Looking for info/advice/concerns on changing wheel, particularly relating to offset. I have posted a similar question on swedespeed, so apologies to those who have heard my endless questioning already! Just trying to "gather as much data" as possible before committing to a decision...

I have a V50 T5 AWD with 17x7 sculptors. It has 52.5 mm offset. Obviously, the stock wheel/tire (205/50/17) fit perfectly well. One can get Volvo's OEM 18x7.5 wheels Medea and Medusa, which also have 52.5 mm offset. Because the 18 inch wheels are the correct offset, there is no risk of wear and tear / weight distribution problems because the wheel is still centered the same. But also, because the wheel/tire combo has grown left and right, Volvo recommends steering stops for this 18x7.5 inch combo.

There are aftermarket wheels. People have already installed them: 18x8, 18x7.5, 19x???, etc. Tirerack.com has lots of wheel options for V50/S40 also. Most of these wheels (all of them) do NOT have 52.5 mm offset. Some are 48 mm, some are 45, some are 42, some are even 40 mm. I'm looking at one, for example, that is 17x7.5 (so I can put 225/45/17 tire) with 42 mm offset. With the lowered offset, there should be no problems fitting the wheel/tire in the wheel well area. So fitment is not what I'm worried about.

I'm worried about the risks of moving the center of the wheel outwards. That changes where the weight (and these cars are not light) is centered. It could put stress on the suspension that Volvo did not design in.

So...

How low offset is reasonable, technically speaking?

Is there a wheel weight that is too LIGHT?

Has anyone used an aftermarket wheel/tire combo on a car and had that new combo last for > 100,000 miles?

Thanks for listening to my rambling, and again - apologies to those who have already seen this question from me in another forum.

Bassman

I cant imagine how that would be an issue...10 mm is something like half an inch I think. I dont see how that will change where the weight is centered, the wheel still connects to the hub at the same place. It will change where the tires' contact patch is, but only by 1/2" on each side. I dont see how that would start putting extremes on the suspension.

If u want to know what offset is the lowest u can go to, call a dealer u trust, or a place like the Tire Rack.