Maximum wheel *diameter*?

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anoneamus
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Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by anoneamus »

Looking to change tyre sizes, but am trying to figure out the maximum wheel diameter that will fit without rubbing/knocking etc.

The tyres I currently have are 205/50R17, which make a wheel diameter of 637mm. It looks like the rear wheel would definitely start rubbing the inside molding of the fender on anything about 680mm.

Has anyone, through trial and error or any other means found the biggest wheel diameter that would fit (standard suspension)?

Please note that I'm talking about the diameter of the wheel and nothing else, so there's nothing (short of massively raising the car) that's going to enable it to take bigger diameter wheels.

You can try different tyre/rim size combinations here (which also will give wheel diameter):

http://www.wheel-size.com/calc/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a picture of the biggest Caddy wheels I've seen so far, but I don't know what size they are...

Image
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anoneamus
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by anoneamus »

Biggest I've seen anyone post on here is 235/40R19, which is 671mm diameter. Not sure if that works properly as biggest size I've seen on 19" is 235/35R19 (647mm).

I'd like to put 225/50R17 on (ContiCrossContact LX2), which is 657mm. So maybe the easier question is has anyone used that size?
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by S3SYD »

I had 20" wheels with 225/35/20 tyres
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by Chaznik »

8.5x19 ET29 with 245/40/18 fit?
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anoneamus
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by anoneamus »

S3SYD wrote:I had 20" wheels with 225/35/20 tyres
No wheel arch mods and no rubbing?
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anoneamus
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by anoneamus »

VW must have modified something for the PanAmericana concept, those wheels are 215/70R16 (707mm)!

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dan@biali
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by dan@biali »

As its a concept, it doesn't need to work properly, just look good!
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by S3SYD »

No rubbing on rears but slight rubbing on the fronts but mines is set at the lowest adjustment on coilovers.
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anoneamus
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by anoneamus »

So, I ended up going for 205/70R15 Goodyear Wrangler AT/SA+. There's precious few "all terrain" tyres that both fit on a Caddy and are available in South Africa (as opposed to Europe - go figure). I had wanted to find some that would fit on the 17" alloys, but eventually had to go for something that would fit on 15" wheels instead (more tyre between the rim and the road!).

The 205/70R15 tyres are 668mm diameter. I don't think it would be sensible to go any bigger as the clearance from the inside of the rear wheel to the wheel arch is small (must be around 10mmm now with the bigger tyres), and this would cause problems if the wheel kicked up any stones or mud.

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Last edited by anoneamus on Sat Nov 09, 2019 11:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
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firedfromthecircus
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by firedfromthecircus »

Hey Anoneamus.
Nearly a year on how have things been with the 205/70s? Thinking about fitting some myself as I could do with a bit more tyre between the rim and the road. ;)
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anoneamus
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by anoneamus »

firedfromthecircus wrote:Nearly a year on how have things been with the 205/70s?
Going well. I have 2 sets of wheels, the original low profiles on 17" and these on 15". I use these for trips where there will be some dirt roading, and the others for the rest of the time. It's a bit of a faff to swap wheels around so there are times when I just leave these on.

Pros:
Phenomenally short stopping distance
No teeth-rattling over bumps or bumpy roads
Mount curbs like a 4WD
Looks cool

Cons:
A bit more body roll in cornering
Noisier
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firedfromthecircus
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by firedfromthecircus »

Cheers. ;)
anoneamus wrote: No teeth-rattling over bumps or bumpy roads

This is what I need!
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by Tecknix »

anoneamus wrote: Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:14 am Going well. I have 2 sets of wheels, the original low profiles on 17" and these on 15". I use these for trips where there will be some dirt roading, and the others for the rest of the time. It's a bit of a faff to swap wheels around so there are times when I just leave these on.

Pros:
Phenomenally short stopping distance
No teeth-rattling over bumps or bumpy roads
Mount curbs like a 4WD
Looks cool

Cons:
A bit more body roll in cornering
Noisier
Did you make any suspension mods?
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anoneamus
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by anoneamus »

Tecknix wrote: Sun Apr 22, 2018 8:05 am Did you make any suspension mods?
No
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Re: Maximum wheel *diameter*?

Post by Dorone »

Hello there! What wheels are these? And did you use an adapter to fit them?

Thanks in advance :D
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