- lowered with NM springs
- 19x8 +45 offset NM wheels

I'm thinking about going 225/45 R19. These will be a Summer only set. However here in Colorado the Spring and Fall can be hit or miss with road damage. I think I want a 45mm sidewall to help protect my wheel investment.

Any concerns here? Thoughts?

 

Most of us with the NM springs and 19" wheels run a 40-series tire that is only 2 to 3% taller than stock.

I don't know if anyone has run a tire as tall as that 45-series with lowering springs. It should fit without rubbing, but I don't recall anyone here has trying it yet.

 

I think the key to this set up is the NM wheels are only an offset of +45. So I'll have 10mm of more clearance inside the wheel well. I notice in the wheel thread that most 19" wheels that are being chosen are +35 offset.

 

The wheel offset is fine, no problem there.

It's the tire size that might be an issue. I was just referring to the overall outer diameter of the tire being so large that it might rub a bit when the suspension bottoms out on a big dip. You should be okay, more than likely there's enough room, but it just hasn't been tried yet to know for certain.

 

I understand, I think. I was referencing(in my head) others that complained about rub. It was mostly on the inner plastic part of the flare. Also on 8.5" rim and a +35 offset. I'll be 1/2" further in due to 8" rim, and then 10mm in due to the different offset.

Is my brain working right?

 

Yes, you are correct, like I said earlier, you won't have any issue because of offset (side-to-side clearance to fender arch or suspension parts) so you're good there. I was just thinking there may be a possibility of the top tread surface of the tire (not the sidewall) maybe touching the underside of the fender liner when the suspension gets fully bottomed out. Like I said before, you're most likely fine, but since it doesn't look like anyone has tried that tall of tires, with lowering springs, I don't think anyone can say with 100% certainty that it's proven to fit.

Also, one tiny correction here...
If the rim is 1/2" narrower the 1/2" gets split between each half of the wheel. The centerline of the rim remains the same and the outer lip is 1/4" more inward away from the fender arch, and the inner lip is 1/4" more outward away from the suspension .

 

FYI Im running 245/40/19 which comes out to 26.7" no rubbing with mine now that I installed the lower links SPC

 

dang I have to correct folks on that all the time...and now I did it.

It's only a 1.1" taller than my stock set-up. I should be fine.

 

JohnJohn, please let us know what you end up doing. I love the 19 inch NM wheels, and just like you, I was thinking of 45 aspect ratio tires (225 width) to try to protect the rims.

 

I ended up with going with a 245/40/19 Yokohoma YK580. Mounted on the 19x8 +45 NM wheels. They rub slightly on the inside of the rear fender when I hit a dip at 45+mph. However I think a little trimming and getting the rear adjustable lower control arms will help that.

 

The lca's will help solve a lot of your problems. They also raise your car up just enough to make u not rub.

So where are our pics?

 

pics here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3549935

 

JohnJohn, are they rubbing due to the width of the tire, or the diameter of the tire? Thanks.

 

I think it's a little of both. It's just rubbing the outer are of the side wall where it rolls over and becomes tread. The rubbing only happens when I hit a dip at a high rate of speed. It's happening less and less. I think it's just wearing off the very inner edge of the flare. It's not doing an damage to the tire, just melting thin little strings of plastic.

My R60 is just breaking in it's new set of shoes.

 

any reason you didnt go with the 225/45-19 ?
I was thinking about the same size & asked in another thread.
a tad taller & not as wide. the 245 is almost too wide as a few ppl seem to rub with this even with varying offsets.
but IMO the 225/40 isnt enough of a ratio & the sidewall is a tad less 'filling' or protective.

 

One of the benefits of bigger wheels is the ability to use wider tires. Also, 225/45/19 would be too much of an increase in diameter, to the point where it might begin to negatively affect the car.

From a rubbing perspective on 19" wheels, 235/40/19 is probably the sweet spot with a +42-45 offset. I am probably on the fringe with 245/40/19 and a +40 offset.

If someone did the NM wheels (8" wide with +45 offset) and 235/40 tires, I can't see them rubbing much if at all, even with lowering springs.

 

If I recall correctly Flyer53 has had the NM wheels for quite a while with 235/40's and said there was no rubbing at all. Flyer, are you out there?

