Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Question on Offset

OK- I have a '98CSVT, so my fenders suck already.
Rubbing drove me nutz, I had to get my fenders professionally trimmed and ROLLED to help, (got the car repainted to match the repainted fenders, so a couple grand later), I have my car back. And guess what. The right rear rubs only when I take a left turn hard, it must push out the camber and cause the rubbing, because the right hand turns don't cause any rubbing. . .

I had 17X7 215/45 lowered on Eibach's and Koni's, and I rubbed EVERYWHERE, front, back, left, right.

I raised it back up using stock springs and Konis's and kept the 17X7 215/45 and guess what, no more rubbing AT ALL. Under ANY CONDITIONS.

So, 1314 and I get on a GB to get some 17X7.5's.. . .I put the 215/45's on and guess what, NO RUBBING AT ALL. YEAH!

But, by then, which is like 3 months ago, the tires are worn and I replace them with 225/45 SO3's. . .and like 1314 said, RUBBING in the RIGHT REAR ONLY. Why??? So I all the fenders rolled and trimmed, and of course, the morning after I get the car back, it rubs. So I give up.

Here's the answer: if you're supersizing past 215 on a 17 or 18 in rim, TRIM DOWN the sidewall. 1314 is cool with 235/40's because 40's should prevent the rub, but I wanted something meaty to protect my rims and mistakenly got the 225/45's. . .and that's why it rubs only on the right rear.

So, I'll rotate them, wear them out (220UTOQ), and either get the 235/40's he got or get 215/45's. . .what to do. Oh yeah, in case you got lost, 1314 and I have the SAME wheel's with the same offset, only difference in suspension setup is that he's slammed with HR's and I'm running stock springs, both of us have Koni's. . .

Suneil, nice website! (I sense much rice in you...)

Anyway, I have two questions. You said you have the '98 SVT so the fenders suck; is there a difference in our design b/c I too have a '98.
Two: have you thought it might be something other than your suspension? Maybe the wheel bearing isn't tight enough or something? Something to look at anyway...
Actually, three: I have Eibach springs with BAT struts and I NEVER rub and I push my car HARD. I lit my pads on fire following my buddy on his Aprilia to give you an example. Maybe that's worth a try?
(I can't wait to see that CF IMRC cover on your car!)

Once again my setup

99 SVT Konis/Eibachs 17x7 42mm Offset 225/45 ContiSportContacts (BMW takeoff's) For trunk weight, I have my donut/jack and one 12" with a small amp (about 45lbs)


Drivers side rear is HORRID! Rubs bad enough that I swear I've lost a good chunk of my sidewall now. I only weigh 190lbs and even driving alone my car will rub on BIG dips or if taking a left hand turn. Right hand turn, no rub, or very little. Car rubs over little dips and expansion joints if I add 275lbs of passengers.

Passenger side, will rub on larger dips but nothing really else and its not half as bad as my driver side rear.

Hell I've gotten my KDW's on EI's to rub once, I had about 1000lbs in passenger and gear in the car on my suspension setup.

Since my 225's are shot (20%) and I have a bent wheel... I am going to go to 215/45's with some Z rated All Seasons (Conti or Pirelli) with a treadwear of 400. Found a nice wheel that is 17x7 38mm offset that I like and is cheap. $650 mounted/balanced to my door!

I hate the rub so much and it drives the whole family crazy, she constantly thinks I'm gonna have a blowout!

Yes a Dremel will certainly take care of a good chunk of my problem as I am rubbing on the metal lip.

some say the 98 and 99 liner is different.

Oh well. Everyone is doomed to have to guess, what with all the differences .

Suneil, it's really weird that you rubbed with 215/45. 17x7, so I'll assume those were the RS5's? I had the exact setup (RS5 with 215/45 Ecsta 712) and I never rubbed anywhere. I even had the car loaded with friends before and never had a problem. Same thing with the 215/45 on the Rota's. With three passengers, still no rub. Also, the difference between my current 40's and my old 45's is very minimal.

Fmr, good luck with the combo you're going with. I hope you don't encounter any other rubbing problems. IF/when you do get them, let us know how they fit with the 38mm offset, and post pics.

I'm running 17x7.5 (35 offset) and 215/45-17.

I rolled my rear fender lips and I have no rub problems. It's a '99 on H&R's over stock struts.

It has a very wide stance, which I like.

Low offset rims = wide stance

Not all tires are created equal. 215/45-17 from one manufacturer does not have the same exact dimensions as another.

As an answer to the original question, my opinion is to run with 215. The amount of grip gained would not exceed the headach factor that comes with rubbing.

Mark

I didn't think you could fit BBS rims on there. . .35mm offset, sounds like a rub a dub dub, but I think the 7.5 inch stretches the 215 nice and thin, prevents the rubbing. . .

You actually think there isn't much difference in traction between 215 and 225??

Suneil

What about from 215 to 235 - cuz I definitely need more traction.

Well, the comment was that the traction difference would not exceed the headache that rubbing would cause. I totally agree, because no matter how wide I wanted my tires, I would switch back if I had rubbing.

chknhwk, it's also going to come down to what tire you get, when it comes to traction. I'm sure there are cheap 235's with less traction than a good 215 or 225.