Will C4-sized Wheels measuring 16x9.5 ET35 work up front? I know that width will require a serious spacer to be flush with the wheel arch (1.25? 2 inches?), and it will probably need a good sized one on the stock 3rd gen rear.

Will 9.5" width up front rub, especially if the car is lowered 1-1.2 inches? Doesn't look like there's a lot of space up under the front fender.

Basically somebody is selling some cool 80's vintage wheels that came off of a C4... shortening the fronts to 8 or 8.5 is a possibility.

 

I say they won't work at all for the front. The SLP Firehawks did 17x9.5 with a +10mm offset, which would mean 1" spacers for you, except that 17s will clear the outer tie rods while 16s won't.

 

actually, 17's dont clear the tie rods, 18's do.

as for the 16x9.5, you will have to keep then dead flush with the wheel opening i believe, but they "should" fit. So long as the tire does not have a serious bulge to it, or the tire will rub the tie rod. Either way, it will be tight, if possible.
Honestly though, if you cant test fit them, i would not buy them. Its going to be really close and they may have to sit outside the wheels well, and if they do, they will hit the fenders when you turn

other problem is finding tires, other than competition slicks, in the proper size for a 16x9.5. there are almost none

 

The 17s obviously cleared, SLP used them. The 16s would put that lip there, you'd be having like 1/4" interference, minimum.
With a safe 1.5" spacer, the outer edges of the wheel would be out past the body.
And the remaining choices in 255/50R16 are few and far between. There's the BFG g-Force Sport, which is a grippy summer tire, and the Falken Ziex ZE-512, which is an all-season tire that sucks in the snow. There may be a few other choices, but in a couple more years, there won't be.
By the way, only the Z51 rears were 9.5". All the others were 8.5", which is good with 245/50R16 tires, and will be easy to fit up front, with the proper spacer thickness.

 

um no, the ronals DO NOT clear the tie rod (doesnt matter if SLP used them or not), they do in fact hit it unless you grind the tie rod end to clear, and thats not a good idea. Look around a little and you will find that tidbit. thats why there are spacers for fitting those wheels to cars with stock brakes. with 1le fronts or other floating rotor upgrades, the wheel will just clear.

18's are the smallest size to clear, and thats a fact.

However, the OP is using 16's, so the tire itself will be hitting the tierod before the wheel does.

He can probably use those wheels, it will be a squeeze, but with the limited tire selection, i would pass on them.

 

Thanks for the input guys, but the wheels are no longer for sale. The owner kept them for his Callaway...

They're 80's BBS RS style copies from ARE, super rare and awesome:


BBS Super RS are also nice as they come in 17 and 18" but have that crosslace/mesh look on the inside. But they're $$$...