Will these rims fit on my 2001 Honda Accord Coupe? I want to lower it on Function & Form Type 1 Coilovers and the rim size I want are 17x8.25. My biggest question is offset. I don't know what the hell it is no matter how many things I research about it. Just if someone could tell me all I need to know about getting this to fit or if one of you guys have this on your car. Thanks.

 

Offset. Easy. Take wheel width, cut it in half. That's the wheel centerline. That's where a 0 offset wheel's hub would be. Positive offset puts that hub closer towards the face of the wheel(outside). Opposite for negative offset. Positive offset will ALWAYS have more wheel width inboard, negative offset will ALWAYS have more width outward.

Example: a 10" width wheel has two 5" halves. A 25mm offset(25mm=1") will make the wheel have 6" of the barrel onboard, 4" outboard. That 6" onboard barrel is... the backspace.

Offset and backspace are not the same thing. Backspace is calculated by width, dividing it in half, then adding or subtracting the offset, depending if it's a negative or positive offset, as shown in the example. Backspace is arguably more important than offset as inboard clearance determines how wide the wheel can be without rubbing inboard components, from a functional standpoint.

 

So with a 17x8.25 rim what is the best offset to get? Also, what is the purpose of wheel spacers and will I need them? Thanks for trying to explain this. It's still a little "fuzzy."

 

No idea, half the fun is figuring that out for yourself.

 

Another thing to consider is the caliper clearance. On a stock setup this should not be an issue, but if the front calipers have been swapped, then it could be. Depends on the brand of wheels.

 

I'll give you something to go by. I have 18X8 wheels with a 40mm offset. The wheels fit very flush with no over hang.

The higher the offset, the more they tuck in. That could be a problem with the brake calipers hitting the wheels or the tires hiting the inside of the wheel well when you turn.

The lower the offset the more they stick out. Then you run into the tires hitting the lip of the fenders. I would shoot for the closest offset to 40mm.

I like to run the camber close to stock, so 40mm offset onan 8" wide rim allowed for that without stuff hitting anything.

Avoid spacers, seriously.