Previous owner screwed the pooch by putting 18.5/19.5 +35 wheels on a stock height AP2 w/ bodykit. Not only is there considerable rubbing, but the wheels are HEAVY (rears weigh 27 lbs).

I'm looking to fix this with a set of 16x7/17x8 TSW Trackstars in +50 offset. With 215/40/16 & 255/40/17s, I should clear the fenders using spa-zz's awesome guide and still havedecent treadwidth. I know the TSWs are still heavy (even though they're marketed as "light weight"), but anything is better at this point!

Will 16s on the front of an AP2 affect ride height? Am I trading rubbing issues for suspension geometry headache?

 

215/40 will be SUPER short on the front. For a 16 you'll want to run a 50 on that width. I'd probably just run 17x8 all around if you're doing it. You can still stagger the tires on a non-staggered wheel fitment.

 

Isn't aspect ratio independant of wheel size? A 210/40 on a 19inch rim is the same height as a 210/40 on a 16 inch rim... If stock size is 215/45, than 215/40 is only 5% shorter.

Here's the question: Will 5% shorter tires upfront result in bottoming out w/ the stock suspension?

 

40 series is to small up front for a 16, especially at stock height. Dreaming is right, go with a 50 series, or just get four 17's.