how safe are stretched tires?
 

Hey, you know that sick look all the euro folks give to newer watercooled dubs? You see them in the really expensive euro mags at barnes and nobles. Any way, all the tires ride on like 16 (and typically much smaller) diameter, with like 7, 8, and ever 9 wides, and thats on the front end! I know that a wider rims doesnt mean more peformance, and can even stress out the suspension, but how "safe" is a tires that has the bead just begging to be pulled of the lip?? I wouldnt go any wider than 7 on my super, but with some deep dish rims (15X7, 38ET), and some slimmer struts, I think i would get the look I'm going for.

i think you already answered your own question. there are safe limits and then there is too far. are you out for performance or look or a happy medium? that will tell you how wide to go.

funny, i posted a very similar thread over on volkszone yesterday as well http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=156038 I'm trying to find out if fitting 175x50R16s to a 16x7J wheel is safe, other wise I'll have to get some 6J rims.

Go to the Tire Rack website, and hunt down the technical sheets for your tires. It will list the safe rim width range. If your rim width isn't on there, I would say it's unsafe.