et35 with 305/35/18 (Nt01) rub on rear fender? I think it is fine during street driving. I worry about during hard corner and/or compressed at the track.
I understand the ideal setup is et44

Your wheel, offset and tire size will fit my car. No problem.

I have rear 18x11 Et 43. At the time, the reason was I wanted the option of fitting a 315/30/18 if I wanted too. Overkill and unnecessary. Just FYI, the widest front tire I've put on this car is 285/645/18 on an 18x10 Et 27 wheel w/ a 5mm spacer. But if I were to do it again, I should've have ordered my square set up at 18x10.5 Et 27. I should've ordered it in 10.5's. GL

[The_Werm]

Originally Posted by calubi

That's exactly the setup I ended up ordering for now: 265/35+285/35. Getting the tires mounted on Tuesday, so we'll see how bad it is. I did want to go 265/40+295/40, but the 295/40 are special order and I needed something before next weekend.

I have the same RS4 265/35 and 285/35 tires on stock 513m they are great.

it would not be a good idea to run the 275/40 and 295/40 on stock 9/10in wheels correct?

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by The_Werm

I have the same RS4 265/35 and 285/35 tires on stock 513m they are great.

it would not be a good idea to run the 275/40 and 295/40 on stock 9/10in wheels correct?

Originally Posted by The_Werm

I have the same RS4 265/35 and 285/35 tires on stock 513m they are great.

it would not be a good idea to run the 275/40 and 295/40 on stock 9/10in wheels correct?

275-295/40 would be ideal but not sure 275/40 would fit for sure without rubbing

It's really close as 275/35/19 fits fine

[calubi]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

275-295/40 would be ideal but not sure 275/40 would fit for sure without rubbing

It's really close as 275/35/19 fits fine

Just to update, I had the tires (265/35 285/35 R-S4) mounted last week (after a bit of a delay due to one of the fronts having damage from shipping) and had a two day event at MidOhio over the weekend.

First off, the grip is so much better than the PSS and they feel similar to the SC3 (non R) tires on my Camaro 1LE. But that's to be expected going to a 200 TW tire. I dropped four seconds on my PB lap time the first session out. Of course that's partly due to getting used to the car overall as this is only my third event with the M3, and first event with the camber plates after chewing through the PSS so fast.

I'm on the fence about the diameter decrease. On track, it feels good. But there is a noticable difference in shifting locations. I have to shift from 4 to 5 and 3 to 4 on straights I could hold the lower gear before. So I agree that the 40 series would be better, but marginally. The 35 series is still a good choice.

On the highway, the speedo error is annoying. I can't sugar coat that. But the ride is still comfortable and road noise is minimal.