Wheel well gap question

[ChrisFastM3]

Simple question,

How many inches is the gap in between the top of the fender and the tire with the optional 19's? I hope not as bad as my E46 M3..........

BTW, I :searched with no luck. I hope I don't get beat up by the repost crew LOL

:party0030:
Chris

[lucid]

The gap should be the same for the 18" and 19" wheels. I don't know how much it is though.

[FifthStreetz]

it looks the same to me...

[///MML]

I've only seen picture but guessing F 2.5-3", R 1.5-2". 18"/19" should be the same gap.

[GregW / Oregon]

Simple question,

How many inches is the gap in between the top of the fender and the tire with the optional 19's? I hope not as bad as my E46 M3..........

BTW, I :searched with no luck. I hope I don't get beat up by the repost crew LOL

Chris
BMWs, like most production cars, always leave enough room to mount chains at the rear. So, the gap is larger than optimum. I will be looking to lower slightly.

[ChrisFastM3]

thanks for all the info guys :)

Anybody know the height for sure though? The reason why im asking is because I'm most likely getting aftermarket wheels & am wonderng if it's gonna need a drop (hope not, in fear of Fing w/ my EDC)

[///MML]

If you keep 18/19" with the stock dimensions then it will look the same. There are several close up wheel pics on the net. I don't see much reason to change the tire dimensions. On the e46 M3's the tires were too narrow and many went with wider rubber and a lower aspect ratio but this did create more gap. The e92 M3 has wider rubber.

I plan on going with 10" rears so I will go with 275/35/19 vs 265/35/19 stock. If your not going with 20" then you should be fine if you like stock look. Personnaly I hate the stock gap so no EDC for me. I will put coilovers on with about 1" drop for better stance. If you ordered EDC your pretty much stuck with the gap (new springs are not an option, IMHO).

[mdemange]

Here are a couple close-ups. Hope they help with your question.

[GregW / Oregon]

If you keep 18/19" with the stock dimensions then it will look the same. There are several close up wheel pics on the net. I don't see much reason to change the tire dimensions. On the e46 M3's the tires were too narrow and many went with wider rubber and a lower aspect ratio but this did create more gap. The e92 M3 has wider rubber.
Many with the E46 went from 225 fronts to 245, and 255 to 275 in the rear. Going 20mm wider and .05 lower in aspect ratio results in virtually the same OD, so gap is not increased.

I plan on going with 10" rears so I will go with 275/35/19 vs 265/35/19 stock.
Stock rears are 265/40, not 35. But, 275/35 is probably the way to go.

If your not going with 20" then you should be fine if you like stock look. Personnaly I hate the stock gap so no EDC for me. I will put coilovers on with about 1" drop for better stance. If you ordered EDC your pretty much stuck with the gap (new springs are not an option, IMHO).
I agree that the stock stance and gap is not good. I think there will be aftermarket springs for the EDC shocks that will work fine, at least I hope so!

[///MML]

Hi Greg,

1) May need to clarify, although the rr is nearly unchanged the gap will look larger, it's more of an illusion. Trust me, when I changed my e46 to wider rubber with same rr as stock the gap looked larger.

2) 19" stock rears are 265/35

3) Good luck with springs but I think it might cost you a few bucks over the long hall for new EDC suspension components. Springs may do Ok for garage queen cars but not daily drivers. The physics will catch up with you eventually. Time will tell I guess....

[GregW / Oregon]

Hi Greg,

1) May need to clarify, although the rr is nearly unchanged the gap will look larger, it's more of an illusion. Trust me, when I changed my e46 to wider rubber with same rr as stock the gap looked larger.
I agree with this. Lower profile tires demand lowering the car to look right.

2) 19" stock rears are 265/35
You are correct.

3) Good luck with springs but I think it might cost you a few bucks over the long hall for new EDC suspension components. Springs may do Ok for garage queen cars but not daily drivers. The physics will catch up with you eventually. Time will tell I guess....
Worst case, I'll be removing the EDC suspension and putting in coilovers. At least I'd have relatively new suspension to put back in for resale.

[///MML]

I've only seen picture but guessing F 2.5-3", R 1.5-2". 18"/19" should be the same gap.

Ok, I saw the car yesterday an measured the wheel gap so can be a little more accurate. F 2.25", R 1.25"

[GregW / Oregon]

Ok, I saw the car yesterday an measured the wheel gap so can be a little more accurate. F 2.25", R 1.25"
Typically, the way you measure ride height to be more accurate is:

1) Measure from fender lip to bottom of wheel.
2) Subtract 1/2 of wheel diameter.
3) Result is "ride height" from axle center. Typically rear dimension is smaller.

The reasons for this is its hard to measure accdurately to the top of the tire, and secondly, it take the tire diameter out of the equation.

[///MML]

Typically, the way you measure ride height to be more accurate is:

1) Measure from fender lip to bottom of wheel.
2) Subtract 1/2 of wheel diameter.
3) Result is "ride height" from axle center. Typically rear dimension is smaller.

The reasons for this is its hard to measure accdurately to the top of the tire, and secondly, it take the tire diameter out of the equation.

Your are correct greg. I used the finger width method so I guess the word accurate is a little relative but I can say it beats the picture guess. :D Car had 19"s BTW.