New Z4 owner. Front wheels rubbing problem

[ChrisZ4]

Hi all, just bought an 07 3.0si roadster with 19" CSL style alloys. They seem to be rubbing the front arch linings when going over bumps. I think the car is lowered, it appears to have Eibach springs at the back and presumably the front.

I've probably read every single post regarding 19's and rubbing so have an idea of why it happens. First I guess I need to know the dimensions for the alloys (offset etc). How do I find that out? Is it something that will be on the back of the wheels?

Secondly it's running 235/35 tyres on the front. It seems that 225s are the preferred size for these size of wheels to prevent rubbing- is that right? I don't want to go for the stretched tyre route so I guess I need to know what the wheels I have are first in case it's the wrong offset/alloy width thats the issue.

I've taken a few pics- can anyone give any advice on tyres or identify the wheels I have as a start? I know the bumper clips are broken in the corners so I'll be replacing them which ought to help slightly.
Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[ben g]

They're most likely 19x8.5''. The offset will be on the inside of the alloy. It'll say ET followed by 2 numbers.

I have 19's on the front of mine and had to go to a 225/35 tyre to stop the rubbing, as it's also lowered.

The most common place for it to rub is on the outer edge of the lining, near where that bumper clip attaches to it.

 

[JaEdBa]

they are similar but not CSLs, someone will know the name..

I have 225s on mine, not stretched however they are a better fit than 235s. I rubbed initially as it was lowered but have subsequently returned the front to sport height, which, imo, gives the car a more balanced look. the eibachs were a lot lower at the front, they had settled as I originally replaced them with new eibachs and they were a better height, however I work for a company that has several factories and the aggressive speed bumps found at factories meant I wasn't getting in the car parks, so decided to return the front to standard sport height.

looks like your bumper could do with refitting with some new clips, as it has dropped. depending on the quality and tread depth of your front tyres I would possibly consider new arch liners, clips and front springs, probably about £350 inc labour to refit the bumper, front springs and buy the parts but you will get a more definite solution.

 

[mr wilks]

They look like ZCW "Raves" but i didn't think they did them in 19inch for BMW :?
Had some on my A6 for a while

You need to take a front off & look for the magic numbers , a small spacer may cure the problem if offset is too high

 

[ChrisZ4]

Thanks all, I'll have a look on the back of the wheel. Need a low entry jack! They have rubbed exactly where you said BenG. Mr Wilks- if I add a spacer won't that make the rubbing worse?
Q. Will a 225 tyre be okay on an 8.5 rim?

Is there any way to know what the rim width is without taking the tyre off and measuring the distance between the beads?

JaEdBa- thanks for the info re. springs etc. I know the rims aren't CSL reps-am I right that CSLs are 8 spoke pairs? I think I can salvage the arch liners but agree it needs new clips and refitting. Quite happy doing that myself having read the guides here-just need some of those £25 a side clips ( )and the push rivets for the arch liner?
Tempted to try the 225 tyres before I look at changing springs-it's only going to be a weekend car, but useful to know it's possible to mix and match.

 

[MHZ4C]

Hi Chris,

They look like VMR v710 to me. Or maybe Ispiri ISR1. Or maybe something different that I haven't seen yet, plenty I haven't. Lovely wheel either way. I'm looking for some very similar, and US import plus taxes is steep for VMRs at the mo, so lucky you if they're VMRs.

There could be a stamp on them, for example x.xj, like 9.5j. It's the width in inches.

Sounds like the offset may be too low. Spacers will push the wheel closer to the outer edge of the arch. Where is it rubbing? Outer edge of arch or inner, or both?
OEM on my coupe is ET50 (the face of the alloy that mates with the disc hub is +50 mm out from the Center of the wheel. So if your alloys are lower offset, say ET 35, then the mating face is only 35 mm from the center of the wheel, effectively pushing the outer face of the alloy 15 mm further towards the outer edge of the wheel arch.

You can measure offset, by measuring the distance from the inner edge of the alloy (that mates to the wheel hub) to the inner edge of the alloy rim. Then subtract half the overall width of the alloy. The remaining number is the offset. Google wheel off set and there's a lot of info. I'm still learning while trying to replace my 108s with OEM offset (or close to it) VMR v710.

The rim looks like it will take a more stretched tyre, although with a lot less rim protection. I reckon you'll get it sorted. Lovely rims mate.

 

[ChrisZ4]

Hi Chris,

They look like VMR v710 to me. Or maybe Ispiri ISR1. Or maybe something different that I haven't seen yet, plenty I haven't. Lovely wheel either way. I'm looking for some very similar, and US import plus taxes is steep for VMRs at the mo, so lucky you if they're VMRs.

There could be a stamp on them, for example x.xj, like 9.5j. It's the width in inches.

Sounds like the offset may be too low. Spacers will push the wheel closer to the outer edge of the arch. Where is it rubbing? Outer edge of arch or inner, or both?