 

IMO, problem with 235/40/19 is that it's an oddball size...you won't find very many tires in that size, limiting your selection by a LOT. Same thing goes for 225/45/19. There's definitely more options in 225/40/19, but the most in 245/40/19. I chose to not go with 245's because I wanted to stay as close to the OD of the stock tires, and that's 225/40.

 

Good point; I forgot to mention that part in my post. The good news is that 235/40/19 is available in the most important tire choice: Michelin Pilot Super Sport!

 

So, i really want to order rims & tires tmrw. I've def. decided on 19's & hopefully that isnt a mistake for my area/DD.

I have to sleep on a decision for my wheels.

19x8.5 ET42 Elbrus I08 in the Anthracite-Black w/ either a 245/40 or 225/40 General UHPAS AS-03

or
the NM-E 19x8 w/ 225/40 ET45 (in Blk or Anthracite)?

White CMS4, Black top, NM springs. W
..and still considering the 225/45 if I go the 225 route. (pricing is very similar & provides a bit more sidewall)


Tire Specs/Sizing:
stock 17.
sidewall 4.4
diameter 25.9

225/40-19
sidewall 3.5
diameter 26.1
speedometer difference .5mph

225/45-19
sidewall 4
Diameter 27
speedo difference 2.5mpg. (making it closer to actual)


245/40-19
sidewall 3.9
diameter 26.7
speedo 1.9mph


Elbrus are much cheaper, slightly heavier, wider(maybe requiring a wider, heavier, pricier tire). High pressure cast.

NM-E are narrower, lighter, pricier, stronger? (cast/roll forged construction), less unique look,



http://www.nm-eng.com/260/0/0/2609/n...ht-wheel.html#


http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand

 

This was my exactly dilemma. I of course ended up going with a dark-horse candidate: The Beyern Bavaria in 19 x 8.5" +40.

I think you can't go wrong on either choice, but for me the NM wheels were a close second. I think the fitment is a little better on the R60 than any other option. I would go with the NM if those are your final two.

I know I sound like a broken record, but the NM RSe14 w/ the Michelin PSS in 235/40/19 is probably the ideal setup from a weight, sidewall, fitment, rubbing, appearance standpoint.

 

Thanks for your input.
the 235/40 sounds great, but they get real pricey & have few options.
I think the 225/45 on the NM-E rims would be good, but no one here has done it yet. I dont want that to be an expensive mistake (ie rubbing)

 

Please let us know what you do. I'm planning to order the NM wheels and am having the same thoughts as you are regarding tire size.

 

so, I'm really leaning towards the 225/45-19 on the NM RSe14.
I like this width for this size rim & the 45 ratio will give me a sidewall comparable to the 17's. I think it will fill the wheel opening a bit more.. Considering going to 18 or 19 but using a 225/40 results in an overall size(diameter) practically the same as the stock 17.
Not really filling the wheel well at all height & width wise, just offset/width wise.
A larger rim w/ smaller tire isnt any bigger than a smaller rim w/ bigger tire if the overall diameter ends of being the same.
Going 225/45 actually increases the tire diameter, thus filling the opening more.
and is closer to the stk 17" 4.4 sidewall than any other option.

This is what I 'think' I want to do, I just dont want crazy rubbing. Arrrghh, decisions...

 

I'm curious on your tire decision. Why all season tires? Are you planning to run the NM wheels year round? You aren't afraid of ruining the NM wheels by exposing them to salt on the roads in the winter? You could jusr run your current A/S tires in the winter, and I assume the 17's would be superior to the 19's in the snow.

I was thinking that I would put winter tires (specifically the new Michelin Xice xi3's in 225-50-18) on my OEM rims because of the ski trips we take to northern New England. I have a set of winter tires (mounted on extra wheels) for my BMW X5, and I've been really impressed with how much better for winter driving they are versus all season tires, even on an all wheel drive SUV in just light snow or ice, or even on just dry cold pavement. And this would give me the ability to run summer tires on the NM wheels and maximize handling during the warmer months.

Maybe winter tires are overkill for your needs, but I was just curious what your thoughts are given that both of us are close to buying the NM wheels, thanks.