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I have 215/50R17 mounted to 8”. Didn’t even require a bead blaster. Looks good, handles well. Technically, might be too wide, but within reason, no one worries about that. If you go to the manufacturer’s website, you can probably find the exact official acceptable rim width range for each model and size of tire they make.
I mildly regret not going to a significantly wider tire, 245/45R17, but my wife wanted the stock size, and she has to drive it every day.
Wider tires seem to exacerbate the hydroplaning issue. I wish I could find some mud tires that would fit. That would reduce the contact patch while increasing traction.
I received the new rim today. I looked it over and it seems fine except that I noticed 10 small pieces of metal around the outer side that look like they are welded on the rim. My old rims don't have this. Is this unusual? Difference in rims
Those bumps are for holding wheel covers on. Be really careful that they are the correct bolt circle, I got one that seemed to fit but the studs were just a bit off and the wheel actually broke after a few miles.
The original HHR wheel covers are held on with the lugs. The pictured wheel has 10 weld bumps suitable for holding spring clip type wheel covers on. As the OP stated "might be for a different car ".
No other reason for welds in that position. The first pic looked, to my eyes like the inside of the rim, the last pic clearly shows them on the outside edge where nothing is attached, evenly spaced and hopefully of equal weight.
