I'm looking for suggestions on this. My wheels now (stock) look real stupid and I want to upgrade (those things are freaking skinny!). How much of a bigger tire can I throw on these? Pics would be quite helpful, if ya got them. Peace!

You can probably get away with 225-45-17 on those rims, I wouldnt go any bigger though.

Do you want summer tires? All-season? What type of driving? Street? Track?

We need more information to help you.

Probably summer tires right now. I'll be in the market for some new wheels around Oct. as of now but I just want something that doesn't make my car look stupid. I hate the fact that the tires aren't flush (at least) with the body when you look at it from behind (They look like toothpicks....Ugh). Is this a problem that can only be resolved with new wheels?

You can always try the cheap fix of eibach wheel spacers.

Do those really work? I mean, is there any possibility of damage?

Buy some fairly new STI stock tires. You should be able to find plenty of them on these boards plus they are really good tires.

So the STi stock tires will fit my wheels? I just saw some on the boards and asked that exact question. I love the tread on those tires, too! Thanks! Has anyone used those Eibach spacers? Just wondering how they are.....

Check out this thread (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13306017#post13306017)

Check out this thread (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13306017#post13306017)
^^^Sorry I didn't realize that you were posting on there also.

Yeah, that's the one I was just looking at. Thanks, though!

You can always try the cheap fix of eibach wheel spacers.


...spacers are a BAD idea....really.

Why are spacers a bad idea? too much stress on a small peice of metal? Dont flame i saw them put them on a supra on tuner transformation but they also put on a catback exhaust looking for 500 hp

Bump for why people think small (~10 mm) spacers are such a bad idea.

:confused:

Bump for why people think small (~10 mm) spacers are such a bad idea.

:confused:


10mm is a LOT.....and increasing the offset of the wheel by using spacers is a bad idea.......Subaru wheel bearings are not the greatest and adding offset makes them unhappy.....and replacing them is NOT for the average DIY'er....$$$

Use the correct wheels with the correct offset

I agree with you 100% on the correct wheels/correct offset.

I have a bone stock '06 WRX. I feel that the wheel offset and subsequent gap between the tire and fender looks absolutely horrendus and makes the car look awful. I get very sad every time I look at it. Like so: :(

To combat this problem cheaply (and I stress cheaply for now, as I don't have enough money for wheels with larger width and smaller +# offset, or coilovers/other suspension parts) and for about 5-6 months, I am thinking about sticking with the stock 7" wide WRX wheels and 215 tires and adding 10mm H&R or Eibach wheel spacers. I also purchased Eibach springs which are waiting in my garage to be installed. I know that they probably won't work too well with my stock struts, but again, they are a cheap short-term fix while I'm saving up for better. I plan on using the wheel spacers in conjunction with the springs so that I can achieve the look that I want, and get rid of the look that I abhor (and will be amplified tenfold if I do not use spacers/get new wheels) so very much.

I've been researching and reading for about the last 2 hours on the negatives of wheel spacers. I have come to the conclusion that for my daily driven application for about 5 or 6 months, the wheel bearing issue shouldn't be too much of a problem. How much damage could 10mm spacers possibly do to a vehicle's suspension geometry/wheel bearings? Honestly? I know there will be some, but I seriously doubt that for my application there will be serious long term negative effects.

I feel that for the look I want for my vehicle right now, 10mm spacers are the best choice, as they're only going to be on the vehicle for about 6 months.

Comments? Opinions?

Sorry to thread jack, but I didn't want to start a new thread on this and get flamed endlessly because there are already threads about this.

And Uncle Scotty, do you mind if I ask how old you are? Just curious.

....save yer $$$ and do it right. the car REALLY needs stiffer springs and an adjustable rear swaybar and solid endlinks.


...and my age is irrelevant

:huh: I thought I just acknowledged that...

And I was asking because I was curious. I know it is irrelevant.

You're not a very nice man, are you? ;)

I feel that for the look I want for my vehicle right now, 10mm spacers are the best choice, as they're only going to be on the vehicle for about 6 months.


10mm is such a big spacer. can the oem studs even support something that wide? spacer is the wrong solution for making the car look better.

i think the only time i'll ever use a spacer is if i ever get 4pot brakes and i have to use the full size wrx wheel as a temp spare. just because the 16x7 RS wheel does not fit in the wagon spare well.

I agree with you 100% on the correct wheels/correct offset.

I have a bone stock '06 WRX. I feel that the wheel offset and subsequent gap between the tire and fender looks absolutely horrendus and makes the car look awful. I get very sad every time I look at it. Like so: :(

To combat this problem cheaply (and I stress cheaply for now, as I don't have enough money for wheels with larger width and smaller +# offset, or coilovers/other suspension parts) and for about 5-6 months, I am thinking about sticking with the stock 7" wide WRX wheels and 215 tires and adding 10mm H&R or Eibach wheel spacers.

I feel that for the look I want for my vehicle right now, 10mm spacers are the best choice, as they're only going to be on the vehicle for about 6 months.


