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[Biginboca]

I have a pre LCI e92 and am looking to change my front wheels to the Arc8 18x9.0” ET30 Wheel.

Can I run either 245/40 or 255/35 front tire on this wheel? I’ve seen posts saying guys have run the stock rear tire/wheel (8.5” w/255) on the front and it’s worked ok.

I’m running the BMW performance suspension if it matters and don’t think inner strut clearance would be an issue, only fender liner and fender clearance.

[Expert@ApexWheels]

We have many customers running the 18x9" ET30 or ET31 wheels with 255/35-18 tires with no issues. This is a direct fit at stock or lowered ride heights.

245/40-18 is a bit tall, and may scrub the fender liner under full lock turns and/or over bumps, so we'd recommend the 255/35 for the additional width as well as better clearance.

You are correct in that you won't have any strut clearance with that suspension setup, since it is identical (or near enough) to the stock suspension.

Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions!

--Dylan

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by Expert@ApexRaceParts

We have many customers running the 18x9" ET30 or ET31 wheels with 255/35-18 tires with no issues. This is a direct fit at stock or lowered ride heights.

245/40-18 is a bit tall, and may scrub the fender liner under full lock turns and/or over bumps, so we'd recommend the 255/35 for the additional width as well as better clearance.

You are correct in that you won't have any strut clearance with that suspension setup, since it is identical (or near enough) to the stock suspension.

Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions!

--Dylan

That’s great thanks Dylan. So the 18x9 et30 with 255/35 tires could make a good square fitment also, right?

[snedanator]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

That’s great thanks Dylan. So the 18x9 et30 with 255/35 tires could make a good square fitment also, right?

yes... this is a perfect square set up🙂

[boosthead]

Awesome. I was just pondering this last night as I considered putting summer tires on my second set of wheels. 255/35-18 it is!

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by snedanator

yes... this is a perfect square set up🙂

So now that that’s settled, one last question...

For a DD and 3-4 times per year track/Autocross car which set up is better?

Square 255/35?

Or

Staggered 235Fr and 265/275Rr?

There must be some advantage to staggered that I’m missing, BMW wouldn’t choose staggered for no benefit right?

[feuer]

Even 255/35 rubs where fender and bumper meet and on full lock on the inside fender liner and it will tear up the windshield washer fluid hose.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

So now that that’s settled, one last question...

For a DD and 3-4 times per year track/Autocross car which set up is better?

Square 255/35?

Or

Staggered 235Fr and 265/275Rr?

There must be some advantage to staggered that I’m missing, BMW wouldn’t choose staggered for no benefit right?

Staggered for safety. Staggered = Understeer = safe.

Square is unequivocally better for what you want.

[Expert@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

So now that that’s settled, one last question...

For a DD and 3-4 times per year track/Autocross car which set up is better?

Square 255/35?

Or

Staggered 235Fr and 265/275Rr?

There must be some advantage to staggered that I’m missing, BMW wouldn’t choose staggered for no benefit right?

Unless the car is tuned for big power and requires extra traction at the rear, we prefer a square fitment since it allows proper tire rotation and will greatly extend tire life, especially during track use or spirited driving.

BMW (and many other automakers) supply their RWD cars with staggered fitments to help promote understeer to make the car more predictable in emergency situations. The square setup will make the care feel "livelier" and more neutral due to the increased front grip vs. a factory setup, which many enthusiasts prefer for track use and spirited driving. Adding camber plates up front will help increase grip and reduce uneven tire wear even further during cornering.

For staggered tire sizes, we'd recommend 235/40-18 with 18x9" ET30 or ET31 up front and 265/35-18 with 18x9.5" ET35 rear. For LCI sedans and wagons only, a 255/35-18 must be used in the rear to prevent rubbing, unless you have rolled fenders.

Originally Posted by feuer

Even 255/35 rubs where fender and bumper meet and on full lock on the inside fender liner and it will tear up the windshield washer fluid hose.

With the proper offset of ET30-31, we have not heard any reports of this, even on lowered cars. We'd be interested to see some photos or get more information if you've found this to be the case.

--Dylan

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Expert@ApexRaceParts

With the proper offset of ET30-31, we have not heard any reports of this, even on lowered cars. We'd be interested to see some photos or get more information if you've found this to be the case.

--Dylan

That is what I have. PS7 et 31 with 255/35 and above statement is absolutely accurate and I have posted photos few years ago. This weekend I would be installing new tires and will make additional photos.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by feuer

That is what I have. PS7 et 31 with 255/35 and above statement is absolutely accurate and I have posted photos few years ago. This weekend I would be installing new tires and will make additional photos.

