Could this be a problem?

[L84THSKY]

I just saw a guy selling a set of H & R springs on ebay to fit a 318ti. He claims he is selling them because the car is too low, and in winter snow, it causes problems. My question is this. I have 15" stock alloys with 205/60/15 Continental tires that I plan on keeping for winter driving. I will be putting on 17" rims in the spring, with Bilstein sports and BAV Auto springs. The 17" wheels will have tires that give the same diameter as the stock wheels. With the summer spring/shock upgrade, what's gonna happen when I put my stock 15" wheels on the following winter? Will the car be so low that it rubs, and or has poor traction in snow?

[2ndBimmer]

If theyre the same diameter then they wont rub any more nor less.

[hotdog19d]

2ndbimmer - I think you mistunderstood him, he was asking if his car would rub.


As far as your car rubbing it really depends on if they're sport or race springs. I have H&R sport springs on mine and koni's and it does rub on speed bumps and things like that.
As far as rubbing because of snow, the only time I can recall was when I was in about 6 inches of it. So I don't think you will have a problem.

[2ndBimmer]

Doh!

Well, Ive been looking for a winter car, but Im not sure its gonna happen. So I might end up with my lowered car in the snow on snow tires. Definently wont push it thru the same crap I forced it thru last year.

[L84THSKY]

Just so I can clear up any confusion, the real question goes like this. I have 205/60/15 alloy wheels with ContiSport tires on the car now. The 17" rims I will add in the spring will be 215/45/17 with Dunlop SP8000 tires. If I lowered car with BAV auto springs and Bilstein Sport Shocks, would that make driving in the snow on my ContiSport tires a problem?


Doh!

Well, Ive been looking for a winter car, but Im not sure its gonna happen. So I might end up with my lowered car in the snow on snow tires. Definently wont push it thru the same crap I forced it thru last year.

[96cali]

The bottom line is that your car will be 1.5" lower in front and 1.0" lower in back both summer and winter. Assuming you get a properly sized 17" the diameter (and height) of the tire/wheel stays the same as the 15". Use this to compare tire sizes:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[L84THSKY]

I already used that chart. The 215/45/17's are the same diameter as the 205/60/15 wheels. I wasn't sure if lowering the car, but keeping all season wheels (205/60/15) for winter, hampered the driveability in snow.


The bottom line is that your car will be 1.5" lower in front and 1.0" lower in back both summer and winter. Assuming you get a properly sized 17" the diameter (and height) of the tire/wheel stays the same as the 15". Use this to compare tire sizes:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[Constant]

I wasn't sure if lowering the car, but keeping all season wheels (205/60/15) for winter, hampered the driveability in snow.

The real problem is if you get thicker snow accumulation where you live. For example, I have the stock M-tech suspension on my ti. We got about 5" of good snow one day, and the parking lot at work was not plowed. I ALMOST got stuck in the parking lot, even with 15" studded winter tires, because the front bumper was acting like a snowplow and entire undercarriage was dragging through the snow.

So the short answer is yes, lowering the car will affect driveability--if you get snow accumulation above the ride height of your car.

Constant