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Old 03-25-2003, 11:30 AM   #1
North Ursalia
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Default The Offset Information Thread

Please do not email me asking me if ______ wheel will fit your car. The information is right here in this thread and in this forum.





Please people, do not just quote random specs- offset is directly related to rim width- you can certainly use a +55 6.5" wide rim on most late model Subarus, but you cannot use a +55 8" wide rim! Offset Nirvana is within a few millimeters of:

Width .... Offset

6.5" ....... +53 to +55
7.0" ....... +50 to +53
7.5" ....... +47 to +50
8.0" ....... +43 to +47

Anything within sighting distance of these ranges is happiness for your wheel bearings. I reserve the right to be corrected on the ranges, but they are about 95% accurate .


Brian
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Last edited by North Ursalia; 03-26-2008 at 01:40 AM.
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Old 03-25-2003, 01:23 PM   #2
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Is there typically a way to get the offset from the wheel (e.g. is it stamped on the wheel typically)?

-Josh
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Old 03-25-2003, 03:18 PM   #3
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I think nearly every aluminum wheel I've ever looked at had the size and the offset stamped fairly clearly on the back. OEM and aftermarket.

Sometimes, the offset will be preceded by "ET" and I've also seen a little emblem that looks sort of like "@"

I don't know about steelies, as I try to avoid those in general

Nice thread idea, by the way. Good to see it posted with some authority.

-Brian
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Old 03-25-2003, 03:27 PM   #4
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Lower numbers than these specs causes the tire to be farther from the center of the vehicle. This can not only cause rubbing on the upper fender well but also in the inside "splash guard" area, so rolling will not help all the problems.

Higher numbers will result in it being closer to the struts, which most often will cause rubbing on the spring perch and possibly the inner fender wheels on the front wheels.

Most often you will see wheels with oh so close offset, these are usually VW wheels remarketed for subaru owners who dont know any better.
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Old 03-25-2003, 04:12 PM   #5
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can you cite your sources?

I've had this question burning since i bought my car.. and i'm 2 day's away from ordering my wheels.

OZ Racing Superleggera are 17" x 7" with a +48 offset (part number SL770C48)

I haven't spoken with Tirerack.com yet to find out if infact this is the same offset that they provide for MY02/03 WRX Sedan. When I order I will have to see what they say.


edit/update:

Direct from www.ozracing.com under fitment guide; selecting subaru | 2002 | WRX:
Quote:
The Gold Superleggera is available in a 17x7 (offset 48) and 18x8 (offset 51) sizes exclusively for Subaru brand vehicles.

Last edited by BOFslime; 03-25-2003 at 05:12 PM.
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Old 11-29-2005, 01:41 AM   #6
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so did u you end up running 18x8s or the 17s? I'm looking at a picking up a set of 18x8s 51mm offset and have not found anyone with this combo who can attest to them clearing the brembos and other wheel well harzards.


Quote:
Originally Posted by BOFslime
can you cite your sources?

I've had this question burning since i bought my car.. and i'm 2 day's away from ordering my wheels.

OZ Racing Superleggera are 17" x 7" with a +48 offset (part number SL770C48)

I haven't spoken with Tirerack.com yet to find out if infact this is the same offset that they provide for MY02/03 WRX Sedan. When I order I will have to see what they say.


edit/update:

Direct from www.ozracing.com under fitment guide; selecting subaru | 2002 | WRX:
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Old 01-26-2016, 03:36 PM   #7
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BOFslime View Post
can you cite your sources?

I've had this question burning since i bought my car.. and i'm 2 day's away from ordering my wheels.

OZ Racing Superleggera are 17" x 7" with a +48 offset (part number SL770C48)

I haven't spoken with Tirerack.com yet to find out if infact this is the same offset that they provide for MY02/03 WRX Sedan. When I order I will have to see what they say.


edit/update:

Direct from www.ozracing.com under fitment guide; selecting subaru | 2002 | WRX:
you have + 53 offset on 02-03 wrx
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Old 03-25-2003, 05:06 PM   #8
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"offset is directly related to rim width- you can certainly use a +55 6.5" wide rim, but you cannot use a +55 8" wide rim!"

Just a suggestion: this isn't necessarily true for any other car but the Impreza/WRX. This is a Subaru site as much as a WRX site. I think it's important to be as explicit as possible for a thread that's going to end up in the FAQ.

I'm just worried that people might be confused by such a general statement.

-Josh
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Old 03-25-2003, 05:56 PM   #9
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Actually, the Legacy and Forester are the same in regards to offset requirements, but I will make a note of that up above . You are 100% correct that I should have been more explicit .


Brian
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Old 03-25-2003, 09:50 PM   #10
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What is needed to note though? The people who read this board own a Legacy/Forester/Baja/Impreza and these listings apply to all models up to current so?
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Old 03-26-2003, 01:04 PM   #11
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Are these the ranges for the sedan?
Do you happen to know if/how they differ for the wagon?

