I recently installed some ST coilovers on my car and put some new wheels on as well (ASA AR1's 18" X 8" ET-35). I was able to lower it around 1.5 inches but anything more and it looks like the tires will begin to rub on the control arms, the tires are 225/40/18. Has anyone fit anything similer with spacers to be able to lower it more? I'm looking to bu some spacers just not sure what size to go with (considering 10 - 15mm) Any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

How low do you want to go? That comes into play with chunky tires like that. If you stayed at the height you're at now, you could go as big as 25mm with no problems. However, I'm sure you don't want that.

 

That's the issue I will be encountering. I currently have 18x8ET35 RS4 reps with 225/40/18's. This weekend I will be putting on my Bilstein Sports (front and back) and lowering with HR springs, granted I'll be static but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to go lower or wider without fender rolling and spacers.

 

I want to go another .5" to an 1". It is hard as hell to measure how big the spacer would need to be to clear the control arm so I was hoping someone else had a similer setup. I'm leaning towards the 15mm and hoping that gives it enough room.

 

What you have to do to measure the size of the spacer is to tape a string to the inside part nearest the edge of the fender with a weight at the other end, then with a ruler or measurement tape measure the space between the outermost lip of the wheel to the string. This will get you the measurement you need. If you want to stick out further than the stock fenders, you will need to roll them (and repaint in the process), measure the gap and get whatever space needed and longer wheel bolts.

Follow the steps on the E36 forum: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=512527

Or just stretch your tires, LOL! :-D

 

Right but the inside of the wheel is the hard area to measure and I need to know how much space I need between the tire and control arm.

 

It shouldn't really matter because as you add spacers you are already extending the wheel from the hub and increasing the size of the space between the inside tire and the control arms. What you need to determine is how far out you can go without rubbing fenders in pot holes. It does you no good if say you need 10mm or 15mm in the inside of the tire, yet you end up sticking out 20mm from your front fender. Not only is it illegal to extend further than the fender but laws aside, you will hit that fender on every bump.

I say, measure how far out you can go to be flush with the fenders, add that size spacer and go .5, test it out a bit, then if it's good lower another .5 inches. By doing this you would have already increased the space in the inner tire and lowered your car.

Not sure if anyone else agrees with me.

 

Double Post See Above ^

 

That sounds reasonable, thanks.

 

On my 19x8 wheels with 235s I used 5mm spacers to get a 37 offset and cleared the suspension. Not sure why you're having fitment problems seeing as how I'm lowered 2.5", and the tires are even wider than yours are...