D3 wheels on a D2 Problem !

[Ricky22buk]

I have just purchased a set of 20" D3 wheels with 275x35x20 tyres for my 2002 D2 S8. They seemed liked a bit of a bargain until I tried them on the car today. When I put the car back on the ground after fitting the rims I ran my hand round the tyre to check for clearance and my fronts are touching my front suspension arms.

I was so sure I had read on here that D3 rims were fine on a D2 but could anyone clarify and tell me the score please ?

I also hope no one suggests that the only way I can resolve this is by using spacers. I hate them and actually sold the set that was on this car when I bought it to a forum member.

Thanks for any help in advance guys !

[HPsauce]

You might want to ask Amar as this is what he said in my 20's thread: I had 275/30 or 35/20's on my FL D2 S8, no rubbing. RS guys used to go 20mm bigger on the C5.
See: http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showpost.php?p=88474&postcount=13

What offset are the rims you bought?

[ainarssems]

I think you need 30% sidewall for 275mm wide tyre or 245 wide tyre if you go for 35% high sidewall.

[HPsauce]

Amar may still have the 275/30R20's he offered me:
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showpost.php?p=88467&postcount=9

[Architex_mA8tey]

I think if you have the later aluminium hubs then it may be that you require spacers to bring the wheels out just a touch, it's only like 5-10mm needed but it is needed from memory. I hear what you're saying but you could to consider 15mm hubcentric spacers on the front and 20 mm versions on the rear and the car will look epic stance-wise! +++
If not then consider finding a set of 8.5 inch wheels of the same design rather than 9" width.

[mattylondon]

If not then consider finding a set of 8.5 inch wheels of the same design rather than 9" width.

Ricky, I have a set of 20x8.5 FE wheels that are surplus, I am going to Ebay them eventually. Maybe we can come to some sort of a swap. PM if you want +++

[RanjS8]

Ur issue is tyre width not rim width. 9j wheels r fine. Ideally u 255 35 20 tyres....but the 275 35 20 tend to b cheaper hence ur issue.

only 2options narrower tyres on front or minimum 5mm spacers

[Ricky22buk]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Ideally I don't want to go down the route of spacers but if I do have to I would definitely like to go as small as possible. Is the general concenus then that 5mm on each side would definitely get me away with 100% no chance of rubbing ? If its going to be touch and go what would I need to go with to be safe ?

Just curious also what tyre size makes my speedo read correct ?

[goglawrie]

I have amar old a8/s8 with 20 9inch 275/35/20 dunlops when I got the car no rubbing but very close so I got 5mm spacers just to give a bit more clearance I have no problems

[Ricky22buk]

Right guys ! Thank you very much for the detailed info as per usual. Off now to see where the cheapest place is to buy a set of 5mm spacers !!!!!

Cheers !

[HPsauce]

I have amar old a8/s8 with 20 9inch 275/35/20 dunlops I do recall reading somewhere a post (maybe not here) about how critical tyre brand/shape was at that particular size limit. Some are OK, some not.

[brasiliangringo]

consider Delta Mics or FK auto. Both are CE approved just like the more expensive, for instance FORGE where you pay more for the name.

[Ricky22buk]

So basically from advice given here I have two choices.

Run my 275x35x20 tyres with spacers or sell them and buy 255x35x20 tyres.

Can I ask how the speedo reading is affected by both ? Basically which one reads more accurately !!!!

[ainarssems]

First you need to remember that speedo most likely over-reads with stock tyres, in my expierence when speedo says 80 actual speed is 72-75. So compare speed that speedo shows you to the GPS speed to determine how big the difference is, then you can see use this site to see how much will the reading change and also see how the clearances change. http://www.willtheyfit.com/

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=10392&stc=1&d=1427549394

[Ricky22buk]

Very useful website ainarssems !!!!

Thank you !!!

