Low Offset Wheels: A General Guide
When it comes to wide wheels and low offsets, a lot of considerations need to be taken into account. For one you may interfere with suspension components. The wider the wheel, the closer and more tight this clearance will get. The main thing is to find a perfect balance. When shopping for new wheels, take into consider disk fitment. This is in reference to big brake kits as you must take into account the diameter of the rotor such that it will fit in the wheel you choose, along with the curvature of the face of the wheel. With high disk fitment, the face of the wheel will curve move to make clearance for the bigger caliper. With low disk fitment, the face of the wheel will appear “flatter”.
If you buy a new set of wheels, it is almost a given that you have your car lowered or you are going to. In terms of most larger sedans, you should be fine with anything up to 19” with the right wheel dimensions. Over a 1.5” drop you will need to do inner fender modifications. This may include removing the fender lining completely and relocating the wiring harness, depending on how extreme you want to go with your drop. When it comes to making the actual wheels fit, you can roll your fenders, run negative camber, stretch tires, pull your fenders, or do a combination, or do all. There are many techniques for rolling fenders. If you plan on rolling a lot of fenders, you might want to invest in a fender roller, a handy device that bolts to your wheel hub and allows you to easily and consistently roll your fenders. No baseball bats or phonebooks necessary here, and you come out with a clean OEM look.
Low offset wheels can thus be a very viable option for modification. It transforms the look of the car and gives it a much more aggressive feel. Obviously the only catch is cost and more importantly, lots of work. There is a large degree of planning and math involved to ensure your fitment is both good looking and drivable to a degree. Add in the work in rolling fenders, refinishing wheels, mounting tires, and simply maintaining the look and it can be seen how it’s a tough job. However, it is a very rewarding endeavor that I highly suggest any auto enthusiast try out.











