I recently installed a set of 15" alpina rims with 205 65's on them. Driving with four passengers, the left rear wheel was rubbing inside the wheel arch.
It's very slight - the tire isn't damaged, but there is a residue of rubber inside the arch.
Having just completed an engine swap (big valve 3.5) I'm starting to think my next project will involve tightening up the suspension. I'm wondering if tighter springs won't diminish some of the movement in the rear end - but it's been my experience that sport springs often lower the car.
Had anyone on this list had a similar experience? I can't tell you the offset of the wheels (I'm currently out of town) but they didn't look that much different from the stock 14"s. Of course, the 15" 205s stand a good 3-4 inches taller than the 14"s.
If anything, I will probably go with smaller tires eventually. I've always been a fan of 195s and I imagine just that would solve my clearance issue.
btw - the 3.5 is pretty crazy. I'll post some photos at some point.
cheers,
Brian
tire rubbing
tire rubbing
one Alfa Romeo
One BMW - '78 E12 w/M30 3.5 Motronic
Gradually improving looks and performance
One BMW - '78 E12 w/M30 3.5 Motronic
Gradually improving looks and performance
It's possible to roll the insides of the fenders to prevent/minimize that. I had some rubbing a few weeks ago when I had 8 bags of concrete mix in the trunk. Only on bumps though.
Mike W.
1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
Tire rubbing
I had two people in the back seat - probably about the same amount of weight.
What size wheels/tires are you driving on?
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What size wheels/tires are you driving on?
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one Alfa Romeo
One BMW - '78 E12 w/M30 3.5 Motronic
Gradually improving looks and performance
One BMW - '78 E12 w/M30 3.5 Motronic
Gradually improving looks and performance
Maybe, it was about 500 pounds, but all in the back of the trunk, well in back of the rear axle line.braino wrote:I had two people in the back seat - probably about the same amount of weight.
225/50-16's on 8" wheels in back. I'm surprised they fit at all, but this was the first rubbing I've had and it was fairly minor.
What size wheels/tires are you driving on?
Mike W.
1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
There isn't much room in there so knowing the width of the wheel and the offset is critical. If you are running an offset lower than 15 and a 7.5 in wide wheel, there is a good chance for rubbing on the fender. However, if you move to a 7 inch wheel and/or 20mm offset, there is much less chance of rubbing.
The 205x65x15 wheels are not 3 inches taller than a stock 195x70x14. The difference is more like 1/2 inch.
The 205x65x15 wheels are not 3 inches taller than a stock 195x70x14. The difference is more like 1/2 inch.
Member, Board of Dictators
1986 728i
1982 733i
2005 Toyota Tundra SR5
1986 728i
1982 733i
2005 Toyota Tundra SR5
When you say "rubbing inside the wheel arch", do you mean on the outside of the tire wall or on the surface of the tire up inside the wheel well?
There's guys on this forum with tires way bigger than 205. Personally, I've got 225/50/16s and they fit OK.
The 205/65/15 is 18.9mm larger in diameter overall than the original 195/70/14. You'd be closer with 205/60/15 if you want to stay close to orginal diameter.
If it's rubbing the outside of the tire, you've either got the wrong offset, a serious suspension misalignment or your wheel arch is bent.
Cheers
There's guys on this forum with tires way bigger than 205. Personally, I've got 225/50/16s and they fit OK.
The 205/65/15 is 18.9mm larger in diameter overall than the original 195/70/14. You'd be closer with 205/60/15 if you want to stay close to orginal diameter.
If it's rubbing the outside of the tire, you've either got the wrong offset, a serious suspension misalignment or your wheel arch is bent.
Cheers
Pete K
'75 520i (track day special)
'81 M535i (dream car)
'79 323i (wife's little cruiser)
'03 320i wagon (for baby hauling)
'97 Ford Laser (1st ever new car)
'75 520i (track day special)
'81 M535i (dream car)
'79 323i (wife's little cruiser)
'03 320i wagon (for baby hauling)
'97 Ford Laser (1st ever new car)
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