Hi guys...

Was wondering if I could get some opinions on what would work best for my DD. It's a 2600 lb E30 with an S50 swap... got quite a bit of torque, about 200 wtq @ 3k RPM. I like to do some spirited driving every once in a while, but sometimes I have to drive long distances so MPG/comfort is a factor too.

I'm running 16x8 rims, and I've got two tires on either end of the spectrum in mind:

Either Federal 595 RS-R, or some dirt cheap Sumitomo HTR Z II. 595's will cost me about $360 for a set (I can mount them myself), HTR Z II's are like $240 for a set.

I know the 595 RS-R's are much, much grippier and would suit the car quite well, but I'm wondering if they'll have a drastic impact on comfort/noisiness and MPG. I'm not adverse to picking up a spare set of rims to put 595 RS-R's or RS3's on for track/drag/high performance driving and running the HTR Z II's as a daily driving only tire.

Any thoughts or input are welcome, thanks!

 

For a very comfortable and decently grippy tire, I really like the Continental ExtremeContact DW

 

What size tire are you running? Let me know and I can make a better recommendation.

 

I have to run either a 205/50/16, a 215/45/16 or a 225/45/16. I don't want to spend a whole lot on the tires because I'll probably end up selling the rims/tires when I convert my E30 to 5-lug.

 

The Federals you mentioned, Hankook v12s, maybe Star Specs...

Sort of off topic, but why are you going 5-lug?

 

I am just thinking about doing the conversion because on Saturday I am buying an E36 M3 mint condition automatic vert with a blown motor for dirt cheap. So I'm parting the whole thing out and I was going to take the front suspension + brakes, buy some 318Ti rear, and convert to 5 lug. So the whole conversion will cost me like $400-500 since I am getting the front + brakes for free and will just need to buy the rears off Craigslist. Not worth it?

Let me know what you think. If it's not worth it, I'll just buy some 205/50/16 595 RS-R's and DD the f@#k out of them.

 

the federals suck.

star specs are really grippy but i dont think id like to DD on them.

 

Quantify this, please. Suck in what way? Grip? Comfort? Wear level? Sidewall patterning? Ballerness?

 

Most of my issues with the swap are personal. For me (and maybe even you, considering you "only" have an s50), the only advantage I see is a better selection of wide wheels.

For me the disadvantages are (no particular order)
1) time, money, headaches of the installation

2) headaches of any shop work you may want to have done - many shops won't touch cars with modified suspensions, so I'm not sure about ones with frankenstein suspensions and brake setups

3) cost of replacement parts - you have to pay m3 price for all front suspension components

4) fitment disadvantages - from what I've seen (and that's not a lot, TBH), the only way to get the wheel to sit properly in the wheel well is to use all e30 M3 components (2-10x what standard e30 parts cost). I've seen some examples using e36 where the wheel was pushed so far towards the front of the car by the e36 suspension geometry that the owners had issues with fitting wheels, rubbing, etc, but they may now be taken as examples of what NOT to do. (On the other hand, how pissed would you be if you did the swap and couldn't run anything larger than your current wheel?) Seeing this also made me question how the swap effects handling characteristics.

For me, I guess the bottom line is: the e30 suspension is good 'nuff; why change it? So, it really was more of a question to as to YOUR reasons for doing it. I wouldn't over complicate my track/fun car just for the sake of it.

 

I'd probably try to run Hankook V12 Evo's. I've heard good things although they aren't in your ideal size. I'm probably going to run them on my Miata or the Summitomo's. Just can't beat that price.

Another option is to piece together a used set from AP1 owners that ran out their S02's rears before they ran out of front. I see these for sale all the time. Ap1 wheels for sale with 50% tread in front and bald rears lol.