I need your help to make sure I am on the right track with wheel and tire selection. I read many wheel and tire threads and have tried to cover everything below so let me know if I missed anything. Forgive me if I ask a few stupid questions as I have never bought wheels before.

Crossfire OEM Data:
Front Wheel 18", 7.5" Width, +35 mm Offset
Front Tire 225-40/18.

Rear Wheel 19", 9" Width, +22 mm Offset
Rear Tire 255-35/19.
Bolt Pattern 5 x 112

Wheel sizes that I am looking at:
Front Wheel 18”, 8.5” Width, +35 mm Offset
Rear Wheel 19”, 9.5” Width, +33 mm Offset

It appears the offset for the wheels should be considered with the tire sizes. The front wheel has the same offset, even though the wheel is 1” wider but the back wheel has a 33 offset. So if I want the rear wheel as close as possible to the outside fender, I need a 10mm spacer for the rear wheels, to push it outward, right?...which would also require new lugs.

The tires:
Front Tire 225-40/18 or 235-40/18
Rear Tire 295-35/19 or 295-30/19 (Maybe 285-35/19)

Couple of points I want to focus on based on what I have read.
- Front Tire – some have stated that anything greater than the 225-40 will rub even if only slightly at full wheel lock unless you go to a 35. Thoughts? Also, any issues with putting the 225-40/18 on a wider 8.5” rim vs. 7.5” rim? (this may be one of the stupid questions!)

- Rear Tire – A 295-30 will keep the overall diameter the same but some forum members have mentioned that a 30 tire looks too thin compared to the 40 front tire. Also, since I have issues hooking the tires up already would it be beneficial to have the 35 tire which would provide a slightly slower ratio, larger diameter, which may assist with better traction during launch or WOT? Thoughts on this?

The wheel/tire fitment tool is great but I must admit I do not fully understand it and do not trust my interpretation of it to make wheel and tire decisions on my own, at least not yet!

And I am sure you are wondering what wheels I am looking to get. They are Velocity Motoring -- Wheels Actually another forum member, caseycowan5 found this sale. I was looking for this type of wheel but could not find them at a good price. I guess I owe him one!

Thanks

 

Front wheel needs another 3-5mm honestly... the 8.5" width on 35mm offset will put the inner lip of the wheel rather close to the dreaded suspension nut, even with 225/40 rubber. That wheel fitment is out of the question with 235/40 rubber, as the problem will only be exaggerated.

Rears are fine, and you're exactly right on the thoughts of running a spacer for perfect offset.

I'm running 225/40/18 tires on an 8.5" rim, and aside from a very slight stretch effect, no issues. Actually the handling was improved slightly because it stiffened the sidewall, your results may vary. Also remember that certain tire brands run wider than the same size in another brand... Nitto comes to mind as being slightly wider. Continentals, on the other hand, run narrow (~5mm) for their indicated size.

Which model VM wheel? Link wouldn't open at work for some reason...

Cheers,

 

Same wheels as jhm2k here but went 235/40 after eating through my 225s. The fit is really snug but no rubbing. As J said with your offset you probably need a small spacer to run larger than stock. Mine clear the nut but just barely. On the back I have 285 30s and they are fine but as you stated they look a little thin with the 40s up front. It doesn't look bad but when I replace the rears I will probably go 285/35 to get a bit more beef and just deal with the speedo being off by a bit. The 35 in the back does give you a bit better ride as well. When I switch to my winter set (stock sizes) I can tell the difference between 30/35 in the seat. I'd say they are a bit more floaty feeling but comparing the 2 sets (different brand/sizes) isn't really apples to apples.

 

Here is the link to the wheels. Hopefully this one works!

http://www.modbargains.com/Velocity-motoring-V710.htm


Thanks for the response guys.


Sounds like I need a 5mm spacer for the front wheels and with that both the 225/40 and 235/40 tire should fit. I will get the 10mm spacer for the rear wheels and have yet to decide on the tire but nothing smaller than the 285/35.


I have yet to research spacers but any ideas where to get them? Ebay, etc. Are some better than others?


Also, how do I determine bolt length with spacers? I may need to do some research on this as well.


Appreciate the help.

 

Those should look nice. Make sure to get the 66.6 center bore. As far as the spacers go you will need hubcentric and needswings carries them although I'm not sure if they have the sizes you need on the site. I'm sure they could get them for you and help with the lug sizes with info on your wheels. I have found them on other sites for slightly cheeper but not with lugs. Your biggest issue is in the back, if the lugs are to long you can jack up the e brake.

 

Those are nice looking wheels!

IIRC nobody makes a 5mm hubcentric... you may need to buy the 10mm hubcentric and have it machined down to 5mm (easy to do).

 

HUBCENTRIC WHEEL SPACERS 5MM 5X112 CROSSFIRE 04-08 W/ BOLTS BLK | eBay

I'm guessing at only 5mm thick there's enough hub center sticking through?

 

Perhaps I should've clarified...

Those probably *could* work, but the 5mm ones linked above lack the built-in centering ring on the hub, like the 10mm H&R fronts do.

H&R 10mm DR Front Wheel Spacer 5x112/66.5/12x1.5 Mercedes Benz CLK W209 Chassis | eBay

Steve ran into this on his SLK -- he needed 5mm for a drag setup, and had to get some 10mm spacers machined down. Neither one of us got the warm-fuzzies about running the spacers w/o the hub lip. Some may not have a problem with it, but I've heard of balancing issues with the 100% flat spacers.

Price is right, though.

 

Well I'll be darned:

H&R 5mm DR Wheel Spacer 5x112/66.5/12x1.5 Mercedes Benz CLK W209 Chassis | eBay

You newbies are lucky

****EDIT***

It does say:

PICTURES ARE NOT ITEM SPECIFIC. THIS AUCTION IS FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW. IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIFIC SPACERS WITH OR WITHOUT A LIP YOU CAN CHECK WITH US OR THE MANUFACTURER FOR MORE INFORMATION.

 

HAH.. modern technology.. LOL.

Guess Steve's situation pretty much answered the question though of enough hub extending to still properly center the wheel.

 

Dementors,

It might be a good idea to simply call H&R... You can ask if the front 5mm spacers they offer will include the hub centering ring. If not, I'd recommend buying the 10mm and machining down (simply for the balance issue and peace of mind).

As for bolts, simply search for wheel bolts that have an equal length of additional threads (as the spacer is thick).

Any good wheel shop should be able to source these for you. Do verify the type of lug seat on the VMR wheels (ball or cone) before ordering... the two are NOT compatible.

Anything else, just ask.

Cheers,