Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[LarThaL]

So what is the final word here? Which front 255 tires rub and which don't? And does wheel offset play a role in this. Most of the rubbing issues tend to be against the fender liner on full wheel lock, right?

Yesterday, I looked at my stock 245/35 Conti's on ZCP wheels with 12mm spacers. There was like 5mm space on full wheel lock from the front fender. With a 255, I would definitely rub. I think I would rub even with a more square edged 245.

So what it the real scoop here?

[Z K]

You have wheel spacers. It would have more space if you have smaller or no spacers.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Z K

You have wheel spacers. It would have more space if you have smaller or no spacers.

The spacers don't appear to affect the relationship between the tire and the fender liner at full wheel lock. This has nothng to do with the actual fender which is what people typically think about with regards to rubbing. It has to do with the tire hitting the inner fender liner when fully turned.

In fact, the fender liner is more tapered in as you go deeper into the wheel well, so using spacers would actually place the tire at a place where there is more room, no?

So what you are saying is that there is no way to run a 255 front tire, have it relatively flush with the fender and not have it rub, correct?

[Z K]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

The spacers don't appear to affect the relationship between the tire and the fender liner at full wheel lock. This has nothng to do with the actual fender which is what people typically think about with regards to rubbing. It has to do with the tire hitting the inner fender liner when fully turned.

In fact, the fender liner is more tapered in as you go deeper into the wheel well, so using spacers would actually place the tire at a place where there is more room, no?

So what you are saying is that there is no way to run a 255 front tire, have it relatively flush with the fender and not have it rub, correct?

It is true the fender liner tapers inward the closer to the center of the car it is. Running a spacer does not only move the wheel outward, it moves it closer to the fender liner when the wheel is turned. This causes the outside edge of the tire to rub on the fender liner when the wheel is turned.

A 255 should be able to fit, you need to play with the combination of offset, alignment settings and wheel size to see what works. Perhaps a 5 mm spacer will give you more room to fit a larger tire. Adding negative camber can also increase clearance as your tire is closer to the suspension at the top rather than straight up and down.

[hova00]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

In fact, the fender liner is more tapered in as you go deeper into the wheel well, so using spacers would actually place the tire at a place where there is more room, no?

The problem is the spacers. Think about what you say here if you push the wheel further out then it is not going to be deeper in the wheel well.

Your offset is +31mm and by adding 12mm spacer it is now +19mm which is starting to get on the aggresive side.

[///M Ryder]

Here you go.....stock ZCP suspension and wheels with no spacer. I'm running a 265-30 Pilot Super Sport up front with no rubbing what so ever. Get rid of the spacers.....my car looks like I have spacers........Phil

[LarThaL]

A 265/30 is actually a smaller tire than the stock 245/35, hence no rubbing. I'm just thinking that 265/30 is a really short sidewall. That is why right now, my top choice is to go with 18" wheels and 265/35/18.

I am just trying to see if there are 255/35/19's that are known to fit and definitely not rub on the fender liner, and what are the wheel offsets that will allow this.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by hova00

The problem is the spacers. Think about what you say here if you push the wheel further out then it is not going to be deeper in the wheel well.

Your offset is +31mm and by adding 12mm spacer it is now +19mm which is starting to get on the aggresive side.

Yes, if you use spacers, you are further OUT.

There is less overall space further IN.

Hence if you use spacers, your tire is located in a part of the wheel well where there is more space.

[///M Ryder]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

right now, my top choice is to go with 18" wheels and 265/35/18.

Well this will definitely work. This is the size I run as a track set up. 19's look much better as a daily tire.......Phil

[signes]

I run 255/35 Pirelli Corsas on 9x19 front (et22) and no rubbing. Tire has a modest shoulder. I ran 275/30 AD08s on the same wheel with only minor rubbing at full lock but also got rubbing under full compression. AD08 has a very square sidewall compared to most tires.

[BMW Fanatic]

I am running 265/30/19 up front on a -20 offset 10inch rim, no rubbing right now, doubt I will rub once dropped either, just gotta know how to take the bumps and car park exits..

If you are not planning to lower the car passed ZCP (10mm) then I would go with a 255/35/19 up front and a 275/35/19 or 295/30/19 rear. Get rid of the spacers.

[hova00]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

Yes, if you use spacers, you are further OUT.

There is less overall space further IN.

Hence if you use spacers, your tire is located in a part of the wheel well where there is more space.

Obviously not since since without spacers there wouldnt be any rubbing. Either way good luck finding the fitment you are looking for.

[Alex07M3]

I run 255/35/19 AD08s with 5mm spacer on ZCP wheels with eibach springs , no rubbing !!

[ben@tirerack]

With the wheel setup you have now, 255's would almost certainly rub. They generally do not rub with stock ride height and wheel offset or setups that are very close to stock.

Usually if someone has rubbing with 255's they have one of three things:
1.) Lowered suspension
2.) Lower offset wheels
3.) Stock or stock-like wheels with spacers > 5mm

There have been a few unexplained cases, but most can be explained by one of those three. In the case of the OP, the 12mm spacer would likely mean rubbing. Take the spacer out and you'll usually be fine.

[1BFL]

I run a 19x10 et20 front wheel with a 265/35 and rubbing is minimal. I would think a 255/35 wouldn't rub at all.

[snowmants]

Originally Posted by 1BFL

I run a 19x10 et20 front wheel with a 265/35 and rubbing is minimal. I would think a 255/35 wouldn't rub at all.

You can go wider. You just need a slightly higher offset and shorter sidewall height. I run a 19x10 et+25 wheel(rear zcp wheels) up front with a 275/30 tire on stock suspension with no rubbing whatsoever.

[tibra1]

Every car's tolerances are different..even stock

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by tibra1

Every car's tolerances are different..even stock

I would agree, and since the stock tolerances are so tight to begin with, even a difference of a few mm will make a rub/no-rub difference. This is certainly within the variation from car to car.

So I just went back, took off my spacer and measured the gap between the tire edge and the fender liner at full wheel lock. There is a few mm extra space with the spacers off, both in front and in the back of the wheel well turning the wheel both to the right and left. This is due to the subtle curves in the fender liner which allow a little more space in certain areas. Seems to me that with 12mm spacers, a 255/35 tire would just rub the liner, and it would just barely clear with spacers off.

[///M Ryder]

Why are you so stuck on using spacers and running a wider tire? The spacer is used to move the tire out. If you get a wider tire with the correct offset you are doing the same thing ...........Phil

[E30_80Y]

running 19x9 Iss Forged(dunno the offset, but almost flush) with 255-35-19 continental, lowered on RD sports springs and no rub.

[paradocs98]

255/35-19 Michelin Pilot Super Sports up front on OEM ZCP/GTS wheels, Dinan Stage III suspension, no rubbing.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

OP doesn't seem to be interested in the info we give him... not sure what the purpose of this thread is. :

Not true...I am absorbing every bit of information people are posting. This is really one of the best ways of gaining knowledge. Ask a million questions, get ten million resposnes. Analyze, then draw conclusions.

On my previous Audi RS4, I did the same thing. I was looking for the perfect wheel/tire combo that I could also use with my Stasis Motorsport suspension. I did a huge amount of internet research, took all sorts of measurements on ride heights, tolerances, different tire widths/diameters, etc. In the end , I came up with the absolutely perfect set-up.

So, yes.....I am taking it all in