17" alloys......215/45 or 215/40's ?

Hi I was wondering if one of you could help me, im just about to order a set of 17" alloy wheels for my P11 Primera 2.0 Sri 5 door hatchback (UK Car). I first thought about getting 215/40 17" tires becuase that wouldnt exceed the radius of my existing tyres (195/60 15"). However after reading some posts on this forum im not sure, the car will NOT be lowered and people have told me it will look stupid with the 215/40 tires. Now I am thinking about 215/45 17" tires, BUT this would increase the size of the wheels over the existing 195/60's, the reason this worries me is because after inspecting under the front arches of my car I found a bar (not very technical i know) just above the tire and if the size of the wheel were to exceed the factory tires i beleive it may rub on this bar???? will it??

Also could someone tell me whether i need 7" or 7.5" wheels? and what the offset of these wheels should be if using 215/45 17" tires. Any photos of g20/primeras with 17" alloys and stock suspension would help me alot.


Many thanks
Neil
Scotland


wheel sizes (http://www.g20.net/mod_wheels.html)


Henry, the grille on the below Primera is the one i can swap you for your PI lowering springs, you want it?
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?postid=33909

http://www.btinternet.com/~j.ewing/primera/primeragold.jpg

you'll still look stupid with 215/45's if you don't lower your car. get a 16 inch wheel with 205/55/16 if you're not planning to lower it.

My car comes with standard stiffened/lowered suspension as well as a front strut brace so I wouldnt like to risk spoiling the handling by lowering it any further. Does anyone else think i should get 205/55 16" instead of 215/45 17"?

215/45 will reduce the wheelwell gap more than the 215/40, but, there will still be some gap and with 215/45 your car's vertical height will increase slightly.

if you car came lowered by about 1.5inches or 40-45mm, then go for the 17's. it's a waste to get 16's if your car is lowered. :D handling wise, you'll notice a lot more nimble handling, less bounce from the rubber and a stiffer ride. which is allll GOOD.
:alien: :silly2:

Go with the 215/45/17 as they will fill the gap a bit more.

If what you say is correct about it already 1.5" lower, you should end up with a good ride along with a good look :D

That P-Ride is pretty cool, who makes that?? and what are the specs on it.