Looks like the 255's are closer to the right speedo readings than the 275's !!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Ricky22b/275x35x20_zpssmmtzv3h.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Ricky22b/media/275x35x20_zpssmmtzv3h.png.html)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Ricky22b/255x35x20_zpszrrnkc6d.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Ricky22b/media/255x35x20_zpszrrnkc6d.png.html)

[27litres]

I'm amazed Noone has commented on offset or got proper specs on the wheels the OP is running or even clarification of what is rubbing what (tyres or wheels?)!
Yet let's put 5mm spacers on to fix it!!
fix what?
Is the tyre hitting the upright, or is the wheel fouling the control arms?

The way the lower control arms mount to the hub, the only thing that can foul is the wheel itself, the tyres can't physically hit them, unless it's right out on the rear mount (Even then I doubt it).

If the wheel itself is fouling, the only solution is spacing it out, that's why the offset is important. A 9" rim should fit fine with a 35 offset.
275's should also fit fine with a 35 offset.

[Ricky22buk]

I'm amazed Noone has commented on offset or got proper specs on the wheels the OP is running or even clarification of what is rubbing what (tyres or wheels?)!
Yet let's put 5mm spacers on to fix it!!
fix what?
Is the tyre hitting the upright, or is the wheel fouling the control arms?

The way the lower control arms mount to the hub, the only thing that can foul is the wheel itself, the tyres can't physically hit them, unless it's right out on the rear mount (Even then I doubt it).

If the wheel itself is fouling, the only solution is spacing it out, that's why the offset is important. A 9" rim should fit fine with a 35 offset.
275's should also fit fine with a 35 offset.


Sorry buddy !!!! I probably didn't give enough info !!!!!

Running D3, 9 inch wide 20" wheels which I believe are 46mm offset. The wheels themselves aren't fouling, but the tyres do foul against the uprights. I let the car roll forward and the silver of the upright has rubbed on to what I would basically call the corner of the tyre. If you follow the thread across its face and just where you start to fall down the tyres sidewall is where its rubbing.

[ainarssems]

Looks like the 255's are closer to the right speedo readings than the 275's !!!


For 275 you would need to go for 30% sidewall, not 35%.

[HPsauce]

I'm amazed Noone has commented on offset or got proper specs on the wheels the OP is running To be fair, to regulars here that was pretty obvious from what he said in the first post and everyone correctly assumed what he has now clarified. :cool:

[27litres]

I'm amazed Noone has commented on offset or got proper specs on the wheels the OP is running or even clarification of what is rubbing what (tyres or wheels?)!
To be fair, to regulars here that was pretty obvious from what he said in the first post and everyone correctly assumed what he has now clarified. :cool:
OK, thanks.
Having reread the first post I can now see that he was referring to the inside tyre rubbing on the upright.
I wanted to know the wheel offset as I've been reading about another D2 with D3 19" rims running 275's with a higher than spec profile (275/40x19) with no clearance issues.
His wheels are D3 turbines which have a ET45 offset.
He talks about his tyres missing the upright by a "hairs width" (but a miss is a miss when the distance is fixed). His car also has S8 suspension.
Now 1mm difference in offset is bugger all, but might be just enough, or it could be that the tyres on the 19's that this bloke chose have a slightly more rounded shoulder to give the needed clearance.
Although the 20's are a 9" wide wheel vs the 19" turbines being 8.5" wide, when talking the same width tyre, the offsets (from centre) should equal out.

So in the end, spacing will probably be the easiest option. You can buy 3mm spacers, which may give enough clearance over going to 5mm. May save the purchase of new wheel bolts...



...I'm curious about all this as I'm in the process of buying some 19x9 ET35 wheels and I'm thinking 245's might look too narrow and I was looking to 275's myself. At 30mm, we're taking 15mm either side of centre and in my case I've been wondering about guard clearance.
I'm also looking at larger profiles to fill the guards a bit better without altering the suspension. A side benefit of this of course would be a smoother ride...
I'll be sure to post to any ones curiosity once I sort out what I'll do!