Correct tyre size for 9" wide rims?

[E30Adam]

Anyone know?

My rears have 205's stretched on them from the previous owner and I'd like to get some wider tyres for them because I think they're just a bit too stretched.

What's the correct size? I'm getting new rear arches so can get them flared if there's any chance of rubbing. I was thinking 235 or 245

[Ant]

225/45 Adam, will keep a slight stretch but no worries with rubbing and much safer than the 205s,

[nadz325i]

225 like ant said, im running 215 40 all round and on standard 'sport' height the 9j still rub at back with standard arches, they are now rolled and no rubbing issues now, this is wid 10mm spacers. u need spacers at the back or your wheels will lock with the caliper and not move at all. same as front if running 9j. 7j u if ofset is et20 u need at least 5mm to clear that caliper again.

also tip on the spacers make sure there hubcentric for the 9j other wise they will not sit on the hub, literally fall off lol.

u gettin new rear arches? is this the whole 1/4 panel or just the arch bit? where from and price? can pm if u dont wanna say.

HTH.

[E30Adam]

Cheers lads, 225's it is then!

The rears are on the car now and I have no worries with needing spacers at all, the offset is correct it's just the arches I'll have to worry about.

Nadz... the arches I'm getting are just stock replacements, I don't think it's the whole 1\4 pannel that they change. Mine are showing signs of rust so when they fit them I'll get them to modify them.

I think there's a flared arch available but I haven't got a clue where to get it from. This would look cool and solve any potential rubbing issues.

[nadz325i]

flared arches suit the e30 soo much, they look really good,

i got slight bubble on the rear arch to ( one two spots/dots) will get it rubbed down to max, fill and prime and rust deterent(sp?) and then a top notch spray jobbie, before all that must roll them moree, get them ready for a drop..

[bottlecapE30]

in the states you can get wheel arches from bmpdesign.com

[BadDave]

Adam.If I remeber correctly,you'll find that the 225's are better suited to an 8" rim (7 1/2" -8 1/2" recommended rim width).
245's are for 8" - 9" wide rims
Have a chat with some tyre fitters(not your usual high street cowboys) but some one who actually knows what there speaking about.
Failing that,contact the main tyre distributer or importer for the tyre brands you intend fiting and get them to look up the technical info regarding reccommended rim widths for the tyre sizes your planning on fitting.

[Simon13]

my dads e46 325i has the 18inch MV's they are 8j front 225 and 9j rear and 255

[AndyTouring]

I agree with BadDave, you should have 245 at least. Stretching the tyre too much reduces the sidewall flex to the point where you may as well have crossplys on. I have 255/40 on 9" rims on the rear of my 635 & they sit nicely on the rim.

I would also question the need for rims that wide on a car of the E30s weight. You're spreading the contact pressure over quite a large area. Might look good & work well under specific conditions ie. a dry racetrack but on a bumpy, wet road it will be a different matter.

[E30Adam]

I think 245's are the way to go but now that my car's up and running again, I took it for a spin with the new wheels on and they scrub with the 205's. I'm definately going to need some serious mod work on the rear arches to allow them to take the correct width tyres.

I wonder if I can order some more flared arches for the bodyshop to fit for me.

[Ant]

Adam does that mean you'll have a spare pair of 205/50 16s soon then M8 ?

[Simon13]

i bet your fuel consumption will drop with those 9j's. It drops on my car with the 8j alpinas on the back enough for me to notice anyway!

[E30Adam]

Adam does that mean you'll have a spare pair of 205/50 16s soon then M8 ?

Sure will mate although they aren't really much good, the insides are scrubbed out and the outsides have gouges from the arches. You can have them if you want though.

[Turbo-Brown]

Just to throw some more numbers in:

I've got 205 sections on my 7J17 rims and 245 sections on my 9.5J17 rims which were the sizes recommended by the wheel manufacturers