Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
Click here to visit TireRack
Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack

Losing traction? Need new tires?
Click here to visit the NASIOC Upgrade Garage...
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Tire & Wheel

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-07-2012, 01:33 PM   #1
VicsSTi1288
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 323203
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Colorado
Vehicle:
2007 Cobalt SS/SC
Suburst Orange

Default **Winter tire setup help**

Hey everyone !!! I'm about a month away from receiving my 2013 WRB STi sedan . I live in the Fort Collins, Colorado area.

I need some help and advice. I'm in a pickle between getting 18" winter tires or going with a dedicated winter 17" rim and winter tire setup.

Which one do you guys recommend ? And if I go 17" route what basic 17" rim would fit and have enough clearance for the brakes ?
And what winter tire do you recommend ?? Thanks!!!!!
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
VicsSTi1288 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 10-07-2012, 01:43 PM   #2
trev762
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:
2011 sti sedan
plasma blue pearl

Default

Definitely go with a 17" with a 225/45/17 winter tire but make sure u go with a performance winter tire H rated or better.

It will give u more wheel well clearance for buildup of snow and ice and the skinnier the tire the better grip u will have in snow and ice.

For my11 sti I got the phat kat racing 17×7 and will clear your brembo's and also r cheap. They can stand up to the toughest of sand and salt plus u have a choice of gold, gunmetal, and silver. Just make sure what ever wheels u go with will clear your brembo's.

Another good thing to do is gets some rally armer mud flaps so u don't sand blast the whole side of your new sti. Hope this helps
trev762 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2012, 01:50 PM   #3
VicsSTi1288
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 323203
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Colorado
Vehicle:
2007 Cobalt SS/SC
Suburst Orange

Default

Thank you!!!!

Where do your get the phat Kathy racing rims at???

I've been a discount tire customer for a long time , but I want to get the best deal! But don't offer much info on there website for winter down sizing
VicsSTi1288 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2012, 02:02 PM   #4
trev762
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:
2011 sti sedan
plasma blue pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VicsSTi1288
Thank you!!!!

Where do your get the phat Kathy racing rims at???

I've been a discount tire customer for a long time , but I want to get the best deal! But don't offer much info on there website for winter down sizing
Phat Kathy lol?? I got mine through my dealer cuz they were half the cost of oem wheels. Phat kat racing wheels r sweet and they look awsome on a grw but since I'm on an android cell havnt figured out how to post links or pics yet or if I even can. BUDDS SUBARU in Oakville Ontario Canada has specials at this time of the yr on winter wheels and tires. If u look them up and give Robby a call in parts he will help u out and see where u can get them in the US cuz will be even cheaper most likely.
trev762 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2012, 02:21 PM   #5
VicsSTi1288
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 323203
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Colorado
Vehicle:
2007 Cobalt SS/SC
Suburst Orange

Default

Lol ha ha ya darn auto correct on iPad !!! Ha ha ok cool!!! Thank you!!!

Ya if you could post pics sometime that would be great!!!

Thank you for your knowledge and help!! I really appreciate it!!
VicsSTi1288 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2012, 02:55 PM   #6
BigRob74
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 305107
Join Date: Dec 2011
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Long Island, NY
Vehicle:
2016 GT 5.OHH
DIB

Default

if you are not concerned about looks, just get some 16" steelies with a 215/55 tire. i have a friend hooking me up with some 02 wrx 16s and they do fit the new car
BigRob74 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2012, 03:21 PM   #7
trev762
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:
2011 sti sedan
plasma blue pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRob74
if you are not concerned about looks, just get some 16" steelies with a 215/55 tire. i have a friend hooking me up with some 02 wrx 16s and they do fit the new car
They won't fit a sti but here the honda pilot steelies fit over the brembo's.
trev762 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2012, 03:21 PM   #8
VicsSTi1288
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 323203
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Colorado
Vehicle:
2007 Cobalt SS/SC
Suburst Orange

Default

Ya I defiantly want something that looks good.

