Advice needed, driver side rear tyre rubbing

[Slips]

My 2004 E46 325i M Sport is having problem of tyre rubbing.Driver side rear rubs when I go thru uneven road and even when turning left abit harder.It became worse when I changed to new tyre.Rear tyre size is 255/35ZR18 and still using stock m sport suspension.I noticed driver side is sitting lower than left side... I mean the clearance between tyre n fender...Izzit my suspension problem? What can I do which will not hurt my pocket too much?

 

[Slips]

Suggestions anyone?

 

[bmw7833]

If u search around the forum, we disccussed the problem few times before which right side lower than left side is normal for our car.

 

[B33mEr]

Is the tyre rubbing inside or outside (fender side) are you running OEM wheels or aftermarket?

Have the rear suspension components checked by a good BMW workshop and see where it goes. There could excessive movement of the rear wheel due to worn out bushings and rear control arms.

 

[Slips]

Sorry I only did a search for tyre rubbing and couldnt find much info except for tyres being too big and not fitting.
I read about LHD cars having lower right side to compensate for driver weight, din't know our RHD cars also are lower right side.

B33mEr , it's rubbing inside I think. Top of tyre till the area where fender and bumper meet are very close gap.
Just got the car for 2 weeks, the previous owner installed 18" should be replica BMW rims.

 

[JFT63]

Do u see any spacers fitted to the wheel hub? if rubbing inside, u might need spacers for both sides..my two humble cents

 

[Slips]

Oh sorry I think I misunderstood about inside, it's rubbing the fenders so should be outside.
When the car was hoisted up during my engine leak repair 3 days ago, I checked out the wheel well inside.
Seems like there's alot of space inside , but the fender is very close.
Actually when I look from back, the tyre side wall almost out from the fender.
Maybe I'll post some pics later, easier to understand.

 

[JFT63]

Oh sorry I think I misunderstood about inside, it's rubbing the fenders so should be outside.
When the car was hoisted up during my engine leak repair 3 days ago, I checked out the wheel well inside.
Seems like there's alot of space inside , but the fender is very close.
Actually when I look from back, the tyre side wall almost out from the fender.
Maybe I'll post some pics later, easier to understand.

Some friends use spacers to get the mean look, which means the rims look wider, closer to the fender and this could cause the rubbing issue. So, u need to remove the spacers if there is any. otherwise it might be yr rims offset..post some pics will be better..hehe

 

[Zul]

I remember on my previous e46 328 & 325smg the max tyre size is 255/35 for the rear. I think your rim is not oem/bmw rim, i.e. replica. Check whether there is any spacer on. If no spacer and u still want to maintain that rim then your solution will be to roll the fender. I did roll the fender when i put on 235/35x19" rim/tyre, AC Type IV on the 325smg.

 

[Slips]

pics taken with ipon, sorry for the quality..

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Left side , no rubbing.

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Right side , yes rubbing.

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view from back.

Thanks Zul for your info.
There is no spacers on the rear wheels , I noticed yesterday that the wheel on the left side sits further out than the right.
I will go do alignment , I feel the wheels alignment is out.

Anyone here use increased Spring Pads?
If the info I get is correct, M sport spring pads is 5mm .
If I stack 2pcs of 10mm pads I could potentially raise the ride height by 15mm.

Would this work? or rather could it be done?

I wanna see if there's anything that can be done coz I'm kinda not comfortable rolling the fenders.
Last resort ler this.

 

[ahban80]

Only way is roll the fender or else skimmed the rims or last .... change ur adsorber to adjustable type for increase the offset !

 

[JFT63]

pics taken with ipon, sorry for the quality..

[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
Left side , no rubbing.

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Right side , yes rubbing.

[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
view from back.

Thanks Zul for your info.
There is no spacers on the rear wheels , I noticed yesterday that the wheel on the left side sits further out than the right.
I will go do alignment , I feel the wheels alignment is out.

Anyone here use increased Spring Pads?
If the info I get is correct, M sport spring pads is 5mm .
If I stack 2pcs of 10mm pads I could potentially raise the ride height by 15mm.

Would this work? or rather could it be done?

I wanna see if there's anything that can be done coz I'm kinda not comfortable rolling the fenders.
Last resort ler this.

You might want to check yr suspension and absorber bush....let rolling fender be the last resort lah kan,,,,

 

[Slips]

Asked ah meng from M speed and he mention even change the absorber will also rub coz wheel too big...
Told him I wanted to add the spring pads and he advise dont coz will become unstable drive...
To me rolling fender memang last resort... hehe...

Now bro ahban80 mentioned skim rim...
Was at MPS Auto to do alignment and I asked the guy there about skim rim...
He said can be done as long as the inside can clear the brakes n stuff, wont hurt the handling...
The alignment was totally out so now gonna test if it rubs as badly after doing the alignment...

Then see next step can do what...

 

[bmw7833]

Add the spring pad and raise 15mm?? Bro, u want your car terbaling keh?

 

[Slips]

No ler bro, coz I read the angmohs do it on e46fanatics...
Maybe they really fanatic lol... Meng said it'll be unstable so not gonna risk it...

Skim the rims looks like a good option at this point...

 

[bmw7833]

I dont think skim the rims is the best way for u. U are trying to change the rim profile. Same thing like we rebore the center hub, u never know what is the result, u may destroy your rims stability.

Roll the fender is the best way i reckon.

 

[V-Man]

Whats your wheel specs? Width and Offset?

 

[Zul]

No ler bro, coz I read the angmohs do it on e46fanatics...
Maybe they really fanatic lol... Meng said it'll be unstable so not gonna risk it...

Skim the rims looks like a good option at this point...

Skim the rim means U take-off some thickness of the hub area? If that is so I will not do it because it may reduce the strength of the rims. I would either get a new rims or roll the fender. I will not do anything that affect the safety of the car. I think a lot of people have done it but waht happen if the rim break at high speed. I always drive fast. Thats why I always stick to original with rims, not replica, because that is the second most important part that connect U to the road after the tyre.

 

[Slips]

Just got the car , belum sampai 3 weeks...
Previous owner changed the rims and I really have no idea what width and offset these rims are...
All i know is staggered with 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear...
I would certainly like to replace with new ori rims and new tyres , just that i've spent quite alot to repair...
And raya coming in 2 weeks time , wallet really bleeding...

 

[Lefthanded]

Alternatively, you can add spacer to the abs mounting. Can be machined to your desire thickness. I've done so for my sagging E34. No compromise to the stiffnes compared to rubber pad.