Finally decided on wheel/tire combo but...

[WoodroWilsonMan]

...I need help picking one of two size options. I'm not going to change my suspension from stock any time soon, and I'd like to avoid fender-rolling, if possible.

18x7.5, 45mm offset with 225/45/18 (little wider than stock, the cheaper option)
Inner clearance:1mm MORE / Outer Position: EXTEND an extra 13mm
-or-
18x8, 40mm offset with 235/40/18 (even wider than stock, but a tad heavier and more expensive)
Inner clearance:1mm LESS / Outer Position: EXTEND an extra 25mm

Tires:
Continental ExtremeContact DW

Wheels:
Enkei EKM3 Hyper Silver. Not the lightest wheel, but I'm too in love with how they look.

I have an '08 MS3 CWP. Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

 

[cymx5]

Am I seeing this correctly? You bought a set of 5 to have a performance spare tire?

...it must be a different car for the picture...I like the wheels. Pretty decent weight as well!

 

[Remspeed3]

18x8 40 et w/ a 235-40 will rub unless you roll the rears quite a bit. Maybe not to bad at stock height but definitley with a drop.

 

[714ms3]

Am I seeing this correctly? You bought a set of 5 to have a performance spare tire?

...it must be a different car for the picture...I like the wheels. Pretty decent weight as well!

Judging by the fact that he is looking for advice on what size to buy I ma gonna go ahead and say that is not his car?

 

[LaraS]

18x8 40 et w/ a 235-40 will rub unless you roll the rears quite a bit. Maybe not to bad at stock height but definitley with a drop.

-nods- I rubbed with passengers in the car at stock height until I rolled the fenders.

 

[Remspeed3]

-nods- I rubbed with passengers in the car at stock height until I rolled the fenders.

Hey laraw, what is the spec's on your BBS'?

Heres a rear shot of mine with the stock 215-45 tires w/ Eibach springs, i'd like to go 235's but i think it would be pushin it..my offset is a 38 et. I do have a mild roll on the fenders already tho.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g116/QKSLVR02_photos/DSC_0020.jpg

 

[LaraS]

My BBS are 18x8 ET40+ My tires were Toyo Proxes 225/45-18 though. I'll be switching over to a 235/40 next week when I order new tires.

 

[WoodroWilsonMan]

Thanks for the tips. So if I go with the 8 inch wide wheel, with the 235/40, I'm looking at having to get the fenders rolled.

Any drawbacks to fender rolling?

To CYMX5, I have not bought the wheels yet. I found those pics on google. Some guy put them on his E46, and yes, he bought a spare one too.

 

[LaraS]

My only advice is to find a reputable place that will take their time and not crack your paint.

 

[Biggs]

is the roll only nessesary because of the offset? If it was higher, say 48-50 would he still need a roll?

 

[mndsm]

Depends on the tire. I don't know the specs off the top of my head (I wanna say 18x8 et+48) but I know you're going to be tight running that combo on Rx8 wheels, which seem to be roughly the size you're looking for. You're probably going to rub on the outside either way, Mazda didn't leave a TON of room for + sizing wheels without dropping diameter. Order an Eastwood fender finisher and call it good. Thems' cheap.