Rims, Sizing, Rubbing, Weight and Whatnot

Wrgb · 02-10-2009, 01:52 AM

So basically i have come to the conclusion that buying rims is Really not any Fun... So im ranting.

Even thought i have a totally stock GC and am just looking for 17" rims, im getting mildly fed up.
There are so many constraints and things i dont know about.

-Offset +48,+53 (and whatever other random offsets there are, and what will be good?)
-Width 7", 7.5" ? what will rub, what wont?
-205/215/225 width tires?
-how does this change depending on 50/45/40 high sidewalls?
-Rolling fenders? what is this? how expensive? does it need to be done?
-Not to mention the differences in weight and "strength"

Ive spent many hours on RS25.com, and basically just gotten much more confused!

Can anyone clear this up?

Goal: I want to have a separate set of 17" rims for summer, and i dont want to damage my car or rims/tires.

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

007WRX · 02-10-2009, 01:57 AM

Racing use or just daily wheels?

Price range?

Wrgb · 02-10-2009, 02:03 AM

-Daily wheels only
-Looking to get used
-Hoping for around 450-700$ Including some semi worn tires

Money is really tight, but i have to get something as i only have winters right now,
so instead of paying to mount/remount 16's, i might as well pay the money and buy a 2nd set of rims.

Ultimately would love to be able to powdercoat/paint 17" rims gold, but i dont know where/how much that would cost to get done well.

KiraFayt · 02-10-2009, 02:03 AM

Good post, I am going to be purchasing a set of 04 BBS with 215/45 soon.

007WRX · 02-10-2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrgb

-Daily wheels only
-Looking to get used
-Hoping for around 450-700$ Including some semi worn tires

Money is really tight, but i have to get something as i only have winters right now,
so instead of paying to mount/remount 16's, i might as well pay the money and buy a 2nd set of rims.

Ultimately would love to be able to powdercoat/paint 17" rims gold, but i dont know where/how much that would cost to get done well.

It's pretty slim pickings with that budget, especially with tires.

You'll want to go max 17x8 with a 225 tire around 48 offset, depending on ride height. Anything bigger than that and you are going to run into trouble. Your best bet is to look in the private classifieds(not VIC), might get lucky, there are good deals on rotas every now and then.

Some prodrives: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1691741

Some rotas: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1693895

Splinter · 02-10-2009, 02:11 AM

Buy my chipped team dynamics 17s :P

tryallzee · 02-10-2009, 03:28 AM

Ask hypa about rolling fenders his the **** !!
It only needs to be done if you go wider rims which looks sexy !!
About the tires and rims ... I feel your pain on that it is confusing .

Good luck with your search !

Loomin · 02-10-2009, 03:42 AM

heres a suggestion.... rather than trying to figure out all this for yourself.... just find somone whos got 17's on their car. copy their size and offset as well as tire size and just buy that size in whatever brand/style you like.... take the guess work out of the whole process.

48 offset will make them stick out 5mm more than stock which is fine. i doubt it will rub.

17x7.5 will work. 17x8 might work too depending on your ride height. wider= better IMO but if youre too low it might rub.

if its going on a GC id stick with 215/45R17's or 225/40R17's max

rolling fenders is only necessary if your stepping away from normal sizing and trying to fit something a bit more agressive on your car. for example: you want to fit 17x8.5 +44 with 235's, youll need to roll. or you want to lower it ALOT for some reason, even with a milder size. if you want to tuck, youll need to roll. but why though?

and weight vs. strength is personal choice. you can have both but be prepared to fork out mad coin $$. if you want light + strong you need forged and your looking at volk or advan or something. your also doubling or even tripiling your budget.

if your not racing your car forged isnt necessary. unless you want the baller look of advan or volk etc.

IMO, get a set that fits the budget, fits the car, and looks nice. and dont worry about the weight unless your tracking or seriously auto-x'ing.

