[OpenAir]

So,

As the title states, is there a "minimum" space needed to compensate for tire "flex"?

The reason I'm asking is I just put one of my new tires on an I can't put a cigarette between the wheel/tire and the strut. This amounts to say 5mm.

It's an 18x8 et40 OZ Leggera HLT with DWS06 235/40/18's as seen below:





This is what they look like on the care:

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

So,

As the title states, is there a "minimum" space needed to compensate for tire "flex"?

The reason I'm asking is I just put one of my new tires on an I can't put a cigarette between the wheel/tire and the strut. This amounts to say 5mm.

It's an 18x8 et40 OZ Leggera HLT with DWS06 235/40/18's as seen below:





This is what they look like on the care:

Bro, so close! Spacer time.

Shit man, your car smokes cigs?

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Bro, so close! Spacer time.

Shit man, your car smokes cigs?

Hub-centric spacers start at 10mm, way too much poke. Plus, I have no idea how you would torque the bolts as the openings in the OZ wheels are really small, which is probably why they came with a torx-style lug which is cool, but I can't find any longer ones...

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

Hub-centric spacers start at 10mm, way too much poke. Plus, I have no idea how you would torque the bolts as the openings in the OZ wheels are really small, which is probably why they came with a torx-style lug which is cool, but I can't find any longer ones...

I've got 5mm ECS tuning front spacers. I had a similar issue with my 18x8.5 ET45 wheel. As a matter of fact, I believe you can get even thinner spacers.

The 5mm spacer is hubcentric. Don't run 10mm on BMW due to the hub lip. You'll need to step up to a 12.5mm, which is what I run in the rear.

With spacers, you'll need longer bolts.

[Mywifes335]

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...mm/ecs252fxwb/

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

I've got 5mm ECS tuning front spacers. I had a similar issue with my 18x8.5 ET45 wheel. As a matter of fact, I believe you can get even thinner spacers.

The 5mm spacer is hubcentric. Don't run 10mm on BMW due to the hub lip. You'll need to step up to a 12.5mm, which is what I run in the rear.

With spacers, you'll need longer bolts.

I'm currently running 12 and 15mm hubcentric BMS spacers, but that is way too much space for these wheels. Also, the lug opening is so small that I can't even get my current socket into the hole, hence the need for the torx style lugs, which I haven't been able to find in longer lengths...

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

I'm currently running 12 and 15mm hubcentric BMS spacers, but that is way too much space for these wheels. Also, the lug opening is so small that I can't even get my current socket into the hole, hence the need for the torx style lugs, which I haven't been able to find in longer lengths...

Man.... Not sure what to tell you....

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Man.... Not sure what to tell you....

I know, waiting to see what Tire Rack comes back with...

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

I know, waiting to see what Tire Rack comes back with...

Bro, they really shouldn't have sold you those wheels. Honestly. They "fit". But that's about as literal as just "fitting".

I'm mixed about my Apex due to fitment issues - needed spacers unless I stuck with the stock tire setup - but overall quality and looks have been great.

I heard people have better luck with HRE (duh) and VMR. Personally not the biggest fan of VMR but a lot of folks like them here.

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Bro, they really shouldn't have sold you those wheels. Honestly. They "fit". But that's about as literal as just "fitting".

I'm mixed about my Apex due to fitment issues - needed spacers unless I stuck with the stock tire setup - but overall quality and looks have been great.

I heard people have better luck with HRE (duh) and VMR. Personally not the biggest fan of VMR but a lot of folks like them here.

I agree. Thanks for the shoulder!

[pikcachu]

I doubt the tire is going to flex any....
it might flex some against the pavement, but by the time it's back on the top next to the strut it should be straight again...

It's really easy to test... just put a piece of tape on the strut where it would rub against the tire and go driving some hard turns... if you come back and the tape is scrubbed then it flexed else it didn't

[jmwilson125]

I can only fit 2 credit cards in (2.04 mm) on mine I drive pretty aggressive and have a super steep driveway with a hump at the bottom. There have been no signs of rubbing

[jmwilson125]

.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1225277&page=10

Btw anyone know how to post pics from mobile?

Another member also said he had an even closer fit and tracked his car and still didn't rub.

