Rim offset for 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES?

Question

Hi, I was thinking of getting Rota Slipstream rims size 16x7. They come in the offsets +40 and +45. Which would be better for a lower center of gravity for better cornering ability? Thanks!

Answer 1

When choosing wheels never never change wheel off-sets. You can go wider outside if there's room. Undue pressure will be put on front and rear wheel bearings and spindles. Your car's designed camber center- line intersection at the bottom of the tire will be lost and the steering wheel will tend to pull in your hands when braking.
Let me explain: I'm sure you've seen and old horse drawn buggy from the rear . the top of the large wheels appear farther away from each other than the bottom. The reason for this is if you were to draw a perfect line from the tilt of the wheel top to bottom where the wheel meats the ground it would perfectly intersect a line straight down from the wheel bearing.
Car front ends are designed the same way. If you drew a line from the top of your strut tower to the ground the intersection would be the center-line of where the tire patch meets the road. If you have ball joints the center-line between the two joints combined with spindle snout angle meats the center-line of the tire patch. If you have a solid front axle king pin inclination amd spindle snout angle make the intersection prefectly.
Now imagine what would happen if these center-lines no longer intersect. As you turn tour steering wheel and apply the brakes the steering wheel would be forever trying to center itself because the off-set wheel center-line intersection does not match up with the strut center-line or spindle angle / ball joint center-line. Any book on allignment and suspensions will show pictures and lines to make this more clear.

Answer 2

Check tirerack.com or discounttire.com, they should be able to tell you the recommended offset for any new set of wheels that you wish to buy.