looking to get 17x8 or 17x7 5zigen fno-1c wheels in flat black...just need to know the benefits and drawbacks of each...they will be put on 205-45-17 tires...thanks

 

I don't mean to point out the obvious, but wider wheels will do nothing for you unless you also put wider tires on them.

 

I doubt your going ot get a 205/45 to fit on a 17x8 wheel a 225/45 is streched on a 17x8.5...

 

A 205/45-17 tire will screw up your speedometer and gearing. Plus it would look stupid. I would reconsider that. If you did manage to fit it onto a 8" wide wheel it would look doubly stupid because the sidewall would be stretched out almost flat like a lowrider; your wheels would scrub curbs like mad, you'd need some curb feelers for that. For a 205-215 tire I'd go with 7". For a 225-235 I'd get the 8".

 

You should be able to get a 215/45 on a 7" wheel to fit perfectly and it shouldn't mess up the spedo. I would go with what bone324 said on a 8" wheel a 225 or 235 not sure but you probably can put a 225 on a 17x7" stock STI wheels are 17x7.5" with 225/45 wheel you might have some side wall bulge but it would be better than streching the tire. Plus I doubt a tire shop would put a 205/45 on a 17x7. If you ever have any questions just call Tire Rack and they will be more than happy to answer any and all questions.

 

I have 17x8's and, as said earlier, if you are not going to run a wider tire don't bother. I curently have 225 45 17 and am going to go to 245 40 17's.

 

Yes, you can fit 225s on a 7". I have that on my WRX. The sidewall does bulge a little. If I had to do it over, I'd go with a 7.5-8" wheel. A 205 on a 7" wheel will fit, I'm pretty sure. The problem with a 205/45-17 is that the outside diameter of the tire will be smaller than the stock setup. This will throw off your speedo, final gearing of the car, and your odometer. You will not get an accurate reading of your speed or miles travelled, regardless of the wheel width. It will also affect performance, I'm not sure how.

 

whoops i meant 225-45-17...sorry