I checked out discount tire .com and they have some 17" wheels I like.

Drag DR rims DR-33, DR-34, and DR-31.

What do you think?? And what color do you think would look good on the world rally blue??? Gold , gun metal, bronze , Matt black, and silver.
VicsSTi1288 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2012, 03:24 PM   #9
trev762
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:
2011 sti sedan
plasma blue pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VicsSTi1288
Ya I defiantly want something that looks good.

I checked out discount tire .com and they have some 17" wheels I like.

Drag DR rims DR-33, DR-34, and DR-31.

What do you think?? And what color do you think would look good on the world rally blue??? Gold , gun metal, bronze , Matt black, and silver.
Gold or gunmetal fosho but matt black would look even sweeter if they have that option
trev762 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 09:03 AM   #10
growling_boxer
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 165744
Join Date: Dec 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Eastern PA
Vehicle:
2018 Crosstrek
2005/7 STi

Default

for easy down-sizing to 17s that will fit, just look up wheels for an 05-07 STi. at least on Tire Rack, that's what you have to do to see 17s. then use a tire size calculator to choose a size or two that would give you about the same overall diameter.

I would go with a dedicated setup just so that you can easily switch between the two in case you need to change back and forth more than once in the changing season. with dedicated performance summers and winter tires, that sometimes is an issue if you don't have another vehicle. either way, not having to pay to swap your tires twice per year will be worth it in the long run.
growling_boxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 09:16 AM   #11
Syrius78
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 267996
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: Near Montréal, Québec
Vehicle:
2011 Wrx
Rallye blue

Default

I use the oem wrx wheel for winter, the 17x8 dark grey

So far so good, will be the 3rd winter on it
Syrius78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 11:50 AM   #12
ultramario12
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 306139
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2007 evo
color of smoke

Default

for wrx would you go down to 16 inch. or get another 17 inch wheel?
ultramario12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 12:10 PM   #13
growling_boxer
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 165744
Join Date: Dec 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Eastern PA
Vehicle:
2018 Crosstrek
2005/7 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ultramario12 View Post
for wrx would you go down to 16 inch. or get another 17 inch wheel?
usually, the wheels and tires would be cheaper at 16", which is often what people are looking for in a winter set. you might also have more winter tire options. but as the poster above you mentioned, the OEM WRX wheels are fine for winter, so you could get nicer/bigger wheels for your summer set.

The other thing is whether you intend to go with performance winters or full winters. Last I checked for my STi's 17x8s, all but one winter option was performance, which is fortunately what I wanted. If you want a full winter, you're probably better off with narrower 16s (but I haven't looked at the winter lineup in a couple years).
growling_boxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 12:44 PM   #14
ultramario12
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 306139
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2007 evo
color of smoke

Default

are the tires heavier? with winter tires will you notice a more sluggish feel from rolling around on summers? also. if i do go thr route of getting nicer wheels for the summer will 18 improve the handling being i could ft a bigger and wider tire? would it affect acceleration of the car but improve handling for the 18 in the summer?
ultramario12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 01:32 PM   #15
slovejoy08
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 332405
Join Date: Sep 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Southern West Virginia
Vehicle:
2001 Forester
Sedona Red

Default

Just looking for some insight. Got a 2012 wrx, and have been looking for some winter wheels. Ran across a set of 07 stockers. With some 215/45/17 nexen n5000.
I've got a forester for when winters get really bad, but I would like to enjoy the wrx some.
I know the tires will fit, and I'm pretty sure the wheels will. Any suggestions or input?
slovejoy08 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 01:41 PM   #16
slovejoy08
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 332405
Join Date: Sep 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Southern West Virginia
Vehicle:
2001 Forester
Sedona Red

