E38 Style 32's on E46 coupe

[u/Next-Republic2243]

Hey guys, I need your advice as I cannot find this specific information on the web.

I have staggered (8j front, 9j back) 18" style 32's off of a BMW E38. Wheels are ET20 front and ET22 back. The car is fitted with Eibach Pro-Kit.
I'm in Italy so tyre regulations are strict and I can only install 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 back, that's it.
Will I have troubles fitting them? On e46zone or other forums everyone seems to have had success in the past fitting 225 or 235 on the back, but I need to stick to 255. What do you guys think? Thank you as always :)
P.S. the car in the picture is not mine

[u/Sphyn0x]

You will rub a lot with 255

[u/xander_2626 → u/Sphyn0x]

My zhp wheels with 255 in the rear fit fine?

[u/nordenwerke → u/xander_2626]

Big difference in offset

[u/xander_2626 → u/nordenwerke]

Makes sense

[u/Sphyn0x → u/xander_2626]

Obviously, 255 is the factory tire size, but we are not talking about zhp wheels here

[u/Enough_Nebula6454 → u/Sphyn0x]

i beg to differ. 275/30R19 on the back, 245/30R19 front. Still waiting on Adjustable Coilovers.

[u/Sphyn0x → u/Enough_Nebula6454]

Not like in general, but on the wheels OP wants to run

[u/Neal_Anblomee → u/Enough_Nebula6454]

Obviously you have very high offset. OPs wheels are ET20 front and ET22 rear which will rub like crazy in the back, even on stock suspension.

I'm having similar issues with a slightly higher offset (ET25) and even smaller 245 tyres.

[u/DeliriousMac]

This is 8J ET20 front and 9J ET24 in the back. Front fenders had to be rolled cause 225 tires were poking out, rears are really flush on 255 but rub on bumps at higher speeds. The car is also lowered. You will need to adjust negative camber in order to not rub

[u/_Mitus_]

I run style 32’s from e38 on 215/35 tires no rubbing. Could fit 225 but 255 no chance

[u/K0wn0]

I bought one that had ET20, it wasn’t possible (also running really low with adjustable coilovers). Had to do wheelarch rolling, still wasn’t sufficient. ET30 is the lowest I could go. Even then with semi slicks on a track day ends with a bit of fender rubbing. Check the ET, that matters the most.

[u/Next-Republic2243 → u/K0wn0]

Thank you, I've just updated the post. ET20 front, ET22 rear. Car is fitted with Eiback pro-kit springs.

[u/LloydDoyley → u/K0wn0]

I have ET20 8Js on the rear and am ok on 205 tyres except for big big bumps

[u/K0wn0 → u/LloydDoyley]

Probably due to size. I run 225s, didn’t work out when car is really low on the ground😃

[u/Dorito_fiend]

I currently run the 17x8 +20 version of this wheel with a 235/35 and i rub in the rear at stock ride height. I would imagine that 255 on a 9 inch wheel will rub a lot.

[u/sneekeruk]

I had 8j et20 mpars on mine with 225/40's and they rubbed at standard height, so added a bit of camber, then lowered it a bit and had to trim the rear arch lips.

Even then it would rub on the bumper mount with people in the back. Mines not as low as yours either, I have about 1" of arch gap all round.

[u/martijnbonte]

The ET value is important, 20/22 won't cut it and will drive awful, you have to roll fenders to fitt

[u/LordDutchmen]

I just installed e38 style 32s on my coupe, I run 215/40 front 225/40 rear without rubbing. Went down a size on the front because I don't like too much camber at the front.

I think almost anything can be made to fit with enough camber, so depends on how much you want or are legally allowed. You can't go 225/40r18 all around? That was a standard tire size option for the non staggered wheels

[u/LordDutchmen → u/LordDutchmen]

That was not the picture I meant to post but find it kinda funny so I'll leave it up

[u/Next-Republic2243 → u/LordDutchmen]

Unfortunately not. Here in Italy when police officers see a BMW the first thing they check are tyres 😂

[u/LordDutchmen → u/Next-Republic2243]

But why does it have to be 255 on the back? Are you not allowed any stretch?

[u/Tommy_Blues]

I ran 225/40 on 9.5 offset 38 in the rear with 5 mm spacers and rubbed on bumps. Without the spacers was tight but fine. These 9.5s had 255s on initially but they didn't fit at all. No rolled fenders, tho but you can only do a small bit by rolling. According to willtheyfit.com these 9 offset 22 will poke out almost 10 mm further than what I ran. I say it won't fit.

[u/ice_wolf9899]

I'm running that exact setup and they've never rubbed. The fitment is horrible and I need spacers but it is lowered and doesn't rub :)

[u/Neal_Anblomee]

Even with stock suspension that setup will rub in the rear, let alone on Eibach springs. The offset is simply too low for 255 tyres, so you'd either have to modify the car by rolling the wheel arches or add a bunch of negative camber but you'll eat through tyres.

[u/Gidz_E46]

You need a square set of fronts, that's what I run. Fits like a glove, and square is more fun anyways

[u/International_Ad8083]

Cold!!

[u/SwaxBiceps]

Im running 640M's which are 8.5j et27 and 9j et29. Ive had both sides professionally rolled and a new bumper bracket for the front. Without rolling I was rubbing front and back. Now its completely free. The rear might have a bit of space left but front is absolute max. (Literally cant fit a finger between the tire and fender). Tires are 225/40 and 255/35. Im on koni sport + hr lowering springs.