Question on tyre width for 318i +18" rims

[Stud_Daddy]

My 318i has been lowered (Eibach) + 18" rims. The current rear tyre width is 235, and front is 225. The alignment shop dude told me that 318i's should not exceed 225, especially with lowered springs because of fender side contact (which I've been feeling over bumps). Is the alignment shop dude correct? Should I downgrade the rear tyre's to 225? My rims seem bulging out......someone told me that they look like Z4 rims !!By the way.....over bumps, I'm also not entirely sure if its really the rear tyre hitting the fender sides, or if its the top of the tyres hitting the inner wheel arch. Anyone has any advise? If its the second case, then the argument of 235 being too wide is false I suppose.

 

[guru]

i'va heard this too.. but guys with this set up only can confirm this. i'm on 17+225 and want to know more on this issue too(options)

 

[bibendum]

It all depends on the offset of your rims & brand of tyres.... some brand makes bigger tyres although is same size..

If you are using all 4 same width rims, stick to the same size..

Best combi is 225/40 R18 on 18 x 8 front & 255/35 R18 on a 18 x 9 rear.

 

[Silver]

Your car can easily take the 235 rear width, provided that you have a good set of adjustable coilovers.... with the hard setting on the coilovers, your tyre would not hit the inner wheel arch. The original absorbers is too soft to cope with the lowred eibach spring and wider tyres.

I'm having 275 rear tyres on my sedan E46 (with wide body rear archs) and with eibach springs - currently facing the same problem as you and the only solution is to throw the eibach + original absorbers out and replace them with a good set of coilovers...