so 18x8.5's with 225/40 is actually the same rolling circumference as stock? Thats flippin ridiculous. So basically im going to have the exact same difference between my tire and fender? But it will just look better. Arent i losing something when i downsize on the width of the tire though? Some kind of performance aspect?

 

18x8.5 is probably going to give you clearance issues if you lower it. And yes, that is the same rolling circumference as stock, which is why it's recommended. That's how you can upsize without screwing up your odometer and speedometer accuracies, and keep your "effective gearing" the same. Go to a larger overall circumference, and you effectively make your final drive taller (slowing your acceleration), and also you slow your speedo readings and roll up "fewer" miles. You want to stay roughly the same as stock circumference.

By "width" do you mean the height of the sidewall? As in the 40 series (vs the 55 series of stock)? What you'll lose is some ride comfort as the lower profile tires will not flex as much and won't insulate you as much from rough roads, so you'll have a firmer ride. I think the OEM setup is too soft though, so to me that's a benefit. That stiffness also gives you better reflexes and handling, since the sidewalls are lower and don't roll over as much.

 

So if i have no plans of lowering it for a while i should be fine. But if i do decide to lower it later on, it shouldnt rub with just 1 to 2 inch lowering springs right? If i did lower it it would be because of the gap. I would just try to make it a little smaller. I live in maine and cant afford to be bottoming out all the time.

 

Yeah you'll be fine. Chances are if you go with 8.5" wheels and you lower it, if the offset is correct the only problem you may see is some slight rubbing if you turn the wheel all the way to the lock - sometimes you'll have clearance issues and touch a control arm in a tight turn if the wheels are wide. Other than that, you'll probably have no issues.

 

its all in the offsets, you van run any size width with the right offset, or atleast the right manufactured offset ie: spacers
my wheels have an offset of 45, and barely cleared the front wheel bearing housing.. i now have a 10mm spacer in the front and 15 in the rear making the offsets 35 in the front, and 30 in the rear.
tire size also plays a huge role, my 18's with 215/35 tires, are actually smaller in diameter then my friends set of stock 15's with 205/55 tires

 

Alright so i completely forgot what the 225/40 numbers stand for... Freaking brain cramp or something. But doesnt that mess up your speedometer? Technically isnt the circumference of your wheels and tires smaller than the stockers? And basically anything 35 or less for the offset will be fine for me?