Hopefully resolved...

[johntesi]

Ok, had my wheels taken in to NTB to get my new tires put on. So excited! 255/35/19 on 19 x 8.5 ET43. Yeah, I got a little greedy. I guess I can't have my sidewall and width, too. Didn't clear the control arm and inside edge of the suspension by about 1-2 mm. AAAAHHHHH!!!!
Settled with Tirerack, have to pay for shipping again, and have 245/35/19s on the way. Same tire, PS2. Their square shouldered profile probably explains the difficulty fitting them, but I need to know real quick if you think this will cause any problems. Moderate drop on PSS9s.
Gratuitous wheel porn:

Loaded up and ready to go:

[whitevdub]

wow, i really like those rims...what kind are they?

[johntesi]

Volk CE28N. Weigh 18.9 lbs!!

[Louis J.]

John, unless someone has experience with that exact same setup, it's going to be tough getting accurate feedback. That said, going from 255 down to 245 you're effectively shortening the width of the tire by 10mm and if all you need is about 2mm to clear, that should do it. Another point of reference is that I'm running Falken 615s in 235 width on an 8.5" wide rim with ET32. 615s are more square than PS2s I don't rub with -1.3 camber in all four corners. I think you'll be fine with 245s.

[johntesi]

That's what I'm hoping. Thanks! I'm worried that the problems may stem from the 35 series sidewall, but it really is hard to say. It will not be good if these new tires don't fit, either.

[CardNation]

Hum. The numbers seem to suggest that you will be fine. However if your into Autox there is a chance the inside tire could rub as the sidewall collapses.

Of course centrifugal force could be enough to overcome this as the tire expands.

[johntesi]

I do occassionally track, I'll be dialing in the camber/toe once these are mounted. I am VERY hopeful they will fit. I really don't know what I'll do if they don't! Next time, I'll go for the 30 sidewalls...

Big sigh of relief- Tirerack has the TE37s in 19 x 8.5 ET43 offset and has 245/35/19 as the reccomended size.
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...e+Without+TPMS

I'm pretty sure that means they'll work! I'm still bummed, the 255s looked incredibly mean!

[Louis J.]

Frankly, I think you're better off with 245s, especially if you track. 255 is too much meat for an 8.5" wide wheel and certainly too much meat for our gutless cars. Wide tires are meant for powerful cars that need that much patch to put the power to the ground or for autox where the aim is to keep the tires glued through sharp turns at speed. Personally, I like the 235s on 8.5" wide wheel setup as the wider rim stretches the tire just enough to make it a bit more responsive. Bigger is not always better. Just my $.02.

[quattrosaint]

very nice John. I cant wait to see the car! There is a Thursday night GTG in Irving.

[jstahmann]

Be sure and post some pics when you get them mounted. Did you consider running some spacers before swapping tires? 5mm would have taken you to an ET38 offset... Just a thought.

[Sharkfin]

Frankly, I think you're better off with 245s, especially if you track. 255 is too much meat for an 8.5" wide wheel and certainly too much meat for our gutless cars. Wide tires are meant for powerful cars that need that much patch to put the power to the ground or for autox where the aim is to keep the tires glued through sharp turns at speed. Personally, I like the 235s on 8.5" wide wheel setup as the wider rim stretches the tire just enough to make it a bit more responsive. Bigger is not always better. Just my $.02.

x2, I completely agree with Louis here. I understand what you are trying to do, but going big is not the best option. I had 18x8.5's with a 245/40/18 and is what too much tire. The sides poked over the wheel and looked terrible. I now have 235/35/19s and I love how they grip the road. I don't think the 35 will be a problem at all because I am 25.25" ride height on coils and don't have any issues at any time during cornering, etc. The 245s should fit fine as well.

[johntesi]

Personally I like a little meat on the edges of the tires. Not "poke" outside the fenders, just a nice square look on the edges. Stretched tread looks good, but when I pay for nice wheels, I want them to be safe! The tires should be here today, hopefully before I have to head out for 4th of July festivities. I will for sure post pics, but I will be very embarrassed as my car is not particularly clean at the moment...

[Doctor]

Oh shit...Are you all doing it on purpose...?
I cant see anymore of those fu*kin looking great CE28Ns...

Gee...I cant stand watching them and drooling like an idiot...

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Rear Valence+Trunk Air Lip+Mirror Housings+WindowTrim CF'ed, Debadged Trunk, Front+Rear Red Tie Hooks, Engine Cover Removed, Painted WasherFluid+Coolant caps, Toyo Proxes Racing Semislick R888 225.40 (for now), OZ Ultraleggera 8x18 ET45 Black, 76mm Custom Cat-Back Exhaust, OEM BlackMask w/ black Audi Badge, Sparco 33mm Racing SteeringWheel, RUF Snap-off WheelHub, CF ShiftKnob, ColourMatched BrakeCalipers, APex-I TurboTimer black, Custom BilsteinPSS Coils by Kirlagkitsis Greece, Tinted Tailights, GReddy Electronic Φ=60 Warning A/F, WaterTemp, OilPress, FuelPress
Defi BFSeries (w/ link) Φ=60, Boost, EGT, OilTemp, + 1, Custom GaugePods by XM Greece, PIAA CityLights Super White and White, Sparco CF Pedals, Simoni Racing SteeringWheel CronoMeter, Sachs Organic Racing Clutch Kit, Custom Decals, Alcantara Shift Boot, CAI, Forge 007 DV, Black HeadLights w/ Clear Corner Mod, Removed ArmRest
Check it here

[johntesi]

I put a couple of em in my bedroom last night before bed... :)

[Doctor]

We're just like the same...No worries... :P

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rear Valence+Trunk Air Lip+Mirror Housings+WindowTrim CF'ed, Debadged Trunk, Front+Rear Red Tie Hooks, Engine Cover Removed, Painted WasherFluid+Coolant caps, Toyo Proxes Racing Semislick R888 225.40 (for now), OZ Ultraleggera 8x18 ET45 Black, 76mm Custom Cat-Back Exhaust, OEM BlackMask w/ black Audi Badge, Sparco 33mm Racing SteeringWheel, RUF Snap-off WheelHub, CF ShiftKnob, ColourMatched BrakeCalipers, APex-I TurboTimer black, Custom BilsteinPSS Coils by Kirlagkitsis Greece, Tinted Tailights, GReddy Electronic Φ=60 Warning A/F, WaterTemp, OilPress, FuelPress
Defi BFSeries (w/ link) Φ=60, Boost, EGT, OilTemp, + 1, Custom GaugePods by XM Greece, PIAA CityLights Super White and White, Sparco CF Pedals, Simoni Racing SteeringWheel CronoMeter, Sachs Organic Racing Clutch Kit, Custom Decals, Alcantara Shift Boot, CAI, Forge 007 DV, Black HeadLights w/ Clear Corner Mod, Removed ArmRest
Check it here

[johntesi]

I'm still jealous of all the work you have done to your car compared to mine!
So far I have only:
H-Sport RS4 sways front/rear
S4 PSS9s
Revo 93
Volk CE28N
PS2
and.. S-Line front bumper with RS4 grill.
I've got some work to do to catch up with your amazing car!!

Update:
Well, went to NTB because they had the tires in (pretty speedy service by Tirerack), but they had an hour and a half wait to get them done. I have to drive out to Possum Kingdom for 4th of July weekend, and go to the airport straight from the lake for a mission trip to Panama. Long story short, couldn't wait. So, we won't be seeing these on the car until a week from this Saturday. :(