The Ultimate "Will They Fit" Thread - Everything you need to know about wheels, spacers and tires for your MS

[anthony8488]

Anyone have pics of stock MS3 wheels with 235/35?

Also, if a 15mm is ideal for 205/40 the difference from 205 - 235 (using one of the OP's site links) is 15 mm (0.6'') closer to suspension/brakes components & will stick out 15 mm (0.6'') farther.. So is this 15mm gain the same as what a spacer would be, except the wheel face would not actually move? <-- all refering to a stock ms3 wheel, no drop yet.

[h4bs]

Hey guys,

I own a Gen 1 MS3 on stock suspension. Should 18x7.5 +42 Backspacing: 5.90" roll fine(no fender rolling) Reading your posts it seems fine, just want to make sure. Thanks!

[travis9935]

Originally Posted by h4bs Hey guys, I own a Gen 1 MS3 on stock suspension. Should 18x7.5 +42 Backspacing: 5.90" roll fine(no fender rolling) Reading your posts it seems fine, just want to make sure. Thanks!

You running just the wheels no tires? Size please?

[h4bs]

Originally Posted by travis9935 You running just the wheels no tires? Size please?

Sorry, 225/40

[travis9935]

I run 18X8 +48 225/40 & Cobb 1" lowering springs in the summer, no rolled fenders no issues.

[h4bs]

Originally Posted by travis9935 I run 18X8 +48 225/40 & Cobb 1" lowering springs in the summer, no rolled fenders no issues.

Alright, I should be 100% good to go. Thanks.

[RhoadBlock]

Edited OP to state 16s fit.

Keep the discussion up guys. The thread is doing everything I expected of it. Hopefully less "will these fit" threads have popped up recently.

If anyone notices any misinformation or wants something added to the OP be sure to "mention" me with said information. I don't have time to read thru every post all the time but I will do my best to keep the OP updated/current if mentioned.

[driver311]

Originally Posted by Tomas

I ended up bitching out and getting some 245s and the specs on tire rack were definately off. they listed the 245 actually being .1 wider tread width. So I called them and asked them why they had false info on there. He said I wasnt the first to complain about that exact tire specs. So guess what the very next day they were changed on the website. LOL. So the 255 is definately a touch wider and taller. .30 taller and .25 wider to be exact. The 245s will have to do for now. I also have a set of 245/40/17 starspecs at my house on some 17x9 grids and the contact patch on the spec is the same as the 255/40 hankook and shorter than both the kooks. Crazy that these manufactors do that with the sizes.

Moral of the story is people need to look at the specs and not base their selection of tire size alone. For instance my buddies 235/40/18 v12s are skinnier than my 225/40/18 federals. Shit just blows my mind LOL

[Nliiitend1]

Yup. There are huge width variances between not only the manufacturers, but also amongst different lines produced by even the same manufacturer with "identical specs"... It's a PITA...

[silvapain]

Originally Posted by Nliiitend1 Yup. There are huge width variances between not only the manufacturers, but also amongst different lines produced by even the same manufacturer with "identical specs"... It's a PITA...

Just like tread patterns depend not only on tire model, but on section width. It's a bit of a black art picking the right tire.


Tapadatass

[ChrisG]

Can anyone comment from experience on 235/40 on RX8's, stock suspension? I'm interested in running this setup, but not really looking to roll my fenders. Gen One.

Thanks.

[Nliiitend1]

I ran that setup for a long time using 3 different sets of 235/40s, and never had any rubbing.

[Domino81]

I rubbed on my RX-8 with H&R's and Koni's in the corner by the door. Ran 235/40 BFG gForce Sports.

[dastpe]

Never rubbed on h&r springs with 235/40 on rx8s...

[Domino81]

I didn't until I ran the BFG's.

[ScarMS3]

well im about to go for the 245/40/18 on my rx8s...probably going to borrow a bat from someone once i start rubbing.

[Domino81]

Don't. Street unit rents the tool.

