sdcabrio

I just order the Bilstein HD / M030 set-up from Viper Bob for $1,450 plus some little plastic clip things for the ABS lines ($15?) and shipping. I should have everything here on the West coast by early next week.

Question: what size 18" tires do you guys run with this suspension set-up?

I bought my car with 18" hollow spoke turbo wheels already on the car. All 4 tires are pretty new, I would guess 4-6,000 miles on them (Nitto 555's), I know, not the ultimate performance tire, but hey they came with the car.

The fronts are 225/40-18, the LEFT rear is 265/35-18 and the RIGHT rear is 285/35-18.

I never really got a real answer from the previous owner as to why the left rear was a smaller size. My guess is he got a flat or nail, etc.. and just replaced the tire with what a tire place had in stock thinking that the difference between a 265 and 285 would be hardly noticeable. I noticed the size difference immediately upon seeing the car for the first time and kind-of used it as a small bargaining point in car price. I like the look of the 285 on the right rear. It's profile and "shoulder" matches the front tires. The left rear (265) seems to be the the "odd ball" with a slightly stretched look.

Will 285/35-18s rub with the lowered set-up? I want the rear tires to match and would like to just buy another 285/35 for the left but I am concerned about clearance. What would you guys do?

Mark in Baltimore

The different rear tire sizes is effed up. If you want a beefier look from your tires, go with a 235/285 combo. Rubbing is dependent on camber, actual tire width, suspension height and car-to-car variations. What works for someone else may not work for you. Good luck.

chris walrod

Does your car have the LSD option 220?

1pcarnut

I'm running the 285s, no problem with rubbing and mine is lowered to RS ride height per previous owner.

VNTGSPD

285 on the rear should be just fine. My car is lower than the M030 and does not have aggressive track oriented alignment and I have no issue with mine. As Mark says, there are subtle differences and your results may vary. Easiest thing to do is install the new suspension, and then buy the tire you need.

One note on my current experience with 225/285 Michelin Pilot tires: I am getting a lot of understeer - even after I put on the 21mm rear sway bar I have. I think it is due to the front tires being older than the rears and perhaps past their prime. I drive hard and this balance is unacceptable to me so I am preparing to put my 225/265 Falkens back on even though I like the look of the 285 tires.

235/285 combo might be the hot ticket but in may case I have too many tires laying around to justify going and buying more!

Good luck and enjoy the new look and precision handling!!!

TAI2

My car is not lowered yet but the 235/285 combo works just fine regarding handling. When I went from 16's to 18's, I did find a big difference from one tire manufacturer to the next (and tire pressure) with respect to tramlining. Find a good shop to get your alignment done after you have the new springs and shocks installed. There is a lot to discuss and decisons to make that will dramtically change how the car handles. And if that was not enough to think about, your steering wheel size has a big effect on how the car feels and responds to driver input. First but foremost, figure out what you like and don't like with regard to "feel" and whether the car will be a DD, AutoX or DE car, or some combo thereof. This will help your alignment shop tremendously. Good luck.