So, 6 years after the accident, and the first time it got to a competent body shop, my E36 M3 was totaled. Out with the old, in the with less old.
So far it needs new tires, not because they are bad, but because an S2000 should not have 520 treadwear tires.
So, should I go to 17 inch wheels for a better selection of tires, or should I keep the 16"? Also what is the go to tire for a weekend car. Do no want 200TW autocross specials, but I do want something. I had Michelin Pilot Super Sports on my M3 and loved them, but it looks like they don't make the same model I had in either 16 or 17 for the S2000.
Beautiful color on a great car. I spy a little rug rat in the driver's seat - don't forget to include her on some fun drives!
My brother had this exact car. It was a load of fun to drive, he switched out a few things in the interior from an AP2 model that had some black in it so it broke up the sea of blue on the interior.
Sweet! As sad as the M3 story was, we needs more S2000!
More important than wheel size is relative tire widths. As most tires aren't really the size they say they are on the sidewall I've found that maintaining the same percentage of width on the rear to the front as stock results in the best handling car. Well actually I do just slightly wider in the rear.
Cars that people report as tail happy generally didn't shop for real width on the tires, they only shopped sizes and many end up being undersized so the balance is all off.
Stock sizes are
205/55 X 16 = 7.1” width (83.5% of rear tire) 25” diameter
225/50 X 16 = 8.5” width (1.197 X the front) 24.8” diameter
I might mention that changing offsets can cause rubbing. The rear is very easy to roll which allows some extra room. Getting the proper offsets is a bugger!!!
Jarod wrote:
Also what is the go to tire for a weekend car. Do no want 200TW autocross specials, but I do want something.
I went with Firehawk Indy 500s and they've been great. Only like $275 for a set in the Factory 16" sizes that fit the S right now.
In reply to dculberson:
That is the same rug rat that you may have seen helping out on my M3, she is great. My son doesn't seem to take as much of a liking to cars, but he may come around later, if not no biggie.
One of the things I wanted in a weekend car was the ability to seat the whole family, but I didn't want a pony car or another Euro. You can't get everything. I guess the kids will have to share time with the wife.
In reply to thedanimal:
Any pics of the interior? Same thing crossed my mind.
Thanks for the tire knowledge Carguy and Red Stapler.
I will keep the firehawks in mind.
I have noticed that this car has some very high offsets so wheel choices are limited. Right now the only easy to get options see to be from TSW, which I am not sure if I like too much.
Carguy, is there a library for actual tire widths?
In reply to Jarod:
Working on that, my brother might. I know for sure he did the center console, that made a huge change, it was like a different car inside. I'll ask him what else was done.
Unfortunately no pics., but He gave me the full laundry list of interior bits.
04-05 center console.
04-05 dash surround (changes from silver to black)
04-05 steering wheel.
He also did a countersunk weighted shift knob.
It really upped the interior big time, he said the console was $250-$350 and the dash surround was around $100.
