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[Porteno1]

I started to hear some rubbing from the front passenger side wheel and took my car into the dealership, convinced that it wasn’t caused by my wheel/tire setup. Long story short, they claim that the rubbing is caused by the aftermarket wheels.

I’m running RAC RG63s (F: 9x19 R: 10x19) with Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas (F: 255/35 R 275/35). Stock suspension setup. A conservative setup by most standards.

For the first three months with this setup I had no rubbing issues whatsoever.

Rubbing issues started and I took the car to the dealership they heated up the wheel fender liner and pushed it in to make more clearance. After this no rubbing for 2 weeks or so…

Rubbing came back and I took the car into the dealership again and they said:

"21099 C/S That the tires rub when turning. Test drove the vehicle with shop foreman. Same problem as last visit. Vehicle has aftermarket wheels and tire. Factory tires measure 82 inches around. Aftermarket measure 83 inches around. Install factory wheels on vehicle. Wheels don't rub now. Talk to BMW. They states that those wheels are not supported by BMW. Took pics of factory fit and aftermarket fit and send them to BMW."



I’m no mechanic, but my concern is that something is wrong with the car. The wheel and tire size have obviously been constant throughout, so that means something else is changing. They told me the fender liner isn’t missing any fasteners. The dealership claimed that the suspension just “settled” over time and that the fender liner may have “flexed”.

That’s not a good enough explanation for me. I know a lot of people running this same exact setup with absolutely no rubbing issues. Please give me your thoughts!

[FStop7]

255/35 shouldn't rub with the stock suspension, but who knows...

[calintexas]

Do you know where it is rubbing? I think the tight spot is at full lock outer edge of tire to rear part of the fender liner.

I'm surprised that your dealer gave you any support given the wider greater offset wheels (19x9 et22) and larger than OEM tires. Shep spent quite a bit of time fitting the wheels to the car, and almost everyone is running your combination. It's possible that something (suspension or fender liner isn't right). Has your front suspension undergone any trauma (big pot hole, curb, pavement step)?

I'm not buying suspension settled (I doubt it did, and it shouldn't cause and issue even if it did). It's very possible that you fender liner has moved.

[OMID INC]

im running 9 x 19 in the front with 255/35/19 tire lowered significantly on KWs and no running. maybe you have an alignment issue. maybe a caster issue.

[Porteno1]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

Is the wheel offset different? A 1" diff in tire circumference should not rub but the factory does fit things close on some models.

I don't remember the offset... Maybe someone else can chime in?

[Porteno1]

Originally Posted by calintexas

Do you know where it is rubbing? I think the tight spot is at full lock outer edge of tire to rear part of the fender liner.

I'm surprised that your dealer gave you any support given the wider greater offset wheels (19x9 et22) and larger than OEM tires. Shep spent quite a bit of time fitting the wheels to the car, and almost everyone is running your combination. It's possible that something (suspension or fender liner isn't right). Has your front suspension undergone any trauma (big pot hole, curb, pavement step)?

I'm not buying suspension settled (I doubt it did, and it shouldn't cause and issue even if it did). It's very possible that you fender liner has moved.

No trauma to the front suspension. The dealer claims that a mis-alignment wouldn't cause rubbing like this. They checked out the fender liner and told me that it was in good shape.

[Porteno1]

Originally Posted by OMID INC

im running 9 x 19 in the front with 255/35/19 tire lowered significantly on KWs and no running. maybe you have an alignment issue. maybe a caster issue.

Is it that simple? Just an alignment? I went back and forth with the dealer on this and they basically told me it would be a waste of money.

[Ricfutures]

When do you hear the rubbing? Full turns? Bumps? Or just normal driving?

[Porteno1]

Originally Posted by Ricfutres

When do you hear the rubbing? Full turns? Bumps? Or just normal driving?

I hear it at slow speeds when turning. It rubs consistenly when turning left at full lock.

[Maseroche]

I'd take it to reputable shop to check the alignment first just to confirm what the dealer says.

