Bald Street tires on track - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

neilvosko · 10-03-2012, 08:42 PM

Hi all, sorry for silly question, but has anyone used worn street tires, balding on the track after replacing them?

basically throwing them on new rims for track use only?

jlcolon2001 · 10-03-2012, 09:00 PM

Put your flame suit on!

neilvosko · 10-03-2012, 09:06 PM

huh

will.c · 10-03-2012, 11:47 PM

I see couple issues off top of my head:
1) Street tires will still be street tires; low grip and screech around everywhere.
2) Bald tires = low heat sink capacity; they will overheat very quickly, and will have past the prime of their lives. It'll be tough to keep them in their optimal temperatures for a predictable handling.
3) More susceptible to damages from longer period of wear and tear that they've gone through.
4) If it rains, pretty screwed. And if you can afford a second set for wet, then why not just use those for dry also since most UHP or EP tires that are great on wet are also great on dry.
5) I don't think you'll pass tech inspection, since this is re: safety.

If you're talking about moderately bald, like 3/32 or something, you can prob churn out another day or two. But if completely bald, prob not the best idea.

CJ421 · 10-03-2012, 11:57 PM

The compound used in R 'slick' tires is different than street tires so this won't work out like you might think. I think wonho brings up some even better points why to not do this.

DSC_OFF · 10-04-2012, 08:57 AM

You wouldn't even pass tech so its moot.

raceyBMW · 10-04-2012, 09:50 AM

Low tread in the center block isn't necessarily that terrible and you can probably get away with it as long as it doesn't rain, but if you have a lot of shoulder wear, I wouldn't run them.

If the front are very worn on the shoulders, then you will probably cord during your day if you push the car, and then have to stop...I found this out the hard way unfortunately.

10-03-2012, 08:42 PM	#1
neilvosko Major Drives: 335i e92 FBO Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: miami Posts: 1,178 iTrader: (12)	Bald Street tires on track Hi all, sorry for silly question, but has anyone used worn street tires, balding on the track after replacing them? basically throwing them on new rims for track use only?
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10-03-2012, 11:57 PM	#5
CJ421 Colonel Drives: '11 E92 335i 6MT M Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 2,943 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [4.63]	The compound used in R 'slick' tires is different than street tires so this won't work out like you might think. I think wonho brings up some even better points why to not do this. __________________ Quaife LSD by VAC, JRZ RS Pro, full M3 susp, TCK monoball kit, Mich. PSS, brake ducts, SS brake lines, UUC SSK, BMW Perf. Exhaust/steering wheel/CF spoiler/Style 269 19s, ETS FMIC, ER CP, VAC RSIK, Sparcos

10-04-2012, 08:57 AM	#6
DSC_OFF Major General Drives: flat out Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NNJ Posts: 5,673 iTrader: (30) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si c ... [4.62]	You wouldn't even pass tech so its moot. __________________ Recaro \| AST \| Vorshlag \| Quaife \| Stoptech \| Volks \| Autosolutions \| BMW Performance Click here for my track videos

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10-03-2012, 09:00 PM	#2
jlcolon2001 Second Lieutenant Drives: 335i Coupe 2007 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 201 iTrader: (0)	Put your flame suit on!

10-03-2012, 09:06 PM	#3
neilvosko Major Drives: 335i e92 FBO Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: miami Posts: 1,178 iTrader: (12)	huh

10-03-2012, 11:47 PM	#4
will.c Lieutenant Drives: E46M Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 405 iTrader: (4)	I see couple issues off top of my head: 1) Street tires will still be street tires; low grip and screech around everywhere. 2) Bald tires = low heat sink capacity; they will overheat very quickly, and will have past the prime of their lives. It'll be tough to keep them in their optimal temperatures for a predictable handling. 3) More susceptible to damages from longer period of wear and tear that they've gone through. 4) If it rains, pretty screwed. And if you can afford a second set for wet, then why not just use those for dry also since most UHP or EP tires that are great on wet are also great on dry. 5) I don't think you'll pass tech inspection, since this is re: safety. If you're talking about moderately bald, like 3/32 or something, you can prob churn out another day or two. But if completely bald, prob not the best idea.

10-04-2012, 09:50 AM	#7
raceyBMW king of the hills Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,480 iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 530i [4.25] 2007 335i Coupe [4.07]	Low tread in the center block isn't necessarily that terrible and you can probably get away with it as long as it doesn't rain, but if you have a lot of shoulder wear, I wouldn't run them. If the front are very worn on the shoulders, then you will probably cord during your day if you push the car, and then have to stop...I found this out the hard way unfortunately.