Do 225/45/18's really rub?

[yup24z]

On stock suspension....anyone ever hear of this size tire rubbing? Really dont want to go to a smaller diameter tire with a 225/40. Any help would be great.

[Haltech]

It's kind of hard pressed to believe if you have either a 48 or 52mm offset wheel. Im going to try to stuff the widest tire i can with coilovers. Ill see what the tire store has in store for me when the car gets it alignment after i install the coilovers.

[NYpest]

I'm lowered 1.5" with 225/45 no rubbing with + 50 rx8s or +48ssr

[TarmacMS3]

I've been doing a lot of research for the wheel/tire set up I wanna run but have come up with nothing. Seems like folks with these cars run super safe with wheel and tire combos. I'd like to try a wheel in the range of 8.5"-9" with a 245/40 tire. I think fender rolling may be in the cards.

Any thoughts?

[yup24z]

Originally Posted by NYpest I'm lowered 1.5" with 225/45 no rubbing with + 50 rx8s or +48ssr

What's the offset of the stock rims? Do you know?

[Haltech]

Originally Posted by TarmacMS3 I've been doing a lot of research for the wheel/tire set up I wanna run but have come up with nothing. Seems like folks with these cars run super safe with wheel and tire combos. I'd like to try a wheel in the range of 8.5"-9" with a 245/40 tire. I think fender rolling may be in the cards. Any thoughts?

8.5 do fit but with a 52mm offset and that gives you VERY LITTLE clearance on the strut. If you go coilover, you're screwed with that offset because every Coilover setup varies with regards to strut variation.

I went safe, 18X8 48mm. Im still rolling my fenders when it goes in for alignment. I would like to see someone make a fender extension. You could have to cut into the fenders a bit, but the wheel possibilities would be endless.

[Haltech]

Originally Posted by yup24z What's the offset of the stock rims? Do you know?

i believe they are 45mm

[TarmacMS3]

Originally Posted by Haltech 8.5 do fit but with a 52mm offset and that gives you VERY LITTLE clearance on the strut. If you go coilover, you're screwed with that offset because every Coilover setup varies with regards to strut variation. I went safe, 18X8 48mm. Im still rolling my fenders when it goes in for alignment. I would like to see someone make a fender extension. You could have to cut into the fenders a bit, but the wheel possibilities would be endless.

Hmmm, fender extensin wouldn't look bad, IF it was tasteful. I'm not really big on body mods though. May have to go back to the drawing board on this wheel/tire issue.

FYI, I'm looking at Volk CE28 or Advan RS.

[Haltech]

Originally Posted by TarmacMS3 Hmmm, fender extensin wouldn't look bad, IF it was tasteful. I'm not really big on body mods though. May have to go back to the drawing board on this wheel/tire issue. FYI, I'm looking at Volk CE28 or Advan RS.

i almost dropped $3K on Volks until they didnt offer the offset i needed. Than i realized, its not worth it.

[aaronc7]

stock is +53 I'm pretty sure

[Haltech]

Originally Posted by aaronc7 stock is +53 I'm pretty sure

No way! for a 7.5 inch wheel?

[Jesse MS3GT]

its 52.5 says so on mazdas website

[Haltech]

If thats the case, why are aftermarket wheel companies only offering +45mm offset on 7.5 wheels?

[aaronc7]

I think stock is 18x7 +53 (52.5)..my wheels are 18x7.5 +45

[Haltech]

Well shit, that would explain it i guess. I keep thinking they are 7 inch stock.

[NYpest]

Originally Posted by yup24z What's the offset of the stock rims? Do you know?

yes +52

Originally Posted by TarmacMS3 Hmmm, fender extensin wouldn't look bad, IF it was tasteful. I'm not really big on body mods though. May have to go back to the drawing board on this wheel/tire issue. FYI, I'm looking at Volk CE28 or Advan RS.

What would be perfect would be the volk re30 in 18x8.5 with a 52mm offset. would be goregeous.

[gsrtype1]

i run 235/40/18s no rubbing at all

[aaronc7]

Do you have any good pics of 235/40s on stock wheels. Curious if there's any sidewall bulge etc

[TRU-BOOST]

Originally Posted by Young Roids What would be perfect would be the volk re30 in 18x8.5 with a 52mm offset. would be goregeous.

would never fit. stock is 7" with 52.5 offset. you cant run a rim that is 1.5" wider and keep the same offset. you would need liek a 40 offset with 8.5" rims

[jlarson1983]

we just installed 225/45/18 on a stock speed and no rubbing

[Nliiitend1]

Rubbing depends of course not only tire size, but also on wheel offset and width, as has been mentioned.

Even taking all of that into account, you must also remember that not all "225" section width tires are really the same width. There is quite a bit of variation among brands/models.

I'm sure that most 225/45s will fit on stock MS3 wheels with stock suspension with no worries. It's when you start messing with different parts of the equation that you might run into problems.

