Right now I'm in the position of needing to replace wheels/tires/pads all in one go, and am looking for advice on a good bang-for-the-buck combo for getting into track/HPDE, since I have the opportunity to pick everything at once without working around an existing setup. I've seen the various threads on track tires and such, but many models aren't made anymore and I think it'd be nice to see how things stand in 2018.

Right now I am running JCW R105 18" wheels (23.3 lb!), tires I'd be embarrassed to name, and OEM pads about to need replacing. Car is a 2006 R53 JCW (i.e. R56 front brakes) with stock suspension. Main goals are (1) picking a wheel size that has a decent range of performance tires available, and (2) getting good performance/cost ratio out of everything.

Wheels:

• 15" dia - Great weight/cost, large tire selection, can be wider without rubbing. Will reliably clear JCW front brakes though?
• 16" dia - Tire ecosystem looks slimmer than 15" or 17" but otherwise seems like an inexpensive choice
• 17" dia - worse weight/cost tradeoff, poorer ride quality on street. Great choice of tires.

Tires:

• Looking for predictable rather than absolute peak performance. I've heard good things about Bridgestone RE-71Rs, BFG Rivals, and Hankook R-S4s.

Pads:

• No clue here.

My starting point for a safe "vanilla combo" is Enkei RPF1 16x7 + R-S4 205/55R16 + Carbotech X10 (switch out to Bobcats for daily driving). Any ideas for other combos to get the most out of my hard-earned dollar? Can I go wider without rubbing, and should I? Can I go down to 15" to get a better selection of tires? If not, should I go up to 17" for the same reason?

 

some 15" wheels clear the jcw fronts, I run 15x8 949racing wheels

for HPDE I like the RS4 the best, I just did a scca TT weekend and ran 15" 225 rs4 saturday and 17" 215 re71 sunday, both sets had a couple heat cycles on them, and my times were identical. 1:53's at CMP. I prefer how the 15" wheels feel on the track/ax but the speedo is way off, 70mph is really 65. The rs4 last a lot longer for track use, and will not overheat on the track like the re71 do. however the re71 is faster for autocross, I did a back to back test last year on 225 rs4 vs 205 re71 and I was faster on the re71, they work almost cold, the rs4 needs to get heat in it before it really grips.

for pads, it really depends on how fast you are, xp12 were not enough for me but some get buy on xp10 fine, if you are just starting out I would think the 10/8 combo would work well for you.

 

As stated above, be very careful if you decide on 15-inch wheels with R56 rotors and calipers. Most will not fit. If you're just starting out with HPDE, I suggest that you run a more stock configuration until you get to the point that your skill sets are more than your equipment. Sometimes, going "full bore" at the onset is like "giving a cat a holiday...It doesn't know what to do with it!" If you can't modulate your brakes and rely on ABS to "save your rear", don't get overly aggressive compounds until you can properly evaluate their performance. A good set of sticky street tires that you can run on the track and the street will serve you well until you get into a higher run group.

 

I was very disappointed to find I couldn't run most 15 inch wheels, it makes the entire package significantly more expensive and heavy when you move away from Spec Racing sizes.

 

Do you have a suggestion for a configuration that I can put on now that will set me up with room to grow as my skills improve? I'm buying new wheels and tires regardless, so I appreciate any advice on what to choose based on my skill level.

 

I can tell you what you shouldnt do, do not do what I did, I bought some RPF1 wheels in 16x7 and then found out the tire choices suck and I needed more width for the track.

Logistically here's how they stacked up for me, I look at $ per track event, then speed/comfort, lets face it consumables are expensive when you are going to the track.

15" lets you run cheaper tires, and spec miata or spec 944 takeoffs, I get SM7's for 75 $ each. You are limited to 12.75 rotor setups like the stock r53 jcw fronts, or wilwood's setup. Wilwood setup uses 7816 pads which are the same caliper/pad as miata, the wheels are also miata wheels so if god forbid you switch to a miata all those parts work.

