New Boots for Spider
OK so it was that time again!
Not being too impressed with the last batch of tyres I had - Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain (tread gone by about 22K). I did some work and looked to go and get a set of BF Goodrich AT's. Long lasting, nice looking and a good on road and off road capability, with 'chunky aggressive grip'. After seeing them on a number of G's (Mx2b, Mark, Shauny and one or two new members (apologies I forgot your names)) that's when I found out that to try and get a BFG in an R18 its almost impossible! If you want BFG's and you want an R18 they are back order and have been for some time! They believe it would be 8-10 weeks (at best) - so look now and order!
As I was down to my markers I could not wait and did some asking around the forum, My many, many thanks goes out to Tyreman (Mike) and to Mr Peterperfect (Ian) for there help and guidance in helping me decide what I should get as a substitute, that was available now. The advice was the Cooper LTZ's. Again getting them in an R18 I did have to try a number of places before I got to these guys http://www.4x4tyres.co.uk/. who had them in stock.
They are 285/60/R18. and I must say they really do look rather good! Though there is a slight problem on extreme lock they do rub a little bit on a bar thingy just aft of the main axle, so any advice on how to address that would be helpful. ( I am thing along the lines of some spacers?). They are much quieter than the last lot and handle the pot hole's on our roads much better and because they are slightly wider are better round a corner. The MPG has stayed the same going up and coming back, staying at a steady 65MPH (16.8MPG) and they do look rather 'chunky'.
and here they are..
They do look good considering the've been on six years.. ;-)
Lets go and get them dirty.
Looking very slick there spider,
I have the same size on my 500 (but the BFG ATs) and have had to fit spacers to stop the rubbing. Once you fit the spacers apart from looking more balanced, you'll also find the car a little stabler on corners. HR make decent-quality sets - you can buy them through Devons or TBR.
Enjoy!
Ph
cut the outriggers off at an angle, you know the thingys that come out of the chassis
Come on Spider, PP clearly means the thingamiriggers that come out of the whatsitscalled.
I wouldn't go for more then 30mm spacers, all 4. Otherwise you'll make your G look like a Citroen. :-)
Prepare for side windows getting dirty very quickly.
Yes. Agreed: all 4 and 30mm is all you need (structurally, you won't want to go any thinner than this as you'll see exactly what I mean when you see them in front of you). This will take the tyres out to be in-line with the wheelarches. You don't need to go any further out.
wrong its the ojamaflips that spring from the howsyourfathers.
Ahhhh I see the thingamiriggers that come out of the whatsitscalled don't connect at all to the ojamflips. However the ojamflips that spring from the howsyourfathers can sometimes do that? But what about the flangwiggles? no one has mentioned the flangwiggles!
@ phileas do you have a link or contact? I take it I would need to get longer wheel nuts as well, any pointer to where I can get them much apreciated. Looking from a legal perspective how far can one go out from the wheel arches? Just looking they are almost in line with them as they are.
Yours
confused from Beaconsfield
when theres a rabit off its time to hit the watchamacallit with a doobury
You could get spacers from ORC ... and while you are there, I think a set of spring .... and maybe a set of shocks absorber too .....then you'll have a decent 500 .....
Fred, thanks. Will check their website - do you know if they provide any discount for the GWOA?.
Just had my springs done at the back two months ago. Though I am not sure it would make mine any more decient than it already is.....Mr GWA ;)
Mr GWO (lol)
ORC, come with bolts, they respond to a bit of haggling. Just don't mention Freds name, ;-)
I am sure you would get some discount from the sisters.... bigger discount if you go there in person .....
They do look good..let us know how they perform off-road..
Also can you please read off the treadwear rating on the sidewall, should be a 3-digit number? Tells you how resistant to wear they are. Thanks.
Hi All,
Just as a post script to Spyders story. The BFG All Terrains in 265/65x18 are now available for general consumption throughout the UK.
We just recieved our delivery this morning.
Sorry Spyder after all your waiting and emails and phonecalls but we were given NO advance notice of supply being available they just arrived .
Speaking of spacers. With a 285 section width tyre i.e. (as fitted to the AMG version only lower) and then to fit maybe 30mm spacers will the wall of the tyre not come out byond the wheel arch and so cause a MOT /law problem?
Regards,
Mike
PS no they don't rub off the thingamagiggy that goes to the axle thingy and causes that orrible grinding noise. Got them already fitted to my 464 with 2 years now. Sad really to think after spending all that clobber on tyres that you now have to go spend lots more lolly to get it to go right. What crettin suggested cutting off the outrigger on a vehicle like Spyders........ fine on an offroader but on his are you nuts?
Oh thats just great! :(
Thanks for the heads up Tyreman.
He does raise an important point - if I do go to 30MM it means the tyres will protruded past the wheel arches, which means being tugged (not in the nice way) by the police and an MOT fail. Looking at things this morning I recon that 10-15MM would remove the rubbing noise, however any more than about 20MM would mean me passing the wheel arches......
But I will say they really, really look good and even Clare commented on the improvement in ride quality especially in the rain we had on Saturday.
Advice anyone? is it possible to get 15-20MM spacers that can stand off roading? or should I just get the steering adjusted accordingly?
Spider1V
talk to Ian about those rules!
