I'm currently trying to sell my 17 x 8 Works, for something a bit less rare, ie I could replace it if I were to bend it or something, etc.
My E30 does have the BMP RS-1 body kit, so I'm worried its going to look goofy with what I have in mind in now.
I'm thinking of dropping back down to a 15 x 7 and running a 225/50/15 RA1. I haven't found a weight figure for the tire yet, but from guessing, I'm assuming that this kind of setup could remove in the neighborhood of 50-60 lbs from the E30. A pretty significant chunk, especially considering its rotating mass.
Which of the two aforementioned tires would last longer in a semi-DD/Auto-X environment? I'm guessing the RA1 since it is initially molded at 2/32nds deeper tread.
I say semi-DD as I'm in the process of swapping in an OBD-I S52 into the car, along with raising the spring rates on my Ground Control coilovers from 350/500 to around 450/650.
Any other tires you would consider? I wouldn't mind running one of the bad boy street tires, but they are non-existent in that size basically.
RS2s are $99 in that size.
They'll last WAY longer.
Are they comparable? In my grubby hands with my driving skills, yep! In yours? I have no idea.
And apparently the RS3 is supposed to be coming out in that size as well. They are claiming a 30% increase in dry grip.
I just haven't found out when it will be available yet.
Are you saying you aren't fast enough to take advantage of the extra grip of an R-Comp? I'm definitely sure I couldn't either at this point, but an E30 with 200+ wtq and 220ish whp, will need all the help it can get!
z31maniac wrote:
And apparently the RS3 is supposed to be coming out in that size as well. They are claiming a 30% increase in dry grip.
I just haven't found out when it will be available yet.
Are you saying you aren't fast enough to take advantage of the extra grip of an R-Comp? I'm definitely sure I couldn't either at this point, but an E30 with 200+ wtq and 220ish whp, will need all the help it can get!
I might see an increase going to an R-comp... but the price wouldn't be justified, because i'm not that good.
How much are the RA1s in this size? Unless you have a hookup, i'm seeing it'll cost about 1.5x what the RS2s do. If you're cool dumping an extra $200 or so for maybe half the tread life, then go for it. Me? I don't have that kindof cash, so i make do with my RS2s. 
They're my personal favorite tire anyways.
Not really, but the car doesn't see a ton of mileage anyway.
I think its done maybe 7k miles in the last year? Although there has been some down time due to diff issues, and now no motor under the hood!
I'm really hoping the RS3 is going to come out soon.
rs2's will stink on that car. They have soft sidewalls, and don't like heaver sedan's/coupes. Maybe the rs3 will be better.
If you want weights for a tire, check the manufacturer websites. A 225/50-15 RA-1 is 23 lbs.
sachilles wrote:
rs2's will stink on that car. They have soft sidewalls, and don't like heaver sedan's/coupes. Maybe the rs3 will be better.
How heavy are E30s? Not trying to start anything here, just curious.
The sidewall issues seem to be more of an issue with heavier cars, and not running enough pressure. I've never noticed any major difference in sidewall comparing rs2s to RT615s. But then again, my car is probably lighter.
I think we got into the same standpoint last time the RS2s were brought up. 
2750ish for a 325. But the S52 adds about another 75lbs or so. But then I have removed 50lbs of trunk tar from the trunk. And I know that BMP body kit has to weigh less than the stock metal bumpers (its an '88is) or less than plastics with the bumper shocks.
The rear fiberglass bumper has to less than 10lbs.
Keith wrote:
If you want weights for a tire, check the manufacturer websites. A 225/50-15 RA-1 is 23 lbs.
Thanks, for some reason I must have missed that on their spec chart. That's a bit heavier than I suspected a 15" tire to be!
If I can find the money for the 15" SSR's (unlikely), that setup would be around 32lbs a corner vs ~44ish now.
So with the wheels I can most likely afford looks like I should still be able to shave at least 40lbs of my rotating weight.
I run 225/45/15 Nitto NT-01s on 8" wide Rota slipstreams (11lbs) on my E30. IIRC the wheels were in the $400 ballpark brand new. The Nittos are the same compound as the RA-1 and were $560 delivered from DDT for 4.
I haven't turned a wheel at the track with that setup yet but it looks to be a pretty nice footprint for not a lot of scratch or weight.
You haven't by any chance put a Massive Brakes BBK template behind those wheels have you?
Although I'm hesistant to run Rotas from some of the horror stories I've read, especially when Kosei's and Team Dynamics are so cheap and strong.
z31maniac wrote:
You haven't by any chance put a Massive Brakes BBK template behind those wheels have you?
Although I'm hesistant to run Rotas from some of the horror stories I've read, especially when Kosei's and Team Dynamics are so cheap and strong.
