Hi folks,

I'm attempting to sort through all the intricacies of wheel placement, size, suspension and the like. I think the problem lies mostly with my almost nonexistant knowledge of wheels and the fact that i really don't understand the true ramifications of wheel OFFSET...

Here is a picture of what I am looking for:

http://www.iddl.vt.edu/~jphillips/carwheels.jpg

The left of the picture with the red wheel/tire is my interpretation of what my car 2004 WRX looks like stock. The tire is too narrow and the wheel is too far inside the fender for my liking. I'm looking to replace the wheels and tires with some wider ones. the tire will probably be 225 width instead of the stock 195, based on advice i have found in many many posts here.

The right of the picture shows in blue what i would LIKE my wheel to look like when viewed head on. I want it to come all the way out to the edge of the fender, or as close as possible.

Here are my assumptions:

1. I need to buy a wheel that is wider. probably 7.5 width. 8 may work but may not, depending on offset.
2. I need 225 width tires.
3. I need a large offset. Subaru uses something in the +50-55 range?? Most aftermarket wheels go to a max of +49??


Now with all that setup, my question is simple:

1. What do I need to do to get the wheel to look like the blue one?
2. Is there any negative effect to doing this? (will i break my car's hub, bend an axle, or something else horrible?)
3. I intend to lower the wheels slightly. If this has any negative impact you can discuss please do.

1. LOWER offset, wider tires. and probably wider wheel. a 7.5" width wheel will do if you want 225 width tire. 8" width is usually for 235 and up.

2. too low of an offset could damage your wheel bearings in the long run. a lot of 17s for wrx's are 48 offset (as opposed to the 50-55 OEM subaru range), i wouldnt suggest going below 45 offset if you plan on lowering the car.

3. if the offset is too low and you lower the car, the rear tires will rub along the outter fenderwell. its highly annoying and not good for the tires, obviously.

First off, your stock tire width is 205 not 195. Second you dont lower the wheels you lower the car. If you lower the wheels you'll be underground :p

Any +48ish offset wheel in 17x7.5 size will work fine and fill out the wheel wells. Remember, subaru designed the wheels sizes at a certain spec for a reason, do not go any lower than +48 offset, if it doesnt ruin your wheel bearings it will make your wrx handle funny (dartyness, bump-steer, tramlining, etc.).

Sounds liek good advice so far. Anyone have an example of a wheel they have used that does fill out to the edge of the wheelwell? Maybe with pictures of before and after?

1. LOWER offset, wider tires. and probably wider wheel. a 7.5" width wheel will do if you want 225 width tire. 8" width is usually for 235 and up. An 8" wheel can safely fit a 215 or 225 tire depending on fators such as aspect ratio. ......I have 225/45 Pirelli PZero Neros on my 17x8's that fit perfectly.

An 8" wheel can safely fit a 215 or 225 tire depending on fators such as aspect ratio. ......I have 225/45 Pirelli PZero Neros on my 17x8's that fit perfectly.
no kidding :rolleyes:

a 7.5" width wheel WILL DO. i just didnt want to go into explaining how an 8" will fit also and blah blah. well i guess thats too late.....

.... semantics. thats what this site should be called.

no kidding :rolleyes:

a 7.5" width wheel WILL DO. i just didnt want to go into explaining how an 8" will fit also and blah blah. well i guess thats too late.....

.... semantics. thats what this site should be called. Why do you feel the need to get defensive about my remarks. I was just trying to help by clarifying that 8" wheels will readily accept lower sizes than 235.