why a wheel gap?

[Robotnik123]

Have just replaced my stock 16 inch wheels, shod in 225/50/16 tyres with 17 inch Evo 9 wheels and 225/45/17 tyres. The car now seems to have a noticable wheel gap esp at the front.

Can anyone say why this is? I never noticed before and according to the tire calcuator on Miata.net, http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html the new wheels and tyres have the same diameter as the old ones. Is some sort of optical illusion at play?

 

[BuzzPuppy]

Definitely, with larger wheels and less rubber, the illusion is you see more of the wheel well

 

[bradc]

It is an illusion, the ST-R at home looks terrible, almost like you can fit a head in there.

You just need to lower the car

 

[Robotnik123]

I'd lower it, only things is the car just clears my driveway by 1cm now... Any lower and it will need to go on the street at night.

 

[Guest]

i went from 205/55R16's to 235/40R18, so the 18's are about 13mm greater in diameter, but i can have the guard closer to the tyre, and still get in my driveway.

 

[Guest]

i hate having a steep driveway...