tire size problem after lowering the car today

[ultimateM3]

Today i have decided to lower my car with the Tein S at exotic motoring with after market rims and tire size 215-50-17. When my car had the stock springs on, once in a while when going over bump or uneven road the rear tire tends to rub against the inside lip on the fender. So me and Alex (the shop owner) were concerning about the tire might actually touch the inside lip once the car is drop. Anyways, when the car got lower a new problem occur.. which is the front tire instead of the rear tire. The rear tire was fine but the front tire was so damn close the fender or the inside black plastic cover. So close that i couldn't even put my pinky thru it the gap. Luckily i have another set of tires at my other friend shop which is 215-45-17. Pick them up and brought it back to Exotic to swap tires. To make this story shorter, at the end it turn out perfect with the 215-45-17. Now just curiousity, these rims the offset is 45, if it was a different offset will I still have the touching problem with 215-50-17?

I hope u guys understand my long thread and not confusing anyone.

[Noisy Crow]

The 215/50R17 is about and inch larger in diameter that 215/45R17. The 215/45 is slighly less than the same as the stock diameter. A higher offset *might* help you get away with 215/50 as that would tuck the tire further under the fender, possibly enough for the rounded edge of the tire to clear the fender by a decent amount.

Also, what width rim are you using? And how much did you drop it? I probably have 2¼"-2½" of clearance between the fender and tire on my un-dropped car.

Wheel size calculator: http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.js

[bluemazda3]

215/50R17 are too large as what Rick said.. im gonna lower mine soon so i wont have any problems

[theurgy]

Yeah stock size is 205/50R17 for the Mazda3, you would have to go 215/45R17 to match that size (or fall within the proper specs).

[Noisy Crow]

Actually, 215/45 is about a ½ inch less in diameter than stock. I accidentally used 225/45 in my above post, as that is what I have on my car. (I fixed the other post)

[Kevin@nextmod]

how wide are your rims? also you can adjust a little bit of camber in the front so you can still run 215 50 17 if you want.

[ultimateM3]

How much low? i forget, i bought these tein S from one of the guy on this forum.

The size of the rim is 17x7.5 and the rubber that came with as a package was 215-50-17. but it was all my fault, all along i want it 215-45 even when i got to the store, but for some reason my mouth said 215-50. I didn't realize i told the guy the wrong size until 1 week after. How f--k--g dumb of me, but it was too late to go back and change the size of tires. So now i have a set of tires which i will sell it. I probably will post it up soon. they are only less than 5 months old.

I just come back from mississauga to scarb riding on 215-45 had no problem at all on rubbing. Extremly satisfiy. But then i forgot the car was lower today, went over a speed bump straight on it instead of going on a angle (but slow) scrap the bottom of my car very hard. Hope what ever was scrap is ok, i will find out tomm during day time.

[drunkmunky]

lol no body answered your question about offset. Now since you're going with a 215 series tire i'm assuming that you're aftermarket rims, or stock rims, range from 7-7.5" in width. Since the rim is a +45 offset, it means that if you run anything OVER +45, ie: +48, then the rims will move INWARDS. If you run rims with a lower offset, ie: +38, then the rims will move OUTWARD. Since you're rims are not significantly wide and you are having issues rubbing on the OUTSIDE, getting rims with a LARGER offset at the samd WIDTH should be fun, you shouldn't have any issues rubbing.

[RX9]

are your tires rubbing? the drop looks fine to me. i remember that you told me the rim is 17*7.5, +47 right? i will recommend you roll the fender, b/c if you want to change to 18" rim, you might get it rub again (with load at the back).

[ultimateM3]

thanks everyone for the info, but now i m good, i check my offset and is 45 running on 215-45-17, rim size 17x7.5. no rub what so ever. Now only concern is the motor might get bottom out again since the last time i lower it.(sad story) Now is lower once again... i guess i dont learn my lesson. Just have to open my eyes and watch the road surface good.

[FLIPDADY]

thanks everyone for the info, but now i m good, i check my offset and is 45 running on 215-45-17, rim size 17x7.5. no rub what so ever. Now only concern is the motor might get bottom out again since the last time i lower it.(sad story) Now is lower once again... i guess i dont learn my lesson. Just have to open my eyes and watch the road surface good.
That's part of driving a lowered car.:chuckle Just drive it carefully and be extra careful.