what tire size and wheel offset would be most appropriate for 18x9.5 wheels?

[saucys4]

I'm planning on picking up a set of custom drilled Work Emotion CR Kai in 18x9.5 and want some tire recommendations that won't pose any clearance or fitment issues. I browsed through a few posts and found that a 235/40/18 looks pretty good. A friend that I have at a local body shop is able to pull fenders if some rubbing does occur. I also want to make sure that there will be enough clearance for a BBK kit if I happen to add one further down the road. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Work reps, 18x9.5 235/40
[IMG]
DSC_1516 by sparkyvw, on Flickr[/IMG]

[saucys4]

Work emotion Cr Kai's 18x9.5 come in ET 39, 30, 20, and 12. I've searched but it seems that people have been running a wide range of offsets. I just want to make sure that I don't run into any fitment issues

[Capt. Obvious]

You can run the et20, et30 or et39 on a B5. Et20 will require quite a bit of fender work, especially with 235s. Et30 will require the front fenders to be rolled, the rears should be fine though. The et39 will fit, but just barely and may rub a bit on the inside depending on which tires you go with.

[Das General]

et30 with some 235's

[034Motorsport]

EMOTIONS 18X9.5 +20 225/40/18

[NOTORIOUS VR]

^^^ too much ET IMO.... ET 33 seems to be where it's at and you can run a 235 instead of a wimpy 225:

pic of Bimmerchop's car w/ 19x9.5 ET 33 235/40...

[99ebpsi24]

Bumping an old thread backup...

I just picked up a set of 18x9.5 wheels for all four corners only downfall is they're an et45. This to me is fine because it gives me room to play with the final offset a bit. I'm leaning towards doing a 12mm spacer in the front and a 10mm in the rear. I may try and run 12mm all around to make the final et33 on all 4 if I can get away without doing a crazy amount of fender work. I'm going to be running a 235/40/18. Once I have everything in and mounted up I'll update the thread if you guys wish to see how much fender work is required to run this setup all round. I know from the bit of research I've done we have quite a few guys running 9.5's in the rear but not a whole lot running them in the front. And before anyone says it I know I fail without pics currently but they'll be coming as soon as everything is in my hands...

[Chris@EPL]

^I ran the 9.5's et 33 at all four corners and I had no rubbing issues with a 235/40; my front fenders were rolled and pulled with the liners trimmed but the rear was stock.

^^^ too much ET IMO.... ET 33 seems to be where it's at and you can run a 235 instead of a wimpy 225:

pic of Bimmerchop's car w/ 18x9.5 ET 33 235/40...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/...81e0f553_b.jpg

Fixed

[NOTORIOUS VR]

^I ran the 9.5's et 33 at all four corners and I had no rubbing issues with a 235/40; my front fenders were rolled and pulled with the liners trimmed but the rear was stock.

Fixed

nice thanks..

I'm thinking of running 18x9 ET40's (I know I'll need spacers) w/ 235/40's... should fit pretty easy under the fronts even if I have to go with a 5-8mm spacer? What do you think Rich?

[Chris@EPL]

As you know, some brands run wider than others, so depending on how low you are, I think that will work fine. A light roll may be in ordered, but you could play around with the spacer sizing. Adrian (S4 Big Head) runs 18x9 wheels... IIRC, they're et30. I can't remember whether he has 235's or 225's, but he may be able to jump in and confirm.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

As you know, some brands run wider than others, so depending on how low you are, I think that will work fine. A light roll may be in ordered, but you could play around with the spacer sizing. Adrian (S4 Big Head) runs 18x9 wheels... IIRC, they're et30. I can't remember whether he has 235's or 225's, but he may be able to jump in and confirm.

cool.. I am rolling my fenders nicely this weekend w/ the tool... one is rolled the other is a brand new fender so it isn't yet.. that said I would only use enough spacer to clear my BBK and no more... but thanks for the input!

[99ebpsi24]

^I ran the 9.5's et 33 at all four corners and I had no rubbing issues with a 235/40; my front fenders were rolled and pulled with the liners trimmed but the rear was stock.

That's a bit of good news I suppose. Did you have any rubbing issues with the rear that you remember? My measurements are putting the ET35's super close to the suspension front and rear so that's why I'm tossing the idea around of doing the 12mm spacer all around and going ET33 all around.

[Chris@EPL]

No rubbing issues here, but then again, the spring rates are pretty damn stiff on my motorsports.