How low is your car? and what style are you into? JDM wheels? agressive look? rally style? race wheels? "tuner" style?

tora · 02-10-2009, 12:04 PM

Your best bet for fit is -
17x7 with a 48-53 offset (48 sticking out 5mm more).
215/40 or 45 tires.

Drakar · 02-10-2009, 12:22 PM

offset is usually a concern for the different brakes, you need 53 for brembo's a 52 for regular 4 pots if your stock 55 works as well.

and as many said, look at what others are running and copy it, I would say most common on GC's is 17x7 and 17x7.5 with a 215/45/17 rubber.

something in the 48-53 range like said. this way if you did go to 4pots you don't have to worry about spacers.

steve · 02-10-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drakar

and as many said, look at what others are running and copy it, I would say most common on GC's is 17x7 and 17x7.5 with a 215/45/17 rubber.

that's going to work okay for the gc chassis.
I did a roll on a friend's gc, and he was able to fit 225's, although he still rubs a bit.

Those cars have tiny fender wells.

Drakar · 02-10-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypa

that's going to work okay for the gc chassis.
I did a roll on a friend's gc, and he was able to fit 225's, although he still rubs a bit.

Those cars have tiny fender wells.

yup had a GC and the lack of space for big tires frustrated me, so I moved up (among other things for making the change) course now I look at the 08+ and their 285+ under stock fenders and wonder again

steve · 02-10-2009, 01:02 PM

The 08'+ has some serious room for wide, fat tires and wheels.
I'm always impressed when someone fits a 9.5" wide wheel with 265's, and doesn't have to do anything more than a simple roll.

Impressed, and jealous.

kgb · 02-10-2009, 01:11 PM

Even 215/45R17 rubs in the rear the minute the car is lowered - I wasn't sure whether it was rubbing against the fender or the strut. For your reference, I had the original 17x7.5 SSR Comp which are +50 and runs Goodyear F1 GS-D3 215/45R17. Definitely require fender work if you go 225/45R17 don't know about 225/40R17 but it would have been quite a bit shorter than stock 205/55R16.

kgb · 02-10-2009, 01:32 PM

Personally, I think that unless you go crazy with fender work so you can go another size or 2 wider, going 225 is more trouble than is worth for the 10mm gain in width. Now granted the P1 run 225/35R18 on either P1 spring+STi strut or WR setup, you're not looking for 18s and running 35s around town is just plain stiff. See if you can find some used OZ Superleggera (the P1 rims) - those are 17x7 +48. As for caliper fitment, offset only tells part of the story - you really need a rim template to be sure. Don't know what the 17" Legacy/WRX stock rims are like but that's another option (besides some 04 STi BBS). I believe the 4 pots are probably thicker than STi Brembos but I haven't done measurements

dtt1167 · 02-10-2009, 05:14 PM

I'm going to go through the same questions in a while here, I know that stock the 08 is 17x7 55 offset, but finding something in a size that is close or matching is extremely hard (well too look good)

Wrgb · 02-10-2009, 05:29 PM

yah, there is just so much to consider.

ideally i would spend the extra money and get some 04 Sti BBS rims, but i dont see anyone looking to sell them, and i dont know whats required to make them fit properly.

So yah... just weighing out all my options, i still got some time before i need to take my Winters off.

How hard is it to roll fenders? expensive? How much to powdercoat rims?

007WRX · 02-10-2009, 05:39 PM

You still haven't answered what suspension you are on, ride height etc.

007WRX · 02-10-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtt1167

I'm going to go through the same questions in a while here, I know that stock the 08 is 17x7 55 offset, but finding something in a size that is close or matching is extremely hard (well too look good)

Trevor, there are a TON of threads on here about fitments and the 08wrx models(non-STI). Even look in the members car gallery, http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1415491

If you like someones setup, pm them and ask them for details on tire size, rim size, offset and even alignment specs(especially for the wider tire sizes)

kgb · 02-10-2009, 05:56 PM

Sounds like the OP is still on stock suspension and ride height - 215/45R17 no problem on the right wheels (I say find some 17x7.5 wheels ahead of 17x7), 225/45R17 is a tight fit as it stands and it will be worse when lowered. Rolling the fender is different than pulling fender - rolling the fender will only push in that tiny bit of fender lip while pulling fender is usually serious business to be done right

Wrgb · 02-10-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

I say find some 17x7.5 wheels ahead of 17x7

Wont that make things wider? and therefore more likely to rub?