17" lets you run a lot bigger rotor setup, pads will last longer because they brakes breath better, the 15" wheels really cramp the airflow. But the pads/rotors cost more. Tires cost more and it's harder to fit a wide 17" tire. If you can get a 17" 225 to fit you can get continental takeoffs.

I did a SCCA TT last weekend I ran 15x8 225 RS4 on saturday, and 17x7 215 RE71 on sunday, both sets had 3-4 heat cycles. I put down my best time saturday in the first session, a 1.53 at CMP. I ran 1:53's all day saturday and sunday, there was basically no difference in my laptimes. That said I prefer how the 15x8 feel on the track. The only time I do not like them is on the street is my speedo is 5 % off, it's a little buzzy going 80 down the highway, rpms are high.

see if someone has a 15" setup mini you can try, you might love it, you might hate it if you were closer you could try mine

 

The tire choices seem OK in 205/50R16 but you're right about those 15 inch tire prices.

I ended up buying 16x7 inch wheels from a local junkyard for $25 and will probably end up running the previously mentioned tire size. Not my first choice but the price was right and they clear my car's brakes.

 

205 is just too small for a 2800 pound car on the track or autocross. Even 225 is too small for me, the 1900 pound civics run 275 front tires, I've seen r56 mini's do it too

 

Everyone has their own opinions...It all depends on your aspirations. Keep in mind, while speed is the ultimate goal, smoothness and consistency is a prerequisite. JMHO, but I'd go with as light and as high a quality set of 7 or 7.5X17-inch wheels that you can afford and 215/40 or 215/45 "high performance" tires for street, not dedicated "R-Comps". Get a tread that will allow you to run in the wet or dry because it's a real "downer" to be at a driver's school when it rains and you've got a set of tires that will put you in the weeds or, Heaven forbid, the ARMCO! Look at Hankooks or Sumitomos. Once you get to the point that you're better than your tires, then think about a dedicated set of tires and wheels for the track. As for brake pads, get a compound that you can put on and leave on but will hold up reasonably well without breaking the bank. Rotors? Plain ol' solid cheap ones like Centric. No slotted, no drilled. I do suggest taking off the front brake backing plates which will get more air around the rotors. If you can remove fog lights and rig up ducts through the wheel well liners, I'd do that. Just remember, high performance driving is like "Eating an elephant...You must do it one bite at a time".

 

I run 215/45 RS4s on 17x7.5 wheels with Hawk HPE pads on plain rotors. This is the only "performance" setup I've ever had so I have nothing to compare it to but I don't have any complaints, the car feels great daily driving and on the track. I did 4 track days last year and about 6,000 road miles and the tires have a ton of life in them still. As mentioned above, the tires take a lap or two to warm up but I tend to take the first few laps easy so I can get my lines right before I start pushing it.

 

I like the 17” rim for a stiffer sidewall with less flex and better feel. I ended up with the storm/re71r combo in my sig. its the lightest, priced within reason, appropriate offset, choice for me. I really like the tires, reminds me of the first time I used pilot sports, but stickier with a stiffer sidewall.

Rubber can be heavy too so when you are factoring in wheel weight, consider increased tire weight (ie a larger sidewall). The weight tradeoff might not be as much as you think.

I dont track my mini but i have many track days under my belt, for what thats worth. I think i used to run xp9’s..

 

Just to follow up, I decided to go with the RPF1 17x7 and RE-71Rs in 215/45, as R-S4s were out of stock at Tirerack. Can't wait to try them out!

Edit: also picked up some Centric rotors and bobcats. I'll see how they do and maybe look at XP##s after a track day. I'm sure I won't push them too hard at first.

 

the re71r are awesome. they're so sticky they make a glue noise when going over tar strips. Its crazy.

 

OP, since you're running a stock suspension, watch your tire wear after your first track event. You really need, at a minimum, around 2 degrees negative on the front which, to achieve same, will require some camber plates. Then there's the rear which will require rear lower adjustable control arms and you'll want a larger rear sway bar to overcome understeer. But do things in stages so you'll appreciate the improvements and be able to make minor adjustments. This is the "Slippery Slope" we all talk about!