Duane, Do you mean step lip as in a 17" wheel using a center from a 16" wheel? the only technical application of that term ive ever heard was from Fikse when they made a step lip 18" wheel using a 17" face. the wheel Looked small due to the lack of diameter on the face. i think that wheel is discontinued also... but i doubt anyone here is looking to buy Fikse wheels, lol.
yes, a +40mm offset on an 11" wide wheel SHOULD clear the suspension. it depends on how much tire you put on it. anything thats not stretched/pulled is likely to rub on the strut. the strut body is really the only thing you have to worry about. if you are rubbing control arms in the rear, youve either got bigger issues than that or have a bad ass suspension system and are reading my thoughts. :evil2:
an 11" wide wheel is not likely to clear up front, if thats what the question about control arm clerarnce was referring to. the only way you could prevent an 11" wide wheel from rubbing up front was to Limit the amount of steer angle, cut down on negative camber and run offset Pillow mounts... which im REALLY wanting to do with my car; 18x12's have fit on a stock body MK3 and i intend to do it again, or come close to it.