I was worried at first but I've had no issues and have been running them about 1000 miles now.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by jmwilson125

I can only fit 2 credit cards in (2.04 mm) on mine I drive pretty aggressive and have a super steep driveway with a hump at the bottom. There have been no signs of rubbing

Doesn't really matter how steep driveway is....
the flex it's always going to be at the bottom of the tire where it touches the ground....

Don't see how the flex could ever be on the top of the tire next to the strut...

Does it make sense?

[rjroch]

I'm running this exact same combo, but with MPSS rather than your Continentals. No spacer. Clearance is about the same as your photo.

I put several thousand miles on last year before the wheels came off for winter and there wasn't a mark on the inner sidewall...or the strut for that matter.

[OpenAir]

Thanks to everyone, I'm going to mount the SOB's today and not worry about it any more.

[turbocake]

Im running the same wheels with 234/40/18 hankook ventus rs3v2 all around. I have ~3mm of clearance between the tire and the strut. As Pikachu said, the top of the tire *shouldn't* flex much if at all. I've had 0 issues so far. Unless the sidewall on your tire is a special kind of crazy I don't think you'll have any problems.

However, a 3mm spacer won't kill anyone.

[jmwilson125]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

Doesn't really matter how steep driveway is....
the flex it's always going to be at the bottom of the tire where it touches the ground....

Don't see how the flex could ever be on the top of the tire next to the strut...

Does it make sense?

I also agree with you! I was just saying I've got closer clearance and haven't rubbed yet.

However if you were taking corner the opposite direction the tire may not be deflecting, but technicality the force will create a moment about the hub which would want to rotate the whole wheel closer to the shock.

I would assume that the wheel is strong and stiff enough where this deflection is virtually 0 though

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by turbocake

Im running the same wheels with 234/40/18 hankook ventus rs3v2 all around. I have ~3mm of clearance between the tire and the strut. As Pikachu said, the top of the tire *shouldn't* flex much if at all. I've had 0 issues so far. Unless the sidewall on your tire is a special kind of crazy I don't think you'll have any problems.

However, a 3mm spacer won't kill anyone.

How do you like the RS3s? I've been browsing got something stickier than PSS.

Cross shopping:

Dunlop Direzza Star Spec II
Toyo R888
Nitto NT-05
Bridgestone RE11
Falken Azenis RT615

Got mixed reviews on all of them. The tirerack and Discounttire reviews seem really good for the NT05 and the Direzza Star Specs. Read that R888s are really noisy and the RE11 are terrible for wear and in the wet.

Your thoughts?

[rjroch]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

Thanks to everyone, I'm going to mount the SOB's today and not worry about it any more.

Do make sure you put a thin coating of anti-seize between the centering ring and the hub. I didn't have any when I put the wheels on, and when I took them off a week or two later to add the anti-seize, one or two were already slightly rusted and had to be pried off with a putty knife.

[turbocake]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

How do you like the RS3s? I've been browsing got something stickier than PSS.

Cross shopping:

Dunlop Direzza Star Spec II
Toyo R888
Nitto NT-05
Bridgestone RE11
Falken Azenis RT615

Got mixed reviews on all of them. The tirerack and Discounttire reviews seem really good for the NT05 and the Direzza Star Specs. Read that R888s are really noisy and the RE11 are terrible for wear and in the wet.

Your thoughts?

They're pretty good so far. I've had stickier tires, but once they get a bit of heat in them they work very well. Good steering feel. Good turn in. A little noisy, usually only noticeable under deceleration. Great feedback. Not to mention the rs3's were quite cheap.

r888's are loud as hell. and wear out faaaast

NT05's are pretty good.

Can't speak for the others though.

[Mywifes335]

Originally Posted by turbocake

They're pretty good so far. I've had stickier tires, but once they get a bit of heat in them they work very well. Good steering feel. Good turn in. A little noisy, usually only noticeable under deceleration. Great feedback. Not to mention the rs3's were quite cheap.

r888's are loud as hell. and wear out faaaast

NT05's are pretty good.

Can't speak for the others though.

Thanks for the quick response man. Yeah, the tire shop guy told me that the RS3s should give me a better launch (I've got RWD) than the PSS...and they're CHEEEEAP.

But how would you rate the NT05 vs RS3?

I'm struggling to keep my car straight in a straight line under 50mph. (Running 265 PSS already).