[turb934]

22

Originally Posted by Porteno1

I don't remember the offset... Maybe someone else can chime in?

[Porteno1]

Originally Posted by turb934

22

Thanks for your input guys! I'll take it in for an alignment. I wonder why the dealer would say that an alignment wasn't necessary?

[Ajax-Prime]

Porteno, I have gotten some rubbing at full lock as well. Same tire sizes, but I have had a drop (H&R) on the car for long before the RAC's went on.

It's not consistent though, and as I hardly ever need to utilize full lock, I haven't worried about it.

[King Tut]

It is definitely your wheel and tire combo. Besides tire size offset and wheel width will factor into whether you will rub again. This is NOT a warranty issue and is instead an improper tire size selection issue. I'm actually surprised the dealership even modified your fender liner the first time. It is never a good idea to go with a larger than factory overall diameter in the front due to rubbing the fender liners.

[AlpWtE92]

Porteno,

I have the same wheel/tire setup and also have experienced some rubbing at or close to full lock on both front wheels. The rubbing occurs mainly on the fender liners behind the wheels, but I think there is also some slight rubbing at the liner in front of the wheels. My car is dropped on Eibachs. I noticed the rubbing right after installing the wheels and spoke to Shep about the rubbing and he first suggested dialing in more camber. I did that and it did reduce the rubbing, but there is still a bit of rubbing. Shep also suggested pushing in the liners as there is usually some room to do so, but I never got around to it.

Ultimately, I do not believe you need to worry too much about this rubbing because (a) it only occurs at or close to full wheel lock, (b) rubbing the fender liner and scraping it up a bit will not significantly affect the performance or operation of the car, and (3) it may go away as the tires wear down a bit.

I do plan to go back to PS2s for my next set of tires because I understand they have a smaller diameter.

[signes]

I am running RG63s with 275/30 front and 295/30 rear. I have a little rubbing on the rear liner at full lock. Car is stock otherwise. It really doesn't rub much, mostly on the "bubble" in the passenger side well. Full compression also gives me some rubbing but that is a combination of the width of the front tires and the square shoulder of the AD08. See pics below:

Rear portion of front passenger side well



Rear portion of front driver's side well

[Porteno1]

Thanks for the input! I thought I was the only one with rubbing issues...

Like you guys mentioned the minimal rubbing that I am experiencing is NOT a big deal. It wasn't the rubbing that I was concerned about. I just assumed that the rubbing was a symptom of a larger problem. Some of you suggested that I go get an alignment; I think I might still do that. I had no rubbing for the first 3 months or so...

[Porteno1]

Originally Posted by King Tut

It is never a good idea to go with a larger than factory overall diameter in the front due to rubbing the fender liners.

Says who?

[foosh]

Porteno,

I was surprised to see this, as I am running the same RACs and Vred sizes as you on an E93, with no suggestion of rubbing. It's even more surprising since the E93 sits lower in its OEM configuration than the E90 or 92.

[scott@bmwhn]

hmm...left turn full lock...driver weight maybe? its a stretch but you never know

[Eddy@ApexWheels]

Its your wheel and tire package. It's that simple. The more aggressive offset, wider wheel, and taller tire result in the tire being close enough to rub. It's the cost of running a setup like that.

I'm surprised the dealership spent so much time dealing with the problem, and they didn't just turn you away right away.

This is common for ever model bmw when running an aggressive setup. All you have to do is be conscious about it and not turn full lock or get steering rack limiters

[Porteno1]

Originally Posted by foosh

Porteno,

I was surprised to see this, as I am running the same RACs and Vred sizes as you on an E93, with no suggestion of rubbing. It's even more surprising since the E93 sits lower in its OEM configuration than the E90 or 92.

Yeah, all of the guys that have mentioned rubbing so far have either had larger tires (than me) or modified suspension. Anyone like Foosh and I running a stock suspension setup + RAC's and same size Vreds? Have you had any rubbing issues?