I just put these tires on my 2001 RS coupe. The rear looked like it was super close to the strut in back, so I stuck a 3mm spacer in there. Now, I get an odd vibe at 60-67mph seeming to come from the rear, so I am sure it's the spacers. I really don't want to use them, but the tire looked like it was close enough to rub the strut on hard corners.

Has anyone else put these tires in this size on an RS like this? Should I pull off the spacers? Prolly will anyway just to see how it works out. I was hoping to hear from someone else who had used even this size tire tho.

Thanks,

Jacob

 

if the tires were not touching the strut when the car is sitting still then they would not hit when cornering .... the top of the tire does not flex like the bottom

 

Yeah, that makes sense - but I had a Maxima a few years back w/ ST springs and Koni shocks. I had the same issue, tires were VERY close to the strut. I could turn the wheel and there was no contact with the strut, yet when I rotated my tires I noticed there were definite contact marks where the paint was cleaned off the strut - the tire had a matching little burnout mark on the sidewall. Don't want the same thing to happen on the Suby. BTW this Maxima was in great shape with a full alignment done at a very respectable local shop.

Thanks for the tips tho. I am gonna pull off the spacers and see what happens.

-Jacob

 

post up pics when you're done i want to see how bugly or not the tires look on the rims. Aren't the S-03's generally a wider tire compared to others of the same size???

 

Bugly? I dunno about size - I mean, they say 225/50-16 on the side. I go by that.

Check out the pics. They look nice to me. Got to take them off for the weekend tho.

-Jacob

 

S03s do run wider than their listed widths frequently. It depends on the size. Check out the specs page on TireRack to see what I mean. For reference, I had 215/45R17s that were wider than many other brands in 225. this applies to all brands and models of tires- the size is a pretty strict guide to OD, but not necessarily width.

 

wow that actually doesn't even look bad. And if the S-03's are wider than most then the other 225's will prolly look even less bugly and hopefully will not require spacers. Thanks for the pics! Are those pics with the spacers installed?

Aside from the better quality tires, having the wider size, do you notice a difference?

 

No, it looks HAAT. I took the spacers out and it's been just fine. I think those spacers suck pretty bad - gonna toss them. Only had them in for a day.

But uhh.. I just went from 205/55-16 RE92's to 225/50-16 S-03's so the difference is like that between a tater tot and a llama's left ear. These tires are nutty, amazing grip. Cannot get them to squeal or faze on city driving. If a clutch falls from the sky I will see what they are like on the track.

-Jacob

 

Jacob,

Is your car lowered? If so, on what springs? I'm planning to lower my car on SPT springs, that's why i ask. Thanks

 

I rubbed with 215 S03s on my Prodrive stuff, but YMMV. I solved the rubbing with a fender lip removal and mAd TyTE rear camber.

 

There is ZERO room for any less camber on my car anyway. All stock suspension. I would like to do some suspension stuff but my GT-4 is sopping up all my money right now. If anything I would go with a nice spring/shock setup and a few other bits like aluminum control arms.

I am getting the fender rolled ASAP because it rubs occasionally on the outside.

-Jacob

 

I had to write that one down.

It doesn't look like you're lowered. I wonder how a 45 aspect would do for you? I just bought an '01 RS and these are the same tires I'm thinking about getting.

 

Haha.. Thanks.

Nope, all stock. I think a 45 would be a better bet for sure. Maybe even a 215 width? Not sure what sizes they have available. I got these S-03's used w/ ~1000 miles for around $350 so I couldn't pass them up. I have put the WRX rims/tires back on since I did some snow driving. When I had the stockers/S03's off I inspected for any signs of rubbing, and the only place was on the fender lip. It was sort-of bad because it had rubbed through the rubber on the moulding on the lip and the next couple times it touched - would have done some damage since the moulding has metal banding inside of it. I am going to see about having a guy roll the fender lip, and it should be good. I'll take pics if it looks good..

-Jacob

 

Thanks much.