In Desperate Need Of Wheel Size Advice

[oquinn24]

I'm looking into some Volk TE37 replicas because I like the style, but not the price.

I found these online and found an even better price on eBay:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/18x9-5-inch-AVID1 ... 0408.m2460

I've read the posted guide, but can not seem to put the math into perspective. Could someone please advise me on how the +18 offset will look and if these would be a good choice size wise, all quality and looks aside.

Thank you. I'm very open to suggestions on tire size. I want this style wheel, with wide back tires and medium fronts. Pretty flush fitment and with room to get it pretty low (not slammed, never slammed) is also desirable.

[Zedx32]

I run 18x9.5 +15 square, with 235/45/18. the fitment looks great but if the road is real rough i will rub. i also have camber arms so they tuck a better. When i was doing research i found it very difficult to find help so this might: the math is simple but difficult to visualize, to do the math you first convert the width of the wheel to millimeters so 9.5 inches is 241.3 mm. Then divide that by 2 because the offset is measured from the center of the wheel, so half of 241.3 is 120.65. Next add 18 to 120.65 because thats the offset, which is 138.65. Finally convert that back to inches 138.65=5.45, then subtract that from the width of the wheel (5.45-9.5=4.05) So in conclusion the hub of the wheel is 4.05 inches from the outer lip, 5.45 inches from the inner lip. Now do some measuring to see how much clearance you have.

This is what my fitment looks like, the front end is raised in this pic because i drove to York that weekend. So my +15 is slightly more aggressive that the +18. Also know that offset is completely reliant on wheel width, +18 offset on a wheel that is 10 inches wide is a lot different from a wheel with +18 offset that is 9 inches wide.

[oquinn24]

I run 18x9.5 +15 square, with 235/45/18. the fitment looks great but if the road is real rough i will rub. i also have camber arms so they tuck a better. When i was doing research i found it very difficult to find help so this might: the math is simple but difficult to visualize, to do the math you first convert the width of the wheel to millimeters so 9.5 inches is 241.3 mm. Then divide that by 2 because the offset is measured from the center of the wheel, so half of 241.3 is 120.65. Next add 18 to 120.65 because thats the offset, which is 138.65. Finally convert that back to inches 138.65=5.45, then subtract that from the width of the wheel (5.45-9.5=4.05) So in conclusion the hub of the wheel is 4.05 inches from the outer lip, 5.45 inches from the inner lip. Now do some measuring to see how much clearance you have.

This is what my fitment looks like, the front end is raised in this pic because i drove to York that weekend. So my +15 is slightly more aggressive that the +18. Also know that offset is completely reliant on wheel width, +18 offset on a wheel that is 10 inches wide is a lot different from a wheel with +18 offset that is 9 inches wide.

I really really appreciate the direct comparison. So the rub is on the outside of the wheel on the fender? That should mean that anything higher (I've been looking between +18 and +24, which seems negligible in context) should just make them less likely to rub and help eliminate the need for the camber arms right? Did you have any clearance issues to the inside?

[Zedx32]

Yes, the rub is on the outside fender lip. Any higher offset will help to eliminate the need for camber arms and lessen rub of the fender lip, but can also cause problems like brake caliper clearance or inner fender well rub. And i have no known inner clearance issues. I had to send my first set of wheels back because they didn't clear the calipers, (they were 18x9.5 +30 offset). It's really all about finding a balance between whats functional and what fits the form you're looking for.

[oquinn24]

Yes, the rub is on the outside fender lip. Any higher offset will help to eliminate the need for camber arms and lessen rub of the fender lip, but can also cause problems like brake caliper clearance or inner fender well rub. And i have no known inner clearance issues. I had to send my first set of wheels back because they didn't clear the calipers, (they were 18x9.5 +30 offset). It's really all about finding a balance between whats functional and what fits the form you're looking for.

Have you done any rolling/pulling? Also, about how much clearance do you have now with the +15 offset? I know the wheels will be a different shape so it won't be exactly the same but just for some type of reference.

[Zedx32]

just rolled in the rear, and i'm not really sure what you mean by clearance.

[oquinn24]

just rolled in the rear, and i'm not really sure what you mean by clearance.

Clearance with the break calipers, like before with the +30 offset they wouldn't clear the calipers, but now with the +15 they will. Kinda what I'm getting at Isco you think (assuming the shape is similar) +18 (or even +24) would still clear the brake caliper? Because the further I get from 15 the less chance I'll have of rubbing and needing camber, but if I can get away with +24 and still clear the caliper, I should have no problem with rubbing on the inside or outside with my math. They even have +20 and +22 if I need a middle ground. I'd just hate to send them back, I feel as though they'll fit under there with no issues at +24, as long as they should clear the caliper I'll be fine!

[Zedx32]

It's really hard to say, the wheels are completely different shapes so the comparison wouldn't do you much good. It depends on how far away the spokes are from the hub, my wheels have pretty thick spokes and i don't have more than an half an inch clearance from the calipers. Maybe check on the website or check some reviews and see if anyone has had problems clearing big brakes. My advice is to find a happy medium, you take a chance either way so i would go +20. But it again, its really hard to say.

[oquinn24]

It's really hard to say, the wheels are completely different shapes so the comparison wouldn't do you much good. It depends on how far away the spokes are from the hub, my wheels have pretty thick spokes and i don't have more than an half an inch clearance from the calipers. Maybe check on the website or check some reviews and see if anyone has had problems clearing big brakes. My advice is to find a happy medium, you take a chance either way so i would go +20. But it again, its really hard to say.

I appreciate the advice, and it's really helped me dial in the offset, it's better than just shooting in the dark and hoping for the best anyways! Thanks again.