350i ride height
Discussion
can anyone help with a ride height query - I recently bought a 350i which came with a "selection" of rubber on all four corners which proved to be a very entertaining drive from Cheshire to Nottingham in pouring rain.I have replaced all four tyres which were a collection of 205/60/15 cheapos with Continental 225/60/15. The problem is now that the rear body is rubbing on the tyres. The main question is have I overtyred the car or do I need to fit uprated springs to increase the ride height at the rear or do I need lower profile tyres? Any thoughts appreciated.
many thanks in anticipation
Bill
many thanks in anticipation
Bill
billvet said:
can anyone help with a ride height query - I recently bought a 350i which came with a "selection" of rubber on all four corners which proved to be a very entertaining drive from Cheshire to Nottingham in pouring rain.I have replaced all four tyres which were a collection of 205/60/15 cheapos with Continental 225/60/15. The problem is now that the rear body is rubbing on the tyres. The main question is have I overtyred the car or do I need to fit uprated springs to increase the ride height at the rear or do I need lower profile tyres? Any thoughts appreciated.
many thanks in anticipation
Bill
Do both rear tyres rub? If only one side then check alignment of the body with the chassis. Also check alignment of wheelsmany thanks in anticipation
Bill
Are they original-pattern wheels with the correct offset, would be my first question... and 225/60 would have a higher sidewall than a 205/60 so it is feasible that if the arch clearance was marginal to start with you would get some rubbing.
Wider rubber was introduced with the 390SE that allegedly had uprated springs... whether that's true is open to debate
Wider rubber was introduced with the 390SE that allegedly had uprated springs... whether that's true is open to debate
many thanks for the replies - yes both sides rub and I can physically lift the body to clear the tyres but when I let go it drops to within 1/2" of top of tyre and definitely rubs when moving. The previous tyres did not rub but were rubbish. The wheels are original BHS 7x15 as shown in the Wedge bible. Any idea where I can get uprated springs? I'll also look into increasing body packing.
Again, many thanks for your replies
Bill
Again, many thanks for your replies
Bill
205 to 225 is quite a jump to be honest this is the width of the tyre
The 60 is the profile witch is calculated by the ratio of the width
So 225mm wide And 60% of that being 135mm profile
205 mm wide 60% of that being 123mm profile
So if you look at it that way it is quite a jump the new tyre being 20mm wider and the height of the sidewall being 12mm higher, witch is quite a lot when it comes to ride height
i would put the right tyres on it personally ,
hope this helps ,
Zack
The 60 is the profile witch is calculated by the ratio of the width
So 225mm wide And 60% of that being 135mm profile
205 mm wide 60% of that being 123mm profile
So if you look at it that way it is quite a jump the new tyre being 20mm wider and the height of the sidewall being 12mm higher, witch is quite a lot when it comes to ride height
i would put the right tyres on it personally ,
hope this helps ,
Zack
Several websites for comparison calcs eg http://www.willtheyfit.com/
V8 Fettler said:
Several websites for comparison calcs eg http://www.willtheyfit.com/
So the new tyres are almost an inch taller in overall diameter This has answered a question I was going to ask about maximum possible rolling radius.
I was hoping to over rubber in order to alter the final drive ratio etc.
Going to a 225 on the same profile gives just less than 4% increase.
Speedo would read pessimistic by the same amount.
In answer to the other question some shocks will have collars to adjust the ride height and so clear the wheel arches, Gaz Golds etc.
might end up looking a bit monster truck
I was hoping to over rubber in order to alter the final drive ratio etc.
Going to a 225 on the same profile gives just less than 4% increase.
Speedo would read pessimistic by the same amount.
In answer to the other question some shocks will have collars to adjust the ride height and so clear the wheel arches, Gaz Golds etc.
might end up looking a bit monster truck
There was some experimentation in the early days when the 225/50's were used on the rear of 390's and as a result alot of 350 owners did the same. I tried it for a while, and didn't see any real improved difference and went back to the original 205/60 fitment, which is also cheaper. if the springs are a bit old the wheel arch will buzz the tyre if the car is heavily loaded and at speed into a sharp dip, but would be exacerbated with a 60 profile on a 225 rather than 50.
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