1
Technical / Re: wheel tire combo
If you push to 16x7 ET35 with a 195/45/16, it'll usually still clear stock height on a 3dr, but it gets tighter at full lock/full compression, especially on bumpy roads some guys get away with it clean, others get a light kiss on the inner arch lip under hard compression. Depends a bit on your specific arch (rust repairs, respray thickness etc. all shave a mm or two).
18s are a hard no without lowering and rolling on a Mk2 the arch just isn't tall enough at stock ride height, you'll be into the arch or fender liner every time.
Offset-wise, don't go below ET30 on the front if you're running stock height you'll start fouling the strut/inner arch before the outer.
So realistic ceiling for zero rubbing, zero cutting, stock height: 16x7 ET35 with a 195/45/16, with 15x7 ET35 as the "definitely safe, no drama" option.
On lowering totally fair call at your stage, and for what it's worth a lot of us who've had these cars 20+ years end up back near stock height eventually anyway, it's kinder on the car and you. If you ever do go coilovers just for the adjustability (not to slam it), a 20–25mm drop opens up 16s properly with zero rub margin to spare, and you could even look at 15x8 for a slightly meatier stance without touching the arch.