Fikse wheels: More fitment hints

["Carl Buckland" <buckland@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I received the following from Carlos Lopez, who has some
first hand experience with the 8.5" and the 8" Fikses.  Thought
I had better pass it along, as it seems that I may have led you a bit
astray on the rear fitment.  I KNOW that 9" fits on a modified car, but
*assumed* (bad word) that a 8.5" would fit better on a stock car with 
much less modification.  Apparently this is not always true.  

I would also like to hear from Duane Collie, whom I know to be running
8.5", 37.5mm offset Fikse's all around, with 245 SO2's.

Date sent:      	Tue, 10 Nov 1998 12:19:25 -0800 (PST)
From:           	Carlos Lopez <clopez95m3@domain.elided>
Subject:        	Fikse wheels
To:             	buckland@domain.elided


Oh we had a little discussion about your post about the Fikse wheel
fitment.  It seems that the 8.5 will rub on the passenger side when
the rear seat has passengers.  The 9" fits better at the rear because it
stretches the 245/40 tire more than the 8.5 does.  Also it seems the newer
M3's have a notch or a bend on the muffler to accomodate the 245/40's so
that shouldn't be a problem.  Oh yeah and the offset on the 8.5 is 37.7mm.
 Other than that we all agreed on your comments. :-)

Carlos
95 M3 Fikse Mach V's 17x8 235/40 Pilots all around

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also this, from Frank Adams:

From:           	FMAPEAIA@domain.elided
Date sent:      	Tue, 10 Nov 1998 20:01:42 EST
To:             	buckland@domain.elided
Subject:        	Re: Fikse's and Tire Sizes

Hey Carl,

I ran 8.5"'s all around on my M with 235F and 245R and no clearance
problems. The 245's actually looked pretty good on the back and the 235's
didn't look over stretched. (but a 235 would be more ideal on an 8".CB)


thanks, Carlos and Frank, for insights gained from *actual* experience.  Seems 
that I was guilty of the thing that bugs me more than anything else;  making 
statements based on hearsay, rather than personal experience.

However, this still remains:  different sizes front and back will a), give
you slightly more understeer, and b) you can't rotate.

I remain fast:  go with all 8",  8.5", or all 9", and flare if you need to.

Carl

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