^Wow good to know, thanks! I know it attaches in 2 places at the top but figured it also needed some lip to "tie" into the fender. Mine are pretty beat as is but after doing a timing belt on my car and my buddies I was shocked how much sand and crap he had in his engine bay. So I'd rather just replace them every year than get rid of them completely.

But this is good news and might sway me to just cut the fender vs rolling. Im about to buy a replacement but am going to look into getting my current one rewelded if possible. But thanks for your continued feedback!

 

Hey guys, quick question on tires. I have searched and searched and read numerous threads, but I am running out of time so hoping for a quick answer.

Installing FA coilovers in the next couple weeks. So camber adjustment wont be an issue. 17x9.5 +38 RPF1s with 20mm spacer up front. Rear fenders cut and are flat, bumper bolt relocated.

Ran 265s and they were perfect. Only rubbed a little at full lock in the front. Then I ran 255 Star Specs when they stopped making 265s. Fit fine, just not a whole lot of tire.

Car is going to be autoX, but not competitive so classing restrictions are not a concern. Really hoping I can stuff 275s under there, but I am most concerned about rubbing on the inside. Not going wide fenders, and dont like the evodave fender mod. so if its going to rub bad (mine grinding is fine) then i will just stick with 255s.

Any experience? Thanks in advance, ordering asap.

 

There may be an issue rubbing the rear, lower control arm with the inside of the tire. You can use a spacer, but then the outside is an issue. I used to run a +27 or +25 9.5 wheel in the rear with 255s and it was close to the outside. My +38 9.5" wheel is close to the trailing arm.
If it works, let me know. I have the same wheel and would love to run a 275.
Or you could spend a small fortune on the tubular rear arms that are sold by a member here. Last I checked, they were $500-600, though. I shyed away after factoring tires and wheels into that (I won't run a 275 tire unless I have a 10.5 wheel).

 

Kaj -- thanks for the advice. that is what I thought, but was hoping I was wrong. with the 265s it was real close. seems like you can fix one side with camber and the other with spacers but end of the day your still screwed. those tubulars are sweet, but I cannot justify spending that much.

wish they never stopped making the damn 265s. If I can get a test set or some old take offs, I might try it just to see; if so I will keep you posted. Only 275s around are hoosiers and thats not a fair comparison.

If anyone else has any thoughts or experience, please feel fair to share! thanks

 

I edited my post for clarification. I was hoping to find a 265 tire, but it's hard. I also get 255 RS3s for a steal, so I'd really only give that deal up for 275s.
The only way I see myself going 275 is if I go wide body. I think the the 17x10.5 RPF 1 only come in aggressive offsets. Bleh.

 

The 17x10 comes in +38. How many 17 inch tires are available in 275 though?

 

I'm 99% sure that would rub the inside, without a spacer. Maybe if they made a bolt-on spacer that's thin enough...? I use them on the front, so not the end of the world, but I'd prefer not to.
Not many 17" tires avail, sadly. I'm trying to not go 18", but I think it would be necessary :-(

 

should only need a 3-5mm on the rear, and you can grind off the casting ridge. it works. i dont really think theres a huge advantage of 275's honestly...we all know tires like the rs3/z2 are basically 265's anyway. going to something like a 275 nt01might just give you more sidewall flex than much else (im only talking in 17 here)

 

you think the 275s will flex on a 10-10.5" wheel? i run a 255 R-S3 on a 9.5" wheel and it has a tiny bit of stretch.

 

its a big might, i havent been hands on with any 275 17 inch tires. when i had original version rs3's the sidewalls were about perfectly vertical, and my z2's now are about the same...i think they would be perfect on a 10 inch wheel.

im probably going to a set of rc1's this summer and im trying to make the same decision. i just haven't found any evidence of a major benefit to the 275's. might come down to me running a set of 255s and then sizing up when they are done. the 255 are 10.5 section width and the 275 are 10.8 so...

 

same with treadwidths? my 255 R-S3 is 9.6" and a Toyo R1r 9.9". not much difference, but a Hoosier, if we really wanna go big, is about 10.3" or so.
hm. maybe sticking with 255s isn't so bad LOL. getting them at near 1/2 price doesn't hurt.

 

Hoosier R6 275/40x17 clear both front and rear without spacers on 17x9 +35.
My rear is pulled, rolled, but nothing drastic.
No issue with rear control arms.

I also have the NTO3+M 17x9.5 +38, and tgey may require tiny spacer.

So just install front without spacer and rear maybe 3mm spacer should allow to clear.

 

My fronts require spacers (RPF1 17x9.5 +38) so no way around that. No issues yet. I just prefer no spacers. But if I had to, I would.

 

How far back are people cutting their rear bumper tab? More than this?

 

Kicking this thread back from the dead.

A few pages back I detailed what I did to get 275/35/18 Hoosiers on my IX with 18x10.5 wheels. Picked up a set of BFG R1S (also 275/35/18) scrubs in really good shape to try. They are about an inch wider than the 275 Hoosiers. No joy.

Rubbed inner fenderwell and against the rolled and pulled fender in the rear (mild pull). All into the fenders in the front (rolled/cut/pulled). Can't set the fronts in any further due to coilover clearance. Already have the RTErnie rear arms, but can't move in anymore due to hitting inner fenderwell.

Anybody else run the big BFG's with success? Or do you drop down to the 265/35/18 BFG (which is still a little wider than the 275 Hoosier)? Does the 265/35 fit? Or is it time to mutilate fenders?

And don't even mention the 285/30, NASA classing issue with power to weight penalty above 275.....