Forester XT. Wheels and tires upgrade.

Aleksey · 01-04-2004, 12:56 PM

Hi guys. I have an XT and wish to switch from 16" to 17" wheel diameter and also increase the width of the tire from 215 to 225. Have anybody already tried this? Is there a potential of rubbing problem with the following sizes:
1) 225/45/17
2) 225/50/17
3) 225/55/17

and yes, I am planning to stay withh the same 48 offset.

I know that Luk@TireRack did an awesome job here explaining here how to choose/calculate wheels and tires size but my concern is particularly about the new Forester XT. Any advice or link is gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

Alex.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

suby_dude · 01-04-2004, 01:07 PM

try this on tire diameter calculations...

http://www.subydude.com/tools/AutoTi...Calculator.htm

good luck!

SD

Aleksey · 01-04-2004, 05:54 PM

thanks a lot suby_dude, this calculator helped me to narrow my choice to 225/55/17.
However according to this calculator the OEM Overall Wheel diameter in Inches = 26.16 (215/60/16) and, again, according to this calculator, the new Overall Wheel diameter in Inches will be 26.74, which is slightly higher than the OEM one. Since I am planning to order wheels and tires over the internet (most likely from TireRack) the most concerning question is still the same: will this overall wheel diameter size increase cause any rubbing problems? IMHO the OEM Forester XT wheels look relatively small for this car but as we all know nothing is what it seems so I would really appreciate someone’s professional input on this matter. Thanks.

Alex

P.S. Is there any source in the internet that can tell me whether or not switching from 215 tire width to 225 will cause any rubbing problem on Forester XT.

Thanks

rex n effect · 01-05-2004, 08:46 AM

235/50 17

Aleksey · 01-05-2004, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rex n effect
235/50 17

with the same +48mm offset?
what about wheel size? Can I get 235/50 17 on the stock 6.5 wide wheels or I have to swich to 7"? If I have to swich, do I have to go with another offset or 48 will still be OK?

Thanks :-)

dj_noose · 01-05-2004, 11:55 AM

I think if you went to 235/50/17 you might have to go a 7.5" wide wheel. I think 7.5" is minimum size required for 235's to work. I could be wrong???

rex n effect · 01-05-2004, 12:20 PM

Recommended width for those tires (from tire manufacturers) is 6.5"-8.5". I thought you said you were upgrading to 17"s? Why would you be concerned about the stock 6.5" wide wheels anyway? I've never seen wider tires on a forester, but I haven't looked, either. I'm sure somebody's done it.

Aleksey · 01-05-2004, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rex n effect
I thought you said you were upgrading to 17"s? Why would you be concerned about the stock 6.5" wide wheels anyway?

Are you saying that 17" wheels come only with 7" width? If so, I didn't know that. I thought if I want I can get 17"x 6.5".

rex n effect · 01-05-2004, 02:17 PM

I've never seen any 17x6.5" wheels.

tora · 01-05-2004, 03:31 PM

I'd get a 17x7.5 inch wheel ideally, and a 225/50 or 235/50 or going to give you the best fitment and neight of those should rub if you use a 47 or 48 offset.

jamesbb · 01-15-2004, 08:02 PM

I am thinking of upgrading to Goodyear HR-GT 235/55/HR16 tires on my stock F-XT's 16x6.5" wheels.

Has anyone done this? If so, what were the pros and cons of doing it?

Jamesbb

gellar · 01-15-2004, 08:51 PM

235's on a 6.5" wheel are probably not a very good idea... I'm not saying I'm sure they won't fit, I'm just saying they likely won't.

Sergi

rota wheels wrx · 01-16-2004, 09:16 AM

I know of some foresters on 225 55 17 tires.

The wheels are 7.5x17 offset 48. No problems reported

Peaty · 01-22-2004, 12:07 PM

I'm considering going to 235/50-17 tires on a 17 X 7" wheel with a 48 offset on my Forester XT, just checking if anyone has done this and were there any problems with rubbing.

(OZ Superleggs)

According to tire rack info:

235/50WR17 rim width range - 6.5-8.5"

that only gives a 0.4% too slow reading (60 reading is 60.2)

VS

225/50's 1.1 too fast (60 reading is 59.3)

Anyone?

TIA

Peaty

XT6Wagon · 01-22-2004, 10:04 PM

225/40R18's fit great. 235's look like they will work. 245's will take the right rim selection IMO.

