Fender Rolling
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
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'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
there's absolutely no reason you should have problems with 19" 245's. i've got a buddy with a lowered e500 running 20" 255's with no rubbing. i would SERIOUSLY consider setting your rims up with the proper offset before rolling the fenders!
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
There seems to be a common theme...so let me ask, what are the drawbacks of rolling my fender?
My front offset is aggressive, but I think it's correct. I ordered my rims through Wheelexperts. I don't rub with daily driving (right turns, left turns, U-turns, etc.) I only rub upon compression if I'm turning right ONTO a driveway. To avoid rubbing, I need to do a full-lock turn into the driveway.
I appreciate your help!
My front offset is aggressive, but I think it's correct. I ordered my rims through Wheelexperts. I don't rub with daily driving (right turns, left turns, U-turns, etc.) I only rub upon compression if I'm turning right ONTO a driveway. To avoid rubbing, I need to do a full-lock turn into the driveway.
I appreciate your help!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
If the offsets are right, then you need to look at the overall diameter. 245s should not rub, regardless of the wheel diameter. I would NOT roll fenders, yet.
On your car, rolling fenders is not as simple as on the E55s. The E55 already has the lip curled under, so you aren't making any new crease if you roll them. On your car, that is not the case. They have a little lip on the inside and that is it. If you roll, you MUST make sure to fold that lip all around at the perfect edge or else it will look funny or even split the metal.
I'm running 275s in the front and 295s in the rear with no rolling at all.
On your car, rolling fenders is not as simple as on the E55s. The E55 already has the lip curled under, so you aren't making any new crease if you roll them. On your car, that is not the case. They have a little lip on the inside and that is it. If you roll, you MUST make sure to fold that lip all around at the perfect edge or else it will look funny or even split the metal.
I'm running 275s in the front and 295s in the rear with no rolling at all.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Be careful, because rolling your fenders will likely not fix that. What is going on is your entire tire top is coming out of the fender and then you hit a bump that compresses that fender onto the TOP of the tire. A little rolling will do nothing. You have to either change offsets, or go with a smaller diameter tire.
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Thanks for the explanation. Follow-up question. I recently lowered my car a bit more (~1/4-1/2"). Prior to lowering the car, I did not have the rubbing issue when entering my driveway. Would re-raising the car be the better solution?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: HI transplant in Seattle
2024 G63, 2021 X7M50i
I have done a lot of research on the boards about offsets and rim and tire sizes and have seen that there is no right offset, just preferred, aggressive, etc. I have also seen some offsets that some say should never have worked but seem to function just fine on the owner's car.
So I am confused as I too am now having a tire rubbing problem with my new wheels.
I am running Falken tires on:
20x9 w/ 245/30-20 [+32]
20x10 w/ 285/25-20 [+37]
I also have a Renntech ELM on 3 front; 6 back.
Immediately after the install i drove around at moderate speed (30-35mph) and noticed rubbing on the rear when I turned with the body roll and also on the front when turning into driveways.
I have had numerous cars lowered with aftermarket wheels and this is the first I am experiencing the need to tailor my driving because of my wheels. Is this right??
Oh yeah, the shop I got the wheels from rolled the rear fenders due to the rubbing, but I have not yet had the opportunity to test drive again.
Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
So I am confused as I too am now having a tire rubbing problem with my new wheels.
I am running Falken tires on:
20x9 w/ 245/30-20 [+32]
20x10 w/ 285/25-20 [+37]
I also have a Renntech ELM on 3 front; 6 back.
Immediately after the install i drove around at moderate speed (30-35mph) and noticed rubbing on the rear when I turned with the body roll and also on the front when turning into driveways.
I have had numerous cars lowered with aftermarket wheels and this is the first I am experiencing the need to tailor my driving because of my wheels. Is this right??
Oh yeah, the shop I got the wheels from rolled the rear fenders due to the rubbing, but I have not yet had the opportunity to test drive again.
Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
You are right, there is a bunch of hearsay, etc. on the right fitment for a W211. You just have to sift through it all and decide what stories to belive and why. Keep in mind that most people buy the rims that the manufacturer offers and consider that to be "MAX". Others actually play with the various configurations (like me) and build a database of what worked and what didn't. Unfortunately, I have not done that with 20s, but i think I can shed some light on what is going on.
