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RE: BIG tires need mods

FYI I'm running BFG 255/40s on the back on the Motorsport 8.5 inch rims
with about 2 degrees negative camber. I have rolled the fenders and have
no further clearance problems. WRT fender rolling there is risk of the
paint cracking because of the nature of the way the E36s are built (the
fender welds in particular). Old style methods don't work; find a very
good bodyshop that _really_ knows these cars. Be prepared to have to
repaint the fender(s).

I'm surprised the Hoosiers don't clear on the fronts. I"ll have to see
how much clearance I have on mine. I was planning to go with 8.5" rims
front and rear, with either 255 BFGs or 245 Hoosiers (which are about as
wide as the BFGs: BFGs run narrow and Hooters run fat, check it out
yourself).

>----------
>From: 	Carl Buckland[SMTP:buckland@domain.elided]
>Sent: 	Friday, August 23, 1996 5:11 AM
>To: 	bmw-digest@domain.elided
>Cc: 	John Browne; Land Shark; David Kao; domzi@domain.elided;
>bshort@domain.elided; scotthung@domain.elided; b@domain.elided
>Subject: 	BIG tires need mods
>
>I recently wrote about "Neutral cars, big tires," and refered to some 
>mods that bigger tires would require.  I forgot to talk about the 
>mods.
>
>I currently use 235/45/17 R1's for the track and for autocross.  They 
>are the only size race tires that will fit my M3, which is lowered 
>1.5 inches back, and 2+ inches front, with H&R coilovers.
>
>I have never liked the size, as it is larger in diameter than the  stock 
>tires (235/40/17), and therefore changes the affective  rear end gear
>ratio, making the gearing taller.  I think that the 3.15 rear end is 
>already too tall, and don't want to exacerbate the condition.  
>Ideally, I want a tire with a larger footprint, but with the same 
>diameter as stock.  In addition, I plan to change my rear gearing to 
>3.38 or 3.46.  
>
>BFG says that it will think about making a 235/40/17, and/or a 
>245/40/17 within the next 18 months.  In the meantime, Hoosier makes 
>a 245/40/17 right now, available in road race and autocross 
>compounds.  I mounted up a Hoosier  to an 8" rim, and it fit great on 
>the rim.  It would not, however, fit on my car.  The front tire 
>rubbed on the lower spring perch of the coilover.  I could cure that 
>by dialing out the negative camber , but that would defeat the whole 
>purpose.  Instead, I will add a 20mm spacer, available from Roland at 
>H&R, which will make the tire fit fine, and even give the bonus of 
>added track width.  The fender clearance is not a problem.
>
>The rear wheel fits ok on the inside, I think, but it rubs on the 
>fender.  I will need to flair the fender.  I could do it by rolling 
>the inside of the fender lip with a pipe, or a baseball bat, but I 
>think I had better stay away from the heavy machinery, and let a body 
>shop do it.  I am not sure that even with the rolled lip it will fit, 
>but we will see.  BTW, the Hoosier 245/40 has a tread width of about 
>9 1/4 ".  The road race compound lasts MUCH longer than the autocross 
>compound, but is not as sticky at lower temperatures.  At hight temps 
>(above 150 degrees), they are said to have the same grip.
>
>I will report on the results.
>
>Regards to all,
>
>Carl
>
>By the way, a STOCK ride height M3 will accomodate tires as large as 
>255/40/17 on the rear, and 245/45/17 on the front.  This is, I 
>believe, the setup that Bob and Patty Tunnell run on their stock M3, 
>that they run successfully in A stock.  They are running stock 
>camber, which is closer to 0+ or -.
>
>Carl Buckland
>1000 Boston Bldg
>Nine Exchange Place
>Salt Lake City, Utah  84111
>801-531-6686
>Fax 531-6690
>E Mail buckland@domain.elided
>