I was running 15 inch rims with 205/60/15 tires with no issues.
My car is lowered (not slammed) with eibach springs and #2 spring pads. So I think it is only 1 - 1 1/2" drop.

I bought some new 18x8 wheels and tires. ET 35
The tires are 225/40/18, continental extreme contact brand.

The tires rub in the front on the inside wheel well (just below the chrome strip). It has rubbed off some of the paint. You will see there is approximately only a 1 finger gap from the outside of the tire to the body (at the smallest point). It will rub even when I stop quickly, and probably when I make turns, but I only noticed it when I stop quickly or stopping downhill.

I also noticed that I hear a squeaking sound in the front when I stop in forward or reverse (it is not a braking noise) and I only started hearing it with these new wheels.

The back tires also rub only at the top if I go over a decent bump in the road and more so, if there is a passenger in the back.

I noticed that the overal dimension is different now. According to an online tire calculator this is the difference:

Previous tire New Tire Difference
205/60/15 225/40/18

Section Width 8.07 inches 8.86 0.79
Overall Diameter 24.69 inches 25.09 0.4
Circumference 77.55 78.81 1.26

I am going to change to a smaller tire (215/40/18)

Previous tire New Tire Difference
205/60/15 215/40/18

Section Width 8.07 inches 8.46 0.39
Overall Diameter 24.69 inches 24.77 0.08
Circumference 77.55 77.82 0.27

I am hoping going to the smaller tire, the overall diameter is just slightly larger (0.08 inches) than existing and that should solve my problems (and the section width of tire will be smaller too by 0.4 inches).

The shop test fitted the wheels (without tires) and said it was clearly fine in the fronts.

I have seen other users on this board with much lower rides able to run 18x8 without fender rolling and only get the rubbing over speed bumps but not with the regular driving, so I was surprised I had these issues.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thank you.

 

That size tire on those spec wheels, I'd expect to roll my fenders and no rubbing. (although you are 1.5? inches lower with a 1/2 inch larger OD)

The slight squeezing sound may be an indication of something weak/loose/worn in your suspension and that might explain the rubbing. I would look harder at the suspension before changing to 215x40 tire size.

 

Yes, it's possible to use 18X8 ET 35 without fender rolling. But, you need to put some fender spacers. I had the same problem when I installed carlsson 1/6 18X8.5 ET35 (with 5mm carlsson spacer/adapter) on my 94E320. The tires are 225X40X18 and the car was lowered by 1.5".The front tires rub during sudden stops and when driving through small humps.

I removed the carlsson spacers and just used centering rings and made it ET40. I rolled the fender lips ( front and rear), added 1" front fender spacers, replaced the rubber bump stop and add 3/4" spacers to the strut's shaft.

Result: No rubbing during sudden stops and driving through speed bumps even with 4 occupants and a full tank of gas.

Good luck with your mods.

 

I run a similar setup 18x8 ET 37 AMG twin spoke replicas with 225/40-18 General UHP on a non lowered 1994 E320 cab.



The important dimension is the OD of the tire as it varies by maker on the same size tire.

My lowered 1988 300CE had 18x8 ET35 AMG mono replicas with 225/40-18 Falken FK-452's with no fender rolling and zero rubbing problems.



Have you had you car aligned?
Inspected your suspension condition?

If all is well, then as Rich posted you'll need to roll your fenders.
Find a professional that can do it without damaging your paint.
You can do it with the proper tool or if very adept with a baseball bat between the top of the tire and the inner wheel arch......
Best to heat the surface so less chance for the paint to crack/chip

Ed A.

 

I replaced the tires from 225/40/18 to 215/40/18 (same tire brand)

Problem solved. No more rubbing anywhere. So no need to do any other modifications.