Question

[mikeroy420]

Will 17 inch rims and tires get rid of the gap between the wheel and the fender? will this help at all?

[Dream240]

Depends on the size tire. If you get 40 series tires, your gap will INCREASE, due to the tire having a shorter wall. In case you didn't know, in the tire number code; ie. 225/40R18, the 40 means 40% of the first number, which is tire width in millimeters. This applies to any passenger tire.

So when applying this code, you may get bigger rims which will give you a greater inside diameter on the tire-17" is bigger than 15"- but if you go with a low profile tire like a 40 or 35 series tire, you will have a bigger fender gap than say the stock tires on a 240 base model which are 195/60R15.

Mostly though its all visual. The increased fender gap is more noticable on low profile tires due to the tire becoming smaller and the eye naturally catches the bigger fender gap before it notices the tires. Also just note that when you get bigger rims, you will cause the car to sit higher off the ground. 17" and 18" rims are really noticable, you will also notice you top speed will decrease due to having an increase wheel diameter.

Personally I have 18" and when I got them I hadn't lowered my car, they looked really nice on the car but the front fender gap was HUGE! And my top speed dropped off about 15 mph! Those was mostly attributed to those 18" rims, but a side effect was the increased wind drag I got from the car being higher off the ground! Probably about 2" higher than stock. That makes a huge difference in top speed achievements.

Sorry didn't mean to go into such detail but I think I covered every possible question you might have. Personally on 240s most guys go with 17" or if you have the budget, go with 18" light weight rims. Unfortunately mine aren't light weight so I had to throw in more bolt ons to make up for the power loss at the wheels. Sorry I don't have any company recommendations for you. Someone should though.

Good luck gettin the rims! And be patient when choosing cause once you invest that kind of money, you don't want to be unsatisfied.

[AKADriver]

Originally posted by Dream240
Also just note that when you get bigger rims, you will cause the car to sit higher off the ground. 17" and 18" rims are really noticable, you will also notice you top speed will decrease due to having an increase wheel diameter.

BAD INFO!

You had it right above - describing the plus-size concept.

This is false, however. A 17" wheel with a 225/45-17 is the same overall height as the stock 205/60-15, it will not change the ride height of the car, it will not affect the effective gearing.

[sykikchimp]

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/plusone.htm

[Dream240]

Originally posted by AKADriver
BAD INFO!

You had it right above - describing the plus-size concept.

This is false, however. A 17" wheel with a 225/45-17 is the same overall height as the stock 205/60-15, it will not change the ride height of the car, it will not affect the effective gearing.

Yeah you're right, but if you notice I didn't mention 225/45R17 with reference to ride height. I refered to 18" rims. So which part of my post was false....hmmm.In the future DOUBLE CHECK the posts before you go critizing someone. There's nothing wrong to adding to the info, just don't go finger happy when you THINK you can correct someone.

All cars vary when it comes to the effects of aftermarket wheels, whether it be the way they look or perform.

Sykikchimp good link for illustration.

[AKADriver]

You said

Also just note that when you get bigger rims, you will cause the car to sit higher off the ground. 17" and 18" rims are really noticable, you will also notice you top speed will decrease due to having an increase wheel diameter.

THAT part of the post was false!

I just threw out the 225/45-17 as a specific example. 225/40-18 works too for the sake of discussion. A 225/40-18 tire on an 18" wheel will not cause the car to sit higher.

[Dream240]

Originally posted by AKADriver

I just threw out the 225/45-17 as a specific example. 225/40-18 works too for the sake of discussion. A 225/40-18 tire on an 18" wheel will not cause the car to sit higher. [/B]

Okay, that sentence WAS a little generalized. But how do you figure a 225/40R18 doesn't raise the car?
When I got my rims I wanted to see just how much higher the car would be so I measured it before and after. The car went higher by almost 2"! Not only that but just look at a 240 stock 15" and one with the specified 18" and you wil DEFINITELY notice the raise. Also the car no longer scraped on ANYTHING! wheras, my N1 muffler would scrape with the 15" all the time!

Oh wait now that I think about it, my old wheels were 195/50R15, so that would explain my raise in height, DOH! But I'm sure the 18" would raise the car at least 1" from 195/60R15.
Anyways, with all that being said, original poster, do what you want! I'm done.