Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Wheel Gap

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Post Reply
User avatar
thanatu55
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1452
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm

Wheel Gap

Post by thanatu55 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 6:31 pm

I'm really happy with the new wheels and I think I'll be even happier after I've converted front and rear to bigger brakes, the only niggling issue is the amount of wheel gap I notice on the rear. The front is fine I'm happy enough, I'd just rather the back filled the arches a bit more.

One obstacle I have if I were to lower it is that my front diffuser is already low and I wouldn't want to remove it. It's part of the car's identity, but it is already an issue when it comes to speed bumps etc. What I have noticed moving from 18" wheels to 19" it 'feels' like I'm sat noticeably higher, maybe it's a placebo but it's there so maybe there's a little wiggle room there.

So do I have any options? As I said, it's only really the back that's an issue. I expect it's highly unlikely but can you lower just the rear? Or lower it more than the front?

It maybe that there's nothing I can do but you never know if you don't ask. I love the wheels anyway and I'm happy, I just think I could be happier.

Just to show what I mean here is a side view of the car:

Image
Image

Scooba_Steve
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5277
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: NW London

Wheel Gap

Post by Scooba_Steve » Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:21 pm

Are you sure you're on the right springs at the back?
3.0si Sport: F10 Illuminated ZHP, Retrofit Cruise, OE Stubby, Gaptech RCH+, Kenwood BT73DAB + Handsfree, HIDs, LED Sidelights, OE LED Number Plate Lights, Custom LED strip bootlight.

User avatar
Steve84N
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1828
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:00 pm

Wheel Gap

Post by Steve84N » Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:21 pm

Looks like someone replaced M Sport springs on the rear with standard which is 10mm higher and that would explain it.

Do you have any side pictures from before?

Ditto! :lol:
C63 AMG Estate 6208cc

User avatar
philbo909
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1072
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 4:46 pm
Location: SN8

Wheel Gap

Post by philbo909 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:35 pm

As above, looks like an SE gap at the back, but not the front so maybe just replace with MSport coils at the back
Sapphire black z4 coupe 135,000miles young

User avatar
thanatu55
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1452
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm

Wheel Gap

Post by thanatu55 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:36 pm

I don't know about the springs, it's on whatever I bought it on. It hasn't changed springs between wheel change but this is how it looked on 18's:

Image
Image
Image

Online
User avatar
Beedub
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 10973
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 2:25 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield

Wheel Gap

Post by Beedub » Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:49 pm

doesnt look right tbh....
www.topwrapz.com - Multi Award Winning - Detailing | Vinyl Wrap | Paint Protection Film Specialists |

User avatar
thanatu55
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1452
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm

Wheel Gap

Post by thanatu55 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:54 pm

Could it be that it still needs to sit right after being jacked up to put the wheels on? Then again there's a fair gap beforehand on 18's
Image

User avatar
thanatu55
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1452
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm

Wheel Gap

Post by thanatu55 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:01 pm

I was tempted by some 30mm lowering springs in the buy / sell section but that would be WAY too low for the front... I just want to bring the back down :?
Image

User avatar
mr wilks
Legend
Legend
Posts: 21894
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:02 pm
Location: Lancashire

Wheel Gap

Post by mr wilks » Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:19 pm

What tyre size on the 18s & on the 19s ? Are the Mv2s genuine or reps as the offsets are different ?
Handbrake applied under load can also give the effect you are showing
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
5 Si coupes
5 Si roadsters
997 C4
TTRS
F82 M4
MK7 Golf Gti
current Bmw 6 Gran Turismo

User avatar
thanatu55
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1452
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm

Wheel Gap

Post by thanatu55 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:36 pm

mr wilks wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:19 pm What tyre size on the 18s & on the 19s ? Are the Mv2s genuine or reps as the offsets are different ?
Handbrake applied under load can also give the effect you are showing
Tyre sizes on the 19's are 245-35-19 on the front (which I know is too big), and 275/30/19 on the back. The MV2s are genuine but I dont know what the tyre size is as I don't have them to hand, but I'd imagine they'd be 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 as standard.

Load would be the same as there's nobody and nothing in the car in both shots and both are on a flat road. I couldn't say how much I'd applied the handbrake in either.

However it's not really the difference between the photo's that I had an issue with but more so about whether or not I have any options to reduce tyre gap considering the front is already so low and I don't want to remove the front diffuser.
Image

User avatar
Steve84N
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1828
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:00 pm

Wheel Gap

Post by Steve84N » Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:48 pm

A car will sit high after jacking but will return to normal once you move it a few metres.

Does appear that you are on the wrong rear springs. They commonly break and the standard springs are sold more widely so people make a mistake when they replace them.

Get some Suplex 6231 springs on the back and it'll be like the front.
C63 AMG Estate 6208cc

User avatar
thanatu55
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1452
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 4:50 pm

Wheel Gap

Post by thanatu55 » Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:03 pm

Steve84N wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:48 pm A car will sit high after jacking but will return to normal once you move it a few metres.

Does appear that you are on the wrong rear springs. They commonly break and the standard springs are sold more widely so people make a mistake when they replace them.

Get some Suplex 6231 springs on the back and it'll be like the front.
Thanks I'll have a look for some.
Image

Post Reply