Ramp

Just put the 5 spoke 18" Panamera's on my '86.5 S3 with Michelin AS3Plus 265/35 rear. It looks like they will rub - less than a finger between the tire and wheel arch. Do I need to remove the rear OEM spacers ? Dying to take her out for a drive but
don't want to do any damage. So far' I've only driven her with mismatched 10 year old pirelli's that are hard as a rock.

76FJ55

How big are your fingers? You should be able to run with the factory spacer, at least I am on my 85, but haven't had the chance to swap the Panamera wheels over to the 86.5 yet. I think i only have about 5mm of clearance between the tire and fender at static ride height. No rubbing what so ever. The wheel tip in at the top during compression of the rear suspension, so you are probably at about the closest point with the car just setting..

Ramp

Thankfully my fingers are not too big -one side has about 1/2" or less, driver side 1/4" or less - that's after dropping from the lift. Not sure how it couldn't rub when there is body roll. What tire are you running ?

Update: They rub. I'll need to remove the spacers but my guess is that will bring them too much inboard.

76FJ55

265/35-18 Rear and 235/40-18 Front Conti Extremecontact Sport. I can actually take some measurements when I get home to tell you what my true clearances are, however the passenger side used to be closer then the driver side until I got hit and buckled the passenger side fender outwards. Body roll doesn't change the suspension motion..it is essentially one side in compression and one in extension. The lateral load generated in cornering can flex the suspension bushings some, which is why you need a minimal amount of clearance to begin with. All I can say is that I push my car pretty hard and have never had any tire to fender contact with the gap I have. I'll confirm it this evening and update you with an actual number, and it may be worth taking an actual measurement on your car as well.

chart928s4

I have those tires/wheels and they are close on my S4. Might rub on an 86.5 but try bouncing the rear up and down. The danger with removing the spacer is that the suspension will rub, IMO worse than rubbing the fender. Maybe someone has the combination on the car and can speak more authoritatively.

Ramp

No need to measure - I took her out of the driveway and down the block - both sides rub evenly ! Put her back on the lift. I read multiple threads on these rims and tires and did not notice anyone having an issue. Frustrating as I was hoping to enjoy over the 4th ! At this point my only choice is to see how they fit without the spacers and then perhaps add back a thinner spacer. But, removing the spacers may mean issue with the lugs.

Update: Removed the 21" stock spacers. They appear a bit much inboard but bigger issue is the studs are now too long.

What's the best option ?

What would be the right size spacer to add that would negate the rub and be able to use the stock studs and lugs ?

BIMMERMIKE

I had my spacer machined and removed approx. 3 mm.
No rubbing !

Ramp

Same tires and rims and model year ?

BIMMERMIKE

same model year 1986.5 but different rims and tires
Just have the spacers machined so you don't have any rubbing.

Ramp

Was just looking at the spacers - the OEM's are not solid so I don't think they can be machined down and hold integrity. May be better to simply buy thinner spacers. I'm thinking of 10mm spacers but not sure how to tell if the standard lugs will seat all the way

May start a new thread and see if anyone has replaced the rear spacers with other sizes etc
Thanks

BIMMERMIKE

My spacers are OEM and not solid, they can be machined.
Perhaps another member can chime in and confirm.

The Forgotten On

If you went with 255/40 sections on a AS3 you would have about 3/4 of an inch more space on each side of the tire The tread width is 10.7 inches on the 265/35 , which far exceeds the rim width.

They are 8.9 inches wide on the 255/40 ones.

Easiest way to fix this is to get thinner hubcentric spacers. But in truth 1 finger width is fine if your fingers are an inch thick.

hb253

On my 84, I have Kumho Ecsta 4XII's 255/35 and they rub with the factory spacer. Removed the spacer and haven't gotten around to figuring out how thick of a spacer would work. I'm using steel lug nuts to permanently avoid the aluminum/steel galling problem. The studs are kinda long, but it doesn't bother me.

Hugo