First time buying new wheels and tires...by profile you mean...the width of the tire?
side wall, like a 50, 55 series tire.
personally i would have the shop you get them from suggest witch one would be better for your car, being that its a 17 you should have room to play with
Having my friend's dad put them on for me, he has the tool for it. In which I don't. Since I don't like being ripped off money wise, I normally buy all my stuff.