Tire width

[curry]

Last fall I bought the 330Ci convertible I have now. The previous owner had just put on staggered 18" wheels which are 255/35-R18 94W in the rear. 225/ 40 18 on the front. The tire on the driver side rear is rubbing slightly, causing some wear. Should the previous owner used a spacer on these rear wheels? Is there room to run these tires with a spacer? Tey look good, but I want the tires to last more than 5,000 miles. Any info would be much appreciated.

[Pelican Parts]

Hello - take a look at the link below. It's an excellent guide on wheel fitment and spacing/offset.


Wheel Fitment & Spacing Guide

[curry]

Interesting information but it does not address if I would need a spacer. That's the issue here. They look great, but one is rubbing on the inside and I want the tires to last a while. I could post some pictures of the wheels if that would help.

Last fall I bought the 330Ci convertible I have now. The previous owner had just put on staggered 18" wheels which are 255/35-R18 94W in the rear. 225/ 40 18 on the front. The tire on the driver side rear is rubbing slightly, causing some wear. Should the previous owner used a spacer on these rear wheels? Is there room to run these tires with a spacer? They look good, but I want the tires to last more than 5,000 miles. Any info would be much appreciated.

[dworthy]

Do you know what the off-set for the front rims are? Should look like this: ET-44 for example. Normally they will be on the inside around the Hub area. You will also see things like 18X7J, please post that info up as well.

[Joehinvt]

It could be the coil spring is weak on that side...Or that the wheels may be staggered fit also and they have a rear tire on a front wheel... look at the wheel widths stamped on the wheel....Seen lots of crazy things running a tire shop... lol

[MarcoZandrini]

Is the tire rubbing on the inside or the outside?

[curry]

The drivers side one is rubbing on the inside, but I can't see any wear indications in the wheel well. I have finally got some pictures loaded. Wheel 2.jpg

[Joehinvt]

I would really try to get a look at your spring...possibly broken? My 330xi had a noise in the right rear.....Got looking and spring was cracked and shifted... Making my noise....But it will make your tire have negative camber also....bringing the top of your tire in more....Just a thought.

[curry]

I looked at the coil yesterday and it looked fine. I'll check it again today.

I would really try to get a look at your spring...possibly broken? My 330xi had a noise in the right rear.....Got looking and spring was cracked and shifted... Making my noise....But it will make your tire have negative camber also....bringing the top of your tire in more....Just a thought.

[curry]

The coil spring looks like its in good shape. No signs of breaking.

[curry]

The rear wheel specs are 18X8.5

[dworthy]

Okay, now we need to know the offset. Yes a 255 is a bit wide for that rim, but it will fit on that rim just fine. Now the fronts should be 18X7.5, with an ET-41, and rears with an ET-50

[curry]

Is that marked on the inside of the wheel?

Okay, now we need to know the offset. Yes a 255 is a bit wide for that rim, but it will fit on that rim just fine. Now the fronts should be 18X7.5, with an ET-41, and rears with an ET-50

[dhurley34]

Yes.

[dworthy]

Here is a couple of pictures of my rims that I have laying around.

The first one is on the outside, you can see the numbers even with the rim mounted, the second one is on one of the spokes on the inside. What you are looking for is IS##

[curry]

My mistake, I just took off the wheels and the rear are 18X9.5 and 45 offset while the front wheels are 18X8.5 and the offset appears to be 35 . Neither of the offsets on the wheels had ES in front of them. Just the number under the wheel size numbers. Did the PO put too large tires on the back. Might the rears need a spacer? But your help has been great on this. Thanks. You've been the most helpful person since I sold my e36 and moved to this forum.

Here is a couple of pictures of my rims that I have laying around.

The first one is on the outside, you can see the numbers even with the rim mounted, the second one is on one of the spokes on the inside. What you are looking for is IS##

[dworthy]

Wow, I am surprised that the 9.5's fit under the rear end as that is an M-3 width. Are the fenders rolled? That would be the only way they would fit I think. The typical front would be a ET-45 to 47 on a 8 inch rim, so I would suggest getting a 5 mm spacer. How close are the front rims to the fender? Can you stick your hand between the top of the tire and the fender easily? If so, then I think a 5 mm spacer should do the trick.

[curry]

I can get my hands easily over the top of the front tires. The one's on the rear, where the rubbing is I can only get my hands in as far as my main knuckles. They are M wheels as they have the M symbol. There is slightly less room on the right rear and it is not rubbing. The fenders don't appear to have been rolled. I'll look into 5mm spacers for the rear. Will I need to buy longer wheel bolts?

Wow, I am surprised that the 9.5's fit under the rear end as that is an M-3 width. Are the fenders rolled? That would be the only way they would fit I think. The typical front would be a ET-45 to 47 on a 8 inch rim, so I would suggest getting a 5 mm spacer. How close are the front rims to the fender? Can you stick your hand between the top of the tire and the fender easily? If so, then I think a 5 mm spacer should do the trick.

[dworthy]

Normally no, not on those this spacers.

I thought the problems were up front on the rubbing? Leave the rears alone as they are not causing any problems.

[curry]

It's the drivers side rear that is rubbing slightly. The fronts have plenty of room. I thought that I was clear in my first post that it was the rear that is rubbing. Will I need to get rear spacers as well as having the rims rolled? They don't hit the rims that this point.

Normally no, not on those this spacers.

I thought the problems were up front on the rubbing? Leave the rears alone as they are not causing any problems.

[dworthy]

Oh, okay I see now.

How you can check to see if the fender are rolled is to stick you hand up there, normally the lips are at a 90 degree angle from the body. If you can feel the lip, then I am betting that they are not rolled. If the tires are rubbing there, then yes rolling the fenders will take care of the problem. If you are rubbing on the inside of the tires, towards the trailing arms/diff, then you would need spacers and fenders rolled. Most decent body shops can roll your fenders for you.

Or you can look at getting a size smaller on the tires if the ones you have are getting towards the end of their service life.

[curry]

The fenders have never been rolled. I've ordered some spacers and when they arrive. I'lll have to see if there is any difference.