[donR]

Yeah.. you must have a really big garage or drive way.

I agree bigger wheels are not always better and I believe the smaller rims can spin up a bit quicker for motorsport/track. Though runflats negate this due to being a heavier tire. I guess there is a balance between performance, aesthetics and personal taste.

[DR-JEKL]

Cant say i like the look of those apex rims personally...

What about some TE's?

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/melbo...mw-/1058034665

That's quite a nice collection of cars, i still want a GTR...

[LotusBMW]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

Cant say i like the look of those apex rims personally...

What about some TE's?

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/melbo...mw-/1058034665

That's quite a nice collection of cars, i still want a GTR...

Hi Jek, thanks for flagging these rims. Volk / RAYS make some very high quality forged, light rims and the TE37 is a classic....JDM rim. Not sure it suits a BM, and certainly not a grey car. Superlaps are my least favourite version of the TE37 too. Classic bronze is the way to go and no rash is allowed! They're expensive too, and have nasty over-stretched tyres!

The widths and offsets are too aggressive for the poor old E91. 9.5 +22 might squeeze under the rear but even at +35 a 9.5 will be a major effort to get on the front of our cars (spacers, neg camber etc). I think the seller is being optimistic suggesting they're suitable for a non M car.

I'm loving the ARC-8s and nothing you can say will change my mind

Each to their own. Cheers.

p.s. 32 GTRs are better to dream about than to own. I'm just too invested in mine to let it go

[Scotty89]

I don't like TE37's on BMWs either. yucky. Fits the e46 shape if any, but still yucky.

[LotusBMW]

Originally Posted by liteonled

Yeah.. you must have a really big garage or drive way.

I agree bigger wheels are not always better and I believe the smaller rims can spin up a bit quicker for motorsport/track. Though runflats negate this due to being a heavier tire. I guess there is a balance between performance, aesthetics and personal taste.

I actually have a storage solution at work... Yes lighter, smaller diameter rims have less rotational mass so will accelerate better but it's also about lower unsprung weight allowing the suspension to work more efficiently. Yeah, plus looks 😻

[woosh]

Originally Posted by LotusBMW

I think the seller is being optimistic suggesting they're suitable for a non M car.

*non M e46

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1053403

$2400 (ONO?) and in the same city is worth the gamble don't you reckon

[LotusBMW]

Originally Posted by woosh

*non M e46

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1053403

$2400 (ONO?) and in the same city is worth the gamble don't you reckon

Yeah, no. Wrong look, colour, tyres, width, offset, curb rash and expensive compared to my preferred option.

It's ironic as for 8 years I've looked out for this wheel second hand (in bronze mind you) in these sizes (perfect fitment for a 32 GTR) and this is as close as I've ever found. And I don't want them.

[LotusBMW]

ST XTA coilovers ordered. 3 - 4 weeks before I get them. Taken a risk but from what I can read they perform the same, and are the same otherwise, as KW V2s in all but the finish on the body. I've gone the adjustable rebound dampening spec because you get the adjustable camber plates with that spec too. And TBH at the price point may as well have something else to fiddle with even though I probably won't! Couldn't live with myself if I didn't have some mad front camber for at least a period of time

And I know 100% they're suitable for my good ole wagon.

http://www.st-suspensions.net/st/inf..._xta_coilovers

[LotusBMW]

So, get my car back today. Will have the LSD and M3 rear subframe bushes fitted, Alpina trans flash, and DCIs. Can't wait, but I need to lay of the gas for the first tank of fuel to run the diff in. An oil change will be required at that point. Patience Nick, patience!

I will also get my new rims on Friday.

Rear 18 x 9.5 +35
Front 18 x 9.0 +42

Will be running spacers with the above but until I make a tyre choice and also fit the new suspension and set camber and ride height not exactly sure what sizes.

Re tyres, my shortlist is as follows:

• Michelin PS3s - got these on my M3 and they're OK - $1,150 to $1,380
• Khumo KU36 - never driven with these - $960
• Khumo KU31 - had these on my Mazda6 and they were great - $790

All are 265/35 rear and PS3s could have 235/40, 245/40 or 255/35 fronts. Khumos fronts are all 245/40.

First up tyre choice. I will burn through the rears . Given I've got the LSD traction will be strong in a straight line, so I'm thinking the KU31s should suffice. Drove the M3 this morning and wasn't overwhelmed with the performance of the PS3s and considering the price difference, are they worth it? I hardly drive the M3 so haven't 'lived' with these tyres, and by all accounts this is where they shine. The KU36s are a bit of a wild card. Probably noisy, will be amazing in the dry and so so in the wet (should be fun right?) and wear fast but at $1,000 fitted it's not a massive issue. Tread blocks look cool too.

Next decision is the front sizing. I think 255 is too wide. Going to have fitment issues and will tramline. From experience 245 is ideal on a 9" but I may have rubbing issues with the 10mm spacers I'm imaging I'm going to use. PS3s are much more expensive in 245 too.

Any opinions on 235 on a 9" rim? I reckon it's right at the low end of width and could look a little stretched which is not a look I love. Could also be more understeery given there is less rubber.

Decisions decisions...

[JJH]

Originally Posted by LotusBMW

Can't wait, but I need to lay of the gas for the first tank of fuel to run the diff in.

Why so? Curious that instructions for a Quaife specifically state "Test the final drive by running the car gently between full left and right turns to ensure oil is fully circulated. Drive the car normally for 10 miles before any aggressive use. No further running in is necessary."

[DR-JEKL]

I hated my 19" Kumho Ku31's, they were so bloody noisy. I had them on a previous car and replaced them with continental sport contact 3's and they were much quieter and much more grip in the wet I vowed to never cheap out on tyres again.