There was a thread on here a few years ago that I can’t find now where a guy accidentally installed a factory rear rim and tire on the front and he said it functioned fine on his e92. The set up was 18” x 8.5” ET 37 rim with 255/35 tire, normal factory e92 rear set up. He said he drove it for a while in all scenarios no issues before he noticed the error. He had stock suspension.

So based on that thread and what Apex posted here I have a pair of 255/35 tires ready to mount on my 18 x 8.5” et 33 rims. Going to mount them up in a couple weeks, I want to burn up my current tires at an Autocross next weekend before I mount the new ones.

I’m guessing et from 30-37 should be safe for 255 tires probably the et30 apex recommends is on one end of the safe spectrum and et 37 is the other end.

Maybe there are other factors at play in your rubbing and Apex saying it’s safe. Like what camber are you running and which tire brand?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

There was a thread on here a few years ago that I can’t find now where a guy accidentally installed a factory rear rim and tire on the front and he said it functioned fine on his e92. The set up was 18” x 8.5” ET 37 rim with 255/35 tire, normal factory e92 rear set up. He said he drove it for a while in all scenarios no issues before he noticed the error. He had stock suspension.

So based on that thread and what Apex posted here I have a pair of 255/35 tires ready to mount on my 18 x 8.5” et 33 rims. Going to mount them up in a couple weeks, I want to burn up my current tires at an Autocross next weekend before I mount the new ones.

I’m guessing et from 30-37 should be safe for 255 tires probably the et30 apex recommends is on one end of the safe spectrum and et 37 is the other end.

Maybe there are other factors at play in your rubbing and Apex saying it’s safe. Like what camber are you running and which tire brand?

Sorry, I only know of 18x9et31 with 255/35. As I said it rubs. My friend vasillalov damaged his right fender on aggressive negative camber setting. Just imagine what happens on factory almost 0 camber?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Expert@ApexRaceParts

With the proper offset of ET30-31, we have not heard any reports of this, even on lowered cars. We'd be interested to see some photos or get more information if you've found this to be the case.

--Dylan

Here you go! PS-7 et31 with 255/35. I have had Michelin PSS, Hankook RS3, Federal RSRR, Nankang NS2 and all rub the same. M3 lower arms and -1.5 camber on BMW yellow Performance springs but rubber the same on the factory Sport as well. (yes, that's garden hose! I skinnier than the BMW ribbed plastic hose that got trashed but the tires)

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Maybe there are other factors at play in your rubbing and Apex saying it’s safe. Like what camber are you running and which tire brand?

See above post. If Apex says it’s safe lol I bought them on the same premise! and shared my experience 5 years ago. These are second set of photos I'm posting on this issue. Also, isn't only my car. I track with dozen 335i that run same front rim size and tires and all rub.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by feuer

See above post. If Apex says it’s safe lol I bought them on the same premise! and shared my experience 5 years ago. These are second set of photos I'm posting on this issue. Also, isn't only my car. I track with dozen 335i that run same front rim size and tires and all rub.

Hmm... well I’m now concerned for sure. The tires I’m going to be running are the Hancook Ventus V12. I hear they run smaller and are an easier fit compared to other (as in better... ) tires.

Also my wheels are actually ET45 and I’m running 12.5mm Spacers. So I have the ability to adjust the offset in or out with spacer adjustments to tune the fit although I was pretty confident the ET 32.5 would work before reading your posts in this thread...

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Hmm... well I’m now concerned for sure. The tires I’m going to be running are the Hancook Ventus V12. I hear they run smaller and are an easier fit compared to other (as in better... ) tires.

Also my wheels are actually ET45 and I’m running 12.5mm Spacers. So I have the ability to adjust the offset in or out with spacer adjustments to tune the fit although I was pretty confident the ET 32.5 would work before reading your posts in this thread...

Apex didn't want to exchange these rims. I wish they did. I was going to return them for 50% credit towards different set. They said that only applies if I get the same set. Oh well.. Anyhow, I have tried Apex 18x9 et42 and rim itself rubs on the strut. So that is 100% no go. With 12.5mm spacer (because of the hub flange) rubbing on the fender liner/bumper is greater than with 18x9 et31. 245/40 are 100% no go as well. It will destroy the fender, fender liner and bumper on anything lower than factory Sport. So with your wheels 18x9 et45 I would run 255/35 with 7mm spacer.