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by slovejoy08
Just looking for some insight. Got a 2012 wrx, and have been looking for some winter wheels. Ran across a set of 07 stockers. With some 215/45/17 nexen n5000.
I've got a forester for when winters get really bad, but I would like to enjoy the wrx some.
I know the tires will fit, and I'm pretty sure the wheels will. Any suggestions or input?
slovejoy08 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 02:28 PM   #17
growling_boxer
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 165744
Join Date: Dec 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Eastern PA
Vehicle:
2018 Crosstrek
2005/7 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ultramario12 View Post
are the tires heavier? with winter tires will you notice a more sluggish feel from rolling around on summers? also. if i do go thr route of getting nicer wheels for the summer will 18 improve the handling being i could ft a bigger and wider tire? would it affect acceleration of the car but improve handling for the 18 in the summer?
wheels vary a lot in weight. more than tires. you can actually get tire weights for any given tire right off of Tire Rack's website, and you can get the weights of most wheels from a lot of places. if you weigh what you have now, you will be able to figure out which direction a new option will take you, or if it is inconsequential. a heavier combo doesn't just reduce acceleration because of increased rotational mass, the additional unsprung weight will make your suspension react a little slower.

The only improvement in going to a larger diameter wheel wheel is reducing your sidewall...it's not something you would ever see a racer do unless they need to fit bigger brakes. Going to 18s is about looks, not performance, unless you can find a lighter wheel, but then you can get a lighter wheel in 17s too. It's really about finding something you like and can afford. Unless the weight of your combo is very different, or you have an incredible feel for your car, like a seasoned autoXer/trackie, it probably won't be very noticeable if you're honest with yourself. Obviously, with a wider wheel, you can go to a wider tire and get more grip out of the same model tire, and up to a point, that will improve handling as long as your suspension isn't already too soft.
growling_boxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 03:45 PM   #18
trev762
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:
2011 sti sedan
plasma blue pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ultramario12
are the tires heavier? with winter tires will you notice a more sluggish feel from rolling around on summers? also. if i do go thr route of getting nicer wheels for the summer will 18 improve the handling being i could ft a bigger and wider tire? would it affect acceleration of the car but improve handling for the 18 in the summer?
Yes your suby will feel more sluggish due to rolling resistance, not so much from weight when it comes to summer vs winter tires, and also your fuel mileage won't be as good either.

For summer wheels wider is better but depending on what u intend to do with your car like autox.....etc will determine what size of wheel.
trev762 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 08:27 PM   #19
VicsSTi1288
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 323203
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Colorado
Vehicle:
2007 Cobalt SS/SC
Suburst Orange

Default

I think i will go with the Yokohama W.drive tires on my STi ...

245/40R18 XL 97V BW
VicsSTi1288 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 08:33 PM   #20
trev762
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:
2011 sti sedan
plasma blue pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VicsSTi1288
I think i will go with the Yokohama W.drive tires on my STi ...

245/40R18 XL 97V BW
U know that this thread is about winter tire setups right/

Winter tires on 18×8 u r defeating the purpose of good grip in slippery conditions not to mention risking damage due to fender well clearance issues from snow and ice buildup

Last edited by trev762; 10-08-2012 at 08:38 PM.
trev762 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 08:38 PM   #21
VicsSTi1288
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 323203
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Colorado
Vehicle:
2007 Cobalt SS/SC
Suburst Orange

Default

What are the advantages of doing a winter tire setup (smaller wheels) vs just swapping out the tires ?
VicsSTi1288 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 08:44 PM   #22
trev762
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:
2011 sti sedan
plasma blue pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by VicsSTi1288
What are the advantages of doing a winter tire setup (smaller wheels) vs just swapping out the tires ?
The skinnier the tire the more weight distributed over a smaller area which means better grip in snow and ice.

Smaller wheel more fender well clearance to allow for snow and ice buildup plus easier to knock off access snow and ice.