[kneedragger241]

Just my guess here, but it seems like most of the offsets offered in aftermarket wheels work perfectly for the Honderr crowd. *shrug*

Originally Posted by TRU-BOOST would never fit. stock is 7" with 52.5 offset. you cant run a rim that is 1.5" wider and keep the same offset. you would need liek a 40 offset with 8.5" rims

There is a dude on 24/7 with a set of 18x8.5 53mm offset. It fits on stock suspention but it is very close fit on the inside where the wheel clears the strut. I consider his setup the ultimate wheel setup I have seen on the MS3 to date. He would only be out done by some re30s in 8.5 width.

[AutoXRacer]

I want to run 235/40 on my RX-8 wheels...but all this talk on various forums about rubbing has got me going crazy!!!!

The stock 225/45 on the RX-8 are too narrow since the side walls taper in...
I was hoping the 235s would give a nice square fit. I will be buying Kumho MXs or Falken Azenis, and I know they run wider than all the other brands. So, I'm wondering if the 225 in a MX or Azenis tire will square off or the 235 be too wide and cause rubbing.

I just don't understand why there is so much variances within the stock setup of this car with rubbing issues; some don't rub, others do...??????

[Nliiitend1]

It's like that with every car, in my experience. Unfortunately when you're working as close to the edge as we're trying to with these cars, you sometimes have to just try it for yourself. Equally unfortunate is that it can cost a lot to find the right setup by the time you're all said and done...

[Crossbow]

Where exactly are the rubs occuring? The rear fender lip? On the front struts? If its just the rears, couldn't you just roll the rear lip?

[Haltech]

Rear lips.. Im rolling mine when i do the alignment.. Im going for 235's myself before summer.

[Crossbow]

Ah ok. That's an easy enough fix. Want me to see if tireswap is still renting out his roller? Maybe you could get a bunch of CA guys together and do a rear fender rolling meet. Would pay for the rental!

If you're interested, I'll send you a pm with his email. The cost is 75 dollars with/heat gun, and a 300 deposit.

Same one as in this How-To Article I did back in 2004.
Mazda6Tech - Fender Rolling: A Photographic Journey

[AutoXRacer]

Originally Posted by Crossbow Where exactly are the rubs occuring? The rear fender lip? On the front struts? If its just the rears, couldn't you just roll the rear lip?

I've read front strut and rear lip...

I'd rather not roll my rear quarter...

Hey Haltech, what size wheels are you going with for those 235s...?

[kneedragger241]

I just got some 225/45-18 Potenza S03's and they aren't rubbing anything.
Of course, they are just sitting in my kitchen at the moment hahahaha!

[Anklh]

I had rubbing on the left rear tire with 225/45/18 on my SSR's..that is until I purchased the Tire Rack fender roller. When the SO'3s are gone I am moving up to 245/40's

SSR stats are: 18x8 48 off

[damimgoood]

How did those 225/45 grip ?

[ssspencerjr]

I'm curious about this tire size.

I'm looking at getting the Enkei Raijin's in 18x8 for my car... stock suspension. Stock tires are 215/45 r18. According to TireRack.com those particular wheels cause the rear fenders to need rolling due to the wheels 45mm offset. Does anybody have this setup with stock tire size? Does the sidewall get pulled out and look bad?

And also, is 225/45 a better size for a 18x8 wheel? And would I have proper clearance on my car?

I really want those wheels I just don't know if the 225s are better than the 215s and which size (if any) give proper clearance with that size wheel.

Thanks in advance to whoever can help me out.

[ArmanRus]

I would do 18 x 8 +45 with 235/40 tires. That will put you much closer to the OEM diameter so you're speedo won't be off by much. If it does rub in the rear (I highly doubt it will), it's very easy to do a mild roll on the fenders.

[ssspencerjr]

Originally Posted by ArmanRus I would do 18 x 8 +45 with 235/40 tires. That will put you much closer to the OEM diameter so you're speedo won't be off by much. If it does rub in the rear (I highly doubt it will), it's very easy to do a mild roll on the fenders.

Thanks for the information. How does this affect ride and performance with a narrower sidewall?

[ArmanRus]

Originally Posted by ssspencerjr Thanks for the information. How does this affect ride and performance with a narrower sidewall?

It won't have a narrower sidewall (don't forget that it's a ratio) from a 215/45/18. Well technically it is narrower by 2.8mm, but that's splitting hairs. A 245/40/18 will be much, much closer, but you will might want a wider wheel with a proper offset for that.



Good luck!

[ssspencerjr]

Originally Posted by ArmanRus It won't have a narrower sidewall (don't forget that it's a ratio) from a 215/45/18. Well technically it is narrower by 2.8mm, but that's splitting hairs. A 245/40/18 will be much, much closer, but you will might want a wider wheel with a proper offset for that. Good luck!

Wider than 8 inches?

[ArmanRus]

Yeah. People usually run 18 x 8.5 for 245/40 tires. This is the set-up I have but if you're not willing to do extra work, stick with 18 x 8 and 235/40.

[ssspencerjr]

Thank you. I'll probably do the 235/40 setup It seems to be the max tire for the same overall dimensions per your advice.