heorung

Hi guys,

I just purchased a set of rim cheap TSW VX1 18x7 of which I am having difficulty in knowing which right tyre size to fit on them.

When I purchased them, I put them on the car to make sure they fit and no rubbing as my 93 Es300 is lowered on Kings Springs / KYB shockers with Whitelines Rear heavy duty sway bar. One tyre place was good enough to put them on the car (front/rear) to check for me to ensure no rubbing the guards and touching the struts since the stud pattern fits.

I researched on the net using http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit and found that replacement size of 235/40/18 is a near perfect fit in comparision to stock wheels.

Original (205/65/15) 18" (235/40/18) 18" (225/40/18)
Overall Diameter: 25.49 in 25.40 in 25.08 in
Actual Speed: 60 mph 60.2 mph 60.9 mph
Speedometer Difference: 0.343% too fast 1.629% too fast
Diameter Difference: 0.36% 1.61%

Great... next step ... reasearch on tyre brands .....slap on 235 take some pix and show it to my fellow ES lovers on the forum ... BUT ... this is what I found out.

Different tyre place told me it should be ok but one place told me that for 18x7 maximum width should only be 225 for the sidewall not to be weak, tyre bulge, more wear, ... etc...

I wanted to contact TSW but there is no email for them on their website which makes it difficult.... I am happy to put on 225/40/18 and live with the increase in speedo difference (just be concious to drive alittle slower of the speed limit).

My questions are :

1- Do I listen and put on 235/40/18 = less speedo reading differences BUT more chance of the tyres damage and having an serious accident.

OR

2- Do I put on 225/40/18 = live with more speedo differences/higher cost/more wear on tyres but not worry about tyre blowout?

If any of you have fitted 18x7 rims on, what tyres size are you using and how it is going so far? what do you recommend?

Also if someone can please help me by contact TSW wheels to ask them what is the offset for the rim I got just to make sure they fit.
They are 18x7 PDC 5x114 TSW type VX1.

IF any of you can help me I would greatly appreciated.
By the way, I found that Kumho tyres (Ku31) are highly recommended for best value for money.

One last thing, Easter is around the corner.. I wish everyone and their family a safe and happy Easter with loved one.... my boy is 8months old now ...this is the reason I dont have much time to contribute to this great forum in the past.

Keep up all the good works ... the information and help on this forum is unbelievable... keep it up guys ... well done to all who assists others in the past on here.

Kusay76

Congratulations on the baby boy and a happy Easter to you & yours.

IMO you would be better off with the 225 or even a 215, 235 is a lttle wide for a 7" wheel. I can't really help with the offset, TSW offers multiple offsets but if the wheel is 7" wide you should be OK, maybe a little spacer in the rear if the offset is to high.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Choas

I have ran 225/40/18 for what will be three summers now. The speedo difference is nothing it actually makes it more accurate at 60mph since the factory speedo reads about 1-2mph under the actual speed. 235 will just be to wide and you will have rubbing issues.

heorung

Thank you for the reply guys.

I'll put the order for the 225. They dont have the tyres in stock as 235 are more common for hot cars here in Oz. Should take 1-2 days

Kumho (KU31) - 225/40/18 = $235 (AUD) .....235/40/18 = $195 (AUD) each.

Keep up all the good work guys .. I appreciated the help ALOT.... if it weren't for SLOWW / SMITTY / CHARLEY214 and others on here as inspiration.. I would of left my ES as stock standard.