Got new 17" wheels with 215 45 17 tyres today. Problem is that when i was washing the car I noticed that the car is leaning to the left. By this i mean that the gap between the top of guard and top of tyre is a couple of millimeters less on the left than it is on the right. this may sound like not a big difference but is quite noticeable to look at and also when driving it is quite evident that the front left is lower than it should be. What could cause this????????????

I'd check the springs on the front struts.

Thanks for the advice Jim. Something else has shown up as a problem. The right rear rubs on the guard when I go round left handers or when my cars lowered out by fat *******s in the back. Could this be alignment or a stuffed shock?

You need to check the wheels have the correct offset, it's well documented in the SIDC FAQ, or doo a search in this topis for 17" wheels. It sounds like the wheels you fitted aren't the correct fitment, sorry. Unless all the springs are shagged.