Fronts:
You increased the overall diameter by 0.28% (minimal), BUT you also went more aggressive with the offset. What this will do is have more of the top of the tire exposed on turns than OEM. If you hit a bump while turning the wheel, your fender could rub on the TOP of the tire. Fender rolling alone will not end this. With that skinny of a tire, I would tuck them in a bit more.
Rears:
You increased the overall diameter by 1.21% (minimal) and the width by 7.55%. In this case, you went with an inch wider rim, but dropped the et to 37. You effectively ran a more agressive setup. Again, I would suggest more tuck. BUT, if the roll works and you are happy, I say leave it. You are really on the cusp of rubbing with et37. A few more mms and you will be in safe land.
Fronts:
You increased the overall diameter by 0.28% (minimal), BUT you also went more aggressive with the offset. What this will do is have more of the top of the tire exposed on turns than OEM. If you hit a bump while turning the wheel, your fender could rub on the TOP of the tire. Fender rolling alone will not end this. With that skinny of a tire, I would tuck them in a bit more.
Rears:
You increased the overall diameter by 1.21% (minimal) and the width by 7.55%. In this case, you went with an inch wider rim, but dropped the et to 37. You effectively ran a more agressive setup. Again, I would suggest more tuck. BUT, if the roll works and you are happy, I say leave it. You are really on the cusp of rubbing with et37. A few more mms and you will be in safe land.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,649
Likes: 207
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
I have done a lot of research on the boards about offsets and rim and tire sizes and have seen that there is no right offset, just preferred, aggressive, etc. I have also seen some offsets that some say should never have worked but seem to function just fine on the owner's car.
So I am confused as I too am now having a tire rubbing problem with my new wheels.
I am running Falken tires on:
20x9 w/ 245/30-20 [+32]
20x10 w/ 285/25-20 [+37]
I also have a Renntech ELM on 3 front; 6 back.
Immediately after the install i drove around at moderate speed (30-35mph) and noticed rubbing on the rear when I turned with the body roll and also on the front when turning into driveways.
I have had numerous cars lowered with aftermarket wheels and this is the first I am experiencing the need to tailor my driving because of my wheels. Is this right??
Oh yeah, the shop I got the wheels from rolled the rear fenders due to the rubbing, but I have not yet had the opportunity to test drive again.
Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
So I am confused as I too am now having a tire rubbing problem with my new wheels.
I am running Falken tires on:
20x9 w/ 245/30-20 [+32]
20x10 w/ 285/25-20 [+37]
I also have a Renntech ELM on 3 front; 6 back.
Immediately after the install i drove around at moderate speed (30-35mph) and noticed rubbing on the rear when I turned with the body roll and also on the front when turning into driveways.
I have had numerous cars lowered with aftermarket wheels and this is the first I am experiencing the need to tailor my driving because of my wheels. Is this right??
Oh yeah, the shop I got the wheels from rolled the rear fenders due to the rubbing, but I have not yet had the opportunity to test drive again.
Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 3
Mercedes Benz
If the offsets are right, then you need to look at the overall diameter. 245s should not rub, regardless of the wheel diameter. I would NOT roll fenders, yet.
On your car, rolling fenders is not as simple as on the E55s. The E55 already has the lip curled under, so you aren't making any new crease if you roll them. On your car, that is not the case. They have a little lip on the inside and that is it. If you roll, you MUST make sure to fold that lip all around at the perfect edge or else it will look funny or even split the metal.
I'm running 275s in the front and 295s in the rear with no rolling at all.
On your car, rolling fenders is not as simple as on the E55s. The E55 already has the lip curled under, so you aren't making any new crease if you roll them. On your car, that is not the case. They have a little lip on the inside and that is it. If you roll, you MUST make sure to fold that lip all around at the perfect edge or else it will look funny or even split the metal.
I'm running 275s in the front and 295s in the rear with no rolling at all.
Just thought I would clear up one thing. The E500 and the E55 have the same body panels. The AMG has not more fender rolling than the normal run of the mill E320/E350/E500/E550. Since the E500 AMG sport came with the same sized wheels the body is the same through out the model line.
