p1_dave

Just upgraded to the 18" alloys (Prodrives by oz) and they came with 225/35/18 PZeros (standard supply from Subaru). Handling was greatly improved by the reduction of rubber, but when I dare have anyone other than myself in the car (its also happened when I am alone) under cornering the rear tyres always rub inside the wheel arches this is a worry for obvious reasons. Has anyone else experienced a problem like this with P1's or Standard uk cars? If so have they done anything about it? I have heard that removing the weather strip does this but Subaru then say they will invalidate the warranty (the only reason why I bought a P1 over an import) and as the boot has already started to show corrosion problems I do not think this is the way forward.

Any idea??

scooby-dooby

Hello Dave

I have some 18" OZ P1 alloys which had 225/35/18 tyres fitted to my MY99 UK Impreza and I had the same Problem. When someone sat in the back the rear tyres rubbed on the arches causing the rubber on the inside of the arce to wear down (needed replacing)to nothing and the tyre walls went thin (so thin the writing disarpeared). I then changed my tyres to 215/35/18 Toyo's and they dont rub at all even with 3 people in the back and a boot full of luggage

evren

p1_dave

Cheers evren makes me feel a little better. I have just spoken to Subaru accessories and they declare "no one has ever had this problem before" - which I dont believe

They have advised me to get my geometery looked at and checked - took the car to a garage and they refused to do a check (they know me and the car very well) and stated that as they can only change the toe in they would not be able to change the rubbing. We are also very sure that the wheels have not sustained any banging which could knock the suspension out of line.

So if 215 are the only size that does not rub why do they fit 225's? is it that PZeros only come in 225's in an 18"??

scooby-dooby

Dave

I dont think that there are many tyre manufactures that do 215/35/18 tyres so maybe thats why they fit 225's. I think that 225/35/18 tyres are the correct size for an 18" wheel but you may also use 215/35/18. Not too sure though, I might be wrong.

evren

MARK MORRIS

ive 225 goodyears on mine, they rub slightly on the rear struts, i think i will go for toyos next time, ive had the suspension aligned as well
mark

Hakon

Hi, i had the same problem with mine, i am only running 17in wheels however. I removed the rubber strip and sanded down the lip by only a couple of mm and painted over to prevent any rust. This has cured it totally. I read somewhere that dealers in switzerland remove the inner lip of the rear wheel arch to any impreza with 17in rims ?????

NINJA

prodrive actually supply details of where bumper meets the body and how much to trim off..this should only happen under extreme cornering or fully loaded..will prob go for 215/35/18 next time

Claudius

225s sound like the right size.

You may tru t o cut off some of the edges of the wheelarch if that's what rubs. Otherwise, you will need to change the suspension to a better one.

p1_dave

Ninja You say Prodrive supply details - do you know where I can get these details?

Due to the rust appearing inside the boot I am really reluctant to touch the rubber strips as Subaru have warned they will invalidate the warranty if they think some protection has been lost, and the rear quarter is the largest panel on the car....

Someone asked if I drove the car hard and then implied may be I should not. Why would you buy a P1 just to go to the shops in??

PaulMc

My P1 has the 18" 225/35 combo and I have never had any rubbing even with 4 or 5 people in the car. I believe there is a very minor mod done to either suspension or bodywork on the P1 to ensure no rubbing. I still have the rubber strip in place and not a mark on it. I would let the dealer have a look and let them ensure that all the correct settings are as per the instructions on the tin Something doesn't sound right

p1_dave

Paul Cheers for that, the garage has assured me already that they have done all the required modifications - but I will get them to have it in for a day just to look at, its cheaper than a new set of tyres which look very second hand after a few hundred miles!

So at least I do have the hope of quieter driving some way down the line

Alex NL

@PaulMC,

I presume that you didn't lower the P1?


Alex.

NINJA

any dealer should be able to give u contact at prodrive..when the wheels come in the box the details are inside..mine dont rub so have never done the mod

p1_dave

My P1 is no lower than standard. We thinks we may have found the problem, it will take a bit of time to be sure but it looks like the rubber strips were not fitted properly. Last night me and a mate were on all fours (sounds like an interesting night) around the back wheels when we tried to push the rubbers onto the car a little better, they seemed to slip on another 5mm with some manhandling. It will take a few days to check out if it is improved, but my garage did say that they had seen it happen once before so its worth a try.

Fingers crossed

PaulMc

Alex, No the P1 is not lowered. Totally standard suspension except for the Powerstation bumpsteer mod and full alignment.

Alex NL

Paul, my Stars 25 (similair to the Uk RB5) is approx. 32 mm.
lowered. So just in case..........I fitted Toyo's 215/35/18
and have no problems.
Perhaps 225/35/18 would also do the trick, but when fitted you can't bring them back after a couple of miles...........

So 215/35/18 for me.
(You can't even spot the difference with the 225)

Alex

DEE416

alex r u saying my uk rb5 is 32mm lower than standard. i was thinking about new 225 /235 rubber on my 17 inch rimsis this possible without rubbing

Alex NL

@DEE416

I don't know what wheels you have, but my OZ P1's are
7,5J x 18" ET 53. Whith this wheel it is (for me) impossible to fit 235 tyres without rubbing. If your car isn't lowered you could stand a chance. I dont think it's wisely...........

Alex.