Z3POWER's Website

Installer:Mounted, Balanced & Heat Cycled by The Tire Rack
Mounted on car by yours truly =: )

Equipment:Wheels:(4) SSR Competition 17" x 8.5"
Tires:Kumho Victoracers V700 225/45-ZR17"

WHY DO THIS:
When I started autocrossing my car, I used stock 16" tires & wheels, even though I raced in the ASP class in North Carolina & Virginia, which allows for larger & wider systems. I found myself a consistent 2 seconds back from the winner. So I promised myself that I would go to the next step to start winning some races if not close the gap, by purchasing a tire/wheel set for autocrossing.

After viewing past posts on the message board and the Tire Rack Q&A section. I made a list of things that I expect from this investment.
1.Best Cost vs. Performance ratio for the tires & wheels - -yep I am a penny pincher =: )
2.Best Lightest weight vs. Strength ratio for the wheel.
3.Capable to rotate tires from front to back to maximize usage.

WHEELS:
The list of wheels I looked at was BBS RK & RX, SSR Integrals, Forge Lines, IFG, and various other lightweight track wheel manufacturers. I wanted my wheels to be spoked, so that the maximum amount of air can cool the brakes and make it easy for me to clean the wheels. I came close to purchasing either the SSR Integrals or the BBS RKs. But when I saw the new SSR Competitions, their estimated weights and costs, I was sold on them. After calling Aaron of The Tire Rack (www.tirerack.com), we determined that the 17 x 8.5" wheels would work for me. I want the wheels to be the same size all the way around so that I could rotate my system from front to back. Aaron informed me that he weighed one of the wheels and it came in at 15.1 pounds. Now I could not verify his weight, because, I had Aaron mount and balance my system before shipment. I believe I read somewhere that my stock Cross-spoke BMW wheels were weighing in about 20 pounds. If that is the case, I have reduced rotational mass under 5-pounds per wheel.

For you accountants out there, the cost of the wheels were: $ 365/ea

TIRES:
The list of tires of choice was of-course Hoosiers, BF Goodrich, & Kumhos. Since the Kumhos were the least expensive tires, I searched the website for people that has experience with these tires & The Tire Rack has an article on how to use the V700 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/kumho/ku_v700_care.htm). I found that many of my tracking buddies and gals were satisfied with the purchase and any down falls were minimal. This was good news for me, because of the Kumho's low cost versus the other brands' high costs. I originally wanted 235/40-ZR17, but after looking at the Tire Rack's ad and talking with Aaron, I had to be satisfied with 225/45-ZR17 tires. Kumho does not mold a 235 in the V700s, only 225 & 245. I also had The Tire Rack heat cycle the tires, so that they will be ready for racing. For those persons who do not know what heat cycling is, check out the following link to The Tire Rack: (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/heatcycletech.htm)
The costs of the tires were: $ 130/eaThe costs to heat cycle were: $ 15/ea

When the system arrived it was nicely packaged so that the wheels would not be damaged during shipment.

The wheels also included mounting bolts that works with the SSRs and a center hub adaptor to make the wheel hub-centric. Now I would rather wished that SSR made the wheels dedicated to the BMW, but that is only wishful thinking. I do love the look of those center adaptors:

They are made of aluminum and anodized black with the "Mille Miglia" logo printed on the surface.

Tech Tip: Wash your new wheels with wash and wax cleaner. The wax will aide on minimizing brake dust build up and make it easier to clean off.

The following pictures show my car's wheels being mounted and then the final assembly.

SUMMATION:
I have had these wheels for almost 3-seasons of racing and I can say they are one great set up. Granted I am no Tunnell or Turner grade type of racer, but for my current racing status and standards, I am very happy with them. The instant acceleration was noticeable as well as the braking distances. As for the past two seasons with these wheels and tires, I ended up 1st in ASP one season and then 1st in SM2 the next season in my club in North Carolina. I can say that these wheels and tires help in getting me there.
This past season I took a job promotion and moved from NC to my new found home of San Antonio TEXAS! With the new promotion and new house purchase and outfitting, I have been way too busy to think of racing. However, during some free time I have been able to attend a few SCCA events and get my butt kicked in SM2. But it was a good butt kicking, because I am receiving it from some national grade racers. I do plan to re-start my racing next year and to learn from these excellent racers that Texas has to offer and who knows in a year I might be good enough to win a race or two.