Do it right... I had a 2002 wrx and installed the UK 17" rims (same specs as the '06 WRX rims) a set of RE070 tires, STi suspension.. and I thought it looked pretty good... save the $$$ and do it right... don't be conscerned about looks. Your tires are about 75% of the problem... 215 RE92's. Get a set of RE070 and your issues are mostly gone... plus the car will handle better! See below:

http://piledrivermedia.com/files/wrxwebpage/wrx/images/IMG_0039.jpg

http://piledrivermedia.com/files/wrxwebpage/wrx/images/IMG_0052.jpg

Your tires are about 75% of the problem... 215 RE92's. Get a set of RE070 and your issues are mostly gone...

So you're saying that if I were to put 225 tires on a 7" wide wheel, my fender gap issues would be solved...?

Nice car by the way.

So you're saying that if I were to put 225 tires on a 7" wide wheel, my fender gap issues would be solved...?

Nice car by the way.

Thanks, I dont have it any more but I do miss it... even though I drive an STI now I still miss the simplicity of a wrx.
By putting the RE070's on it will help to get rid of the "fender gap" that is bugging you. The RE 92's are 215 and not as tall as the RE070's. So the RE 070's will be 1/2" closer up to the fender and a little bit wider... and with a set of lowering springs or the STi suspension it will drop the car about 1/2". Closing the gap about 1". Which is not a huge amount for a Subaru. You will still have that front fender gap but it not as apparent.
It is all about function and form will come from that. I don't like slammed cars because they are hard to drive everyday... and they look like modded lowered POS Honda Accords... or a Hotwheel that has been crushed by your older brother when you were a kid!
With the 225/45/17 tires and the STi suspension you got a car that can pound through everyday life... speed bumps, potholes, dirt, everything. And have that subtle sort of beefyness that will look great, maybe not entiely what you want but close. So understated that people will say, "your car looks great... not sure why, but it looks nice and fast!"

You're right, I agree with you.

But you, along with Uncle Scotty, seem to think that I don't know that function follows form, and that I just want the look of a better suspension/wheel offset by using spacers. The entire reason I posted was because I don't have the money YET to buy the susp./wheel setup that will cure the problem. I posted to get a response about using wheel spacers for about 5-6 months, and I FULLY realize that it is a horrible alternative to doing it correctly and buying RE070s, or new wheels, or coilovers, etc.
:huh:
I don't think either of you read my whole post.

Forget it. Haha. I don't know why I bothered to post. Everyone here acts as if they know everything, and that the people who actually post questions, etc. are, in fact, idiots.

....uuuummmmmmm........sorry.....but this HAS come up, here, before.....and the answer hs NOT changed.

....ricers wanting to look koo is what started the whole 'rice' thing and perpetuates it.

Spacers are a bad idea to achieve the correct solution to an issue-----which is what 'RICE' is all about......ghettofabulous additions to a nice car that are :rolleyes:

Everyone here acts as if they know everything, and that the people who actually post questions, etc. are, in fact, idiots.

Many idiots do stupid things to nice cars every day....you gonna prove it???

Who cares about your wheel bearings...the real concern is will your lugnuts have any threads to hold on to with an extra centimeter of spacer in there?

I am getting these for my o6 TR
Ventus R-S2 Z212
http://www.hankooktireusa.com/images/uploads/Z212.jpg

You're right, I agree with you.

But you, along with Uncle Scotty, seem to think that I don't know that function follows form, and that I just want the look of a better suspension/wheel offset by using spacers. The entire reason I posted was because I don't have the money YET to buy the susp./wheel setup that will cure the problem. I posted to get a response about using wheel spacers for about 5-6 months, and I FULLY realize that it is a horrible alternative to doing it correctly and buying RE070s, or new wheels, or coilovers, etc.
:huh:
I don't think either of you read my whole post.

Forget it. Haha. I don't know why I bothered to post. Everyone here acts as if they know everything, and that the people who actually post questions, etc. are, in fact, idiots.

Dude... never said you were an idiot... I hope you are not calling me one. Why in god's name would you eff-up a brand new car... save the dough for a few months and buy a set of RE070 take-offs from someone on Nasoc. $350-$450 they can be had. Do that and you are half way there... another couple of months get a few suspension bits... springs $250 and you're even closer. You have THE nicest WRX ever to hit the US... so don't go tweaking it up. Seriously... enjoy the ride without worrying about humming wheel bearings and mismatched struts and springs.

:huh: I thought I just acknowledged that...

And I was asking because I was curious. I know it is irrelevant.

You're not a very nice man, are you? ;)

Why ask?

I have a set of stock springs from an 05 STI. Should I expect any drop? I'm thinking that I'll get myself a set of RE070 along with these springs and I should be able to make do for now. Although I've heard the springs won't do much for a drop, the handling should be slightly improved. Is it worth it to put these on though or should I just wait until I can get some prodrive or cobb springs?