But in this case the best solution would be to change the wheel off-set since I have never really seen a front fender get rolled at all and not have the paint crack. My C32 cracked when I rolled it 100% flush with the body in the front. The rear fenders roll far better without cracking the paint. I even rolled the part of the fender that is up by the door jam and it did not crack at all (and we were wailing at the body like red necks drinking beer!
WIS says to use a heat gun and a rubber mallet to roll fenders on the R230 (when using 19 inch wheels) and I have heard that the roller actually cracks paint worse than a mallet.
How is the E55? Mine is sold and gone. I do miss that engine as it was an amazing motor. I don't miss some things but for a fast 4 door the E55 was a fun car.
Any new tweeks to yours?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2007 E63 AMG
We are running almost identical setups. I'm on Falken FK452 with 245/30/20 and 285/25/20. My wheels are Radenergie R10s, 20x9 [ET:34] and 20x10 [ET:31]. I'm lowered on RLM as well. With this setup I'm fine in the front but rubbing in the rear. The rear fenders have already been rolled so my rear wheels are off and getting 3mm shaved. I'm hoping that an offset of 34mm will alleviate the problem.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 498
Likes: 3
From: HI transplant in Seattle
2024 G63, 2021 X7M50i
We are running almost identical setups. I'm on Falken FK452 with 245/30/20 and 285/25/20. My wheels are Radenergie R10s, 20x9 [ET:34] and 20x10 [ET:31]. I'm lowered on RLM as well. With this setup I'm fine in the front but rubbing in the rear. The rear fenders have already been rolled so my rear wheels are off and getting 3mm shaved. I'm hoping that an offset of 34mm will alleviate the problem.
This is frustrating.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2007 E63 AMG
I have zero rubbing in the front. All my rubbing issues are in the rear. I wish that the R10s I got didn't have such an aggressive offset. I'm going though the same ordeal again with the E63 that I did with my previous 545i.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Whats up Jangy??
Just thought I would clear up one thing. The E500 and the E55 have the same body panels. The AMG has not more fender rolling than the normal run of the mill E320/E350/E500/E550. Since the E500 AMG sport came with the same sized wheels the body is the same through out the model line.
But in this case the best solution would be to change the wheel off-set since I have never really seen a front fender get rolled at all and not have the paint crack. My C32 cracked when I rolled it 100% flush with the body in the front. The rear fenders roll far better without cracking the paint. I even rolled the part of the fender that is up by the door jam and it did not crack at all (and we were wailing at the body like red necks drinking beer!
WIS says to use a heat gun and a rubber mallet to roll fenders on the R230 (when using 19 inch wheels) and I have heard that the roller actually cracks paint worse than a mallet.
How is the E55? Mine is sold and gone. I do miss that engine as it was an amazing motor. I don't miss some things but for a fast 4 door the E55 was a fun car.
Any new tweeks to yours?
Just thought I would clear up one thing. The E500 and the E55 have the same body panels. The AMG has not more fender rolling than the normal run of the mill E320/E350/E500/E550. Since the E500 AMG sport came with the same sized wheels the body is the same through out the model line.
But in this case the best solution would be to change the wheel off-set since I have never really seen a front fender get rolled at all and not have the paint crack. My C32 cracked when I rolled it 100% flush with the body in the front. The rear fenders roll far better without cracking the paint. I even rolled the part of the fender that is up by the door jam and it did not crack at all (and we were wailing at the body like red necks drinking beer!
WIS says to use a heat gun and a rubber mallet to roll fenders on the R230 (when using 19 inch wheels) and I have heard that the roller actually cracks paint worse than a mallet.
How is the E55? Mine is sold and gone. I do miss that engine as it was an amazing motor. I don't miss some things but for a fast 4 door the E55 was a fun car.
Any new tweeks to yours?
What up bro!?!?
I am going on a ride from San Diego to Palm Springs and back with a bunch of exotics this saturday, so i will wash the car and slip on the HREs. Not much done to the car. we have some plans. I am probably going with a bunch of custom stuff to save money and have fun doing the playing. The car is already fast, but i still want to play with the suspension. Still hope to get a track car. Hope this thing lasts until then.