Also something to consider, is in an emergency braking situation the michelins/goodyear/continentals/bridgestone's generally pull the car up a lot sooner then the cheaper tyres in all the tyre reviews I've read.

So the extra $400 or so spent on the premium tyres may save you thousands, or even your own life in an emergency situation by pulling the car up sooner and potentially avoiding an accident.

Also I would buy the Nitto NT05's over the KU36's, from what I've researched they're a superior semi and are much the same price (there are much better semi's than the nitto's but they're also much more expensive!).

[LotusBMW]

Originally Posted by JJH_335

Why so? Curious that instructions for a Quaife specifically state "Test the final drive by running the car gently between full left and right turns to ensure oil is fully circulated. Drive the car normally for 10 miles before any aggressive use. No further running in is necessary."

The explanation is it's to be safe rather than required. No run in is required (got that bit wrong) but an oil flush is strongly suggested after a tank of gas to ensure any metal possibly present from the newly machined parts is removed.

[LotusBMW]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

I hated my 19" Kumho Ku31's, they were so bloody noisy. I had them on a previous car and replaced them with continental sport contact 3's and they were much quieter and much more grip in the wet I vowed to never cheap out on tyres again.

Also something to consider, is in an emergency braking situation the michelins/goodyear/continentals/bridgestone's generally pull the car up a lot sooner then the cheaper tyres in all the tyre reviews I've read.

So the extra $400 or so spent on the premium tyres may save you thousands, or even your own life in an emergency situation by pulling the car up sooner and potentially avoiding an accident.

Also I would buy the Nitto NT05's over the KU36's, from what I've researched they're a superior semi and are much the same price (there are much better semi's than the nitto's but they're also much more expensive!).

Funny that. Really liked the KU31s on the Mazda, particularly in the wet. They were noisy, but that was mainly due to an alignment issue I.e. They were aligned too late, and the tyres had already worn into the old alignment. My bad.

As for saving your life, I think my driving style is more likely to kill me before my Korean tyres do 😹

KU36s are out. Too noisy and not really suitable. Think I'll go for the Michelins.

So, 235/40 or 245/40 on the front 9" rim?

[LotusBMW]

Well, the DCIs are a disappointment. I still can’t hear my turbos like I did on the Active loan car…Wonder what I’m missing…

Auto trans flash is good. Yes the D mode short shifts, but given the abundance of torque there is no lack of progress for it. Want more? Just push the peddle more and off it goes. I’m not sure what the fuss is about. Overall shifting in D is more resolved than stock. Haven’t really tried sport, and manual mode works great. No real difference on the up-shifts but the downshift rev matches are good.

Buggered if I can tell the difference with the M3 bushes and the stock ones that came out looked brand new....

The LSD does what it should. No clunking or noises etc. Very smooth and tractable and you don’t know it’s there until you put your foot down which is all what you want. However, it’s no where near as controlable as a clutch type LSD. You can feel the torque transfer from side to side in a straight line (WOT launch) as the rear has a little shimmy to it. Hard to describe but it’s there for sure. Also, when you’re oversteering, once again because of the way the torque transfers from side to side, the slide is not as easy to hold as it would be using a clutch style LSD. You need to be on your toes with the right amount of steering correction, which needs some adjusting through the slide. It's not like you can dial in throttle and steering angle and enjoy the ride. I think an LSD of some sort is very necessary in a car with this torque and power, and the helical type is great for refinement but it’s not the best option from an ultimate performance perspective. As usual with cars it’s a compromise, unless you’re willing to pay big $$. Given my use for the car I’m happy enough with my choice. So far.

I've only driven 60klms so these are of course my first impressions only.

[LotusBMW]

Diff seems to work...

[donR]

Thanks for the review. I assume it is M-factory?

Photo certainly shows it does the tick

[LotusBMW]

^^ yes MFactory

Yay, new rims have turned up from the US in super quick time. And no customs hassles either...APEX were awesome to deal with. Freight was 6 days from order from California. Was expensive though...

Ordered some 265/35/18 and 245/40/18 Michelin PS3s for them yesterday so should have these on the car mid next week. Maybe I'll teach the current rear tyres a lesson or 2 before they come off the car!

Suspension isn't in stock in the UK until 21/10 then it's got to get here. Should have that on by mid Nov and that pretty much completes the major mods...Does modding ever stop??

[RennenPerformance]

Cant wait to see em mounted!

[LotusBMW]

As APEX claim 18.85lb / 8.55kgs this is a good result! Scales *should* be accurate

[LotusBMW]

New rimz. Have to say I'm over the moon. APEX ARC-8. They are mile lighter than the 17s that came off the car and even driving slowly you can feel the suspension is happier.

18 x 9.5 et35 rear and 265/35/18 Michelin PS3
18 x 9.0 et32 front and 245/40/18 Michelin PS3 (running a 10mm spacer)

No rubbing, although it would be fair to say I've not given that the ultimate test yet.

I cannot wait to get the coilovers installed and get the ride height, and camber dialled in just right.

[woosh]

looking shmick mate. also nice review of the lsd.. hope it proves to work well with the 265s.

have you thought about lci tail lights?

[LotusBMW]

Originally Posted by woosh

looking shmick mate. also nice review of the lsd.. hope it proves to work well with the 265s.

have you thought about lci tail lights?

Thanks mate. Yeah I can confirm the LSD and the 265s are mates

I've never considered tail lights. Prefer the concentrate on the performance side of things, but I'm only a few steps away from finishing the mechanical mods so who knows...