Hi Everybody:

I have been lurking on this forum for a month or so, and have learned some great information from everyone here. Thank you.

I have a question, and I have read some contradictory things online - so I will ask it again here. Sorry if this is a repetitious newbie question but I have already done forum searchs and not really had my *specific* question answered to my satisfaction.

I have ordered - early September delivery - an '08 MCS with stock suspension. I want to put on 17x7 O.Z. Ultraleggera rims (38mm offset) and 215/45ZR-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tires.

The salesman at Tirerack told me there might be some rubbing with this combination, but my research seems to indicate the opposite. What do you guys think? Can anyone explain the effect of the wheel offset on potential rubbing?

Thanks in advance

Rob from Vancouver

 

Wheel offset is the relative position of the wheel in relationship to being further inward or outward in the wheel well. Stock +48mm offset places the rim toward the inside while +38mm places the wheel towards the outside where the taller than stock 215/45-17 tire edge can scrape against the inner edge of the wheel well plastic liner.

Given your choice of tire and rim and using stock suspension you should be OK with minimal risk of scraping or rubbing. However if you have a full load with people and gear in the rear seat or boot then risk of rubbing is much greater.

At tirerack.com give Alex a call or email to see what he says, he has experience with the new R56 and what can fit.

 

Thanks for the information. I need to take that into consideration. Although I don't plan to travel a lot with people in the back, it seems like it *should* be an option in a new car.

I may need to change to a 205/45/17 tire. The 2 most likely candidates at this point would be the Goodyear Eagle F1 AS or the Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid. I spoke briefly with Alex and he suggested the Grid - although I can't find anything about them online (new model). Anybody here know anything about them?

Lots of people in this forum like the Goodyear however, and there is an attractive sale on them right now at Tirerack. Any suggestions or advice welcome.

 

VanMan, what setup did you finally go with? And how is it working out?

-C

 

I got the 17" Ultralegerras with 205/45-17 tires. Lovely wheels - look very distinctive and slick. No rubbing. AT the end of the day, the jury seemed to be out on the 215/45-17 tires rubbing and I didn't want to start grinding the wheel wells on a brand new car - sounds like a warranty killer to me...

I went with the Bridgestone G019 Grid tires

 

Cool. That looks like the exact set-up I'm going with.

Thanks!
-Chris

 

OK, at the advice of Alex, I went with the O.Z. Ultraleggera's 17x7 and 215/45R17 Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tires before I even took delivery of my 2009 MCS with the Factory Aero kit. I was ready to grind down the bumper brackets once I saw where they were rubbing. Well, the 2009 Factory Aero kit has fabric in the wheel wells like outdoor carpet, not plastic. I put the new wheels and tires on a week ago and I've heard the tires barely rub maybe 3 times with my son in the back and a full tank of gas hitting big dips on the crappy bay area freeways. I've looked at the wheel wells and I can't see where they're rubbing. I don't see anything on the tires, either. The rest of the time the wheels and tires look and work fantastic. They're not as quiet as I had hoped, but they work well. In the future, I'll probably stick with the same size, but go with something a little more conservative.

So, the 215/45's will work with a 17x7 with 37 offset.

-C

 

I have a Subaru Outback H6 Sedan with Potenza G009 tires. (G009 is previous generation to G019) I have 70,000 miles on those tires. They have outstanding traction in both wet and dry conditions. I am planning on going to the G019s when I wear out the run flats that came on MAGILLA.
IMHO - and I am prejudiced - the Potenzas will give you a better ride and last longer with regular rotations.

 

Thanks for the info - I did, in fact, go with the G019 tires