Ed
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Old 03-26-2003, 01:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally posted by ciper
What is needed to note though? The people who read this board own a Legacy/Forester/Baja/Impreza and these listings apply to all models up to current so?
Wolfen42 apparently does . Wolfen42, please read what I posted... a wagon is a late model Subaru Impreza/Forester/Legacy, is it not ? Wagon, sedan, mini-ute like the Forester... it doesn't matter .


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Old 03-26-2003, 02:05 PM   #13
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Interesting. I was under the impression that wagons had a tendency to rub when using wheels that work fine on a sedan because of the fender flares.

I'm actually just going to ask this to clarify. I can put 18x8" wheels on my wagon using those offsets?
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Old 03-26-2003, 04:16 PM   #14
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You make a good point . The optimal sizes never change, but the sedan is indeed more forgiving due to the fender flares. What I guess I'm saying is, just because the wheels fit, doesn't mean they are correct for the car .


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Old 06-08-2011, 09:25 PM   #15
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***regardless of fit...there are bearings that will hate on you if you go with an offset that's rediculously out of spec!


Quote:
Originally Posted by North Ursalia View Post
You make a good point . The optimal sizes never change, but the sedan is indeed more forgiving due to the fender flares. What I guess I'm saying is, just because the wheels fit, doesn't mean they are correct for the car .


Brian
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Old 06-08-2011, 09:42 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McKenzie83 View Post
***regardless of fit...there are bearings that will hate on you if you go with an offset that's rediculously out of spec!
that couldn't be any further from the truth. feel free to prove me wrong though.

i have yet to see any evidence of this being true.
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Old 03-26-2003, 05:49 PM   #17
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This is great info.. now what would REALLY rock is to get a list of Which rims clear which brakes!
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Old 07-20-2007, 03:27 PM   #18
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Question Rims, Brakes and Where to find 'em!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by skydiverman View Post
This is great info.. now what would REALLY rock is to get a list of Which rims clear which brakes!
I can't agree more. I'm especially interested in finding a set of 16" rims for my '06 STi. My baby is telling me she wants meatier tires. I 'd love to put some rally rubber on her, but I can't find any decent data on (other than swapping out the Brembos which I don't have the cash to do) how to get rims which will 1) fit over my brakes and 2) be small enough in diameter to accept rally tires currently offered.
Where should I look for info on this matter? Can youz guyz (and/or girls) give me any ideas for places to look? I had heard that speedline makes rims that will fit, but their website is less than pointless, and an active rallyist whose periodic schools I attend seems not to think anything (less than 17") will fit over the brembos.
Thanks,
Uriel Utter
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Old 03-26-2003, 08:10 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally posted by BOFslime
can you cite your sources?

I've had this question burning since i bought my car.. and i'm 2 day's away from ordering my wheels.

OZ Racing Superleggera are 17" x 7" with a +48 offset (part number SL770C48)

I haven't spoken with Tirerack.com yet to find out if infact this is the same offset that they provide for MY02/03 WRX Sedan. When I order I will have to see what they say.


edit/update:

Direct from www.ozracing.com under fitment guide; selecting subaru | 2002 | WRX:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Gold Superleggera is available in a 17x7 (offset 48) and 18x8 (offset 51) sizes exclusively for Subaru brand vehicles.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm still interested to see a response to BOFslime's post. Not only is OZ's info contradictory to the FAQ above, but it seems the offset goes in the opposite direction according to OZ (17x7 offset 48 and 18x8 offset 51). .....vs.:

7.0" ....... +50 to +53
8.0" ....... +43 to +47

I'm confused. Does Subaru provide this info or are there other sources to compare to?

Regards,
Kean
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Old 03-26-2003, 09:32 PM   #20
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Thanks!

Last edited by jjimpreza; 03-27-2003 at 08:28 PM.
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Old 03-26-2003, 10:26 PM   #21
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Default BBS RK

My car came stock from SOA with BBS RK'S they are stamped "ET48" and they are 17x7. I wrecked one in an accident and just purchased a used one on the club here,it was originaly from the tire rack. Someone told me they were different,Subaru vs tire rack's yet all the markings are the exact same. Should I be concerned? HOpe someone can answer this for me,thanks,CHRIS.....
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Old 03-26-2003, 11:28 PM   #22
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how do u measure offset? or, how is offset measured?
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Old 10-09-2006, 08:24 PM   #23
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offset is measured from the center line of the rim to the mounting face.
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Old 03-27-2003, 01:16 AM   #24
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Look down about two posts for the Tire Rack tech thread.
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Old 03-27-2003, 09:38 AM   #25
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ive seen some ppl with a 33 offset with 18x7.5 wheels, what they did was roll there fenders
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