Wheel Ratings and Nomenclatures

[B2Bomber]

Scenario: say, you've got a wheel design of D diameter, W width, P PCD and H holes, with three wheel offset variants, say 2x, 1x and 0x. How does the change in wheel offset "occur"?
a. Does the mounting face of the wheel become thicker as offset decreases from 2x to 0x? In which case the design surface or the side facing outwards from the wheel well doesn't change. Or
b. Does the thickness of the mounting face remain the same but the design surface changes such that a higher value of offset, say in our example 2x, makes it more bulbous in contrast to a variant of 0x?
If it's the former, is it correct to think that as the offset value decreases, the centerline moves further away from the wheel well, thus increasing the wheel tread and making your wheels stick out more.
In any case, assuming you really like that wheel design and
a. choosing another design is not an option and
b. your car's recommended offset is 1.5x, which one would be the proverbial "lesser evil" and safer option?:
a. picking a higher offset value like 2x or picking a lower offset value like 1x?
TIA

[nugundam93]

i can only answer the last of the offset-related questions.

use exact offsets. incorrect offsets will prematurely wear out your wheel bearings, and in suspensions, domino effect yan.

better be ugly rims but correct offset kesa pogi rims that'll kill your suspension literally. :lol:

[B2Bomber]

"asian cars are usually +40"...is this true? sensya na ulit. :-P tia.