Quote:

215/45R17

This seems to be general consensus on the perfect tire size for 17's, so i have figured out tire size

kgb · 02-10-2009, 06:58 PM

17x7.5 makes the tires more square (ie, stretch the sidewalls straight)

Splinter · 02-10-2009, 07:55 PM

I've never run anything but 225s on my 98 RS with no problems, no rubbing.

steve · 02-10-2009, 10:46 PM

How about instead of posting those pretty pictures, that maybe you could spit out the offset you're running, along with your camber settings, and the type of tire. Then we'll know the whole story.

Hell, I could fit 295's on my car..... if I ran a lifted suspension.

Spy · 02-10-2009, 11:18 PM

depends how low u are..

james and I once put his wheels on my car, and well.. 225/45/17..(i believe a +53) and it was rubbing without anyone in the car.. got worse when i drove it (turning wasnt much of an option either)

i run 215/45/17 with rolled rears with +53mm, and its fine now.. front still rubs every now and again (bumps and stuff)

02-10-2009, 01:52 AM	#1
Wrgb Scooby Specialist Member#: 169096 Join Date: Jan 2008 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Langley BC Canada Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS Blue Ridge Pearl	Rims, Sizing, Rubbing, Weight and Whatnot So basically i have come to the conclusion that buying rims is Really not any Fun... So im ranting. Even thought i have a totally stock GC and am just looking for 17" rims, im getting mildly fed up. There are so many constraints and things i dont know about. -Offset +48,+53 (and whatever other random offsets there are, and what will be good?) -Width 7", 7.5" ? what will rub, what wont? -205/215/225 width tires? -how does this change depending on 50/45/40 high sidewalls? -Rolling fenders? what is this? how expensive? does it need to be done? -Not to mention the differences in weight and "strength" Ive spent many hours on RS25.com, and basically just gotten much more confused! Can anyone clear this up? Goal: I want to have a separate set of 17" rims for summer, and i dont want to damage my car or rims/tires. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sticky for Rim sizes and tire sizes?	TomsSound	Brakes, Steering & Suspension	8	02-01-2012 09:30 PM
Ej22ss and a tranny and whatnot	Doncolberto530	1993 - 2001 Impreza Specific Parts	7	04-05-2010 08:51 PM
weight and size	Jkonquer	Tire & Wheel	2	03-19-2006 06:09 PM
will sti springs and after market rims cause rubbing?	littleblue	Brakes, Steering & Suspension	5	07-24-2001 04:15 PM
Community Awareness, Philantropy and whatnot	Akirasoft	General Forum Archive	2	02-05-2001 09:10 AM

02-10-2009, 01:57 AM	#2
007WRX Scooby Guru Member#: 125884 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Kelowna Vehicle: 06 Evo IX MR Black 76 Datsun ZZZZZZZ	Racing use or just daily wheels? Price range?

02-10-2009, 02:03 AM	#3
Wrgb Scooby Specialist Member#: 169096 Join Date: Jan 2008 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Langley BC Canada Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS Blue Ridge Pearl	-Daily wheels only -Looking to get used -Hoping for around 450-700$ Including some semi worn tires Money is really tight, but i have to get something as i only have winters right now, so instead of paying to mount/remount 16's, i might as well pay the money and buy a 2nd set of rims. Ultimately would love to be able to powdercoat/paint 17" rims gold, but i dont know where/how much that would cost to get done well.

