anyone running 18x8.5 fronts

[B135i-e82]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone is running 18x8.5 front wheels?
Bought a set of wheels 18x8.5 all round, backs were fine but fronts, the guys at the shop had a bit of a sook and had an issue with fitting them as it was real close the to struts, was a little bit of a stretch on the tyre as I was using my original run flats which are 215/40.
Got a flat tyre on my run flats yesterday and took it back to the shop where I got them fitted and I think they are makin the excuse that because its that close to the strut that its rubbing on the tyre and Im going to keep having problems. The tyres were fine before and as soon as they stretched them on the new rim problems problems problems!
Anyone else having problems?
Any help would be great guys!!

[chris82]

Originally Posted by B135i-e82

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone is running 18x8.5 front wheels?
Bought a set of wheels 18x8.5 all round, backs were fine but fronts, the guys at the shop had a bit of a sook and had an issue with fitting them as it was real close the to struts, was a little bit of a stretch on the tyre as I was using my original run flats which are 215/40.
Got a flat tyre on my run flats yesterday and took it back to the shop where I got them fitted and I think they are makin the excuse that because its that close to the strut that its rubbing on the tyre and Im going to keep having problems. The tyres were fine before and as soon as they stretched them on the new rim problems problems problems!
Anyone else having problems?
Any help would be great guys!!

I had 225 width run flats on a set of Apex Arc 8, 18x8.5 ET38 offset. Never had a problem. I was on the stock suspension and alignment as well. You're tires/rims can be really close to the strut and it won't be a problem, don't quote me, but I think it can be within 1000s of an inch and it will not be a problem.

[Simonnn]

I've got 8.5 fronts with 215/40 with no issues. Tyres are stretched a bit and I'll definitely go 225s when they get worn down.

Heaps of E82 guys are running 8.5 fronts with 225, pretty standard fitment I think!

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by chris82

I had 225 width run flats on a set of Apex Arc 8, 18x8.5 ET38 offset. Never had a problem. I was on the stock suspension and alignment as well. You're tires/rims can be really close to the strut and it won't be a problem, don't quote me, but I think it can be within 1000s of an inch and it will not be a problem.

Thanks for that!
Good to know that you have never had a problem.
Think the tyre place is just having a cry because I wont purchase new tyres

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by Simonnn

I've got 8.5 fronts with 215/40 with no issues. Tyres are stretched a bit and I'll definitely go 225s when they get worn down.

Heaps of E82 guys are running 8.5 fronts with 225, pretty standard fitment I think!

Hey Simonn,

Cheers for that!
I thought that was weird to, I was certain heaps of people are running 8.5 fronts and for some reason the guys were having a real big cry about it.
And im on stock msport suspension so its not like my car is slammed or anything.
Now I have to purchase a new tyre, might as well run 225 on one side and when the other goes replace it lol

[Simonnn]

It is a slight stretch but nothing too extreme (I had 235s stretched on a 10 inch rim on my last car )

I had a similar experience to you actually when I wanted to put my 215/245 tyres on the 8.5/9.5 rims. The shop I went to refused to put them on because they said it would not physically be possible to fit the tyres on the rims, I went to the shop next door and got it done in 10 mins

I'm not sure if its a good idea to run 225 on one side and 215 on the other though! its probably best you do both of the fronts at the same time if you're planning to go up to a 225 (i.e. dont have the front left and front right being different sizes)

[vtl]

Originally Posted by B135i-e82

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone is running 18x8.5 front wheels?
Bought a set of wheels 18x8.5 all round, backs were fine but fronts, the guys at the shop had a bit of a sook and had an issue with fitting them as it was real close the to struts, was a little bit of a stretch on the tyre as I was using my original run flats which are 215/40.
Got a flat tyre on my run flats yesterday and took it back to the shop where I got them fitted and I think they are makin the excuse that because its that close to the strut that its rubbing on the tyre and Im going to keep having problems. The tyres were fine before and as soon as they stretched them on the new rim problems problems problems!
Anyone else having problems?
Any help would be great guys!!

Most people running a 8.5 ET52 rear wheel on the fronts throw in a 10mm spacer to make it work. Time for a new set of tyres, way too much effort making those run flats work. Should really get a decent set of new tyres, will be the best money you ever spend on the car. Just got myself a lightly used set of AD08-Rs and has transformed the vehicle.

