Outback 16" wheels wider?

[gumball]

I was looking at an outback in a parking lot and noticed the 225/16 tires on it. Are Outback wheels wider than our 6.5" GT wheels? I always thought 225 was too much for a 6.5" wheel, but now I'm wondering?

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[Velocity]

The section width matters also. It's not just a 225/16... A tire with a lower section height (say 40-45) in a 225 could probably work, but the ride might suck, and it might rub.

Also, an Outback has more room in the wheel well, so they might be able to stuff a bigger tire in there.

Correct me if Im wrong but dont outbacks come with 15x6" rims? The gt has 16x6.5" and the Impreza has 16x7" inch wheels. I have read that the first generation Legacy has trouble with anything larger than 215/16 in the rear fender area. My second generaion wagon has 205/55/16 wheels and tires from a rs 2.5 and they fit right on no problem. Anybody out there know how big the second generation tires can go on the Legacy? Oh yeah.....the Outback has more ground clearance so it wii probably fit larger rubber without problem not sure though.

[This message has been edited by martin shepard (edited September 12, 2000).]

[Velocity]

Yeah, but 205/55/16 is stock on the '95-'99 GT's, which aren't really any different height wise from any of the other Legacy models during those years.

It all really depends on the offset of the wheels. The Impreza and the Legacy rims have different offsets, also...

IIRC, all 2000 and 2001 Outbacks come with 16" wheels and 225/60 rubber. Not substantially wider, considering they are taller, also.

[Patrick Olsen]

No offense (I'm ain't purfict myself ) but I think you guys are missing the point of the initial question. The replies all seem to be answering the question "Will 225s fit on a Legacy?" which is a nice question, but it wasn't what Gumball was looking for.

The real question is "Does the Outback use a wider rim to fit a 225?" I think the answer is NO, but I can't swear to that. I know the Outback does use a 16" rim (the first year or two did use a 15" rim, Martin). My father has a 2000 Outback with 16" rims, if I remember the next time I drop by I'll take a look at his manual to see what width the rims are.

Pat Olsen
'99 Legacy 2.5GT 5speed sedan

[hillman]

Both wheel retailers I just checked show 2000 Outback wheels at 16x6.5 inches, just like the GT's. I can find no evidence of a 16x7 Subaru wheel on a non-Impreza.

Unfortunately, the 2000 Outback sales brouchure I have here does not specify wheel width.

I would say I'm about 95% sure the Outbacks have 6.5" wheels. Maybe I'll start carrying around a tape measure; there are a few in the parking lot right now.

YMMV.

[Andy_T]

2001 Outbacks, if they are the same as Japanese-built Outbacks, have 225/60 R16 tyres on a 16x6.5" wheel.

Source: the Owner's Manual.

Andy T

What are the offsets for the Impreza and Legacy? My 96 wagon seems fine with the MY00 2.5 wheels on it. I put some MY98 2.5rs wheels on my 91 turbo with the bridgestone pole position rubber on and it seems a little twitchier on center then before but man does that thing go/ corner like stink!!!! No squeal when sliding just a little scrubbing rubber. Kinda nice in case mister Barney Fife happens to be listening if ya know what I mean.

[gumball]

hey, this is great info ya'll !!
Does this mean that 225mm tires are o.k. on a 6.5" wheel? I had asked the tech rep at Kumho about fitment of their 225/50/16s on the 6.5" wheel and he said it would be fine (the tire specifies 6" to 8").
Most people seem to think 225 on a narrow wheel would result in too much tire bulge. But how does it look on the Outback, or does the higher aspect ratio (greater sidewall height) help?

[Andy_T]

The offset appears to be 55mm on the Legacy (and 52.5mm on Imprezas, rounded up to 53). 55mm is the figure for the current Legacy; I don't know about '94-on.

225 will fit fine on a 6.5" rim, provided the aspect ratio is not too low. Higher-profile tyres can withstand a greater difference between rim and section width (look at any big 4x4 - 7" rims and 255 section tyres).

You could fit as low as 225/50 R16 to a 6.5" rim but it wouldn't be optimal. A 225/45 would probably fall off a 6.5" rim under hard cornering. A 7" or 7.5" rim width would be better. As a guide, look at any BMW 3 series with factory 16" wheels - they have 7" rim width and use 225/50 R16 tyres, and already the sidewall is looking a little "full".

Andy T

Wow I just rubbed driver side rear tire of my 91 turbo sedan today in extremely hard turn. Im running 98 2.5 rs wheels with the pole position rubber 205/55-16. Kissed the inside of the outer fender lip. This brings a question to mind....Is the smaller offset number 53mm Impreza 2.5 going to put the rubber more inboard or outboard when compared to the 55mm Legacy wheel? Are those negative or positive offsets? Not trying to beat a dead horse here just trying to figure out if my 16" gt wheels will be better suited to my summer rubber. I may be able to pull the trim off the fender lip to cure problem. Thanks for the help you guys.

[gumball]

does 2 mm (about 1/16th of an inch) really
make that much of a difference???

[Radio Flyer]

But to be really technical and anal, the answer is that the RS rims put more rubber outboard.

  - Eric
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'98 2.5 GT Wagon - <a href="http://208.9.184.110/MembersList/ViewMemberPics.cfm?MemberID=143" target="_blank">Pics</a> - <a href="http://www.jeneric.ws/eric/radioflyer.htm" target="_blank">Page</a> -

[PeteH]

Hmmm, I am running 215/45/17 Pirelli P-Zero's and 17x7 Speedline Pero-R's on my '92 Turbo Legacy. After several TSD rallys and autocross with stock springs and KYB AGX's, I have yet to rub ANYWHERE!!!

[Soupysuby]

I want to run 17 inch rims on my 2001 Legacy but I'm not sure how wide I should go. Please help me

[Frogsthatmoo]

How did you find this thread? You could have easily started a new thread with this question. There are so many variables in your question that it's near impossible for anyone to answer.

[tibug]

This thread is older than I can do math!

[rougeben83]

lol...

[Patrick Olsen]

It's aliiiiiiiiive!!!!