Much much easier to just have a set of dedicated winter wheels and tires not to mention a heck of alot cheaper between replacing winter tires on a 17" as appose to an 18" tire.
trev762 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 09:39 PM   #23
growling_boxer
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 165744
Join Date: Dec 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Eastern PA
Vehicle:
2018 Crosstrek
2005/7 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by trev762 View Post
U know that this thread is about winter tire setups right
you know he started the thread, and that those are winter tires, right?


Quote:
Originally Posted by trev762 View Post
The skinnier the tire the more weight distributed over a smaller area which means better grip in snow and ice.
True. And an important point.


Quote:
Originally Posted by trev762 View Post
Smaller wheel more fender well clearance to allow for snow and ice buildup plus easier to knock off access snow and ice.
Not sure why you keep saying this, but a smaller diameter wheel doesn't give you more clearance. A smaller diameter tire does, but I wouldn't recommend going much smaller, as you reduce sidewall height and shorten your gearing. A narrower tire, on the other hand, will help with clearance. But frankly, as long as you have enough clearance, anything beyond that is irrelevant. If you are building up significant snow in there, you will build up to the point where the tire is, even for a smaller wheel. So, you just need enough to be able to get in there and knock it off, which the stock size with stock height is plenty for a broom handle or the end of a long ice scraper.


Quote:
Originally Posted by trev762 View Post
Much much easier to just have a set of dedicated winter wheels and tires not to mention a heck of alot cheaper between replacing winter tires on a 17" as appose to an 18" tire.
Agreed.
growling_boxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2012, 09:55 PM   #24
trev762
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region: E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:
2011 sti sedan
plasma blue pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by growling_boxer

you know he started the thread, and that those are winter tires, right?

True. And an important point.

Not sure why you keep saying this, but a smaller diameter wheel doesn't give you more clearance. A smaller diameter tire does, but I wouldn't recommend going much smaller, as you reduce sidewall height and shorten your gearing. A narrower tire, on the other hand, will help with clearance. But frankly, as long as you have enough clearance, anything beyond that is irrelevant. If you are building up significant snow in there, you will build up to the point where the tire is, even for a smaller wheel. So, you just need enough to be able to get in there and knock it off, which the stock size with stock height is plenty for a broom handle or the end of a long ice scraper.

Agreed.
Yes I understood he started this thread and was just being blunt since I've bin stating the best winter tire setup at the beginning.

As far as a smaller diameter wheel u do get more fender well clearance as I gained about 1" more clreance. I'm running a 225/45/17 blizzak. Anybody running the stock 18" wheels with winter tires all I can say is good luck getting compacted ice out of the fender wells with the end of a broom or scraper lol. Even with the extra clearance can still be a pain and usually will use a power washer to get the compacted ice out from the fender wells but is nice having that extra room to work with and don't have to clear the fender wells as often.

Last edited by trev762; 10-09-2012 at 11:32 AM.
trev762 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2012, 12:29 AM   #25
growling_boxer
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 165744
Join Date: Dec 2007
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Eastern PA
Vehicle:
2018 Crosstrek
2005/7 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by trev762 View Post
Yes I understood he started this thread and was just being blunt since I've bin stating the best winter tire setup at the beginning.

As far as a smaller diameter wheel u do get more fender well clearance as I gained about 2" more clreance. I'm running a 225/45/17 blizzak. Anybody running the stock 18" wheels with winter tires all I can say is good luck getting compacted ice out of the fender wells with the end of a broom or scraper lol. Even with the extra clearance can still be a pain and usually will use a power washer to get the compacted ice out from the fender wells but is nice having that extra room to work with and don't have to clear the fender wells as often.
like I said, going with a narrower tire will buy you some clearance, but just going from an 18 to a 17 on it's own has nothing to do with that, unless you are getting a narrower wheel. you can can also get more clearance going to a shorter overall diameter tire. but staying with an equal tire and going from an 18 to a 17 (e.g. 245/40R18 to 245/45R17), will not buy you clearance.
growling_boxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:11 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.