Wheel / Tire FAQ - Page 2

mosc · 01-24-2008, 11:51 AM

you can prob get a set of alloy 16s that will fit for under $300 anyway. Steels don't save you that much unless you already got em lying around and if you do, I doubt they're +53 offset.

mosc · 05-27-2008, 09:53 AM

Added info on 08s...

subarooster · 07-21-2008, 05:24 AM

i live in san jose, california. mostly dry it's hot 80's-100's but winter it does get cold n at times it rains quite hard but that's not often at all there's a bit of rain though. anyways...i kno my tires like i kno my algebra...so...help?? thnx

(as in recommendations)

mosc · 07-21-2008, 09:25 AM

I'd go with something like KDWs. You seem concened about more than just max dry grip. The KDWs are superb in the rain and the compound is good for a variety of >freezing temps.

zmanoside · 07-21-2008, 09:59 AM

I'm pretty sure I didn't see it in here, but lug nut size would be a good addition to this thread I think. 12X1.25 for wrx. But I wanted to verify that this size was the same for wrx and STi if someone could. You want to make sure you get the right size lug nuts or you could end up like this guy.

RX-7 Breaking Apart

subarooster · 07-22-2008, 01:13 AM

aright cool but most of the time it's dry. what about yokohoma n toyo?? anybody wit experience or personal thoughts??

mosc · 07-22-2008, 12:15 PM

Please don't clutter this thread. There are several tire recommendations here as well as links to tire rack's surveys which give even more recommendations.

bluetwo · 09-08-2008, 10:27 AM

Maybe a little pointless, but I just thought I'd mention I have had 245's on a 7.5 rim for a quite a while. The tech at Discount Tire actually recommended them since they would fit without any problems.

That WAS with a Fuzion ZRi so it won't work with all other brands.

mosc · 09-08-2008, 10:30 AM

You didn't specify an offset or sidewall so it's impossible to discuss why that would or wouldn't fit. What I would mention though is your tire is 245mm but your rim is only 191mm. That means your tire is 29% wider than your rim. That's a fair bit of stretching but not too bad. Point is you may have gotten them to fit by stretching them over smaller rims and using too small an offset but that doesn't mean they would be handling better than 225 wides with appropriate offset.

mosc · 09-18-2008, 11:40 AM

Updated tire recommendations. Some other random cleanup.

mosc · 03-02-2009, 05:21 PM

Updated more info on wider-than-normal tire fitment. Also corrected some info on tire width recommendations based on rim width.

mosc · 04-30-2009, 03:03 PM

Added info on 09s

Luber · 06-25-2010, 04:05 PM

Awesome.. now I wont feel like a total moron when I buy my tires + rims.. just a slight moron.

buckysx125 · 07-11-2010, 04:48 AM

Hi, great writeup. Makes sense. Only wish the local sales man has as much information as this article

. Here is my question, I have a new 2010 WRX 5 door that we purchased for our son. The car has 225/45/R17 tires on stock anthracite rims, 5 bolt. I am assuming these are 5x100, 17x7 based on your chart above.

My question is in order to use an 18 inch rim without adjusting suspension to "fit" without rubbing or any other clearance issues....

Could I install an 18inch 5x100 OZ wheel with tire size 225/40/18? e.g.The OZ rim is 18x8 with Offset of 48mm; Backspacing: 6.37" and a Bolt Pattern: 5-100.
25.1" so it appears that the Height of the new 18 and old 17 is the same but what about the "width" in terms of clearance? Do you any problem? I have to order the combo and not receiving lots of confidence from parts guy...... Thanks for your help.

mosc · 07-11-2010, 11:21 AM

That setup works fine, ran it on my 04 WRX. You can run 15" wheels, you can run 20" wheels. To the suspension, they're pretty much the same. You just have to buy tires that are tall or really short accordingly to keep your stock dimensions in terms of height. WRX guys should generally look at tire heights between 24.5" and 25.0"

In terms of width, each car is slightly different but all can fit wider than stock tires. You're not adding any tire width, just shifting 7mm (the stock offset is 55 and those wheels are 48) so you'll have 7mm more clearance from your suspension and be 7mm closer to your fender well. This isn't ideal, but works fine. +48 is a nice offset for any Subaru.

Switching from a 7" width wheel to an 8" width wheel but keeping the same tire height will tighten up the sidewall some but will hardly change the overall dimensions of your tire. It might bulge a mm or two further out on the sides depending on the two tires you're comparing but it's not a drastic difference.

I'll also give you my personal opinion that 18" wheels don't really make much sense for a car with 25" tires, especially one like the WRX which really benefits from a shorter tire (shortens the gearing). I always try to get every WRX owner to try 235/40R17 on a 17x8" +48 wheel to start. Compared to 225/40R18, it's got more sidewall (no stock Subaru was sold with a 3.5" or less sidewall), more width, and better gearing. They're 24.4" tall which is pretty much perfect for a WRX IMHO. They do make those OZ's in 17x8" +48 too fyi