Suspension height and tire size

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Driv3r
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Suspension height and tire size

Postby Driv3r » Mon May 04, 2015 5:38 pm

Bought a set of XXRs (15 x 7.5 +35, tires 195/50/15) from forum member. Wheels on his NA8b:

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Side shot:

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I have also bought a set of Bilstein with lowered Kings (30mm) from another forum member. Here is a shot of my NA8 with old wheels (16 x 7 +45, tires 205/45/16) and stock shocks/springs installed:

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Side view:

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Ive installed the Bilsteins/Kings and new 15" wheels and car dropped too low!

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At this point, I couldnt even drive out of the house without tiers rubbing on the guard. Also notice how front tires are sticking out??

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I then pulled everything out and replaced the lowered kings with stock NA8 but this time the car looked like its being prepped for 4x4 tour!

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Too high

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Problem is, beside the fact that its too high now, when I drive over 60 and hit a bump, front tires still hitting the guards. So my question is:

Do I need a set of sport (tough) standard size springs instead of stock? Wouldn't that still keep the height the same?
Would it be that the 2nd hand bilsteins are too soft or worn out?
Why are these wheels sticking out at +35 offset were on the original NB8B, they look normal?

I went down from 16" wheels (standard offset 16x7 +45) to 15"x7.5 +35. I didnt think at +35 offset I need to clip the guards.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
2000 NB8A
1993 NA8 (Gone)
1973 BMW 2002Tii Turbo

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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby rascal » Mon May 04, 2015 7:17 pm

Those aren't +35 rims...

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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby slug_dub » Mon May 04, 2015 7:23 pm

Possibly staggered even? Looks like you've got higher offset on the wheels you put on the rear compared to the front.

No specs on the inside of the wheels?
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Driv3r
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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby Driv3r » Mon May 04, 2015 7:33 pm

slug_dub wrote:Possibly staggered even? Looks like you've got higher offset on the wheels you put on the rear compared to the front.

No specs on the inside of the wheels?


They are same size wheels front and rear. You can see it on the NB8B before it was sold to me. Nothing inside the wheel. still dont know why suspension is too high.
2000 NB8A
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1973 BMW 2002Tii Turbo

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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby Roadrunner » Mon May 04, 2015 9:14 pm

I haven't seen a set of rims that haven't got the size/offset on the rear. Double check for small writing on the back of the spoke.
I'd be very surprised if they are +35 Look more like +0 and staggered
I have a set of +25 8inch rims that dont poke anywhere near that much (NB though, but I didn't even need to roll guards)
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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby smy0003 » Mon May 04, 2015 9:36 pm

They look like 15x8 +0 front and something narrower or higher offset in the rear.
It looks like a staggered fitment that was the right way round on that nb8a, but you've put the rears on the front of your NA, if that makes sense.

XXR mostly make fully doep hektik hellastance stuff, so the idea of +35 offset XXR's is questionable.
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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby bruce » Mon May 04, 2015 10:06 pm

Yes. Read the markings or measure them.

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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby Driv3r » Mon May 04, 2015 10:19 pm

Ok I will try to get proper measures but seller marked the tires (front & rear) so I followed that.
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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby Driv3r » Sat May 09, 2015 4:45 pm

smy0003 wrote:They look like 15x8 +0 front and something narrower or higher offset in the rear.
It looks like a staggered fitment that was the right way round on that nb8a, but you've put the rears on the front of your NA, if that makes sense.

XXR mostly make fully doep hektik hellastance stuff, so the idea of +35 offset XXR's is questionable.


Haha dude, you were totally right! Just by looking at the wheels one can notice the difference in pcd. I've put them wrong way around. This is what happens when you have a keg fridge in your garage! Embarrassing moment.

Thanks all for your kind and friendly advice.

Cheers!
2000 NB8A
1993 NA8 (Gone)
1973 BMW 2002Tii Turbo

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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby davekmoore » Sat May 09, 2015 6:47 pm

Wait, you say the PCD is wrong?

Take care with tyres that stick out beyond the guards.
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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby Driv3r » Sat May 09, 2015 7:06 pm

davekmoore wrote:Wait, you say the PCD is wrong?

Take care with tyres that stick out beyond the guards.


No, the rear tires were installed for the front and front for rear. Rear tires have lower pcd size than the front. So the front tires after installed properly, won't stick out much.
2000 NB8A
1993 NA8 (Gone)
1973 BMW 2002Tii Turbo

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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby Nevyn72 » Sat May 09, 2015 7:17 pm

Driv3r wrote:No, the rear tires were installed for the front and front for rear. Rear tires have lower pcd size than the front. So the front tires after installed properly, won't stick out much.

Think you might be confusing PCD with offset here mate.... :wink:
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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby slug_dub » Sat May 09, 2015 7:23 pm

And tyre with what should technically be wheel... But that's ok we know what you mean :-D

So it's good that you've got the front and rear sorted, but I think you'll still have some working out to do if the offset is as low as they look, I'm almost certain they have to be less than +35.
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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby Driv3r » Sat May 09, 2015 7:40 pm

Nevyn72 wrote:
Driv3r wrote:No, the rear tires were installed for the front and front for rear. Rear tires have lower pcd size than the front. So the front tires after installed properly, won't stick out much.

Think you might be confusing PCD with offset here mate.... :wink:


Yes! sorry Sat night, still drinking!


slug_dub wrote: but I think you'll still have some working out to do if the offset is as low as they look, I'm almost certain they have to be less than +35.

I think the offset for the front is +35 and rear is maybe +15 or even 0?
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Re: Suspension height and tire size

Postby smy0003 » Sun May 10, 2015 12:48 pm

It'd be zero offset.
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