No, Massive's stuff looks like they chose the largest stuff they could slap on there w/o any regard for balance or weight. I'm pretty sure my 2000lb car won't be needing 320mm disks with 6 piston calipers to slow it down from 140 all day long :)
I swapped in E36 spindles, GC special tapered strut tubes and stock 11.75" E36 325i rotors with Wilwood Dynapros... I went with the Rota wheels because they are 8" wide, super light, pretty strong and were priced correctly for a build that is running out of cash - the car is 5 lug now so it can run any BMW wheel from 15" to 18" should they show any stress cracks after a few days.
I have quite a bit of exerience with comparing the rs2 to azenis 215's and 615's and bridgestone RE01r.
On the same track, on the same day on the same car, the rs2 was more than a second slower, and felt quite a bit more vague than an azeni 615. My experience in in cars around the 3000 lbs mark.
They are fine for Miatas and such, but the heavier the car, the worse they become. In their 15 inch size, any bmw will be above the weight threshold for the tire.
walterj wrote:
z31maniac wrote:
You haven't by any chance put a Massive Brakes BBK template behind those wheels have you?
Although I'm hesistant to run Rotas from some of the horror stories I've read, especially when Kosei's and Team Dynamics are so cheap and strong.
No, Massive's stuff looks like they chose the largest stuff they could slap on there w/o any regard for balance or weight. I'm pretty sure my 2000lb car won't be needing 320mm disks with 6 piston calipers to slow it down from 140 all day long :)
I swapped in E36 spindles, GC special tapered strut tubes and stock 11.75" E36 325i rotors with Wilwood Dynapros... I went with the Rota wheels because they are 8" wide, super light, pretty strong and were priced correctly for a build that is running out of cash - the car is 5 lug now so it can run any BMW wheel from 15" to 18" should they show any stress cracks after a few days.
Funny you should mention your setup, the Sport kit he sells is a 300 x 21mm disc (11.81" hmmm, close, 
) with a Forged 4 piston superlite caliper. Your's is also a forged 4 piston caliper, but smaller.
He seems to have his stuff down when it comes to piston sizing and brake balance etc. I've spoken with him at length about his stuff.
He is also selling a "Street" kit using the Wilwood Dynalite and 280mm Corrado disc with hubs machined for E30s.
He told me the SL6R (the 6 piston one you speak of) is more bling and feels the Superlite is a better caliper for the track.
Remember, my car will have about 800 lbs on yours! And I'll admit, I do like the bling aspect of a BBK.
z31maniac wrote:
walterj wrote:
z31maniac wrote:
You haven't by any chance put a Massive Brakes BBK template behind those wheels have you?
Although I'm hesistant to run Rotas from some of the horror stories I've read, especially when Kosei's and Team Dynamics are so cheap and strong.
No, Massive's stuff looks like they chose the largest stuff they could slap on there w/o any regard for balance or weight. I'm pretty sure my 2000lb car won't be needing 320mm disks with 6 piston calipers to slow it down from 140 all day long :)
I swapped in E36 spindles, GC special tapered strut tubes and stock 11.75" E36 325i rotors with Wilwood Dynapros... I went with the Rota wheels because they are 8" wide, super light, pretty strong and were priced correctly for a build that is running out of cash - the car is 5 lug now so it can run any BMW wheel from 15" to 18" should they show any stress cracks after a few days.
Funny you should mention your setup, the Sport kit he sells is a 300 x 21mm disc (11.81" hmmm, close, ) with a Forged 4 piston superlite caliper. Your's is also a forged 4 piston caliper, but smaller.
He seems to have his stuff down when it comes to piston sizing and brake balance etc. I've spoken with him at length about his stuff.
He is also selling a "Street" kit using the Wilwood Dynalite and 280mm Corrado disc with hubs machined for E30s.
He told me the SL6R (the 6 piston one you speak of) is more bling and feels the Superlite is a better caliper for the track.
Remember, my car will have about 800 lbs on yours! And I'll admit, I do like the bling aspect of a BBK.
My friend runs the machined hub kit on a DM E30 too - its gross overkill so you really have to take care not to lock up a wheel when trailing all the way to the apex but it doesn't fade and its consistent.
If it works for you - go for it. I choose to roll my own because I am a peculiar person and I really care about brake feel over ultimate torque because its how I steer. It has to be just so... so I didn't mean to slight Massive - their stuff is just too big a hammer for me, for that vehicle and but it works and it looks nice so... whatever floats your boat.
I know what you mean. I've been considering if I should just stick with the street kit, or not even one at all!
I've got a set of 4 new slotted UUC rotors and fresh SS lines. So I've though about just buying 4 rebuilt calipers (cost/benefit is worth buying vs. rebuilding) and slapping something like the Hawk HP+. I don't really want to get into to different set of rotors and pads. Since I'm know I won't be quick at Hallett to begin with.
