I would like some advice on the purchase of tires and wheels for autocrossing for my "S". I hsave 17 inch all seasons and I don't want to trash them in autocrossing. I don't do it too often and don't want to spend too much. I would also be interested in wheel and tire size suggestions. I've been told that 205/50/15s are a good choice.


Thanks

Randy

 

I asked the folks at Tire Rack and Discount Tire on THEIR suggestions for a 2nd set of wheels for "high performance" driving. I left open the wheel size, and also asked for "better" recommendations for Run-Flats. Here's what they said:

Discount Tire:
A good package for the vehicle would include the 17x7 5Zigen
Fighter wheels (17 lbs each) and the 205/45-17 Yokohama AVS ES100
tires for a total of $1,208. The question regarding tire weights
in run-flat tires would not really help the situation, because
there is not enough of a change between manufacturers to make
a difference. Non run-flat tires can be used on the OEM wheels,
you simply sacrifice the run-flat capability.

Tire Rack:
Hello,
Grant here at The Tire Rack. If performance is the goal, get away from
the run-flats. The best handling run flat is going to be the Dunlop
Sport 9000. Most folks are going with the SSR Competition in a 17X7.5"
(12.8 lbs each) with a 215/45-17 tire. I would look at the Bridgestone
SO3 Pole Position as your best bet. It is the best for wet/dry handling
and consistancy as it wears. Thanks for your inquiry.

Hope this helps at least a little bit on your question for autocrossing wheels. Notice that neither dealer followed up on recommending a different diameter; although when I get "serious" (ie, my MINI arrives), I'll call & try to get more specific info regarding wheel size.

 

Yokohama AVS ES100 215 45 17 is available in this tire as well. The Kosei K1 racing wheel(17X7.5) at tirerack is 16 lbs. I just ordered this package and it came to 1254.04 balanced with shipping

_________________
2Minis

 

The 3 big R-compound options for track tires are the Kumho V700, Kumho Victoracers, and the Hoosiers. The Victoracers are about 5 bucks more at each wheel than the V700, and perform slightly better than the V700. The Hoosiers are significantly more expensive, and have a much shorter track life. If you're a mack daddy at the autocross, get the Hoosiers, but if you're just starting or amateur or what have you, I'd go with the V700 or Victoracers. Generally, the lighter the wheel is, the better, but also some lightweight wheels can bend and get busted up very easily... what I can think of off the top of my head are the 5zigens, Kosei K1s, SSR competitions... uuhh yeah. Well hope that helps

 

>>The 3 big R-compound options for track tires are the Kumho V700, Kumho Victoracers, and the Hoosiers. The Victoracers are about 5 bucks more at each wheel than the V700, and perform slightly better than the V700. The Hoosiers are significantly more expensive, and have a much shorter track life. If you're a mack daddy at the autocross, get the Hoosiers, but if you're just starting or amateur or what have you, I'd go with the V700 or Victoracers. Generally, the lighter the wheel is, the better, but also some lightweight wheels can bend and get busted up very easily... what I can think of off the top of my head are the 5zigens, Kosei K1s, SSR competitions... uuhh yeah. Well hope that helps
Wheels busted in an autocross? Have you seen it happen??
Thanks for any info.