Professional Fender Roller Rental

[ahfunaki]

Originally Posted by Domino81 Don't. Street unit rents the tool. Professional Fender Roller Rental

I did not realize they offered that...awesome!


tapa talked

[exentix]

Originally Posted by hnda etr No rubbing. Edit - had some time to respond better now lol +45 pushes you closer to the fender by 7mm. 7.5" rim adds around 6.3mm per side. On the fender side you would be around 13.3mm closer to the fender than stock. On the strut side you would still be almost 1mm further out (towards fender) than stock. 225 tires adds 5mm per side (compared to stock 215) - so on fender side you'll be about 19.6mm closer than stock - a hair over 3/4 of an inch. On the strut side, you would be about 5.7mm closer to strut than stock... Less than 1/4 of an inch. You will have no problems on the inside side and on the fender side, I'm 90% sure you'll be ok. With my 18x8 +48 I was out a total of around 21.7 mm and I did need to roll the rear slightly. I was also dropped around 1 inch. If you aren't dropped as much as I was, you'll be even better off. The links in the OP to the calculators will give you a visual idea of what the new size will do

just wanted to confirm that they do fit. looks great. pics in the wheels and tire section under white ms3

[ScarMS3]

well, im fine at stock height with the 245/40/18 general's, no rubbing whatsoever, and no road noise, tires feel awesome and have much better grip than my stock kumho all seasons...especially since they were bald.

[G-Man]

Originally Posted by ScarMS3 well, im fine at stock height with the 245/40/18 general's, no rubbing whatsoever, and no road noise, tires feel awesome and have much better grip than my stock kumho all seasons...especially since they were bald.

Read through all this thread desperate for a glimmer of hope - and here it is! But I'm prepared for some disappointment....

Found the wheels I want: 18x9 +38mm offset
and tires: 245/40/18 Conti Extreme Contact

Question is, is this offset too aggressive for the Gen1? Should I go for gold and get them?

I am on stock suspension with no intention of lowering. I am prepared to fender roll. The wife and my 14 month old is all I carry (combined weight of 300 pounds).

Cheers,
G

[travis9935]

Originally Posted by ScarMS3 well, im fine at stock height with the 245/40/18 general's, no rubbing whatsoever, and no road noise, tires feel awesome and have much better grip than my stock kumho all seasons...especially since they were bald.

Which gen? Wheel specs, Pics?

[dastpe]

Originally Posted by G-Man Read through all this thread desperate for a glimmer of hope - and here it is! But I'm prepared for some disappointment.... Found the wheels I want: 18x9 +38mm offset and tires: 245/40/18 Conti Extreme Contact Question is, is this offset too aggressive for the Gen1? Should I go for gold and get them? I am on stock suspension with no intention of lowering. I am prepared to fender roll. The wife and my 14 month old is all I carry (combined weight of 300 pounds). Cheers, G

IMO that is going to look weird not being lowered with that low of an offset. maybe a touch of mexipoke. And you will rub pretty badly over big bumps with a loaded car. The tires will be out past the fenders. why not a different offset? or an 18x8 or 8.5?

[G-Man]

Originally Posted by dastpe IMO that is going to look weird not being lowered with that low of an offset. maybe a touch of mexipoke. And you will rub pretty badly over big bumps with a loaded car. The tires will be out past the fenders. why not a different offset? or an 18x8 or 8.5?

Booo! I just like the wheel - right look and color. The 18x8 have an offset of +30mm which doesn't make that much of a difference (does it?)

[dastpe]

not really...you can always see if someone local has a wheel with similar specs and test fit it on your car. if you go to the aggressive offset page, that last page there is some pics of a 9" wheel with 245s, but lowered on coils.

[ScarMS3]

Originally Posted by travis9935 Which gen? Wheel specs, Pics?

Gen one rx8 wheels and I haven't taken any pictures yet.

[SN95NIK]

I'm looking at a 235/40/18 on 18 x 8.5" +45. GenWon on stock suspension. Anybody that can comment on this setup, would be greatly appreciated. Am I looking at rolling the rear fenders? Thanks,

[Nliiitend1]

Yes. A rear roll is probably going to be needed to keep it from rubbing under conditions of extreme suspension compression.

[ScarMS3]

had a little of that this morning....i need a smily face sipping a cup of tea with his pinky out. anyways i hit a dip in the road and rubbed on the right rear, so i suppose im going to have to do something about that....and was the combined weight of your child and wife 300lbs or is that you as well?

[G-Man]

Originally Posted by ScarMS3 had a little of that this morning....i need a smily face sipping a cup of tea with his pinky out. anyways i hit a dip in the road and rubbed on the right rear, so i suppose im going to have to do something about that....and was the combined weight of your child and wife 300lbs or is that you as well?

That's combined weight of all 3 of us. Both of us are skinny martial-arts types, and the kid is the same lol. Looking forward to seeing pics of your wheels.