Had mine on for 3 years, never been an issue, I just keep my fingers crossed. :-)
Side windows get dirty very quickly in winter though, you soon learn to clean windows at every fuel stop on long journeys, thats in a frugal diesel mind, perhaps in a V8 that may be every 3 fuel stops ;-) lol
hi joe , i like the oliver sweeney's ! but i think YOU would have gone for bfg at's being the crazy spider you are.... anyhow enjoy them...
if you go 30mm spacers you will need the AMG FLARES which are only 2000 euros !!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have a set of 20mm EIBACH spacers which are original for the G. I can get get them over to you if you want... thats if you cannot find them in the uk or europe.
btw, ignore marks frugal comments, i wants a V8 !!
Didn't say cut them off, I said cut them at an angle, this is what the 461 have to overcome the same problem fittin 16" rims
Its not an mot fail! And plod doesn't no either, but from what I have heard it's the tread and not the wall that is not allowed to protrude, but, and a big but it's not written in stone about Tyres protruding, my patrol has passed 3 times in a row with at least 4" sticking out. So measure where your tread is now and add on 30 mm. Anyway you can cut the tubular outrigger at 45degree angle from
the outer edge,it will not affect the look of the car or affect it in anyway, unlike 30mm spacers putting more stress on the wheel bearings!
Tyreman - any experience with the Michelin Latitude Cross? Looks interesting..
Hi Spider,
I have 285/60R18 BFG ATs fitted to my 500 with 30mm spacers. Firstly, I've never had a problem with the MOT and secondly the tyres look more-or-less in-line with the arch. As others have said, a bit of window cleaning is required in Winter.......but it's no worse than my 300TD fitted with 285/75R16s on ET40mm rims (which is 10mm LESS of an offset than 30mm spacers by the way - so your thinking of 20mm versus 30mm should rest your mind at ease).
Phileas
Just to add to the arguament against the Bridgstone Duellers HTS, of the set of 5 tyres I had fitted to the G when I purchased it - I have had problems with two of them. One formed a large bubble on the tread which luckily I noticed and changed the tyre, the second, on Sunday seems to have had the same problem but this time we were unfortunate in so much as we did not notice a problem until the front offside tyre blew out whilst travelling on the M6 whilst towing the caravan!!
Now I am not sure what to fit and wondering whether I have to fit a full set of new tyres, given two out of five have caused a problem.
Would welcome any comments and assistance.
Cheers
Not sure why this has been added twice
Cheers
Woodenhead
M2dxb,
it says 520.
Spider1V
hi spider, here is a link i found recently !!
this guy seems to fabricate some parts for G's , which is very suprising !
and he has 20mm spacers too . i would recommend you get a 40mm bodylift too .
prices seem competitive too and he has good feedback.
based in essex too.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/sstyresandwheels09
good luck
Hi Huss,
Thanks for the link and heads up. My dilemma in uplifting my G is , as I use it day to day it will cut down where I can park it. My objective is to keep it sub the 2M mark as it give me access to all the shops around us and in London. Going over the 2M severely cuts down where I can park :(
But thanks for the link - I maybe interested in your 20mm ones if they are still up for sale?
Spider1V
Hi Spider, with regard to the link posted by Hus it might be worth pointing out that the 20mm spacers adverised for a G wagon at £150 are also hub adapters that would allow the fitting of a wheel with a different pcd.This is not what you are looking for.
Also advertised on the site are a set of four 20mm spacers with a pcd of 5x130 for £75 which is the correct size for a G, this is what you are looking for.
If I might offer a small word of caution regarding wheel spacers. A lot of the lateral loading on a wheel is not actualy taken up by the wheel studs but by the raised circular lip that protrudes from the hub and locates in the wheel center. Most aftermarket spacers of the cheaper variety are just a machined flat disc without this locating lip. This causes additional loading to be placed on the wheel studs which in some extreme offroad conditions can cause them to bend and the wheel to run off centre. This results in vibration which can be very hard to diagnose if you don't know your studs are bent.
If you take a close look at the photo of the ORC spacers posted above by Mark, they include the raised locating lip which maintains the integral strength of the wheel mounting system. You get what you pay for as the saying goes.
I hope this helps Spider as I know how you are easily confused :)
ORC ones are TUV certificated.
Stop fucking about and cut the tubular out riggers at 46deg angle, like the factory did for the 461!
What outriggers :-)
good observation big block ! you are right when you mentio cheaper qaulity parts..
' pay peanuts and get monkeys.....'
pp, you use great grammer when the going gets tough !!
spider the eibach spacers i have are 20mm with the lip big block mentions. definately tuv approved.
russ, is that pic of the fr wheel arch inner from a 461 ? looks 463 to me, but i can be mistaken..
No forget all that- what he needs is these. Jimmy Choos for Gs
305/35 R23 seen on a Brabus (only £450 000) at Goodwood today
no, a bit like a ballerina in pit boots, or
OK fair point, but if someone gave me a Brabus I wouldn't refuse
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What size spacers and would I only need them for the front or get all wheels done?
One consideration would be to get the steering sorted by about a turn?
@ PP - dunno about that..... you will ahve to explain. I get the thingy, but the out riggers? (you can get rather technical at times! :) )
Spider1V