[Sigfrund]

Hi -

I just got my 02 MCS fitted with SSR 17x7.5 wheels and 215/45 Khumo's. (replacing the 17" S-lites and Pirelli run-flats) The car rides much better, but when we had 4 people in it last night I got a scraping sound from the rear wheels when I cornered or accelerated hard. I didn't see any damage or rub marks but the only thing I could imagine it being was the new tires rubbing in the wheel well. A forum search seems to confirm that.

The new wheels are 42mm offset, and I did know the tire diameter was a bit larger...I didn't think that it was quite that close already.

So what are my options? I -really- like the new tires for ride and feel - I don't want to give them up. I drive the car fairly aggressively and do want to track/autocross a bit.

Here are the options I see:
1) Cut the wheel well liners - easy and inexpensive fix, but not so good if I drive the car on snowy salted roads... I'm concerned I'll get rust from salt water getting inside the chassis.
2) Use it as a 2-seater - free, but it means I can't put much in the back at all - the rear passengers didn't total to more than 300lbs of weight. For that matter I'm a bit worried that I'll have issues if my 300lb commuting partner rides with me even in the front...
3) Alignment - could I set enough negative camber to avoid the issue? I know the tires will wear a bit faster on the inside edge, but I can live with that.
4) Suspension - what kind of changes could I make to fix this? I was looking at a Leda or Bilstein PSS9 coilover change, but now I'm -really- worried that this will lower the car and make things even worse. Or can the coilovers be set up stiff enough that it will bottom out? For that matter, what parts (other than the PSS9 kit) do I need to do a decent job? I've already checked and it doesn't appear I've got any mushrooming (yay). I do have a JCW tower brace.
5) Change tires or wheels - least desireable as it took me forever just to pick -these- out and I really like the results.

Also - has anyone had their MCS worked on by Perfect Power in Libertyville IL? I've had the dealer work on everything up to now but PP is a lot closer and sounds like a good shop.

Thanks for any help/suggestions -
Sig