Need some tire advice

[kreis]

Hey everyone, its been awhile since i've been on here... anyway, yesterday i picked up some cheap nexo 18x7.5 wheels with 235/40/18's on em. im not sure about the offset. I'm lowered on H techs and when i go over bumps the wheels scrape in the wheel well, i'm fine with turning though. I need to get new tires for them anyhow so what would be my best choice? Is getting a different size tire going to fix this problem?

 

[xMazdax]

235 is WAY to big for the width. Honestly go to a 205/40 and i can almost guarantee no more rubbing.

 

[kreis]

thanks for the response. I see a good deal on some 225/40's on craigslist, is that still too wide you think, ive been doing some looking around and it seams some other 3 owners can get away with it, oh and i found out the offset is 45

 

[speed3 britz]

You'd be safe with a 215/45 as that is what came factory on MS3 18x7's

 

[kreis]

sounds good, thanks for the response!

 

[xMazdax]

225 is fine as well H techs aren't that low so I don't understand how you are rubbing regardless but 225 or 215 will be good

 

[Chefsp0t]

215/45/18 is actually tall for a regular 3. I rubbed with 215/45/18s on my old ms3 wheels and that was before I was even that low. You want to stick with a 40 sidewall with 18s on a regular 3.

Before you go making expensive purchases and buying new tires do you know where you are actually rubbing? If you have the fender liners in place it is very easy to see if they are the problem area and you can either cut them or heat them slightly with a heat gun and push them out of the way so they don't rub.

PS. Knowing the offsets would make this a lot easier. The wheels aren't stamped with the offsets?

 

[kreis]

Yeah i wanted to go with a 40. The offset is 45 on the wheels, The 235's are sticking out quite a bit.. and yes i do have the liners in there. i had to take one of the wheels up to a shop ti get a bend fixed.. but the guy said he could get me a good deal on some new 215/40's. not sure about brand but he said about 75 per tire. i need new tires anyway cause 2 of them are showing cords and the other 2 probably wont last till winter.

 

[Chefsp0t]

If you need tires I would do it then. I thought you were talking about good tires.

 

[kreis]

I mean, 2 of them aren't too bad i guess, but still they won't last long. Do you think i would have rubbing issues with those 235's on the rear? the H tech drop in the rear is only .9 (compared to 1.4 in the front) and i never have anything in my trunk.
I should have specified that i only put the 2 wheels on the front of the car.

 

[Chefsp0t]

You might be okay but you'll do more damage to your rear fenders if you catch them with the tire. Give the fenders a roll and you'll probably be fine.

 

[kreis]

Oh okay. was trying to avoid the fender roll, Probably just go with the 215/40's. 75 per tire kinda sounds too good to be true though lol