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[natalia]

Ok...wheel/tire newbie here. What is the "strut side" and what is the safest clearance (MORE/LESS in mm) that one could have on an 330i w/ zsp?

I'm looking at these M3 Replicas:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-Bm...21377432QQrdZ1

Now I did the compute and don't really understand the "strut clearance". Also, for you who are more knowledgeable on this subject, if these do end up working with my car, what tire size do you recommend? I'm looking to get some winter tires or All-season.

Thanks.

[HRC]

The strut side just refers to the inside part of the wheel, where it is close to the strut(suspension). I understand there is plenty of room(mm's) going that way, but I don't know at what point it gets too close. I think the biggest tire I have seen on an e90 is 245/35 in front and 275/30 in the back, though most people go 235/35 in front and 265/30 in back.

Danny

[eros613]

Before going to regular performance tires I checked with Tire Rack and a couple of other tire people and they all recommended 235/40 as the largest tire that would fit the front with 17” tires and the OEM offset.
With the 16, 17, and 18 inch wheels there is approximately 12mm of clearance between the tire and the strut with 225/40 tires. When you go to the 19 and 20 inch tires that clearance in reduced because of the spring mounted around the strut.

[natalia]

Originally Posted by eros613

Before going to regular performance tires I checked with Tire Rack and a couple of other tire people and they all recommended 235/40 as the largest tire that would fit the front with 17” tires and the OEM offset.
With the 16, 17, and 18 inch wheels there is approximately 12mm of clearance between the tire and the strut with 225/40 tires. When you go to the 19 and 20 inch tires that clearance in reduced because of the spring mounted around the strut.

Thanks for the info. I'm understanding it a little more now.

[poldim]

I'm about to order a set of 19 x 9.5 +40 wheels with 265/30/18 tires.

Using the tire calculator, I get the following compared to my stock ZSP setup:
16mm LESS clearance on the strut side, and the outside edge of the wheel will EXTEND an extra 10mm

Currently I have 12mm R.E. spacers which if used on my future wheels will yield the following:
4mm LESS clearance on the strut side, and the outside edge of the wheel will EXTEND an extra 22mm




In comparison, if I apply the wheel spacers to the stock wheels (current setup) vs the regular new wheel I get:
28mm LESS clearance on the strut side, and the outside edge of the wheel will RETRACT 2mm






In conclusion, it looks like I will have to run with the spacers in the rear and hope that I wont be rubbing on the outside edge of the tire with the fender well trim.