16x5 is a 16" diameter (inside the flange) and 5" between flanges; 16x7 is 16" diameter by 7" width. The offset is how far the hub is placed into the wheel width and is really the controlling factor as the tires will be centered width wise on the centerline of the wheel. The further the wheel is pushed out by less offset the greater chance of rubbing the fender lip. There are several good drawings posted on wheel specs in that shoe section at least.
16x7/45mm is an excellent wheel choice. Reducing offset to 42 mm makes 205/45x16 tires necessary in my opinion when lowered on an 09. (Don't work on 08)
I like 205/45x16 tires also because the slightly smaller diameter makes up for the higher weight of the 205 vs 185 section tires in acceleration and mpg's.

 

thanks that info help me alot to. thanks guys.

hopefully my rims that i choose and the drop i choose will turn out the way i like..

 

So I found some nice BBS RS rims for sale that are the color I want(gold). They are 15x7 and +25. Now the rims the gene has are 16x7 +24 so the ones I want should fit fine right? They have no rubbing problems so theoretically I shouldn't right?

 

Depends what suspension set up you use. I test fitted some +31 on my car and it was sticking almost an inch out of the fenders and I'm not even lowered yet! You might have to run some pretty aggressive camber!

 

Stock suspension. I won't be lowering my car. Don't mind the rims sticking out just don't want them to rub anything.

 

You might be fine then. When I test fitted my +31 rims on stock height I had no rubbing what so ever from lock to lock and over bumps.

 

Nice. I think they will look good sticking slightly out of the fenders. I was looking at it on a ruler and how much it would stick and it's not much. The one's I like have the stock lips not the deep dish ones.

 

 

Has your mpg dropped with these tires? How's the noise compared to stocks? Thanks so much. These might be what I'm looking for.

 

Any wheel with an offset LESS than 42 mm WILL RUB on any tire close to to or bigger than stock. Offset less than 42 mm pushes the wheel and tire farther out into the fender. And tghat's stock ride height.
If you lower you need at least 45 mm offset wheels. And not 215/50x16 tires.

 

i have the same tires, but went with a lighter wheel. I actually picked up 1 mpg on my first tank with the Goodyears.

 

Even if it's 15 and stock height? I don't see it rubbing unless I'm going fast and hit a bad bump or if I turn really really fast. The gap on my Fit right now(I have a base that has 15" steelies) is pretty big.

Other than the rims sticking out I don't see where it would rub.

 

I am running Tanabe DF210's, 205/50 on a 16x7 +43 absolutely no rubbing.

 

I'm a potential GE8 owner. I understand that this has been beat to death. Currently I have a set of 17 by 7 offset 40 with 205/40/17. I know that when I swapped this set to the GE8 it will stick out. THe question is how much would it stick out from the fender. If I lower I would need to camber the front. Is this correct? Or could I get away with it because of the smaller diameter of the tire. I'm looking to get coilovers that are height adjustable. Does anyone have any pics of this setup on their GE8?

 

CAUTION!!! hahaha.

you'll be fine with +40 but you'll want to lower it and run
195/45/17's or something narrower than your 205's.

but if you run a/s tires you might be fine as the shoulders
are not as robust as perf summer tires.

ideally you'll want +45 range and 6.5" width, but those might
be hard to fine these days.

CAUTION!!!

 

i don't think anyone makes 195/45s in 17s? I have never seen that tire combo. I've read this thread countless times and it seems that ppl are fitting 205/ 7.5" rim with 45 offset ok and 205 / 7" rim / 43 offset no problems. So i'm thinking that 3mm more in offset should be ok given a smaller diameter tire. the 205/40/17 is almost an inch smaller than the 205/45/17 that ppl are running.

 

I don't know about that, I rub like a bitch! Maybe its because I'm riding on Dunlop Direzza Z1 tires (205/50) & 16x7 +43 + DF.

I had to take out both clips on the fender because those rub the most and it only rubs on some bumps on the road. Still quite drivable, but I can't do any hard turns or go to the canyons. I still haven't broken in my rubber yet :3

I plan to cut my fender plastic like this. (Not my pic)



I'm still waiting on my camber kit/bolts and that should eliminate my rubbing issues.

 

^ i think you're right, as the tire wears, the diameter will become smaller and as u break in the tires, rubbing will become less severe.
if i do get the fit in a few months time, i'll try my ultra stick out combo and run a 195/45/17, which should hopefully eliminate the rubbing. If not, i'll camber! Even tho generally i don't like running camber as that kills threadwear and causes alignment problems.
I love my rims too much to get rid of them.

 

actually front camber can help in the cornering ability and if
done right (no agressive toe angles) it wont wear your tires
all that much on the inside.

sounds like you got a plan.

 

Ah, Ill be happy when i slap on my 195-50-16's 44mm off on my ssr's

that extra 1cm oud maybe help for traction but it aint worth the hassel and the fit isnt my main car to drive like a freak lol!

Best of luck guys! Just got my tires mounted today, fit is here in a few days, I will lower it last weekend march