02-10-2009, 02:03 AM	#4
KiraFayt Scooby Specialist Member#: 161457 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Vancouver Vehicle: 2004 WRX DGM	Good post, I am going to be purchasing a set of 04 BBS with 215/45 soon.

02-10-2009, 02:11 AM	#6
Splinter Scooby Guru Member#: 106510 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Victoria, BC Vehicle: 98 Widebody 2.2 Smooth Safety Blue	Buy my chipped team dynamics 17s :P

02-10-2009, 03:28 AM	#7
tryallzee Scooby Specialist Member#: 179947 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Langley B.C. Vehicle: '04 WRX Wagon 97' Integra	Ask hypa about rolling fenders his the **** !! It only needs to be done if you go wider rims which looks sexy !! About the tires and rims ... I feel your pain on that it is confusing . Good luck with your search !

02-10-2009, 03:42 AM	#8
Loomin Scooby Guru Member#: 118113 Join Date: Jun 2006 Chapter/Region: VIC Vehicle: 98 Brights!	heres a suggestion.... rather than trying to figure out all this for yourself.... just find somone whos got 17's on their car. copy their size and offset as well as tire size and just buy that size in whatever brand/style you like.... take the guess work out of the whole process. 48 offset will make them stick out 5mm more than stock which is fine. i doubt it will rub. 17x7.5 will work. 17x8 might work too depending on your ride height. wider= better IMO but if youre too low it might rub. if its going on a GC id stick with 215/45R17's or 225/40R17's max rolling fenders is only necessary if your stepping away from normal sizing and trying to fit something a bit more agressive on your car. for example: you want to fit 17x8.5 +44 with 235's, youll need to roll. or you want to lower it ALOT for some reason, even with a milder size. if you want to tuck, youll need to roll. but why though? and weight vs. strength is personal choice. you can have both but be prepared to fork out mad coin $$. if you want light + strong you need forged and your looking at volk or advan or something. your also doubling or even tripiling your budget. if your not racing your car forged isnt necessary. unless you want the baller look of advan or volk etc. IMO, get a set that fits the budget, fits the car, and looks nice. and dont worry about the weight unless your tracking or seriously auto-x'ing. How low is your car? and what style are you into? JDM wheels? agressive look? rally style? race wheels? "tuner" style?

02-10-2009, 12:04 PM	#9
tora Scooby Guru Member#: 5851 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Vancouver Vehicle: 09 Forester XT + NA Miata	Your best bet for fit is - 17x7 with a 48-53 offset (48 sticking out 5mm more). 215/40 or 45 tires.

02-10-2009, 12:22 PM	#10
Drakar Scooby Specialist Member#: 68402 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Vehicle: 2000 Impreza RS Silverthorn Metallic	offset is usually a concern for the different brakes, you need 53 for brembo's a 52 for regular 4 pots if your stock 55 works as well. and as many said, look at what others are running and copy it, I would say most common on GC's is 17x7 and 17x7.5 with a 215/45/17 rubber. something in the 48-53 range like said. this way if you did go to 4pots you don't have to worry about spacers.

02-10-2009, 01:02 PM	#13
steve Scooby Guru Member#: 4718 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Location : Location Vehicle: ~ too many to list	The 08'+ has some serious room for wide, fat tires and wheels. I'm always impressed when someone fits a 9.5" wide wheel with 265's, and doesn't have to do anything more than a simple roll. Impressed, and jealous.

02-10-2009, 01:11 PM	#14
kgb Scooby Specialist Member#: 1366 Join Date: Apr 2000 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Delta, BC, Canada Vehicle: 2000 RS-T -> RSTi-8 Blue Ridge Pearl	Even 215/45R17 rubs in the rear the minute the car is lowered - I wasn't sure whether it was rubbing against the fender or the strut. For your reference, I had the original 17x7.5 SSR Comp which are +50 and runs Goodyear F1 GS-D3 215/45R17. Definitely require fender work if you go 225/45R17 don't know about 225/40R17 but it would have been quite a bit shorter than stock 205/55R16.

