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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 .


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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
00GTS
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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 03-25-2003, 05:06 PM   #6
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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   #7
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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 .


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Old 03-25-2003, 09:50 PM   #8
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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   #9
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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   #10
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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   #11
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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   #12
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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 03-26-2003, 05:49 PM   #13
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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 03-26-2003, 08:10 PM   #14
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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   #15
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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   #16
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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   #17
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how do u measure offset? or, how is offset measured?
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Old 03-27-2003, 01:16 AM   #18
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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   #19
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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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Old 03-27-2003, 11:01 AM   #20
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I'm going to sit down at some point in the near future and "do the math" on the exact figures, but these are very close to correct. People with +48 7" rims are fine- it's very close to +50 . SlammedWRX, that +33 wheel is a perfect example of a wheel that someone 'got to fit' that is not correct for the car- not correct by a whole lot. The centerline of that wheel is drastically off from where Subaru intended, and if your buddy has wheel bearing or axle troubles, tell him to expect that the problems will not be warrantied . I'll say it again, because people really need to understand this...

Just because it fits does not mean it is right .


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Old 03-27-2003, 12:09 PM   #21
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How about the V7 STi wheels?

17x7.5 +53mm offset

I know that it's +3mm higher than what you specified as "safe", but is there a +/- factor in the listed guidelines? I mean, this is a Subaru specified wheel.
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Old 03-27-2003, 12:38 PM   #22
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Default Re: The Offset Information Thread

As I stated in the post that started this thread, and in my last reply up above:

Quote:
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 don't mean to pick on you specifically, I just wish people would read threads completely before replying . I've been guilty of it myself too- things go alot more smoothly when information doesn't have to be repeated .


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Last edited by North Ursalia; 03-27-2003 at 12:44 PM.
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Old 03-27-2003, 12:46 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally posted by North Ursalia 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 .
In terms of wagon fitment. It's mostly in the tires, not in the wheels.
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Old 03-27-2003, 01:58 PM   #24
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My p1's are 18x7.5 +53. I would think this is optimal geometrically. That is with 225/40/18.

Could I run a bigger tire with a 17x7.5 +48? Say a 235/40/17 without rolling the fenders?
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Old 03-27-2003, 08:31 PM   #25
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ok using this as a guideline:
6.5" ....... +53 to +55
7.0" ....... +50 to +53
7.5" ....... +47 to +50
8.0" ....... +43 to +47

(thanks for the info by the way, it really helps)

I really want to buy the black racing pro n-1's,
however the closest wheel i can find that would fit into this table is 18"x7.5 with +45mm offset. its
2mm off, is that still too much?
is +47 absolutly the lowest you can go with a 7.5" wheel?

thanks in advance!
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