I've not read the whole thread but just wanted to add - I run spacers on my car (to get the wheels over the brake callipers).
When you go wide by this method, you screw up the handling of the car and the steering feels frankly awful. I used to run BMW wheels with a lower offset (in effect bringing the wheels out further) and it was horrible.
I've gone now to RAs with *just* enough of a spacer to clear the callipers and it's a million times better.
If you enjoy driving, don't bother, seriously.