02-10-2009, 01:32 PM	#15
kgb Scooby Specialist Member#: 1366 Join Date: Apr 2000 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Delta, BC, Canada Vehicle: 2000 RS-T -> RSTi-8 Blue Ridge Pearl	Personally, I think that unless you go crazy with fender work so you can go another size or 2 wider, going 225 is more trouble than is worth for the 10mm gain in width. Now granted the P1 run 225/35R18 on either P1 spring+STi strut or WR setup, you're not looking for 18s and running 35s around town is just plain stiff. See if you can find some used OZ Superleggera (the P1 rims) - those are 17x7 +48. As for caliper fitment, offset only tells part of the story - you really need a rim template to be sure. Don't know what the 17" Legacy/WRX stock rims are like but that's another option (besides some 04 STi BBS). I believe the 4 pots are probably thicker than STi Brembos but I haven't done measurements

02-10-2009, 05:14 PM	#16
dtt1167 Scooby Newbie Member#: 190676 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Kelowna, BC Vehicle: 2008 WRX Hatch World Rally Blue	I'm going to go through the same questions in a while here, I know that stock the 08 is 17x7 55 offset, but finding something in a size that is close or matching is extremely hard (well too look good)

02-10-2009, 05:29 PM	#17
Wrgb Scooby Specialist Member#: 169096 Join Date: Jan 2008 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Langley BC Canada Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS Blue Ridge Pearl	yah, there is just so much to consider. ideally i would spend the extra money and get some 04 Sti BBS rims, but i dont see anyone looking to sell them, and i dont know whats required to make them fit properly. So yah... just weighing out all my options, i still got some time before i need to take my Winters off. How hard is it to roll fenders? expensive? How much to powdercoat rims?

02-10-2009, 05:39 PM	#18
007WRX Scooby Guru Member#: 125884 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Kelowna Vehicle: 06 Evo IX MR Black 76 Datsun ZZZZZZZ	You still haven't answered what suspension you are on, ride height etc.

02-10-2009, 05:56 PM	#20
kgb Scooby Specialist Member#: 1366 Join Date: Apr 2000 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Delta, BC, Canada Vehicle: 2000 RS-T -> RSTi-8 Blue Ridge Pearl	Sounds like the OP is still on stock suspension and ride height - 215/45R17 no problem on the right wheels (I say find some 17x7.5 wheels ahead of 17x7), 225/45R17 is a tight fit as it stands and it will be worse when lowered. Rolling the fender is different than pulling fender - rolling the fender will only push in that tiny bit of fender lip while pulling fender is usually serious business to be done right

02-10-2009, 06:58 PM	#22
kgb Scooby Specialist Member#: 1366 Join Date: Apr 2000 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Delta, BC, Canada Vehicle: 2000 RS-T -> RSTi-8 Blue Ridge Pearl	17x7.5 makes the tires more square (ie, stretch the sidewalls straight)

02-10-2009, 07:55 PM	#23
Splinter Scooby Guru Member#: 106510 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Victoria, BC Vehicle: 98 Widebody 2.2 Smooth Safety Blue	I've never run anything but 225s on my 98 RS with no problems, no rubbing.

02-10-2009, 10:46 PM	#24
steve Scooby Guru Member#: 4718 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Location : Location Vehicle: ~ too many to list	How about instead of posting those pretty pictures, that maybe you could spit out the offset you're running, along with your camber settings, and the type of tire. Then we'll know the whole story. Hell, I could fit 295's on my car..... if I ran a lifted suspension.

02-10-2009, 11:18 PM	#25
Spy Scooby Specialist Member#: 60062 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Vancouver Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS 2009 Norco Team DH	depends how low u are.. james and I once put his wheels on my car, and well.. 225/45/17..(i believe a +53) and it was rubbing without anyone in the car.. got worse when i drove it (turning wasnt much of an option either) i run 215/45/17 with rolled rears with +53mm, and its fine now.. front still rubs every now and again (bumps and stuff)