I've read threads with nice pictures showing "drops" and documenting spring rates and/or price of the difference coilover options. However, I have not found a reference or a good post detailing for which coilovers I would need spacers given a specific wheel offset in order to avoid rubbing against the strut or spring perch.

More specifically, I would like get input from people who have coilovers and 17x7" wheels. Did you needed spacers to avoid rubbing the tire/wheels against the coilvers? If you didn't needed spacers, where the wheels rubbing against the fender?

I plan to buy TWS's modified KW V2 at the end of the year, but would like to purchase the Team Dynamics Pro 1.2 wheels in the next few weeks. I would like to avoid spacers at all costs (for when I get the coilovers) so want to get the offset right. Outmotoring has listed +45 and +38 as offset options, so I want to know if +45 should be ok once I lower the car (about 1/2" gap between fender/tire) so that the wheels don't rub. I could go on the safe side with +38, but then the tires might rub against the fender.

I will appreciate your feedback. If people want me to compile a list for different coilover options, I can edit the original post with a list.

 

no list that I know of. A couple of things to keep in mind:

• the stock 17" wheels are 7" wide, and don't rub at stock height or with the stock springs.
• The stock springs are pretty wide, a lot of coil overs don't use such large springs, and some do.
• The behive springs start to hit the water drainage channels on the strut tower, 2.5" diamter and 2.25" diamter can go to more negative camber.
• The wheel offest is also a function of wheel width for interference.
• What rubs on the wheel liner is a function of camber, drop, wheel width, offset, and specific tire cross section.

The last point is why there's no universal table of what works and what doesn't. Also, there is car to car variations, and that just makes it more and more messy.

Matt

 

Dr Obnxs, thanks for the reply.

Maybe I wasn't clear in my original post. I'm asking for feedback regarding coilovers with more than 1.5" drop.

• The stock S-Lites are 17x7" with 45 offset, so if I decide to stick to the stock suspension I won't have any problem getting the Team Dynamics with 17x7" and +45 offset. I wanted to gather feedback from people who have lower the car with coilovers and see if they needed to put spacers in the front wheels. If they don't have the same coilovers I intend to buy or have wheels with offset other than 40 and 45 it's all good, at least there would be some info online that people can reference for guidelines.
• It is my understanding that camber adjustment moves the complete strut assembly, so regardless of camber setting the orientation of the wheel/tire with respect to the strut remains the same, what changes is the angle of the whole strut/wheel/tire with respect to the ground. Dont' want to sidetrack the discussion so feel free to PM me.

 

i had to put small spacers on for the fronts of my M7's, but the m7's also have larger shock bodies than many and maybe all others.

 

laxpimp6903, what wheels do you have? what is their size/offset? I assume you had to use 3 or 5mm spacers.

 

On the stock suspension, the lower spring perch is above the tire. With the AST coil-overs I have, the spring extends downward past the widest part of the tire which, for me, required a 10mm spacer to prevent the tire from rubbing the coil-over spring. Wheels are 17x7 ET45, 215/45/17 tires.

 

I rubbed on the body of BC coilovers (front rubbed only) with stock S-Lites and no spacers, needed about a 5mm spacer to clear it.

If you raised the car up about 1" it might not of rubbed, I was all the way down.

 

What size tire do you run, and did it rub badly or only slightly?

 

Great info!
Yeah, that's my concern. I plan to leave about "1 finger" gap or 1/2" when I upgrade to the coilovers. The Team Dynamics don't come in et40, but et38 or 45. I read in one of the coilover threads that an R53 was rubbing with et37 on the rear, so I guess my only option is et45; at least if I stick to 17" wheels.

Everyone else feel free to keep posting info; I can start summarizing your feedback on my first post.

 

Anyone else want to share their experience and suspension setup adjustments in regards to my question?

 

bump!

 

I have BC coilovers lowered to a 1 finger gap, maybe less, and no rubbing (except in the rear when there is alot of weight in the car and i hit a huge bump). With my 5 star stock wheels I use a 5mm spacer in the front more as a precaution. They clear the coilovers without, but only just.

No spacers needed my OZ ultraleggeras, which are 17x7 with a 37mm offset. 205/45 tires. -2 degrees camber in the front. -1.5 in the rear.

Hope that helps you.

 

205/45/17 Yokohama S-Drives

The rub was un-driveable.

The tire would not turn at all when bolted up without spacers, and it would still rub badly with a 3mm spacer, 5-6mm was the minimum for it to not rub.

 

I have pss9 on my 06 mcs ( lowered morethan 1") with 17 stock S lite. no rubbing but pretty close though.

 

I have the Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 wheels with ET40 (here in Italy I could choose between ET45, 40 and 35, or at least that'ìs what the vendor I bought from says so I asked him for ET40, if it actually is 38 I don't know) and I've recently fitted the KW V1 coilovers. I didn't need a spacer for them, but I needed it when I fitted an AP Racing BBK.

Anyway with only the coilovers and those wheels I had no rubbing, if not when fully loaded with four passengers on the hardest bumps, as the right rear wheel would rub for a moment on the fender, but that happened before fitting the coilovers too, and I've now resolved it cutting the fender.

Oh, and the car is set to a 1 finger and a half gap in height, but I'm planning to raise it a bit, it was a 2 fingers gap before fitting the coilovers and I want to go back to that.

 

most oem wheels will need a spacer, or at least thats what ive found, but then most oem wheels are horrid so its a good excuse to swap out for some nice light aftermarkets

 

I have 17x7 sparco wheels with +42 offset and have ksport coilovers. I couldn't bolt the wheels on the front as the clearance was not there so I put the front springs on the rear strut and vice versa. I also only had 205/45 tires at the time. I now have 225/45 and still not rubbing with the rear springs on the front but only about 1:8" away. So I measured the springs and the front intended springs are 1" wide which will poke out 1/2" by where they are now and ordered 15mm spacers and 45mm bolts to replace the oem 28mm bolts. I will install them this weekend and change springs around. To finally get the proper springs in their proper locations. I bought hub centric akatas spacers. Just 2 for the front.

 

Just curious, since the rear spring rate is usually higher than the front and you switched them, how did this feel when driving? Was the balance completely thrown off?

 

Well it is hard to say i went from 250k miles on stock struts and springs to brand new ksport coilover pro dampeners so it was drastic improvement anyway. Also, the spring rates are:(KG/LBS) Front: 7.4/414 - Rear: 6/336. So technically I now have the softer springs up front and stiffer in rear. I still haven't got them switched back but may not even end up doing that.

 

Oh well then I guess I was mistaken. Thanks for the information.

 

No spacers and no rubbing with Bilstein PSS9, 17x7 +ET 40, 205-45-15. 1.5"+ drop.

 

On a 2013/14 Mini S or JCW, what would a 'ballpark' price be to lower the vehicle a bit, including labor?

Did you get the parts on your own, and then find a dealer, or private party to do the install?