Hey! I’ve experimented with similar specifications before, so I’ll share what I’ve learnt through trial and error. A 15x7 ET35 is usually fine for many setups, but if you go for a 7.5-inch width with the same ET and drop it by 30–40 mm, you're definitely pushing the limits. The extra half inch pushes the outer lip a few millimetres further out, and with ET35 it can sit pretty flush, depending on the car. You might be OK on smooth roads, but rubbing on the fender liner or arch edge is very possible on big compressions, with passengers in the back or on uneven bumps.
A lot also depends on tyre size. A slightly stretched tyre can help. A taller tyre profile will make it worse. If you really don't want to roll or pull the arches, I'd personally play it safe and either stick to 7J ET35 or go for 7.5J with a slightly higher offset (ET38–40). This might not look quite as aggressive, but it will keep your arches intact and prevent that annoying rubbing sound when you hit a dip.
I have a dilemma: I need to decide which tires to use for an upcoming trip. I have two sets of wheels/tires for my Golf — one with General Grabber AT3s and the other with Pirelli Scorpion Verde. The AT3s are currently on the car. They’ve performed really well; most of my driving is on country roads and light trails, and they handle snow and mud surprisingly well. However, I’ve never driven them more than 50 miles on the highway. I’ve read they’re not ideal on ice or for braking on wet roads. How safe would they be for a long winter highway drive? There’s so much mud here right now that it wouldn’t make sense to change them until the trip begins. I usually put the Scorpions on for long highway trips, but only in summer. The AT3s are clearly better for twisting country roads and snowy conditions, but for a 600-mile (≈960 km) high-speed trip, would it be wiser to use the Scorpions?
