[e90ca]

I have a 2011 335i m-sport with the stock suspension and the car is not lowered, but I am now getting tire rubbing when turning steering wheel to both left and right when making a turn. I have 18x8.5" ET38 Apex Arc-8 wheels with a 12MM spacer and with the default stock 225/40/18 Falken Pro G4 tires. Its strange because I've had the spacer on for at least a week and it was not rubbing, but now it is and car is not even lowered, so I'm surprised its happening.

Does anyone know why this is happening or what is causing it?
Is 12MM spacer in the front too much?

[Camman]

You're probably hitting the fender liner. It only happens on turns? Doesn't happen on bumps?

I added 12mm front and 15mm back with my 161's and I rubbed the linger on big bumps but I had the liner cut and fenders rolled and I'm not rubbing anymore.

[e90ca]

Originally Posted by Camman

You're probably hitting the fender liner. It only happens on turns? Doesn't happen on bumps?

I added 12mm front and 15mm back with my 161's and I rubbed the linger on big bumps but I had the liner cut and fenders rolled and I'm not rubbing anymore.

Yes, I'm only getting the rubbing sound when making left or right turns.
Not hearing it when going over small or big bumps. I think the fenders are already rolled too. Last night I turned steering wheel all the way to the right then put my hand inside fender well to feel how far the tire is, and it felt like it is very close and probably rubbing the liner, but I'm not sure. I'll take it into the shop in a few days to see what it is.

[e90ca]

This morning when I had to brake hard to stop at a red light, I also hear the tires rubbing now.

Could it be because of the 12mm spacer I added? This never happened before putting them on.

[Fundguy1]

Yes. You're probably too far out. Get fatter tires and loose the spacer. You're 7 mm out further than me and I'm borderline. You should go to 235s instead no spacer.

[e90ca]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Yes. You're probably too far out. Get fatter tires and loose the spacer. You're 7 mm out further than me and I'm borderline. You should go to 235s instead no spacer.

Thanks for the reply!

Would I be ok if the car was lowered? I'll take the spacers out this week and wait til I need new front tires and get them in 235's.

Can I use these 12mm spacers in the rear? Or maybe not because it will look funny if rear wheels sticking out too much lol

[Fundguy1]

I have:
-Breyton Race CS rims 19x8.5 et.30 front, 19x9.5 et.35 rear
-Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires 235/35-19 front, 275/30-19 rear. I'm lowered 1" fron, 1/2" rear. No issues.

[Fundguy1]

Adding it up, you have 8 mm more offset on the wheels, plus 12mm more on the spacers, minus 5mm tire width. Net you're 15mm out more than me front. Way too much. Without the spacer you're still 3mm more. I'm borderline but OK. Loose the spacers.

[Stream]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Adding it up, you have 8 mm more offset on the wheels, plus 12mm more on the spacers, minus 5mm tire width. Net you're 15mm out more than me front. Way too much. Without the spacer you're still 3mm more. I'm borderline but OK. Loose the spacers.

Your calculation is wrong.
Poke in comparison with your setup is:
-8mm (rim offset) + 12mm (spacer) - 5mm (tire) = -1mm. So offset is the same as yours.

[e90ca]

I just checked front right fender liner and it feels loose and it looks like tire is hitting that vent piece.

Left side I don't see any vent tho, is it missing on that side?

[e90ca]

New Update:

I stopped by my friend's shop and had him check out my issue. Had him ride along with me while i made some right and left turns and no noise occurred and everything sounded fine he said. He could not see any tire rubbing marks on the inside fender liner at all and said everything looks fine. He did notice the fender liner was already cut, probably the previous owner did it to accomodate larger wheels and wider tires. He didn't think the issue was with the spacers, but I had him remove it for now so I can be sure and have a piece of mind.

Turns out the noise issue is still happening even without the spacers!! I found out the noise only happens when I am making right or left turns when coming down a hill and slowly turning to make the turns. It doesn't happen during flat driving surfaces. I also hear it when i'm going up a hill and making a right turn or a u-turn of some sort.

Anyone ever have this happen or know what the issue could be?
Could it be the power steering pump or issue with steering?

[e90ca]

Found out that this issue that I'm having has nothing to do with my wheels, front spacers, or tires, and the issue is coming from the steering wheel mechanism or column. I will have to bring it in the shop to get it checked out.

Mods please close this thread.

[udm328i]

Originally Posted by e90ca

Found out that this issue that I'm having has nothing to do with my wheels, front spacers, or tires, and the issue is coming from the steering wheel mechanism or column. I will have to bring it in the shop to get it checked out.

Mods please close this thread.

Op, before you go to shop check this vid, is this your issue?

[e90ca]

Yes, I am actually having this same exact issue as seen in the video.

But the other issue I'm having, at first I had thought it was my front tires were rubbing on the fender liner because of my added 12mm spacer, that actually was not the issue and spacers and tires were fine.

It turned out that my power steering reservoir was completely empty and that was causing my steering wheel to vibrate and make a odd sound which it sounded like tire rubbing. I have refilled the reservoir and the "noise" is gone now and so far its still fine after a few days of driving. sorry for the confusion in this post.