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18x9 +45 offset wheels, will 235/40 tires fit on a b5?

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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 10:35 AM
  #1  
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Default 18x9 +45 offset wheels, will 235/40 tires fit on a b5?

the way I figure it, that puts 162.5 mm medial to the tire mount. Is there enough clearance on a b5 for this (I have stock brakes)? Will I need spacers? If so, 5mm or 10mm?

Thanks!
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 10:59 AM
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Default Very slim chance this will fit without modification.

There just isn't a lot of clearance up front. If you don't hit the front suspension, you'll probably be rubbing on the fender liner. Spacers will push the wheels even further out. I get an occasional rub with 17X8 and 225/45R17 on my B5, and my car is only lowered just over an inch.
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 11:29 AM
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Default Re: I'm not understanding...

I understand the likelihood of rub on the inside, because the +45 offset puts so much of the width towards the suspension. But that leaves even less width to the outer edge than for a typical 18x8 35 offset with 225/40, so how can I get fender rub?

You probably rub the fender not the suspension, right?
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 12:49 PM
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Default At ET45, you're same as stock so ...

You figure a 9" wheel is 1.5" wider than a Stock B5 S4 Avus wheel. 3/4" of that will be on the fender side and the other 3/4" of that will be on the suspension side. Plus, 235/40 is almost 1/2" taller in total diameter than a 225/45. So you're 3/4" wider and 1/4" taller on each side. Good chance you'll be rubbing suspension at stock ride height. If lowered, you'll probably rub on both sides.
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 04:21 PM
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Default Re: I think these figs are a bit exaggerated...

1. Yes, the wheel is 1.5" wider than stock, but 235 tires are only 30mm wider, which is 1.2". Not that its a trivial amt, but +1/4" can be significant.

2. The typical 17" configuration of a 225 on a +35 offset "sticks out" more than a 235 on a +45 offset (about 5mm more, all else being equal), so this suggests that rubbing problems with a 235 will not be on the outer side.

3. However, and this is the real issue, the 235 with ET45 is a full 15mm closer to the suspension and inner fender well than the 225 on ET35, so the inner surface will be where the problem arises.

That's why I asked in the original post if I should use a 5mm spacer, or if I could get away with 10mm.

Thanks for the help.
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 05:37 PM
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Default For 19x8.5 wheels on B5 TireRack site recommends 235/35

Overall, this combination is the same max width (9.25") and slightly greater diameter than 235/40 on 18x9. However, the offset of these 19" wheels varies from 33 to 38.

Which leads me to conclude that the the 235/40 on 18x9 with ET45 requires a 7-12mm spacer.

Does this sound sensible?

Thanks for your help.
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 09:07 PM
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Default The 235 represents the contact patch measurement. Not total section.

That's why some tires run wider than others in the same size. Even if it's 235, it will be stretched over the 9" wheel to fit so it will be at minimum 9" at the widest point. You'll be rubbing the fender at the shoulder of the tire which will be the point nearest to the fender. Spacing it out will fix the inner problem but will make the outside problem worse. Like I said, if you're stock ride height, you might be able to get away with it but if youre lowered, you'll rub. Search for S4MadMan in the B5S4 forum. He has experimented with many wheel combos and pushed the limits several times. He might have even fit a set of 19"x9" wheels at one point. That may give you the answer you are looking for.
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Old Mar 24, 2005 | 05:27 AM
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Default Re: No. the 235 does not represent the contact patch measurement.

This is from the tirerack web site:

"The 235 indicates this tire is 235 millimeters across from the widest point of its outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall when mounted and measured on a specified width wheel. It is thus referred to as "section width".

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/size_information.jsp
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Old Mar 24, 2005 | 02:11 PM
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Default Yeah but if you look through the specs for different tires, that number varies between brands.

For example, look at 235/40 S0-3s. They have a section width of 9.7". Then look at GS-D3s. They have a section width of 9.5". It varies by brand. Like I said, look up S4MadMan. He's done a lot of wheel combos. Or if you want to try it just try it.

I'll tell you that my 18"x8.5" ET37 wheels with 225/40 are very close at my ride height and I'm not that low. add another .25" of wheel and .25" of tire and you'll hit.
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Old Mar 24, 2005 | 04:27 PM
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Default Re: thanks for the advice

I do appreciate it.

I'm about 1" lower than stock, and I don't mind rolling the front fenders if that proves necessary, so I'll probably give it a shot.

Searched on S4MadMan as you suggested, and got back about 10^6 hits! madman indeed! I'll have to spend some time sifting through them.

Cheers
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