[1smokehouse]

I am running 215/245 tires on 18" 8.0/9.0 style 496 wheels that came as a BMW package (ZED) on standard suspension. Can't imagine that the extra half inch will matter, especially if the tire size is the same.

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by vtl

Most people running a 8.5 ET52 rear wheel on the fronts throw in a 10mm spacer to make it work. Time for a new set of tyres, way too much effort making those run flats work. Should really get a decent set of new tyres, will be the best money you ever spend on the car. Just got myself a lightly used set of AD08-Rs and has transformed the vehicle.

Hey vtl, are wheel spacers illegal though?
I was actually considering that option but heard they were illegal.
Only reason why I kept these tyres as they were only a year old, eventually I was going to get normal tyres lol

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by 1smokehouse

I am running 215/245 tires on 18" 8.0/9.0 style 496 wheels that came as a BMW package (ZED) on standard suspension. Can't imagine that the extra half inch will matter, especially if the tire size is the same.

Yeah I found it really weird to!

[vtl]

Originally Posted by B135i-e82

Hey vtl, are wheel spacers illegal though?
I was actually considering that option but heard they were illegal.
Only reason why I kept these tyres as they were only a year old, eventually I was going to get normal tyres lol

Yes I believe they are illegal, I'm not a fan of spacers but I know of a LOT of people running them here in Aus. Lot of other mods are also illegal: Downpipes, blow off valves, dark tints, slammed suspension. As long as they're hubcentric I wouldn't be too worried about safety. 10mm isn't that wide anyway. A spacer is a lot easier to remove than a downpipe haha

In this case I would probably rather run a 10mm spacer than try and run a wheel that close to the strut. Its clearing the strut now because its a 215 tyre, but once you get a properly sized tyre on there you might find it will start rubbing.

Yeah my car came with almost new runflats and I finally burned mine out after a year. But if I had to do it again I would have just bought new tyres, keep the good, roadworthy runflats. Sell them on the forum so at least then you could get a couple hundred dollars back.

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by vtl

Yes I believe they are illegal, I'm not a fan of spacers but I know of a LOT of people running them here in Aus. Lot of other mods are also illegal: Downpipes, blow off valves, dark tints, slammed suspension. As long as they're hubcentric I wouldn't be too worried about safety. 10mm isn't that wide anyway. A spacer is a lot easier to remove than a downpipe haha

In this case I would probably rather run a 10mm spacer than try and run a wheel that close to the strut. Its clearing the strut now because its a 215 tyre, but once you get a properly sized tyre on there you might find it will start rubbing.

Yeah my car came with almost new runflats and I finally burned mine out after a year. But if I had to do it again I would have just bought new tyres, keep the good, roadworthy runflats. Sell them on the forum so at least then you could get a couple hundred dollars back.

Yeah that's true, just don't want to get pinged using a spacer or if its unsafe rather not.
Not sure what to do now lol

I think offset for 261 wheels on the front is +49 and the wheels I bought which are GTC are +45

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by Simonnn

It is a slight stretch but nothing too extreme (I had 235s stretched on a 10 inch rim on my last car )

I had a similar experience to you actually when I wanted to put my 215/245 tyres on the 8.5/9.5 rims. The shop I went to refused to put them on because they said it would not physically be possible to fit the tyres on the rims, I went to the shop next door and got it done in 10 mins

I'm not sure if its a good idea to run 225 on one side and 215 on the other though! its probably best you do both of the fronts at the same time if you're planning to go up to a 225 (i.e. dont have the front left and front right being different sizes)

Hey Simon, on your current wheels, do you know what the offset is?
I think the offset on 261 wheels at +49 and my current wheels which are GTC are +45.

[Simonnn]

Originally Posted by B135i-e82

Hey Simon, on your current wheels, do you know what the offset is?
I think the offset on 261 wheels at +49 and my current wheels which are GTC are +45.

I've got GTC CX in 18x9.5 +50 and 8.5 +45, standard e82 sizes. I too am running the 245/215 combination because those are the tyres that I had on my stock 261Ms and I wanted to just transfer them accross.

The tyres themselves do look a bit skinny but it's not too bad

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by Simonnn

I've got GTC CX in 18x9.5 +50 and 8.5 +45, standard e82 sizes. I too am running the 245/215 combination because those are the tyres that I had on my stock 261Ms and I wanted to just transfer them accross.

