been looking for some rims, gathered all the info - 16" 100x4 PCD ET35-38 57.1 centre... and went out looking. still haven't found anything I like... do some more research come across this:

16" Alloys
Full Lock: Yes
Will it rub: No
Arch modification No

17" Alloys
Full Lock: Just, yes!
Will it rub: Yes
Arch modification No and Yes, depends how wide the wheels are and there offset
from here

I'm at a wheel dealer the other day and ask about 17" and he says they will be illegal...

then come across this beautiful tool on the car bibles


this one showing my current 185\60\r14 (grey) with 205\40\r17 which is a tyre size that is available and would fit a 17x7 rim as far as I understand...

So if a 205\40\r17 and a 215\45\r16 and a 185\60\r14 all have very similar rolling distances and size why can't I have the 17"?