I've actually found the same wheel with an offset of 45mm so now I have another question - will these wheel be too close to the interior side?

18x9, 45mm offset
But with 235 tires (not 245s)

Thanks
G

[Deldran]

Originally Posted by ScarMS3 well, im fine at stock height with the 245/40/18 general's, no rubbing whatsoever, and no road noise, tires feel awesome and have much better grip than my stock kumho all seasons...especially since they were bald.

Does this muffin top at all on those wheels? also did you have to roll at all. I have read this whole thread. and im just trying to figure out what is the widest i can go front and back being the same size without having to do a pull. im ok with rolling if need be but would prefer not to. I am also at stock ride height but eventually might lower it an inch.
Pics?

[Biggs]

Bit of a long winded question...

Im about to get 225/45 star specs put on the stock 18x7 wheels... will i have issue with the tire being too wide for the wheel? any potential de-beading of the tire while putting large lateral forces on the wheel/tire? (im headed to the track next month so its on my mind)

to fight this potential issue i was thinking of picking up som 18x8.5 +48 TrMotorsport MT1 wheels... will i have suspension clearing issues with that offset. I plan on still using 225/45s with this wheel so fender clearance probably wont be an issue with me.

Lastly, should i be concerned with HUB BORE... i know ours is 67.1 but im not sure what the bore is on wheels like the MT1 (its a '08-'12 STi wheel so it might be 73?). should i do something about that? hubcentric rings? what type or size?

all this is on stock suspension BTW.

[dastpe]

Originally Posted by Biggs Bit of a long winded question... Im about to get 225/45 star specs put on the stock 18x7 wheels... will i have issue with the tire being too wide for the wheel? any potential de-beading of the tire while putting large lateral forces on the wheel/tire? (im headed to the track next month so its on my mind) to fight this potential issue i was thinking of picking up som 18x8.5 +48 TrMotorsport MT1 wheels... will i have suspension clearing issues with that offset. I plan on still using 225/45s with this wheel so fender clearance probably wont be an issue with me. Lastly, should i be concerned with HUB BORE... i know ours is 67.1 but im not sure what the bore is on wheels like the MT1 (its a '08-'12 STi wheel so it might be 73?). should i do something about that? hubcentric rings? what type or size? all this is on stock suspension BTW.

225/45 will be fine. you may have some minor rubbing problems with the taller sidewall than stock.
on an 8.5" wheel a 225 will stretch and not be the best for your track day. stick to the 18x7. you could go 235/40 on that 8.5...
i thought STI hub bore was 56.1 (someone double check me), so they would not fit your car unless a machine shop bored them out for you.

[74te27]

I have RX8 wheels with 235/40/18 Michelin Pilot Sport on stock height and no rubbing.
Michelin 235 looks more like 245's compare to my Firestone Firehawk's 235's.

[Biggs]

Originally Posted by dastpe 225/45 will be fine. you may have some minor rubbing problems with the taller sidewall than stock. on an 8.5" wheel a 225 will stretch and not be the best for your track day. stick to the 18x7. you could go 235/40 on that 8.5... i thought STI hub bore was 56.1 (someone double check me), so they would not fit your car unless a machine shop bored them out for you.

I just ordered TrMotorsport MT1 wheels.. 18x8.5 +48... its a acura TSX wheel so it has a 79 hub bore, they said they will fit it with a ring to make it fit....

I also bought 5mm spacers in case the 235/40 tire is too close to the suspension... do you guys think thats good enough?

please let me know

[dastpe]

Originally Posted by Biggs I just ordered TrMotorsport MT1 wheels.. 18x8.5 +48... its a acura TSX wheel so it has a 79 hub bore, they said they will fit it with a ring to make it fit.... I also bought 5mm spacers in case the 235/40 tire is too close to the suspension... do you guys think thats good enough? please let me know

yup. youll be good.

[Biggs]

Originally Posted by dastpe yup. youll be good.

wooo hooo!

[Domino81]

I had to roll my fender pretty good with my ST100's (18x8.5 +48). Keep that in mind.

[Biggs]

Originally Posted by Domino81 I had to roll my fender pretty good with my ST100's (18x8.5 +48). Keep that in mind.

rears only or all around... and rolled flat?

im running stock suspension too btw, so maybe i wont have to roll?

[silvapain]

To confirm an earlier comment: STi has a smaller hub bore than the MS3, and any wheel designed to fit that bore would have to be machined out to the MS3 67.1mm bore.


Tapadatass