Hi.
I am about to buy a Fiat Brava, but just have a couple of questions.
I want to buy 17" wheels to it, but is it true that only 7x17s will fit? And what about with a bodykit (frontlips etc.), will the 7x17 still work fine?
And do you guys know any bodykits besides the one from CarZone and Rieger?
How much can the Brava be lowered, and still be able to transport 4 - 5 passengers + luggage without the rough?

Thanks.

EDIT: I just heard that the maximum width is 7", and 205 mm tyre. But is this w. / wo. frontlip?

ive seen plenty of bravo/as with 17"s on, and i've been reliably told that dropping 45mm is safe even with passengers in, i havent seen anyone with wider tyres than 205 but a lot of the 17" alloy wheels these days are desgined to take 205s because the manufacturers realise people stick big wheels on little shopping cars and anything wider tends to cause rubbing on rear arches over bumps and rubbing on front wheels when at full lock. a front lip wont make any difference unless it is closer to the tyres than the bumper, in which case i'd be very careful. having big sideskirts that drop below the car are often troublesome, especially when you're trying to get it up a ramp for your MOT. if you really must have wider wheels i'd suggest getting the steering rack limiters adjusted to reduce the travel on the front wheels, this will avoid the rubbing issue, or just dont turn too much, and on the back arches get them rolled out. you could probably get away with 215s if you stick to 40profile max, maybe 35 if you can afford the tyres. they look ace.

dont buy fibreglass (grp) bodykits, they only last a few months and then they're chipped, cracked and flaking, i've never fitted one for anyone, i'd refuse to, because they'll only come crying the first time a stone smashes the hell out of it, how many boy racer cars do you see with shabby fibreglass bodykits? too many. stick to plastic, it costs more becuase it lasts a lot longer, and on very rare occasions may even add value to your car. a shabby fibreglass banger is worth peanuts a year after the owner shells out thousands. i think its funny but i bet the owners dont.

put 205/40/17" on my bravo and it rubs on full lock its not even lowered so invest in some spacers

205s shouldnt rub unless you have wrong offset wheels. are they 100pcd wheels with wobbly bolts by any chance? spacers will effectively adjust the offset for you, but make sure you also use decent bolts of the right length, there should be at least 6 turns of bolt thread, 6 or less and you need longer bolts to be safe.

jug said:

205s shouldnt rub unless you have wrong offset wheels. are they 100pcd wheels with wobbly bolts by any chance? spacers will effectively adjust the offset for you, but make sure you also use decent bolts of the right length, there should be at least 6 turns of bolt thread, 6 or less and you need longer bolts to be safe.

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wobbly bolts ?? they have spiggot rings

my rims
Metal Type: Aluminium Stud Diameter: 98
Rim Width: 7J Brand: DeCORSA
Rim Diameter: 17 inches Rim Structure: 5 spoke
Offset: 38 Manufacturer Part Number: --
Number of Studs: 4

Well I have 18' with 215's on mine, it's not lowered but has got a front lip on the abarth bumper and I get no rubbing on full lock.

Gav

Bravissimo said:

Well I have 18' with 215's on mine, it's not lowered but has got a front lip on the abarth bumper and I get no rubbing on full lock.

Gav

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hmmm ?

drunknspike said:

hmmm ?

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Hmmm what ?

Bravissimo said:

Hmmm what ?

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dunno why mine was rubbing then ? got some spacers now

i got 17"" on mine and there dont catch nway 1 was thinking of lowering it 45m is it posible wont it catch;;

depends on the offset and wheel/tyre width. some 17s will be fine, others will destroy your arches. as a general test get a straight edge (long ruler) and lay it on the tyre at the bottom and top of the wheel, if that straight edge meets the arch on the inside you should be fine, if not you dont want passengers in the back.

I have 17's on my Bravo and lowered 40mm.

Never rubbed at all. ONly prob I have is kerbs and speedbumps (nothing to do with wheels tho, just silly bits of fibreglass on the front and back)