I had 285 on my last S2K, trying to go for more of a functional setup this time around. I don't want to worry about scraping, hitting fenders, etc. This setup was a while back. I definitely don't want to go down the same road. I'd like something I can drive and push a bit without having to be concerned about anything wrecking body panels.

 

Well lets try and alleviate some of that confusion. It comes down to the last fundamental questions. Are you building for a particular look? Or you building for a particular performance level and purpose? And if purpose, what exactly? Answering these questions will dictate your direction. I can tell you from experience though, stuffing as much rubber under what the stock chassis can accommodate with the basic fender mods will leave you will a staggered fitment, IF you are trying to maximize the amount of rubber you fit. There is 40mm more room in the rear vs front, so that will exclude a non stag set up. Also it’s strongly suggested that if you want to exceed a 255/40, that you move to an 18". That alone may make the decision for you.

235/45 isnt the best tire option, as its taller then the rear 255/40. Some better alternatives pairings to the 255 would be a 225/45, 235/40, 245/40. Or 255/40 non stag.

 

285 is very functional as long as you run the right offset wheel. It wouldnt be up front on stock width fenders however. If you want to maximize the laterial grip capability of this car and not compromise runnign R comps on the street, then width is the ticket.

 

This is great information by the way, thank you.

For this build, I want a setup that is more on the funcitonal side, at the same time I'd like the wheels to sit a bit more flush than oem offset (i'm seeing +45 is a safe bet with a minimal roll). I'm not sure if this is the best way to explain this. I don't want to run any sort of crazy camber. I am not looking to add any overfenders or change the front oem fenders. Atleast not yet.

Sorry if i'm all over the place with this, but you're advice is definitely helping to narrow things down.

If the above makes any sense, what would your suggestion be if I were to do a staggered setup to take advange of that extra 40mm so I can maximize the amount of contact for the rubber. Wheels size/width & offset? I know you mentioned 18s in order to go above the 255/40 tire, just want to get an idea of what size exactly based on what i'm going for here.

 

If you want a nice bump in performance over stock widths/meaty, without compromising functionality with camber as you put it, and you are ok with basic fender rolling to get a bit more aggressive looking then stock, then there is one clear winner to me and that is a 245/285 stagger, however if you truly want to max things out, you would do a 255/295, but that would require a much more finite fitment and some pulling of the front fenders. I will lay that fitment out for you after addressing the easier wide fitment im recommending first.

So for the 245/35/18-285/30/18 widths and offset rim width range you have to choose from, in order to meet your fitment requirements. Front 9" +55-60. Rear 10.5" +65-70

For a 255/295 stagger - Front 9.5" +50-55 Rear 11" +64

**Someone really should make this a sticky.

 

If you want a nice bump in performance over stock widths/meaty, without compromising functionality with camber as you put it, and you are ok with basic fender rolling to get a bit more aggressive looking then stock, then there is one clear winner to me and that is a 245/285 stagger, however if you truly want to max things out, you would do a 255/295, but that would require a much more finite fitment and some pulling of the front fenders. I will lay that fitment out for you after addressing the easier wide fitment im recommending first.

So for the 245/35/18-285/30/18 widths and offset rim width range you have to choose from, in order to meet your fitment requirements. Front 9" +55-60. Rear 10.5" +65-70

For a 255/295 stagger - Front 9.5" +50-55 Rear 11" +64

**Someone really should make this a sticky.
[/quote]

Perfect thank you good sir!

if i were to go 245/35 and 285/30 route, with the 9" +55-60 & 10.5" +65-70, would that sit how the oem wheels are sitting as far as offset goes? since they're both oem offsets? Just trying to visualize things here, since I was hoping I could push the wheels out a bit more.

Any chance you have any examples or this setup? i'd love to see how it looks.

 

I am running specs close to that, pics in sig link.

Let's say you run a 9" +55 front and 10.5" +65 rear. You have an even 2" extra wheel width compared to stock. Even though the offset (basically wheel centerline) is the same, they will stick out 1" compared to stock on both the inside and outside. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

Hey 1nate, thanks for chiming in.
I can see that you're running 0.5" more in width with your setup (gorgeous s2 btw), do you have any issues rubbing at all? Inside or outside?
Also how much work was it for F/R fenders to make your setup fit? Any issues with full turns in the front? or tire touching fender?
I was hoping I can have more of a sidewall with my setup, but not sure if there is any benefit at all with such a wide tire setup.

This is definitely good since i'm closing in to what I need to do. The way yours is sitting is excatly what I had in mind as far as pushing the wheels out goes. More concerned if I am turning and I hit a bump or any other rubbing issues that might be there. I would be lowered almost same amount as yours or maybe a bit higher.

 

No rubbing at all. Basic, but proper, fender roll and nothing extreme with the alignment. I am running about -2 front and -2.5 rear camber.

I will say one issue with 245/35, 285/30 is tire availability. Last I checked, only decent tires were Continental DW and Bridgestone S04. The cost is high also, not to mention the fact you will have to run custom wheels.

You might consider a 245/40, 255/40 setup in 17's if you want something cheap, light, and performance oriented. They would also have more tire sidewall for that "meaty" look and all the best extreme summer tires available. I like the Advan RSII a lot, I think something like a 9" +63 front and 10" +50 rear would be sweet.

 

You roll front and rear obviously? Did you have to do the relocation for the rear tab? (trying not to do as minimal as i can to the body that's all)

I was planning on ordering CCWs if I went with 18s anyway. So the custom wheels is not a problem, I will compare the pricing on the tires though, thanks for that.

With your 17" wheel size suggestion, would the rear wheels be sitting as the previous 18" setup? I'm assuming they would since you've giving up the width, but adding it onto the offset. just want to make sure. Confused about the front though, the wheel would actually sit 7mm more in than the 18" setup right?