The tyres themselves do look a bit skinny but it's not too bad

So your pretty much running the exact same set up!
That's so weird that I had that problem with the tyre shredding on the inside.
Must of been when the guys put the tyres on they stretched it on!!!

Thanks for your help btw mate, much appreciated

[froop]

Are you on stock suspension?

I have 18x8.5 ET 48 wheels running 235 AD08Rs. I initially had problems with rubbing on the strut so I had to buy shorter springs to raise the spring perch up. This is on coilovers of course.

In addition to that I run 5mm spacers otherwise I will rub on the strut itself as well. Currently maybe only a few mm away from the strut but it's not an issue. I track the car regularly and recently had a look inside and can't see any rubbing of the tyre on the suspension components.

[thezone135i]

Originally Posted by B135i-e82

Yeah that's true, just don't want to get pinged using a spacer or if its unsafe rather not.
Not sure what to do now lol

I think offset for 261 wheels on the front is +49 and the wheels I bought which are GTC are +45

Ive been running these spacers for a couple of years now and no issues whatsoever. They are perfectly safe, people have been tracking with spacers since the 80's. Ive got stock rims and they push the wheels out to a perfect stance imo no rubbing but I did have to roll one rear guard just a touch.

These are the best ones to get.
http://www.burgertuning.com/BMW_wheel_spacers.html

The only time your going to attract unwanted attention is if your driving like a d*&ckhead or if the wheels stick out to far.

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by froop

Are you on stock suspension?

I have 18x8.5 ET 48 wheels running 235 AD08Rs. I initially had problems with rubbing on the strut so I had to buy shorter springs to raise the spring perch up. This is on coilovers of course.

In addition to that I run 5mm spacers otherwise I will rub on the strut itself as well. Currently maybe only a few mm away from the strut but it's not an issue. I track the car regularly and recently had a look inside and can't see any rubbing of the tyre on the suspension components.

Yeah, just the normal m sport suspension.
I wanted to get spacers but everyone keeps telling me they are illegal, they aren't safe and I wouldn't have a clue where to install them etc

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by thezone135i

Ive been running these spacers for a couple of years now and no issues whatsoever. They are perfectly safe, people have been tracking with spacers since the 80's. Ive got stock rims and they push the wheels out to a perfect stance imo no rubbing but I did have to roll one rear guard just a touch.

These are the best ones to get.
http://www.burgertuning.com/BMW_wheel_spacers.html

The only time your going to attract unwanted attention is if your driving like a d*&ckhead or if the wheels stick out to far.

Thanks for the link! Yeah I spoke to a few tyre guys and they were like it is illegal but people still use them a lot, just got to be careful how much you space it out!
maybe 5mm spacers will do the trick, at least it separates it a little from the strut haha

[flinchy]

8.5+45 will rub on the tube of a coilover, highest you can go is +42-43 (or a thin spacer on 45)

last shop i went to refused to put my 2mm spacer back on, and completely mangled the inside lip of the tyre/scuffed up the strut. assholes.

stock suspension, 8.5+45 is perfectly fine. had 225's on it zero issues until they were bald.

weird that you had a shop say 215 on an 8.5 was too hard... terrible shop - would you believe that 205 on a 10" is legal? well.. it is. hell if i know why.

[B135i-e82]

Originally Posted by flinchy

8.5+45 will rub on the tube of a coilover, highest you can go is +42-43 (or a thin spacer on 45)

last shop i went to refused to put my 2mm spacer back on, and completely mangled the inside lip of the tyre/scuffed up the strut. assholes.

stock suspension, 8.5+45 is perfectly fine. had 225's on it zero issues until they were bald.

weird that you had a shop say 215 on an 8.5 was too hard... terrible shop - would you believe that 205 on a 10" is legal? well.. it is. hell if i know why.

Yeah they huffed and puffed about it so much!

So you think with my stock msport suspension with my 8.5 ET45 will be ok, even though its real close to the strut and it won't rub?
Was thinking of getting coilovers awhile ago but now might just stay on stock suspension if that's the case haha

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by B135i-e82

Yeah they huffed and puffed about it so much!

So you think with my stock msport suspension with my 8.5 ET45 will be ok, even though its real close to the strut and it won't rub?
Was thinking of getting coilovers awhile ago but now might just stay on stock suspension if that's the case haha

yep, stock msport with 8.5+45 and 225's I never had an issue with in 30,000km odd.