Can I run 255's in the rear w/out rolling the fenders?

[SEWELLM3]

98 E36 M3...stock springs, bilstein sports. Currently running 18x8.5" 235/40/18 all around. May be trading wheels and was wondering if I would be able to run 18x9.5" 255's without a fender roll.

Thanks,
Chris

[GQ_Style]

This may vary with tire brand and your suspension setup.

For me, no. The Kumho Supra Ecsta 712's in 255/40/17 needed rolled fender. Even now, I only have 2-3mm gap in certain places. Some tires have less shoulder and 255's should be fine.

Rolling the rear is easy. You can also ghetto style roll the fenders with a baseball bat.

[Roffle Waffle]

you'll rub at the very least on the driver's side

[thedude]

I have that size with a 40mm offset and pirelli tires, which have a round shoulder. I wasn't rubbing at that height (except with 5 people in the car, taking hard/fast corners. Even then, it was slight.). If you want to lower the car at all, you will need a fender roll, unless your offset is higher than 40mm. I know others with a 45mm+ offset with 255's, and they rub on the inside.

[SEWELLM3]

I believe they're a 43mm offset. My guess is that they'll rub a little but I won't know til I throw em on. Thanks for the comments.

[thedude]

Maybe someone can confirm this, but i think it will be no problem at all.

[Daved]

you'll rub at the very least on the driver's side
This is interesting... why the driver side?

[carcrazed4life]

It will depend on the offset. I've had 18x8.5s and ET of 38,40, and 42. 38 worked best. However I HAD fenders rolled. Never rubbed, including a very low Ground Control suspension setup.

Word of advice, roll your fenders. Its less then $200 if you go to a decent body shop. Then you dont have to worry about it rubbing, being exposed paint and starting to rust from your inner fenders because the top coat of paint came off. Not only that, having the lower offset allows more width in the wheelbase which will increase handling along with the wider tires. And your suspension wont have as much negative camber as it would with a higher numerical offset.

[Roffle Waffle]

This is interesting... why the driver side?
because thats the tire on my car that got sliced and diced by the fender. I'm assuming its because my weight is on that side