jaznraz

iTrader: (1)

I played around with some different brands of tires over the past week and wanted to post this information. I desperately wanted to run the Michelin PSS because simply stated, it's a great tire as many reviews have shown. I knew it was a fat and square tire and it was suggested that I shouldn't use them because they wont fit. I somewhat heeded those cautions but figured that I would use less aggressive wheels to combat the problem. Long story short, they didn't work. I should mention the PSS tire will work fine on a car that isn't lowered but I wanted to (and did) lower mine with RSR Super Down springs.

I also had a goal in mind with my setup - I didn't want any rubbing at maximum suspension travel. To check this, I removed the springs, mounted the tires/wheels, compressed the suspension against the bump stops until it raised the car, and then checked the fitment.

Fitment information:
19 x 8.5 + 35 front wheel
19 x 9.5 + 40 rear wheel
235/35/19 front tire
265/30/19 rear tire

Here are the MIchelin PSS tires hitting the fenders:

The rear tire hit appx .75" before the max susp travel limit


The front tire hit the fender liner well before the susp limit and this is what happened when I turned the steering wheel. Not good.
After installing the springs, the PSS tires had essentially zero clearance to the fender liner and imo was un-driveable.

The tires were still returnable so I went to Tire Rack to look at, measure, and compare different tires and sizes. I had them pull a set of Conti DW's in the same size and also a narrower set of PSS tires in 225/35/19 and 255/30/19. Once again, I desperately wanted the PSS tire but they were still too wide according to my measurements and comparisons. Actually, the 255 was the same width as the 265 (???). Due to that, I had them mount the DW's and I was on my way.

I made a contour template of the PSS and placed it against the DW's for reference. HUGE DIFFERENCE.




And now with the DW's mounted:


The rear tires clear at max susp limit.

I didn't get any pics of the front, but unfortunately the tire will hit the fender liner .25" before the susp limit. I can hear it rubbing when pulling in and out of my driveway, but I haven't noticed any rubbing while driving.

I hope this helps someone.

SonyHome

Do you think it would rub with RS*R Down springs on your setup with PSS? Once I burn through the factory summer tires I'm thinking of going with 19x8.5 & 19x9.5 wheels with 245/35/19 & 275/30/19 PSS tires for summer. I'm curious if you think this would rub with stock spring or RS*R Down springs.

Thank you.

crazych42

What wheels are you running?

IS350S2K

Cool. Thanks for info. Am considering the contis in the same sizes. I have sumitomo htrz iiis on a set of 19" velgens and I think they barely rub when taking a hard corner. But I could be mistaken. For my 19" work vsxx wheels, I will try the contis. I like a more squared (non-stretched) look.

jaznraz

iTrader: (1)

It's hard to tell. If I knew how far the down springs compressed when hitting a large bump, I could provide an answer. I would not suggest going with the tire size that you recommended for the PSS since they are wider and taller than what I tried. The wheel offset is the biggest factor in regards to whether or not they will fit. If you can find some wheels with higher offset numbers, the 235/265 combo would not rub. I think the 265 PSS tires that I tried would have cleared the fender (at max susp travel) with a +45 rear wheel. In addition, the front tire and +35 wheel had plenty of clearance (10mm) to the inside fender well and knuckle. If you can push the tires in further (with different offsets), they would clear.

Stance SC-6. I went with these wheels because of the +40 offset in the rear since I didn't want to stretch tires, go hella flush, or poke. Sadly, I might change wheels since I recently found a set that I like even more.

Well, be careful because the DW tires look stretched even though they aren't (according to the specs). A 235 on an 8.5 and a 265 on a 9.5 is dead on standard. When starting this project, I didn't want stretched tires, but in the end....they look stretched. That isn't what I was after, but that seems to be the necessary evil of the 3IS.

crazych42

Thanks jaznraz! I am looking at those exact same wheels/offsets in gunmetal but I'm going for a less agressive drop (Tein H-techs). Do you have any pics of your whole car on these wheels?

jaznraz

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I just posted this. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...s-of-info.html

braddy

Im lowered on Rsr down springs and wheels are 19x9.5 rear with 40 offset with Michelin pilot super sport in 265/30/19 and they fit perfectly flush without rubbing at all.

EJ255t

i know this post is old, but im getting the same wheels, the Velgen VMB5. Trting to figure which tires are best, think i'll just go with the Continentals DW. i have them on the OEM wheels and i love them]]

but how do you not rub at all??

Velgen

They are both good tires. It all depends what look you are going for, michelin tires tend to be a fatter tire. If you get the proper tire size you shouldn't have any issues rubbing with the Velgen VMB5