I have to say, you both are correct in this. and I think what is missing is that when one does get a wider rim, they are automatically going to get a wider tire.

http://www.sportssix.info/wheeldata.php

Just like your example JOE, surely if you upgrade your rim with same offset, but go wider rim, say 8.5", and you mount the stock 215 tire, the tire threads will stay in the same position. I am sure there are some limitations to all this that we must all remember, like the stock 215 tire may not be able to mount on a 8.5" wheel...So it is almost assumed that most folks will purchase proper tires for their new wheels, and hence, may run into the tire rubbing on the fenderwell....

My example, is that I went with a 8.5" wide wheel. The tires that I got was a 235 40..I think this was the thinnest tire that would mount to the 8.5" wheel. When you look at front face of the tire/wheel, the outer most rim and the tire are about the same level. I really should have gone to a 245 or 255 wide tire for the 8.5" wheel. But, needless to say, during a routine rotation, I accidentally slipped one of the wheels and it rolled on my driveway facing down. All I could hear was the metal scratching on the concrete. My tire did not protect my wheel face, because it is so thin compared to the rim and now I have little dings and pits on the face of my beautiful FOOSE wheel....%(&$&^# Lesson learned.....

 

Erf that SUX! I hope nothing like that happens to my Giovanna's! My tires are basically on line with the rim. I think I would shed a tear if that happens to me!

Back when I was new to low profile wheels and tires I scraped my wheels. Now I'm extremely careful when I parralel park and make sharp right turns.

Ng

 

Joe, first off, I've sold and installed THOUSANDS of sets of rims/tires in my life. Second, maybe take a course on it first...then find me a FWD rim with more than a 42mm offset that fits the HHR - you won't.

Quit acting like a diety.

 

 

Now now, play nice boys.

 

I did worse than shed a tear, I was so mad I started yelling, in general, but my wife happened to be in the path (like how I worded that one..) Well, she took both offense and simpathy....But, just imagine, I really had to apologize for my outburst.....which was the truth of the matter, she is more important that my baby HHR and the hella expensive shoes I put on it.....

Anyway, I am no longer sleeping in da dog house....

 

That was the part I didn't care for (just my opinion). I don't think wheels the same color as the car produce the same effect as a contrasting color or chrome. It's like the fad when guys were painting the chrome on their classic cars the body color - they ruined the effect. Dark center 5 spoke mags are for light colored cars, IMHO.

 

Hey, I like that look. That's probably what I'm going to do with my Malibu.

 

I feel your pain...

 

OK this is really it!!!!!!!!!! Chrome, not black.......






18"by 7.5 42MM offset with Perelli 215 45 18's