Newbie needs wheel/tire info

[767driver]

I have been researching wheel and tire options for my '91 USDM MR2 Turbo on a couple of boards and need to narrow this down. My car is all stock with some generic 16 x ? wheels with 205/45/16 fr, 225/45/16 rr. Again, stock ride height. This setup looks too small to my eye (due to ride height?) and my tires are shot anyway.

So, I was thinking about 17x8 (or possibly 17x7) fr, 17x9 rr. Offset seems to be a big player at these sizes. At some point I will most likely lower the car 1-1.5 inches at most.

I want this setup to look AND drive properly. I do not want anything sticking out past the fender, rubbing on anything, or otherwise behaving badly. This car will see occasional autocross and open track days.

Any advice on 17s (or 16s for that matter), offsets, tire sizes is appreciated.

[MR2Jedi]

fr=17x7 or 8 w/215/40 +35 offset rr=17x9 w/245/40 +35 offset

[767driver]

Originally Posted by MR2BAD

fr=17x7 or 8 w/215/40 +35 offset rr=17x9 w/245/40 +35 offset

I am wondering what the 215/40/17 will look like on the 17x8. Will the tire be wider at the rim then at the tread causing the sidewall to appear as if it is rolling under the wheel?

[MR2Jedi]

8" rim can take up to a 235. But of course, it's your call. I'm running 215/40 17x7 up front
Go to MR2 pics in the sticky at the top of the forum page. Member "The Engineer" is running the set up I recommended. He's got pics posted and you can get a good look. Looks really good.

[767driver]

The Engineer's setup looks like it might be right at my aethsetic limit in terms of sidewall height (or more correctly, lack of height). I noticed MRQturbo's red 2 (first pic in thread). I like that look and sent him a PM. Any ideas on what he is using? They almost look like 16s.

[MRQtwinturbo]

i'm running 16 x 7's up front with 205/45 and 16 x 8s in rears with 245/45..but i have a set of 17 x 8s which will be going on the rears with either a 245/40 or 255/35 tire..keep in mind my fenders are rolled so no rubbing issues anymore...on h&r springs/gab shocks....

[767driver]

So the 16x8 with 245/45 rubbed. Was that with the car already on the H&Rs? Also, as far as rolling the wheel lip goes, am I correct in assuming that you only roll the lip at the upper part (above the car's beltline)? What is the best method of performing the roll?

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to do this once and do it right.

[MRQtwinturbo]

yes..major rubbing issues with 245s on the rears with the H&Rs..i'm not sure what the offset of my rims are but should be in +35 range, they are perfectly flush.....i had 225s and had no problems....a friend of mine owns a body shop so he rolled the fenders for me.....the inner lip is now flat if you feel under the wheel well....he used one of those fender rolling tools.......if your car is orig paint..you will have a better chance of the paint not cracking or peeling....i'va had no problems since getting it done.....

[4DMR2t]

My enkei's are 17x8 +35 with 215/40 up front. The tire is slightly wider at the rim than at the tread, but only by a mm or 2. Barely noticeable. You could go to 225 up front, but I'd be concerned about rubbing and rolling the front fenders is tough.

By the way my rears are 17x9 +35 with 245/40 with rolled fender. Car is lowered about 1.5 inches all around. I'll be going with 255 in the rear, next time.

[767driver]

Thanks for the pics, 4DMR2t... nice car! And thanks everyone for the info. I am still wondreing about the rolling operation. Are you only rolling the upper part of the wheelwell lip (the part above the beltline)?

[4DMR2t]

I started at about where the side moldings meet the wheel well, and worked my way up. That was enough to prevent the tires from rubbing.

It's easy enough to do yourself with a rubber hammer and a couple rags. Use some heat on it to prevent the paint from cracking and you'll be in good shape.