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UK & Ireland S2000 CommunityDiscussions related to the S2000, its ownership and enthusiasm for it in the UK and Ireland. Including FAQs, and technical questions.
I thought that if you had 18 inch wheels, with the correct offset and with the correct tyres then the outside dimensions of the wheel+tyre were identical to the stock setup. Have I got this wrong? Or are the troublesome Volks not the correct offset / tyres are not the right ones?
After all the 04s do not seem to have this need for rolling. Not am I aware that others with 18 inchers including Volks have this problem.
Can we have the 'facts' as at the moment this thread is a bit worrying for someone comtemplating 18 inchers.
Interestingly, I get no arch rubbing at all (that I notice) and, even though the car is also lowered, I get no grounding on speedbumps etc. Had expected both!.
Originally Posted by Spanners,Aug 4 2005, 07:55 AM
I thought that if you had 18 inch wheels, with the correct offset and with the correct tyres then the outside dimensions of the wheel+tyre were identical to the stock setup.
Remember Gordon, its not just your diameter size but also your width My offsets aren't OEM but I got no rubbing even with 30mm of drop at the front - I was careful to keep to 215 rather than 225 width front tyres (although StevenM had no problem with his unlowered car on 225s when he owned my SSR rims). I also paid particular attention to the rim width itself as this will have an impact on the tyre width too.
Mikey let us know how your quest ends, as im gettin just a slight rub on the front when hitting hump back bridges at loony speeds!!
Well that and our country's finest b and c roads. Another thought though would this have anything to do with wheel allignment?? Mines set to HUK optimum?
Getting your arches rolled shouldn't be a problem. However you should get it done by a reputable body shop. A simple question to ask them is "Do they heat up the arche lip?". If they say no then walk away. Basically the pressure exerted on the wing, while rolling the outer lip will crack your paint if it is not gently heated. I know that R-Tec in St Albans are specialists in this type of work.
If you have rubbing on your plastic inner wheel arches then a good tip is to get a heat gun and heat the offending area. Then gently push it back with a screw driver handle and hold it in place until the plastice has cooled into a new position. Of course you can remove the plastic inner wheel arches completely, but this isn't a good idea as it exposes the underside to all the road salt and water.
Originally Posted by craig armstrong,Aug 4 2005, 06:41 AM
Is there anything positive to be said about 18" wheels Steven? I'm struggling to think of something.....
I thought that if you had 18 inch wheels, with the correct offset and with the correct tyres then the outside dimensions of the wheel+tyre were identical to the stock setup. Have I got this wrong? Or are the troublesome Volks not the correct offset / tyres are not the right ones?
After all the 04s do not seem to have this need for rolling. Not am I aware that others with 18 inchers including Volks have this problem.
Can we have the 'facts' as at the moment this thread is a bit worrying for someone comtemplating 18 inchers.
Spanners as Craig et al will point out at regular intervals it is down to wheel width, offset, tyre width and height. All these factors need calculating to work out how much space is left inside the wheel arches. The S requires pretty high offsets and the fronts are different to the rears. This means there is a very limited choice of alloys that have a good fit.
I have not lowered either car and am as to how lowering it would solve the problem any technical arguement for this approch would be helpful! (Jamie ). As Craig and Nick have pointed out on another thread lowering i going to completely chagne the dampers behaviour, to my mind that will make the problem worse not better.
With regards to geo my last 00 S had the optimum geo which does have higher camber. This puts the top of the wheel further in to the wheel arch. My 04 has also just had the 04 geo applied. Some of the US guys have put very high rear camber on to prevent rubbing, others have rolled the rear arches to overcome it.
Obviously the ideal solution is find a tyre/wheel combination that is as close to the OEM overall dimensions and axle position as possile. Hence why the hardcore modders go with 17" for more safety margin.
My 8" wide 18" EVO5's rubbed on the edge of the front wheel arch liners with stock suspension (only on hard cornering or suspension compression). The rears were 9" wide and were fine.
So I have opted for narrow wheels but the same tyres:
The problem I now have is the rears rub on the lip of the rear wheel arch where it has been turned in. It only does it on very bumpy roads, but is starting to cut the tyre side wall and had clipped the edge of one alloy. I can't see how changing the suspension in any way is going to get me more clearance for the tyre. Looking at the info above the rear offset is on the low side and that is causing the problem.
So I have three options.
Change the alloys
Roll the arches
Keep changing tyres
Unless you guys can think of any more!
Once I have sorted this I reckon a set of Sport Nitrons are on the cards to improve the suspension and ride height
08-03-2005, 11:55 PM
My offsets aren't OEM but I got no rubbing even with 30mm of drop at the front - I was careful to keep to 215 rather than 225 width front tyres (although StevenM had no problem with his unlowered car on 225s when he owned my SSR rims). I also paid particular attention to the rim width itself as this will have an impact on the tyre width too.
as to how lowering it would solve the problem any technical arguement for this approch would be helpful! (Jamie 
is the rears rub on the lip of the rear wheel arch where it has been turned in. It only does it on very bumpy roads, but is starting to cut the tyre side wall and had clipped the edge of one alloy. I can't see how changing the suspension in any way is going to get me more clearance for the tyre. Looking at the info above the rear offset is on the low side and that is causing the problem.
