Can I go with a 215?

[bhall]

So time has come for some new rubber. I want to know if I can sneak a 215 on the stock wheels. I am sitting on whitelines and Gr2's so I am a bit worried about rubbing. I currently have 205/55/16's so I guess I am looking for a bit wider but if I risk rubbing not really worth it.

Also, any tires you like over others? I don’t want to spend a fortune but would like something nice.

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[iamrazor]

I'm running 225's on stock suspension, but there looks like there's plenty of room. IIRC, DLC is running 225's w/ TEIN HA's. omahasubaru also runs 225??

razor edit: sorry, I'm talking 17's here. I just read you were talking 16's. won't you need 16x7's for 215's?

[bhall]

Originally Posted by iamrazor

sorry, I'm talking 17's here. I just read you were talking 16's. won't you need 16x7's for 215's?

This is what I hope you guys can tell me Just want to try and get the wider rubber in there but it would suck to buy new tires and have them get trashed cause of some rubbing.

[gtwagon941]

I think you will have more of an issue with your wheels not being wide enough rather than the tires themselves rubbing. Lots of people are running 215s, just on 7" wide rims, and with an acceptable offset.

Jared

[bhall]

how wide are the stockers?

[iamrazor]

6.5 inches

[bhall]

so 6.5 will crown the 215's?

[iamrazor]

are you talking like a 215/50-16 or something else? you also might want to check the tire+wheel forum. I'm positive someone will know for sure there. I'm guessing its a no-go, but I've been wrong in the past. what wheels do you have now? you might be able to sell what you've got now to offset the cost. That's what i did. I sold some RS wheels + tires and bought 17" Rotas w/ decent 225's already mounted + balanced...

[tora]

Guys are running 225's on their WRX stock wheels so the same will work on yours however you will be pinching the tire a bit if you use a 225. 215 should be fine. Honestly though I'd just stick with a 205 but get a fatter tire like Falken Azenis Sports (RT-215?), or Kumho Mx or something like that. There aren't a whole lot of tires in good 215 sizes and they are not really noticeably wider than a 205 IMO. Unless you are going to a 225 I wouldn't bother. As for rubbing you will be fine with anything up to a 225. I've had 235's on my car with no rubbing but those were 17's and a wider wheel and more positive offset.

[bhall]

I am running stock "snowflakes" 16 inch dont know the offset? Well I guess I will stay with a 205/16 any good reason to go 50 or 55?

[omahasubaru]

You can run a 225/50-16, but it will be sluggish somewhat due to the pinch.

You'd be best to find a wide 205/55 that will fit your needs. Nothing in 215 will keep your gearing right, but you could try a 215/50 if you can find one (still shorter than stock diameter.

You'd greatly beneifit from considering different wheels (wider) that you can fit more tire on and putting some snows or all-seasons on your stock wheels for the winter months. If you don't get snow or don't want two sets, then get some other wheels & tires and sell off your stockers.

[tora]

For 16x7's see if you can find someone with the 98-01 RS wheels that would be willing to trade with you. Or buy a set of them, they are 16x7 and work well with a 225/50.

[bhall]

Thanks for the help guys. I am off to the tire store to check out my options. Dont know if I can go the new wheel route as I am currently selling my house, tring to buy a new one, just got the wife a new car and have a 2 year old Maybe in 6 months or so.

Thanks again!

[gtwagon941]

check out tirerack.com too

[Teh Legacy]

I'm running 225 / 45 / 17's on lowered suspension and have plenty of room -- no rubbing whatsoever. You'll be fine.

[LegacySTI]

Yokohama makes the prada in a 205/40R-16 and 205/45R-16. With these you dont really need to go wider because they're hardcore cornering tires so you'll have more traction than 215 stockers

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by tora

For 16x7's see if you can find someone with the 98-01 RS wheels that would be willing to trade with you. Or buy a set of them, they are 16x7 and work well with a 225/50.

+1. Don't shortchange yourself - I went this route, along with H&R springs and GR2's, and everything fits just fine. Oh yeh, and the car TURNS so nice, now!

EDIT: Line removed because I'm an idiot and can't read!

Re: Wheels maybe later - It's worth the ~$350 now. I've had too many times where I wish I'd bought the right stuff the first time around, and wound up spending more because of it. If you're ever going to go to the 7" wide wheels, I recommend finding a way.

[bhall]

Thanks for the replies guys. I will check out the 40s and 45s but I fear they will look really small in a 16 and will be big trouble with the Colorado pot holes.
As far as the new wheels go I am all for it but finding some in that 350 range is going to be hard. I dont have an extra set so I would have to find someone local to swap with so I dont go with out wheels. Over all I think the benifit for me does not out weigh the time and money needed. I would love to think that I would be racing or auto crossing but mostly I just sit in bumper to bumper for 2 hours a day at 30 MPH so most tires can handle that I think

How much are you guys spending on decent rubber? It seems for the crappest tires out that 500 seems to be the starting point.

[iamrazor]

you could always look for a set FS (wheels w/ tires). sure, you might not get exactly what you want, but its cheaper than buying both new. then you can sell what you have to recoup some of the expense. or, use the stockers for snow tires...

[bhall]

<--- Heads to FS forum

Will almost all wheels bolt up (IE wrx, older legs, ect)

[iamrazor]

all but 05 STI!
not sure about SVX wheels though.
if you want to stay 16" then here's my idea:

winter :stock WRX wheels (cheap and i dont think they look too bad)
summer: any RS wheel so you can run the 215 tire (not sure 225's fit on it)

although for the cost of the RS wheels you might be able to get some 17" Rotas. not sure how dead set against going to 17's you are.

oh, if you haven't changed your front brakes then you can even run a 15" steelie.

[bhall]

Ok so no wheels in the FS forum. Are the RS wheels 17's or just 16x7 as opposed to 16x6.5 on the leg.

Come on Tora hook a brotha up. I know you got day of the week wheels, you can go with out a new wheel for Wednesday or something.

[gtwagon941]

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

My Dunlop Sport 9000's say right on the sidewall not to mount them on 6.5" wheels... do what you like, but I'll pass.

Are you sure it doesn't say not to mount them on 16.5" wheels?? My Dunlop sp5000s say that on them. Not 6.5" but rather 16.5".

/back on topic.

Jared

[iamrazor]

RS wheels are 16x7

[KD7000]

Originally Posted by bhall

How much are you guys spending on decent rubber? It seems for the crappest tires out that 500 seems to be the starting point.

What size tires are you talking about, and what kind of use?
Kumho Ecsta 712's, which are arguably the best "cheap" tires available, can be had for $68/ each in 205/55/16. I just put a set of stock-size BF Goodrich G-Force Sports on the Leg Wagon; those were only $77 each.

--If you're interested in a wider than stock tire, you can't really go wrong stepping up to a 16x7, or better yet, a 17x7 or 17x7.5" wheel. As mentioned, just put some snow tires on your stock wheels.

--If you need more tire recommendations, you should really spend some time in the Wheel & Tire Forum, as every option has been discussed already.

-Brian