01-04-2004, 12:56 PM	#1
Aleksey Scooby Specialist Member#: 23445 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Odenton, MD Vehicle: 2007 STI Blue	Forester XT. Wheels and tires upgrade. Hi guys. I have an XT and wish to switch from 16" to 17" wheel diameter and also increase the width of the tire from 215 to 225. Have anybody already tried this? Is there a potential of rubbing problem with the following sizes: 1) 225/45/17 2) 225/50/17 3) 225/55/17 and yes, I am planning to stay withh the same 48 offset. I know that Luk@TireRack did an awesome job here explaining here how to choose/calculate wheels and tires size but my concern is particularly about the new Forester XT. Any advice or link is gratefully appreciated. Thanks, Alex. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

01-04-2004, 05:54 PM	#3
Aleksey Scooby Specialist Member#: 23445 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Odenton, MD Vehicle: 2007 STI Blue	thanks a lot suby_dude, this calculator helped me to narrow my choice to 225/55/17. However according to this calculator the OEM Overall Wheel diameter in Inches = 26.16 (215/60/16) and, again, according to this calculator, the new Overall Wheel diameter in Inches will be 26.74, which is slightly higher than the OEM one. Since I am planning to order wheels and tires over the internet (most likely from TireRack) the most concerning question is still the same: will this overall wheel diameter size increase cause any rubbing problems? IMHO the OEM Forester XT wheels look relatively small for this car but as we all know nothing is what it seems so I would really appreciate someone’s professional input on this matter. Thanks. Alex P.S. Is there any source in the internet that can tell me whether or not switching from 215 tire width to 225 will cause any rubbing problem on Forester XT. Thanks Last edited by Aleksey; 01-04-2004 at 06:04 PM.

01-15-2004, 08:02 PM	#11
jamesbb Scooby Newbie Member#: 52346 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rochester, MI Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT Silver	Tire upgrade on stock wheels I am thinking of upgrading to Goodyear HR-GT 235/55/HR16 tires on my stock F-XT's 16x6.5" wheels. Has anyone done this? If so, what were the pros and cons of doing it? Jamesbb

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suby_dude NASIOC Vendor Member#: 17397 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Fremont, CA Vehicle: many '02 Rex,'13 FRS WRB, White	try this on tire diameter calculations... http://www.subydude.com/tools/AutoTi...Calculator.htm good luck! SD

01-05-2004, 08:46 AM	#4
rex n effect Scooby Specialist Member#: 15289 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: from santa barbara to Carp Vehicle: 02 wrx sedan PSM & grey '11 TDi daddywagon	235/50 17

01-05-2004, 11:55 AM	#6
dj_noose Scooby Specialist Member#: 17302 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Camp Hill, PA Vehicle: 2002 Impreza WRX you know... the blue one	I think if you went to 235/50/17 you might have to go a 7.5" wide wheel. I think 7.5" is minimum size required for 235's to work. I could be wrong???

01-05-2004, 12:20 PM	#7
rex n effect Scooby Specialist Member#: 15289 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: from santa barbara to Carp Vehicle: 02 wrx sedan PSM & grey '11 TDi daddywagon	Recommended width for those tires (from tire manufacturers) is 6.5"-8.5". I thought you said you were upgrading to 17"s? Why would you be concerned about the stock 6.5" wide wheels anyway? I've never seen wider tires on a forester, but I haven't looked, either. I'm sure somebody's done it.

01-05-2004, 02:17 PM	#9
rex n effect Scooby Specialist Member#: 15289 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: from santa barbara to Carp Vehicle: 02 wrx sedan PSM & grey '11 TDi daddywagon	I've never seen any 17x6.5" wheels.

01-05-2004, 03:31 PM	#10
tora Scooby Guru Member#: 5851 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Vancouver Vehicle: 09 Forester XT + NA Miata	I'd get a 17x7.5 inch wheel ideally, and a 225/50 or 235/50 or going to give you the best fitment and neight of those should rub if you use a 47 or 48 offset.

01-15-2004, 08:51 PM	#12
gellar Scooby Specialist Member#: 31047 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Bay Area, CA Vehicle: 11 135i Sedona Red	235's on a 6.5" wheel are probably not a very good idea... I'm not saying I'm sure they won't fit, I'm just saying they likely won't. Sergi

01-16-2004, 09:16 AM	#13
rota wheels wrx Scooby Specialist Member#: 13856 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hayward Ca Vehicle: 04/5 STI white/WRB	I know of some foresters on 225 55 17 tires. The wheels are 7.5x17 offset 48. No problems reported

01-22-2004, 12:07 PM	#14
Peaty Techno Sapien Moderator Member#: 449 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lawrence, KS Vehicle: 2010 Legacy 3.6R Lim Azurite Blue Pearl	I'm considering going to 235/50-17 tires on a 17 X 7" wheel with a 48 offset on my Forester XT, just checking if anyone has done this and were there any problems with rubbing. (OZ Superleggs) According to tire rack info: 235/50WR17 rim width range - 6.5-8.5" that only gives a 0.4% too slow reading (60 reading is 60.2) VS 225/50's 1.1 too fast (60 reading is 59.3) Anyone? TIA Peaty

01-22-2004, 10:04 PM	#15
XT6Wagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 524 Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: WA Vehicle: 04 STi White	225/40R18's fit great. 235's look like they will work. 245's will take the right rim selection IMO.