Opinions on the cast 17" 5-spoke optional wheels?

stiles_sm · 01-19-2004, 06:35 PM

Here's a pic of the wheel I'm referring to: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/suba...dps..1.Subaru*

Anybody out there have good or bad experiences with these wheels?

They are 17x7 et55 (perfect size for my wagon), and weigh in at ~18.5lbs. Not light, but only 2lbs heavier than my 16" stock rims.

They are cheap for Subaru wheels, less than half the price of the forged BBS or STI rims (1200 vs 26-2800), and aren't bad looking. The reason I'm zeroing in on the Subaru wheels is Offset. Given limited clearance, I want to stay between 55 and 53mm. I'd go for STI wheels, but they are hard to find used.

Thanks,
Scott.

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capt.sensible · 01-19-2004, 08:26 PM

Stiles,

We seem to be following each other through several threads.

I have the 17" Subaru 5-Spokes and I'm very happy with them. The color (Subaru calls it "Champagne") is somewhere in-between silver and steel grey. Whatever you call it, the color works well with my silver wagon and does a good job of hiding brake dust.

While these aren't the lightest wheels around, they're quite strong and have a safe offset (53), per www.subaru.com. Plus, although these wheels are a dealer option, they're not too common, which is nice.

I can send you some photos of my silver 2003 WRX wagon if they'll be of any help. Just let me know.

Paul

stiles_sm · 01-19-2004, 08:29 PM

Hi Paul

Yes, I'd love to see pics! I have a silver wagon as well. I'm probably being too anal about offset, but I hate the "I bought aftermarket wheels and now they stick out of the fenderwells" look.

Please send the pics to stiles_s@hotmail.com

Thanks much!

capt.sensible · 01-19-2004, 10:41 PM

Stiles,

No problem. I'll shoot those pictures over tomorrow.

About the offset -- Like yourself, I can't stand it when wheels stick out 5 inches past the fender. The combination of proper offset and "bulging" spokes mean that the Subaru 5-spokes line up nicely with the fender, but have a sort of subtle, aggressive-looking bulge, too. Sort of hard to explain, but I'll try and take a picture of what I'm getting at for you.

Oh, and I got mine from Exeter Subaru (www.subaruwrxparts.com), a very good vendor in my experience.

c_hunter · 01-19-2004, 11:20 PM

Very nice wheels, I wish I had gotten a set (I went aftermarket instead).

I've seen them for $995 here:

http://www.mastrowrx.com/index.asp?P...S&Category=213

Craig

stiles_sm · 01-20-2004, 12:16 AM

Paul, I'm curious, why are you going 17->16? Harshness? Lighter weight?

I'm interested, since I'm contemplating the exact opposite direction.

'look forward to the pics.

Scott.

stiles_sm · 01-31-2004, 07:49 PM

Well, I picked up a set of them today @ the local dealer. They look great in person, and will be super easy to clean. 17x7 et55, 18.5lbs on my bathroom scale. I think they'll work

IMHO this is a pretty good deal (~1100/set) for a perfect-fit 17" wheel. I wasn't going to pay nearly 3x the price for the OE BBS or STI-BBS wheels.

I'll post pics once I get tires and get them mounted.

01-19-2004, 06:35 PM	#1
stiles_sm Scooby Newbie Member#: 47828 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redmond, WA Vehicle: '04 WRX wagon ... 03 996, 00 S4	Opinions on the cast 17" 5-spoke optional wheels? Here's a pic of the wheel I'm referring to: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/suba...dps..1.Subaru* Anybody out there have good or bad experiences with these wheels? They are 17x7 et55 (perfect size for my wagon), and weigh in at ~18.5lbs. Not light, but only 2lbs heavier than my 16" stock rims. They are cheap for Subaru wheels, less than half the price of the forged BBS or STI rims (1200 vs 26-2800), and aren't bad looking. The reason I'm zeroing in on the Subaru wheels is Offset. Given limited clearance, I want to stay between 55 and 53mm. I'd go for STI wheels, but they are hard to find used. Thanks, Scott. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

01-19-2004, 08:26 PM	#2
capt.sensible Scooby Newbie Member#: 24174 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Califor-ni-yay Vehicle: 2003 Bugeye Carryall	Me Again Stiles, We seem to be following each other through several threads. I have the 17" Subaru 5-Spokes and I'm very happy with them. The color (Subaru calls it "Champagne") is somewhere in-between silver and steel grey. Whatever you call it, the color works well with my silver wagon and does a good job of hiding brake dust. While these aren't the lightest wheels around, they're quite strong and have a safe offset (53), per www.subaru.com. Plus, although these wheels are a dealer option, they're not too common, which is nice. I can send you some photos of my silver 2003 WRX wagon if they'll be of any help. Just let me know. Paul

01-19-2004, 10:41 PM	#4
capt.sensible Scooby Newbie Member#: 24174 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Califor-ni-yay Vehicle: 2003 Bugeye Carryall	Sure Thing Stiles, No problem. I'll shoot those pictures over tomorrow. About the offset -- Like yourself, I can't stand it when wheels stick out 5 inches past the fender. The combination of proper offset and "bulging" spokes mean that the Subaru 5-spokes line up nicely with the fender, but have a sort of subtle, aggressive-looking bulge, too. Sort of hard to explain, but I'll try and take a picture of what I'm getting at for you. Oh, and I got mine from Exeter Subaru (www.subaruwrxparts.com), a very good vendor in my experience.

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01-19-2004, 08:29 PM	#3
stiles_sm Scooby Newbie Member#: 47828 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redmond, WA Vehicle: '04 WRX wagon ... 03 996, 00 S4	Hi Paul Yes, I'd love to see pics! I have a silver wagon as well. I'm probably being too anal about offset, but I hate the "I bought aftermarket wheels and now they stick out of the fenderwells" look. Please send the pics to stiles_s@hotmail.com Thanks much!

01-19-2004, 11:20 PM	#5
c_hunter Scooby Specialist Member#: 32434 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wmsbg, Virginia Vehicle: 05 Outback XT 5EAT Gold/Black	Very nice wheels, I wish I had gotten a set (I went aftermarket instead). I've seen them for $995 here: http://www.mastrowrx.com/index.asp?P...S&Category=213 Craig

01-20-2004, 12:16 AM	#6
stiles_sm Scooby Newbie Member#: 47828 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redmond, WA Vehicle: '04 WRX wagon ... 03 996, 00 S4	Paul, I'm curious, why are you going 17->16? Harshness? Lighter weight? I'm interested, since I'm contemplating the exact opposite direction. 'look forward to the pics. Scott.

01-31-2004, 07:49 PM	#7
stiles_sm Scooby Newbie Member#: 47828 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redmond, WA Vehicle: '04 WRX wagon ... 03 996, 00 S4	Well, I picked up a set of them today @ the local dealer. They look great in person, and will be super easy to clean. 17x7 et55, 18.5lbs on my bathroom scale. I think they'll work IMHO this is a pretty good deal (~1100/set) for a perfect-fit 17" wheel. I wasn't going to pay nearly 3x the price for the OE BBS or STI-BBS wheels. I'll post pics once I get tires and get them mounted.