Got Tire Rubbbing?

[Uber328]

Just dropped by the bodyshop where my car is being repaired after a minor accident that resulted in my having to replace two wheels and a driver's side strut, and I got a free set of new tires in the deal as well!:) I chose to go with Komho 712's instead of the Nitto 455's that were on car because I have heard that the 712's were far superior.

Anyway, I have lowered my car around 1.5" all around and the Nittos tucked in nicely with no problems, but the Komhos are a much higher profile tire and there is not nearly as much space between fenders and tires as there was before:eek: :( . There is about a pinkie-width of space between the side of the tire and the inside edge of the fender...should I be worried about rubbing?

I'm using 17X8.5" wheels all around by the way. I would hate to have to have my fenders rolled just to clear the new tires.

Help!!

[1995red318i]

Originally posted by davistld01
Just dropped by the bodyshop where my car is being repaired after a minor accident that resulted in my having to replace two wheels and a driver's side strut, and I got a free set of new tires in the deal as well!:) I chose to go with Komho 712's instead of the Nitto 455's that were on car because I have heard that the 712's were far superior.

Anyway, I have lowered my car around 1.5" all around and the Nittos tucked in nicely with no problems, but the Komhos are a much higher profile tire and there is not nearly as much space between fenders and tires as there was before:eek: :( . There is about a pinkie-width of space between the side of the tire and the inside edge of the fender...should I be worried about rubbing?

I'm using 17X8.5" wheels all around by the way. I would hate to have to have my fenders rolled just to clear the new tires.

Help!!
nah you shouldn't have much of a problem. mine have less than a pinky of clearance...i have to end my fingers around to get them in there:)
i have a 17x8.5 wheel on kuhmos like you, but my offset if 35mm:D

i am running a 225/45 tire right now...and while its close...it doesn't rub. its perfect:alright
there was a little bit of rubbing on sharp turns when i first got them, but i think that was just rubbing on dirt and stuff slightly caked on the inner fender.
it never did it while just driving straight though, just the really bad turns. but it went away after a week.

but i don't think you will have any problems..what is the offset of the wheel you have and what size tire are you running?

[Uber328]

I'm not sure what the offset is on Hamann HM-3's (anybody got an answer?). I actually bought them from a guy who had them on an E46 325i although I'm not sure what year exactly. They seem to do great so far.

The tires are 235/40X17's.

I might be worrying for nothing. I just was shocked at the big difference in sidewall height between the two tires. But then I hear that the Nittos have soft sidewalls and Kumhos are a lot stiffer, I don't know. We'll wait until I drive the car this weekend to really see what's up!!

[Khoalty]

Kumhos run thin so you should be okay.
235/40/17 on kumho is like 225.
The offset should be 38mm from hamann, that is what they usually run.

I have 225/40/18 on Bridgestone SO3s which run more wider than Kumhos for sure on 35mm offset and I had to roll just a lil and not much.

[Uber328]

Just picked car up this morning and there is slight rubbing on rear tires over bumps and g-outs, and rubbing on front tires when turning sharply.

Will fender rolling cure this, or will I have to do more extensive surgery?:( I can't afford to turn around and replace tires now.

[Khoalty]

Roll the fenders and that will solve your problems. You may want to check your fender liner in front also, since 235 may rub on the inside. That is no biggie, just becareful not to do a full lock if that is the case in front. The front shouldn't have any problems though.

[dcabrera]

I'm going to do the exact same setup but with an offset of 43. Ride is not lowered yet..... Should I be okay until then or does the little larger offset help? (235/40/17 17x8.5 43 offset all around)

[Uber328]

Went to have fenders rolled and it was pointed out to me that I had 235/45X17's mounted instead of the 235/40X17's that I had specified. The 10mm or so of extra sidewall height was probably the culprit that was causing my rubbing problems. I had not noticed the difference. Duuuuuuhhhhhh!!

Tire shop was cool enough to swap tires to 40-series Kumhos at no charge, and the difference is unreal!! No more rubbing at all and the steering feels 100% quicker and lighter than it did with the other "oversize" tires. I'm in love with my car again!!!:D :D