Offset question

[Chubs]

I am looking at a set of Volk LE37Ts for my 90 Q. ?The only issuse I have with them is the offset. The sizes are 18x7.5 et+50 and 18x8.5 et+48. Do you think those will have any trouble fitting under the car and not hitting the struts etc? Do you think they will clear z32 calipers?

[maxnix]

Probably won't fit and wheel is too narrow by an inch to fit tires with required load rating and OEM diameter. Look for something near +38mm offset.

[elwesso]

yeah the offset is way too high, made for FWD cars....

[maxnix]

Let me suggest further that you spend some time at tire rack and research the tire you want first, then find a set of wheels that will accomdate them properly for the G50. REmember the 95 minmum load rating required for the car is just that, a minimum, and any increase will be beneficial for wear and performance.

[bmwkiller]

...wheel is too narrow by an inch to fit tires with required load rating and OEM diameter.

Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth, so to speak, but...The Tire Rack suggests a 245/40 size tire for an 18x7.5 wheel. There are several tires in 245/40 (or 45) size that have the required load rating and speed rating, and both of those sizes change the tire circumference by only 1.1 or 2.6% respectively.

As for your offset, just get some 15mm spacers. Good ones, not the universals on eBay.

[szh]

The Tire Rack suggests a 245/40 size tire for an 18x7.5 wheel. There are several tires in 245/40 (or 45) size that have the required load rating and speed rating, and both of those sizes change the tire circumference by only 1.1 or 2.6% respectively.

I think the 245/45 is a better option personally. Yeah, the rolling diameter is a bit larger, but the net result is a better ride and a tiny bit more full wheel well.

Z

[maxnix]

Not to stick my head in the lion's mouth, so to speak, but...The Tire Rack suggests a 245/40 size tire for an 18x7.5 wheel. There are several tires in 245/40 (or 45) size that have the required load rating and speed rating, and both of those sizes change the tire circumference by only 1.1 or 2.6% respectively.

As for your offset, just get some 15mm spacers. Good ones, not the universals on eBay.

245/40 18 is a short tire. All I see are 88- 93 load rated insufficiently except for the PS2 which is 97. The chart there recommends an 8" - 9.5" width wheel and the dimensions are measured mounted on a 8.5" wide wheel.

The correct size for that aspect ratio is 255/40 18. Adn requires a wheel width of 8.5" - 10", and is mounted on a 9" for measurement.

For the suggested better fitting alternative 245/45-18 size, TR says they may be mounted on wheels 7.5" - 9" in width, but the measured dimensions they use are on a 8" rim.

Thus, I recommend working backwards from the tire to the wheel. Thus if you have the more common 2004 Premeium 18x8 alloys, I believe the better fit is the 245/45-18 tire. Ther perfcet fitting 255/49 -18 require a wheel width of at least 8.5", and I can tstify 9" works wonderfully.

Another advantage of working from the tire to the wheel is one can get the correct offset wheel that will work with the car's suspension. Spacers are a supreme deity's way of telling the owner he is using the wrong wheel for the application. Strange it never occurs to anyone how many OEM use spacers instead of desinging the correct wheel for the application. Just think how much money they could save reusing the same wheel with spacers. Dumb engineers.