Changing the wheels is probably one of the most instantaneously noticeable upgrades possible when modifying a car. I'd been waiting to upgrade ever since I got the car and when the day came it was glorious...
They look great but unfortunately in the images above that's pretty much all they made the car good for - looking at...
These wheels, being wider than the stock items, cause the tread of the tyres to stick out too far. If you're after an MOT that's a no-no around these parts. The tread of the tyre must be covered by the arch. So although they look pretty damn cool in the above shots, the standard arches had to go!
Another perhaps more important problem is the fact the wider wheels foul the metal of the arch making full lock unattainable. Standard arches off...
Identifying the offending section of arch...
and marking out what needs to go with skilfully-applied masking tape and blue felt tip...
There are some out there who might think cutting away some metal just to fit new wheels is a bit barbaric.. it is.. but I have tried to remove as little as possible.
By this point it was dark and raining. October in England.
Next up.. arches!
