HELP! New tires rubbing with non-sport suspension?

[Gopher2k]

I recently purchased gumbi4u's, CSL project from him equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires to replace my 16inch oems. Wheels look good and I like them a lot, but since putting them on, I've noticed a few things.

The tire sizes are 275/35/18 in the read 245/40/18 in the front and wheel sizes are 18x9.5 and 18x8.5. I'm driving a 2003 non-sport 540i with stock suspension. The problem is when I corner hard right or left I can feel the tire rub a bit. Also, When reversing out of tight spaces I hear a creaking in the rear of my vehicle which I'm not even sure is rubbing.

I have 75k miles on my stock suspension and was considering doing some replacing/updating, but now I'm concerned about lowering this setup.

Does anyone have a clue as to why I'm rubbing and creaking more with larger wheels? Also, is this something an alignment might fix? My car seems to be running pretty straight, but I had some very strange wear on my previous tires and planned on getting an alignment soon.

[SportWagon540]

On my touring I just put on the same Pilot AS tires. Without Air Suspension, I would have rubbed.
You'll need to get the fenders rolled. 255's or possible would have been a better choice and not have rubbed.

[Gopher2k]

is fender rolling an expensive task?

[Gumbi4u]

Should have went with 265's which is the proper size. I toll have tire rub since I roll on 275's. When i hit a hard curve or when i have rear passengers, it will rub a bit. I have to get my fenders rolled too. It not that expensive. You can rent a fender roller or get them one who has the gizmo.

[98M3_4]

I don't think it's an alignment issue, but if it has been a while since you've got one, I would go get it done anyway.

What are the offset of your rear wheels? It seems this might be the biggest contributing factor, along with the brand/model of tire. I don't know how your Pilot sports A/S measures up to other 275 wide tires, but they may be a tad wider. Another factor would be tire shoulder design (squarer vs. rounder).

[SportWagon540]

125mm Offset I believe. Tires are 275/35/18's. All tires with these measurements should be very close to the same. Again. I would have rubbed for sure if I didn't have air suspension. The fender was about a 1/2 inch from the fender until it pumped up. I was crapping at first.....

[SportWagon540]

Here's a better angel..Wheels are from Lakeshore Tire and Wheel. Go on the web site and look at the 18" M pars. That's what I have. Offset is either 120 or 125mm.

[Gopher2k]

So what are my options here? I kind of wanted to lower my car, but am worried to do this... even if I get my fenders rolled. I went out and inspected the rear tires and I can see they are definitely starting to wear very prematurely from rubbing the fender.

I'm going to a place my indy recommended tomorrow to see what they think... I don't know what to do here. I bought my wheel/tire combo as a solution to buying just new tires for my stockies I don't like. I really didn't want to incur the expense of buying much more expensive replacement rear tires or modding the damn car to get them to fit.

[Gumbi4u]

So what are my options here? I kind of wanted to lower my car, but am worried to do this... even if I get my fenders rolled. I went out and inspected the rear tires and I can see they are definitely starting to wear very prematurely from rubbing the fender.

I'm going to a place my indy recommended tomorrow to see what they think... I don't know what to do here. I bought my wheel/tire combo as a solution to buying just new tires for my stockies I don't like. I really didn't want to incur the expense of buying much more expensive replacement rear tires or modding the damn car to get them to fit.

Best option is to Buy the 265 rears and sell the 275's. My tires have almost rolled the fenders on their own over time. Also lowering the car will not make them rub that much more but if the shocks are original, most likely they are bad and any bump you hit will bottom out the car a bit thus making the tires rub.

[Gopher2k]

Well, I'm sitting at my shop right now waiting for my car to be aligned. Luckily, a home in the near vicinity has unsecured wireless, so I'm gellin' in the waiting room.

Turns out my fenders are already rolled... I didn't even think to feel under there as the previous tires were 16s. The PO must have stored these and rode on something else until he sold the car.

My guy drove around in my car and gave me the affirmative, yes. My shocks are very much dead. He suspects changing them will reduce if not eliminate the problem, but that they need to be changed anyhow.

The problem is, I was thinking of going the (still comfortable) performance route and slightly lowering my car. Looks like I can't lower it until these damn tires wear out, or I find a buyer...

There's like 80% tread left on them, and even wear, is finding a buyer even likely?

[98M3_4]

OK, so the rear fender lips are already rolled. Hopefully close to getting the most clearance possible.
I'd change the shocks and lower the car, and then see if you have any rubbing probs... how often and in what driving and load conditions. Then you can make a better decision on whether you can live with the setup, or change to 265 wide rears, or sell the wheels and get something else with better fitment.

[530 Sport]

Are you sure your fenders are rolled? My fenders are rolled also, but not from end to end. It seems they are partially rolled from the factory and the rubbing comes from the section that isn't rolled.

[lunker325]

Are you sure your fenders are rolled? My fenders are rolled also, but not from end to end. It seems they are partially rolled from the factory and the rubbing comes from the section that isn't rolled.

+1

They may be partially rolled, and might only be rubbing in one spot that is closer to the tire than the other spots.

Put some painters tape on the underside of the fender where the tire could contact, and go for a ride. The tape will tell you exactly where it is rubbing and you can go from there.

[Gopher2k]

OK--I'm tired of this situation now: 2 questions

1. My wheel specs are as follows: Offset is 22 rear and 20 front. 18x8.5 / 18x9.5. Further, my car was treated to an alignment today. Will going with 265/35/18s solve my rubbing issue?

2. How big a deal is it to mix tires? I'm not buying two brand new Pilot Sport A/S' for the back and I'd feel guilty ruining a pair of tires at $300 each, so I'm thinking of getting some Nexen N7000s for my rears for $100 each until I figure out what the hell to do I'd still have my Pilot Sports on the front...

If anyone wants some 275/35/18 pilots and their offsets are more forgiving than mine, they can have these CHEAP!

[PutterMcGavin]

I recently purchased gumbi4u's, CSL project from him equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires to replace my 16inch oems. Wheels look good and I like them a lot, but since putting them on, I've noticed a few things.

The tire sizes are 275/35/18 in the read 245/40/18 in the front and wheel sizes are 18x9.5 and 18x8.5. I'm driving a 2003 non-sport 540i with stock suspension. The problem is when I corner hard right or left I can feel the tire rub a bit. Also, When reversing out of tight spaces I hear a creaking in the rear of my vehicle which I'm not even sure is rubbing.

I have 75k miles on my stock suspension and was considering doing some replacing/updating, but now I'm concerned about lowering this setup.

Does anyone have a clue as to why I'm rubbing and creaking more with larger wheels? Also, is this something an alignment might fix? My car seems to be running pretty straight, but I had some very strange wear on my previous tires and planned on getting an alignment soon.

Should have bought my wheels

In all seriousness I'd roll the fenders. I was able to run the Falken Fk-452's in a 275/35/18 in the rear without rubbing but as it have bee nsaid before, not all tires are created equal (aka wide).

Good luck great looking wheels!

Oh and go with the Falken Fk-452's for the interim. Much Better tire than the Nexen's IMO, you won't be disappointed (edgeracing.com)...