Hello,

I'm posting this message because all my searching didn't turn up any answers for me. Doesn't mean they're not out there, just means I didn't find them. If someone has a URL to offer I would be glad to see it!

I have an all stock EP3 with FM901s up front right now (215/55/16) and for my next purchase of tires I'm looking at trying something different. I don't really mean different in terms of tire brand/model but rather, tire size and setup. But I'm not sure what to go with.

Oh, and I should mention that my intention is hard driving in the mountains if that makes a difference.

I'd like to do one of three things. (If there are other options, let me know.)

1. Move to a wider tire, maybe 225/45/16 or 225/50/16. I'd immediately do this but I don't know if the tire will rub or fit on the stock ('04) wheel.

2. Continue with 215/55/16 but get some spacers to push the wheels out a little for a wider base. Again, I don't know how much spacer I can put on before the tire will rub.

3. Just buy another set of 215/55/16 and not do anything else. This is the boring option.

What does everyone suggest?


Thanks for your help!
Chris.

 

A factor your not considering is camber. I am running the buddy club coilovers with -4.5 deg neg camber in the front..I have 2 rim setups..17x7.5 48 offset with 215/45 and 15mm spacer, there is literally a TON of room left in the front..

Second setup: 17x8 225/45 45 mm offset Azenis sports, 15mm spacer and still a ton of room..Remeber the neg camber in the front pushes the top of the wheel/tire inside the fender.

If I were you I would go with a wider rim and appropriate wider tire, instead of trying to make your set up wider by putting a wide tire on a narrow rim..225 on a 7'' wide wheel seems like overkill and a lot of sidewall flex.

I think the best size is 16x8, 35 offset, Granted you have the camber

In the rear I only run a 5mm spacer..the wider stance in the front gives me better turn in response.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Halo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If I were you I would go with a wider rim and appropriate wider tire, instead of trying to make your set up wider by putting a wide tire on a narrow rim..225 on a 7'' wide wheel seems like overkill and a lot of sidewall flex.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think you mean, if *I* were you. Because if you were you me that wouldn't be an option due to lack of funds.

My only options are to buy tires and maybe spacers. I might not even have enough to buy a set of 4 tires.

Though I do hear you on the 225 maybe being too wide regardless of whether or not they'll simply because of sidewall flex. So maybe I can just stick with 215 and go with a shorter sidewall. At this point my 215/55's fold during cornering sometimes, so maybe a 45 would help that.

Does anyone else have any input?

Thanks,
Chris.

p.s. Where can I buy spacers anyway?

 

go with a 215/45. but theres really no way you will rub if you are still on stock suspension, ep3s are suvs hahahaha. but anyways i had some 215/45/16 azenis on my car b4 and those things are pretty dam grippy. imo thats the best size... looks great and feels great

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by socalep3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">go with a 215/45. but theres really no way you will rub if you are still on stock suspension, ep3s are suvs hahahaha.</TD></TR></TABLE>

oh yeah i know. absolutely those tires will not rub. but i was concerned with rubbing with a 225 not a 215 (that's what i use now). that's what this whole post is about. will it rub with a 225 without spacers? or alternatively, how much spacer can i add with a 215 before it will rub?

i did a little bit of measuring and i think i can maybe fit 215/45/16 with a 15mm spacer. i think definitely a 5mm would work.

chris.

 

if you get spacers, go with a reputable company, like h&r or eibach. you're going to want to change the wheel studs too.

 

225 most likely wont rub if you have a 16in rim, i had 225/45/17 before and that barely rubbed, and this was with a 2.25 in drop