[Silent9n54]

i just bought arc8 19x9 et 28 in the front with 245/35/19 and i have no rubbing

you can check pics in arc8 gallery thread

they are poking out a bit past the fender though

stock suspension e92 pre lci

not sure that id want a 255 up front unless its a square setup

[Expert@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by feuer

Here you go! PS-7 et31 with 255/35. I have had Michelin PSS, Hankook RS3, Federal RSRR, Nankang NS2 and all rub the same. M3 lower arms and -1.5 camber on BMW yellow Performance springs but rubber the same on the factory Sport as well. (yes, that's garden hose! I skinnier than the BMW ribbed plastic hose that got trashed but the tires)

Thank you for your feedback feuer. I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you are having. The 18x9" ET30 (or ET31) is a tried and true fitment on the E9X chassis on stock (and some aftermarket) suspensions. However, when you do modify a cars suspension, or run an aggressive compound tire, there may be an impact on fitment. Could you let me know what modifications were done to your suspension? That was we can we can better understand what the issue may be.

----------------------------

Here are a few photo's of a recent customer running our SM-10 18x9" ET30 wheels with 255/35-18 tires all around. He's using Bilstein B12 suspension with M3 control arms and a front anti-roll bar. We have many customers running this fitment without issue, and typically rubbing issues are a result of certain changes to the suspension that change the clearance.







-Matt

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Expert@ApexRaceParts

Thank you for your feedback feuer. I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you are having. The 18x9" ET30 (or ET31) is a tried and true fitment on the E9X chassis on stock (and some aftermarket) suspensions. However, when you do modify a cars suspension, or run an aggressive compound tire, there may be an impact on fitment. Could you let me know what modifications were done to your suspension? That was we can we can better understand what the issue may be.

----------------------------

Here are a few photo's of a recent customer running our SM-10 18x9" ET30 wheels with 255/35-18 tires all around. He's using Bilstein B12 suspension with M3 control arms and a front anti-roll bar. We have many customers running this fitment without issue, and typically rubbing issues are a result of certain changes to the suspension that change the clearance.

Or customers that are posers and p**y foot around town. Give the car some work out and sure enough rubbing will occur. My setup. BMW yellow performance springs, Koni yellow adjustable struts and shocks, M3 control arms, removed pins on strut mounts and M3 sway bar. I have been through a lot of tires and all rub. No exceptions. Federal RSRR although it run wider the shoulder is rounded so rub less compared to others.

[Expert@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by feuer

Or customers that are posers and p**y foot around town. Give the car some work out and sure enough rubbing will occur. My setup. BMW yellow performance springs, Koni yellow adjustable struts and shocks, M3 control arms, removed pins on strut mounts and M3 sway bar. I have been through a lot of tires and all rub. No exceptions. Federal RSRR although it run wider the shoulder is rounded so rub less compared to others.

feuer,

Thank you for the valuable information and feedback. Occasionally we may see rubbing on the fender liner when a car is very low and running an aggressive tire compound. This liner can be trimmed, or will eventually be rubbed away and self-correct. However, this has been rare in our experience, and i'm not exactly sure why your setup would experience that much rubbing. Any modifications to suspension can affect clearances, and I would not be able to give you an accurate answer unless I were to see your exact setup.

We do have many customers running this fitment hard on track and have not had issues with rubbing. Here are few more images of customers running a 9" square fitment. This fitment is tried and true, but changes to the suspension may require some additional work.

18x9" ET30 with 255/35-18:


17x9" ET30 with 255/40-17. Some fender liner trimmer required due to aggressive compound:


17x9" ET30 with 255/35-18:

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Expert@ApexRaceParts

feuer,

Thank you for the valuable information and feedback. Occasionally we may see rubbing on the fender liner when a car is very low and running an aggressive tire compound. This liner can be trimmed, or will eventually be rubbed away and self-correct. However, this has been rare in our experience, and i'm not exactly sure why your setup would experience that much rubbing. Any modifications to suspension can affect clearances, and I would not be able to give you an accurate answer unless I were to see your exact setup.

We do have many customers running this fitment hard on track and have not had issues with rubbing. Here are few more images of customers running a 9" square fitment. This fitment is tried and true, but changes to the suspension may require some additional work.

18x9" ET30 with 255/35-18

I posted photos too. That should be sufficient. Don't you think? 255/35 on 18x9et31/30 rubs.

[Expert@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by feuer

I posted photos too. That should be sufficient. Don't you think? 255/35 on 18x9et31/30 rubs.

As mentioned, your feedback is greatly appreciated We will note that when running your specific suspension setup and tire combo, there may be a risk of rubbing.

However, we just want to make aware that there are many suspension and tire setups that have been proven to be a direct fit on the E9X chassis with the 18x9" ET30/ET31. Rubbing due to inner clearance is extremely rare, and can be caused by a variety of factors.

-Matt