I'm looking to get some 18 x 7.5 wheels, but don't really understand the offset concept. I've read that you want at least a +47 offset, and some people have offsets as high as +55. If both +47 and +55 offset fit, what's the difference? Is +55 tucked 8 more mm into the wheel well? Is it true that you can always adjust a higher offset to fit, but you can't adjust a lower offset? If I have a choice of offsets should I just go for the highest possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Check out the link.....great info.

http://www.acura-tl.com/faq.htm#11

 

I can't exactly explain the whole... offset thing... but at 18"x7.5" with offsets too high... your wheels will be sunken in... NOT flush with the side of the car... if that's the look you want... then I guess you'll have to go with a really high offset. I don't think you'll need anything above 47" though. I have 19"x8" with 235/35/19 tires... and my offset is at 51mm... and the wheels are perfectly flush with the side of the car. NO rubbing at all, not even when the steering wheel is turned all the way to the side going over a speed bump. In fact I've got room to lower 2" (which I plan on doing later this month). Anyway, I hope that helps

 

Thanks Lawaia and is300eater for the help. I know is300eater tried to answer my question about whether there would be problems with going for a really high offset, but I think I read something before about a "spacer" or something that would keep high offset wheels from having that sunken in appearance. Does anybody know if this is true?

 

Sure you can space the wheel out if the offset is too high but chances are you aren't going to be running into that sort of problem. The only rims that have exceptionally high offsets are 3-piece wheels, which are also expensive to boot. Do your homework and purchase the correct wheel the first time. Don't cut corners...you'll regret it in the long run!

 

I heard 3-piece rims were also easy to damage...i.e. bending rim lip, scratching, etc.....I also heard if you went over a pot-hole a little to fast you could do some serious damage. Is this right?

 

That's true... but keep in mind too... that when you bend a rim of a 3 piece wheel... you can have just the rim repair or replace (which is a pain in the a$$). Cast wheels can crack... and once they're crack... that's it.

If you are considering buying 3 piece wheels... keep in mind of the local streets you drive most... I got 3 piece 19" wheels... around here the roads are in great condition.

If you like that "multi-piece" wheels look... there are plenty of one piece wheels out there that "look" like multi-piece. You just got to do a lot of research on line.

 

hey is300 what kind of rims do you have?
got any pics?

 

I have the rezax II wheels by a company call "Work." I was told that most of their wheels are forge and made to order, kinda like HRE wheels. Most people has never heard of this brand. It's a high end Japanese company. I don't have any pics yet... I'm going to do all that after I lower the car probably next week (LOL, I just spent tons of $$$ on wheels/tires, yet I still don't own a computer, I just use the one at the gym). But check out the wheels at the company's website: www.work-wheels.co.jp click on wheel index then "rezax II" Unfortunately the website is only in Japanese.

 

you have it right, i would go 48 and up as high as i could