educate me oppo!

"PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power" (petarvn)
10/07/2015 at 18:24 • Filed to: None

my car has 7.5” wide rims. I currently have 225/40/R18’s on there.
Would it be possible to get a 245/35/R18 and fit it on the rim? my GLI for your time

DISCUSSION (25)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 18:32

Why not just get tires that fit, seems like it would be easier...

Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 18:36

235 is about as wide as you should put on a 7/7.5 inch wheel, but it really depends on the specific tire and use case, and how much sidewall flex you are cool with. The tire manufacturer will list an acceptable range in the tire specs.

Even then, you have to check fitment. On most Macpherson suspension-like cars, the upper balljoint is going to limit how wide of a tire will fit without spacers, or a different offset wheel. And both of those then introduce fender clearance when turning.

roflcopter > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 18:37

I’m running 245s on my 8” wheel right now, planning on stuffing 255s on it soon if I don’t get some 9” ones to throw 265s on. 245 on 7.5” would definitely be pushing it but they should mount up and all. But I wouldn't recommend it for just driving around, I'm doing all of it for autocross class reasons.

DrJohannVegas > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 18:37

For 245s, you want 8 inch wide wheels (and even that’s a bit narrow). I went through the same thought process on my car, and putting 245s on there is at best bad (sidewall is flexed because of the narrow wheel) and at worst a shop won’t even do it for you. Sorry.

wiffleballtony > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 18:39

I would check www.tirerack.com

Boxer_4 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 18:43

It should mount, but the “pinch” on the side walls by the bead of the wheel will probably alter the tread profile and wear the tires unevenly.

8” wide is usually the minimum spec for 245.

DipodomysDeserti > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 18:44

If you go on tirerack.com they have a fitment table so you can look up whatever size you want. I would say going with that wide of a tire over stock is going to result in annoying tracking characteristics while on the freeway.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 18:48

The tire store can get them on there and they will stay. You’ll end up with a lot of ‘squished’ sidewall. That squished area will create a sense of sponginess which may be in direct conflict with the sense of added cornering traction you are looking for.

A 235 will be a better choice for this size wheel. If you want a 245, you need to got to an 8in wheel. Then you may need backspacing. Then you may need to roll your fenders and shit rolls down hill from there.

For the record, your current tires look a little ‘stretched’ and being German and being a GLI, I’m sure that is not by accident. A slightly stretched tire will have sharper turn-in. A wider tire will *may* have more ultimate traction. for a DD, I would think the sharp feel of in your hands will mean more than .91g instead of .89g on the off-ramp.

I went to a 235 on my Forester and when those tires finally wore out, I went back to 225. The squishy sidewall had a ‘lump’ in cornering. It would corner-corner-corner and then ‘lump’ it felt like it fell off a stool.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 19:03

245/ 45 will fit on the wheel for sure. whether it fits on the car without some rolling is another question, best asked of a VW forum ‘cause you know someone has probably already tried it

245/ 35 probably not. There’s a lot of stretching inwards for the sidewall to meet the bead there.. and it’s not recommended by any tire manufacturer I know.

Going down a profile size also runs the risk of putting lower load rated tires than what is recommended for your car.. 245/35R18s are generally about 88 while the 245/45R18’s are all about 92 ...

All said, one of the Octavia RS’s ran 245/35R18’s, but I believe it was on an 8.5” wide wheel.

Master Cylinder > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 19:13

You could go to 235-series tires on a 7.5” rim, but that’s the widest that tire manufacturers generally recommend. Honestly, a 7.5” is just about perfect for a 225-series. I’d just stick with the width you have.

If you want a wider tire, some manufacturers have wider tread width than others while all still having “225” on the side. BFG Sport Comps come to mind as a tire that’s “wide for its size.” So that might be an option while still keeping correct fitment.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Master Cylinder
10/07/2015 at 19:29

ah, okay, good to know. I got pilot A/S 3’s some 4K miles ago, so I’m not buying new ones for awhile, but was just wondering about how wide I can be going

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/07/2015 at 19:29

already got good fitting tires, was just wondering what's possible with a 7.5" rim

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
10/07/2015 at 19:31

alright man, good to know. I actually want to learn this stuff for future use!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 19:36

Could I interest you in some wider aftermarket rims? Lol

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/07/2015 at 19:41

you could when I have the money for them/a golf R ;)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 19:49

Kinja'd!!!

Just sayin’

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 19:54

Youd be pushing it. Also that might be too wide for the car itself. You may start rubbing and scraping up front because the wheel well is too narrow to handle such a wide tire.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/07/2015 at 20:13

mmmm... 3SDM....... *salivates*

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 21:27

245 would probably rub on the front struts... 235 is as wide as you want. You can fit a 245 width if you put spacers on, but then you need to watch out for poke

Dsscats > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 21:40

Reeeeally doubtful.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
10/07/2015 at 21:50

We put those on a GTI last week. They look pretty awesome.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
10/08/2015 at 01:12

I know... shame they're so faaaking expensive

MKVJunkle79 > Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu
10/08/2015 at 22:46

Just a heads up, there is no upper ball joint on a Macpherson strut suspension. The limiting factor is usually the the strut body or sometimes(rarely) the spring perch.

Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu > MKVJunkle79
10/08/2015 at 23:03

Derp. Was thinking of the double wishbone suspension with strut setup I have been working on with my project vehicle. I meant the strut body.

MKVJunkle79 > Kit 'Haddy' Iwamatsu
10/09/2015 at 19:31

No worries, just didn't want to confuse him. Brain farts happen to all of us!