Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[JRT128i]

2012 128i w/ M-Sport package 100% stock

Looking for a set of wheels & tires to do 2-3 driving schools per year. Research so far has got me pointed towards 17" x 8.5" wheels with 245/40 tires for all 4 corners. D-force or OZ wheels seem to be highly rated for the money.

Any clearance issues? Any other advice?

[John_01]

You will need negative camber to fit the 245 tyres on the front. Watch out for moments of oversteer as tyre temperatures and pressures vary.

[Xaeryan]

I have a few questions for ya if you don't mind me asking: What's your experience level? What tires do you plan on running? What tires do you street drive with? How many miles do you drive a year? How do you handle winters (not sure what the weather is like down there)?

[JRT128i]

Intermediate run group (completed 8 full weekend HPDE schools at RA and Barber in the last 3 years)...but I'm going from driving an Audi A4 Quattro to the 128. I was thinking about running a set of Dunlop Star Specs for my first set of dedicated track tires. Stock wheels & stock Goodyears for the daily and weekend driving. I handle any inclement weather (2-3 days per year) with a 2003 Pathfinder.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Eyeman]

Sounds like good choices to me. I like the DForce Empower wheels. I'd get a set of those and run Star Specs with 235 widths. You might like it so much that you decide to just sell your stock setup. Btw I do the same thing as far as having a back up bad weather vehicle for our couple of days of ice per year, I have an old 4Runner that I use.

[Xaeryan]

I ask because I ran Direzzas (225/255 - 235/265 will also fit with a bit of work, maybe some minor rub) on stock rims for 8 track days and 5 or 6 autocrosses last season, and left them on in between. I checked as of yesterday, they have 4/32mm tread front, and 5/32mm rear, and wear is pretty even across the tread - the front outer shoulders are the only part with more wear than the rest. No camber plates, no coilover suspension - primary mod is the BMW PS, which is (too) mild for track days. Albeit, aside from track days I use it mostly as a weekend cruiser, but I still racked up somewhere between 5000 and 8000 miles on them (lost track of exactly when I put them on), and there's still plenty of tread left. I plan on flipping the fronts (removing tire and remounting on opposite side) to take advantage of the mostly untouched inner side wall.

My point is it may be worthwhile to consider running Direzzas on stock rims all season round (sans the winter), and save the money for more events or a suspension that can better take advantage of a nice track wheel/tire setup later on. Something to think about. Feel free to post counter-thoughts.