It's only rubbing on the outer front edge, directly behind the indicator/bumper join.

I've read it's possible to increase the offset by milling a few mm from the rear hub face on the wheel? It's worse on the drivers side, so wonder if the tracking is out-could that cause it?

OEM on my coupe is ET50 (the face of the alloy that mates with the disc hub is +50 mm out from the Center of the wheel. So if your alloys are lower offset, say ET 35, then the mating face is only 35 mm from the center of the wheel, effectively pushing the outer face of the alloy 15 mm further towards the outer edge of the wheel arch.

You can measure offset, by measuring the distance from the inner edge of the alloy (that mates to the wheel hub) to the inner edge of the alloy rim. Then subtract half the overall width of the alloy. The remaining number is the offset. Google wheel off set and there's a lot of info. I'm still learning while trying to replace my 108s with OEM offset (or close to it) VMR v710.

The rim looks like it will take a more stretched tyre, although with a lot less rim protection. I reckon you'll get it sorted. Lovely rims mate.

Good to know-there's not a lot of protection as it stands anyway! And as an aside, thanks all for the friendly welcome, you have a really great community here-looking forward to being a part of it

 

[ChrisZ4]

Been looking at pictures of vmr 710's and I'm pretty sure they're what I've got. Is there a sure fire way of telling?

 

[ChrisZ4]

Also can anyone running 225/35/19 on an 8.5j rim post up pictures of their wheel/tyres and give any recommendations for tires that fit well? Many thanks

 

[jan_tekin]

Looks like aquazi old car, His was lowered on had Eibach and had VMRs.

 

[ChrisZ4]

I thought that,but I think his was an 08 and mine is a 57 plate. Otherwise they 're super similar

 

[ChrisZ4]

It is in fact the same car, bit of a coincidence!

 

[srhutch]

Looking at the second pic it's also damaged the bumper cover bracket.

 

[ChrisZ4]

Ive swapped a few messages with AquazI, who's car this was, and it sounds like fixing the bumper clips will solve the rubbing. Result!

 

[Bing]

I'm not sure it will to be honest, though it will help pull things a few mm away from the tyre. I'd have though using 225 tyres instead of 235 would have more of a positive effect, if the wheels will take them without stretching the tyres.

That said, you will always get rubbing there on Eibachs with a low offset wheel. I got it on 108s (18s) with 15mm spacers on Eibachs, that sayer the wheels just where yours are.

 

[ChrisZ4]

Fair enough mate, but I can only go off what Aquazi told me, which was that he didn't suffer with any rubbing when the clips weren't broken. They need fixing regardless and its the cheapest thing to try so I'll do that first. If it still rubs then I'll look into fitting 225's. If anyone who has 225s on a 19 inch rim could get me a picture I'd be very grateful, I really want to avoid it looking stretched if I do go down that route.

 

[Terryvision]

I have 225 front on 19's and they do not look stretched! I have 19x8 front rims, can do a photo if wanted?

 

[JaEdBa]

these were all pre front spring replacement...

I didn't want to admit defeat on the eibachs, so replaced fronts with new eibachs to start with, think it went up about 4-5mm, but in the end the sheer irritation of not knowing whether my car would make it over a speed bump or not made me replace with oem sport springs. if you check out the side profile on eibachs it does appear lower at the front anyway, standard springs sorts this out. Looks better lowered but sheer practicality meant I swapped.

chances are you will be ok if you sort the bumper clips out, that is where mine was rubbing, with a hole worn in the liner.

eta - apologies the pictures are a few years old - I grew up in the generation where the man with the camera was viewed with distrust....so I'm not big on photos! :roll:

 

[ChrisZ4]

I have 225 front on 19's and they do not look stretched! I have 19x8 front rims, can do a photo if wanted?

Yes please mate, thank you.

these were all pre front spring replacement...

I didn't want to admit defeat on the eibachs, so replaced fronts with new eibachs to start with, think it went up about 4-5mm, but in the end the sheer irritation of not knowing whether my car would make it over a speed bump or not made me replace with oem sport springs. if you check out the side profile on eibachs it does appear lower at the front anyway, standard springs sorts this out. Looks better lowered but sheer practicality meant I swapped.

chances are you will be ok if you sort the bumper clips out, that is where mine was rubbing, with a hole worn in the liner.

eta - apologies the pictures are a few years old - I grew up in the generation where the man with the camera was viewed with distrust....so I'm not big on photos! :roll:

Lovely car mate! Fingers crossed that sorting the clips will sort the issues I'm having at the moment then I can relax. Car is perfect other than this one little issue.

 

[ben g]

225/35/19 on 19x8.5'' wheel. You can see it's stretched, but not too much.





Honestly, this is the only way you're gonna sort the rubbing issue. The bumper bracket won't make a huge difference and i've been there and done everything you've said regarding your problem and this is the only way to sort it, short of swapping the springs for standard ones.