need help with offset!!

i'm a noob when it comes to offsets and rims sizes so please excuse my noobiness. Anyways i wanted to get some Gram Lights 57C and I want the staggered look where the dish on the rear rim is bigger than the front. What size and offset should I get and whats the most offset I can get? I have a 1990 240 fastback and want 17's. need help!! was looking at this website http://www.wheeloptions.com/wheels.html
http://www.wheeloptions.com/images/rays/gram/large/57c.jpg

I'm kinda a newbie, but one rule i've noticed for newbies: search the forum before you post.

more offset is bad, u want an offset close to zero

if u get too high of an offset like over 40 your wheels will be sunk in

you want your wheels to stick out or at least line up with you fenders for looks and performance

but that all changes on the width of the wheels lets say u get 9 inch wheels all that changes (i think)

if i get 17'' x 7.5 in the front and 17'' x 8.5 in the rear but with the same offset +22, it would have that staggered look or should i get different offsets too?

i would go with 17x8 in the front

actually thats pretty good it woudlent look staggered

is there really a difference between a 40 and 45 offset?

+40 on a 240? ewww...

+22 Front and back looks just right... its also what volk runs on the gramlight demo 240

http://www.forperformance.com/rays/wheels/gl57c/180sx57c_l.jpg

kinda a noob question

but what is the offset when you're looking at a car with rims
like, how can you tell what the offset is

u usually have to look behind the rim its stamped on the back on most rims

i hear lower offset is better

but why is it better?

actually thats pretty good it woudlent look staggered

then how would i make it staggered? less offset on the back rims?

i hear lower offset is better

but why is it better?

Lower offset cars tend to be RWD (240SX).

This determines where the wheel will be with respect to the fenders lip. This also determines coilover clearance. Some manufacturers require a low offset wheel (dependent on width) in order to clear their coils. High offset wheels may not clear brake upgrades either. When getting into brake upgrades, the spoke design also determines clearance.

Here is what i have seen work on a 240:

With VERTEX aero fenders the widest i have gone is 18x9.5 +19, clears JIC Coilovers and NISMO brake upgrade.

Without VERTEX fenders - I have gone 18x8.5 +38, pre brake upgrade.

I personally think the 240 can go 18x9 +22 to +25 with no clearance problems, i.e. before fender rolling.

Thanks!
Chris