Staggered vs Square

matrix607 · 09-14-2011, 10:32 AM

I have been doing some research on Staggered vs Square setups and there is all sorts of info out there. However, I want to consolidate all this and make a good decision.

Car: 2010 335i E92 RWD with Sports Package (Has the staggered 18" rims)
Driving: Spirited street, autocross, and potentially track
When: Daily driver summer rims / tires

Here are the general thoughts that I have consolidated:
Staggered

Looks better
Better straight line traction / stability
More wear on fronts
Understear
Cannot rotate tires

Square

Not as good looking (Can spacers help that out in the rear?)
More balanced handling
Can rotate tires

Can anyone recommend me actual setups and impressions that they are familiar with? Including tire sizes. I will try to consolidate these into this post.

Thanks!

bbob · 09-14-2011, 01:21 PM

i have a staggered setup for my e90 328i:
235/35-19 front
265/30-19 rear
with michelin pilot super sport tires. i actually just replaced my bridgestone potenza re050a pole position tires and the rears actually had more wear than the front and this was also a staggered setup. i occasionally do some canyon runs and i do get a little understeer like u mentioned. the original RFT on this car was a square setup and obviously the performance of those tires/setup was horrible, so i dont think it would be accurate to compare that to my new setup...

either way, if looks is more important to you, then i would suggest staggered. however, u did mention ur interest in Spirited street, autocross, and potentially track, so i think u may be better off with squared. just my 0.02.

Tee212 · 09-14-2011, 01:59 PM

For me it just cums down to staggered looks vs squared rotation/tread life lol. If you spacer a square set up then it defeats the purpose of it (basically back to staggered)...but just being able to rotate.

anerbe · 09-15-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee212

For me it just cums down to staggered looks vs squared rotation/tread life lol. If you spacer a square set up then it defeats the purpose of it (basically back to staggered)...but just being able to rotate.

lpphreakx06 · 09-15-2011, 10:52 AM

Someone is on his iphone...

mike-y · 09-15-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee212

If you spacer a square set up then it defeats the purpose of it (basically back to staggered)...but just being able to rotate.

No, it does not.. you still get much more neutral handling an much much less understeer with the square tire setup, even if you use spacers. I have a square setup, and putting spacers on the rear did not affect the balance, only the look.

Pcemkr · 09-15-2011, 11:21 AM

No one daily drives their cars hard enough to notice the difference. It'll only matter on the track. Which is also reason not to buy expensive tires with 200 treadwear rating, so you can get to work 0.4 seconds faster.

kc1337 · 09-17-2011, 01:13 PM

I am running 18x8.5 wheels with 245/40r18 dunlop star spec tires in a square setup.

Handling is very very balanced and feels amazing. Being able to rotate the tires is very good for the tread life as well.

09-14-2011, 10:32 AM	#1
matrix607 New Member 11 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2010 SGM 335i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Stamford, CT iTrader: (0)	Staggered vs Square - Actual Results Please I have been doing some research on Staggered vs Square setups and there is all sorts of info out there. However, I want to consolidate all this and make a good decision. Car: 2010 335i E92 RWD with Sports Package (Has the staggered 18" rims) Driving: Spirited street, autocross, and potentially track When: Daily driver summer rims / tires Here are the general thoughts that I have consolidated: Staggered Looks better Better straight line traction / stability More wear on fronts Understear Cannot rotate tires Square Not as good looking (Can spacers help that out in the rear?) More balanced handling Can rotate tires Can anyone recommend me actual setups and impressions that they are familiar with? Including tire sizes. I will try to consolidate these into this post. Thanks! Last edited by matrix607; 09-14-2011 at 10:49 AM..
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09-14-2011, 01:21 PM	#2
bbob Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2009 e90 328i, 2011 e92 m3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Los Angeles/ Berkeley iTrader: (1)	i have a staggered setup for my e90 328i: 235/35-19 front 265/30-19 rear with michelin pilot super sport tires. i actually just replaced my bridgestone potenza re050a pole position tires and the rears actually had more wear than the front and this was also a staggered setup. i occasionally do some canyon runs and i do get a little understeer like u mentioned. the original RFT on this car was a square setup and obviously the performance of those tires/setup was horrible, so i dont think it would be accurate to compare that to my new setup... either way, if looks is more important to you, then i would suggest staggered. however, u did mention ur interest in Spirited street, autocross, and potentially track, so i think u may be better off with squared. just my 0.02.
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09-14-2011, 01:59 PM	#3
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	For me it just cums down to staggered looks vs squared rotation/tread life lol. If you spacer a square set up then it defeats the purpose of it (basically back to staggered)...but just being able to rotate.
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09-15-2011, 10:52 AM	#5
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 316 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	Someone is on his iphone... __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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09-15-2011, 11:21 AM	#7
Pcemkr Pro Hater 49 Rep 1,717 Posts Drives: Low and slow Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC iTrader: (1)	No one daily drives their cars hard enough to notice the difference. It'll only matter on the track. Which is also reason not to buy expensive tires with 200 treadwear rating, so you can get to work 0.4 seconds faster.
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09-17-2011, 01:13 PM	#8
kc1337 Private 17 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: internet iTrader: (0)	I am running 18x8.5 wheels with 245/40r18 dunlop star spec tires in a square setup. Handling is very very balanced and feels amazing. Being able to rotate the tires is very good for the tread life as well.
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