Suggestion for '08 STI Wheels

[ej205gga]

I am considering the BBS wheels option for the new STI, and want to check if there is a better alternative.

Which wheels do you recommend for the '08 STI that are:
1. lighter; and
2. diameter and width identical to the stock wheels, offset must be within +/- 0.25in (per SCCA A Stock rule); and
3. cheaper (i.e. <$500 each); and
4. available in the US.

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[Td5turbo]

Why not use stock wheels?

they are:
1. Light & strong (forged)
2. obviously stock sizes haha
3. free
4. available in the US


so basically you just want a lighter wheels?

[ej205gga]

Stock forged wheels are not free. I want to see if there is a better place to spend $2500.
Yes, I don't want the wheels to be heavier than the BBS option.

The options are:
1. aftermarket wheels for summer + stock cast wheels for winter. (Cost: $X for the wheels + $0); or
2. stock forged wheels + aftermarket wheels for winter. (BBS wheels is a $2000 option + $500 for winter wheels = $2500)

BTW: does anyone know the weight of the cast and forged wheels for the '08 STI?

[dedgley]

If you don't need 18", what about a set of 05-07 STi BBS?

[waktasz]

TR Motorsports mt1 I think they are called. They are decently light and fairly cheap. I'd probably pick those for A-stock autocross if I do end up getting an 08 STI.

[Frank A]

until someone publishes the actual weight of the 08 BBS wheels, you're wasting your time trying to choose something "lighter". Subaru says the BBS's are 7 lbs lighter. Not clear if this is per wheel or per car. Per wheel would be horrible news since that would put the new std wheels at 24+ lbs. Someone needs to weigh the new rims.

...or, why <$500? Most anything is under 500. You can even get Volks for close to 5, so you might as well plan on getting CE28N's or something else absurdly light. Why not challenge yourself: less than 17 lbs/rim and less than $250/rim?

Frank

[bcarm]

Originally Posted by Frank A

until someone publishes the actual weight of the 08 BBS wheels, you're wasting your time trying to choose something "lighter". Subaru says the BBS's are 7 lbs lighter. Not clear if this is per wheel or per car. Per wheel would be horrible news since that would put the new std wheels at 24+ lbs. Someone needs to weigh the new rims.

...or, why <$500? Most anything is under 500. You can even get Volks for close to 5, so you might as well plan on getting CE28N's or something else absurdly light. Why not challenge yourself: less than 17 lbs/rim and less than $250/rim?

Frank

I agree, although I did read somewhere, and I'll see if I can find that, that the weight savings is per corner on the BBS. Also need to know for sure what the stock offset of the 08 STi wheels are.

[mav1c]

I'd get the regular wheels, keep them for the winter, and then buy a nice set of 18's. There are so many options out there, you'll probably find something you like better, are lighter, and cost about the same as the BBS option.

[bcarm]

Thats the plan.

[911-3.2]

Anyone know if 17's are going to fit over the brakes?

[mav1c]

I would bet they're the same brakes as the current STI, so I would also bet the current STI wheels, and any other 17's that fit over the current STI brembos, would fit.

Originally Posted by 911-3.2

Anyone know if 17's are going to fit over the brakes?

[911-3.2]

I'm hoping so, I need all the sidewall I can get

[remowgn]

Originally Posted by 911-3.2

Anyone know if 17's are going to fit over the brakes?

They are an option in Japan, so I would assume so. There is nothing to indicate any differences in brakes, so 17's should be no problem.

[Frank A]

Originally Posted by remowgn

They are an option in Japan, so I would assume so. There is nothing to indicate any differences in brakes, so 17's should be no problem.

I get the impression something has changed about the braking since the '04 sti because all anyone ever did was b*tch about the Sti, especially compared to the Evo. Since I haven't owned all the Sti years, maybe someone else could explain what changed and when? Certainly the latest smattering of 08 sti reviews have been very positive on the braking on the new car. Maybe they just tweaked how the proportioning works? I doubt it's a change in the pads or there wouldn't have been so much b*tching.

If the weight difference is per wheel, there is no f'ing way I'm using the stock wheels on mine. Immediate sale on ebay and at least buy Enkei RPF1's for 250/ea and weight that's probably within 2 lbs of the BBS's.

Frank

[Imprezard]

Both STI wheels (5 spoke and 18 spoke) are forged. Offset 55mm.

[waktasz]

If you don't mind me asking, can you site your source? All STI wheels have been +53 to date, am I right? This would throw a monkey wrench in my A-stock autocross plans. (replacement wheels must be within 6mm of stock offset, so the +48 wheels that are plentiful aren't technically legal)

[mav1c]

Ummmm...53-48=5, so why would a +48 wheel not be legal?

Originally Posted by waktasz

If you don't mind me asking, can you site your source? All STI wheels have been +53 to date, am I right? This would throw a monkey wrench in my A-stock autocross plans. (replacement wheels must be within 6mm of stock offset, so the +48 wheels that are plentiful aren't technically legal)

[bcarm]

Originally Posted by Imprezard

Both STI wheels (5 spoke and 18 spoke) are forged. Offset 55mm.

Originally Posted by waktasz

If you don't mind me asking, can you site your source? All STI wheels have been +53 to date, am I right? This would throw a monkey wrench in my A-stock autocross plans. (replacement wheels must be within 6mm of stock offset, so the +48 wheels that are plentiful aren't technically legal)

Originally Posted by mav1c

Ummmm...53-48=5, so why would a +48 wheel not be legal?

55-48=7

[remowgn]

Originally Posted by Frank A

I get the impression something has changed about the braking since the '04 sti because all anyone ever did was b*tch about the Sti, especially compared to the Evo. Since I haven't owned all the Sti years, maybe someone else could explain what changed and when? Certainly the latest smattering of 08 sti reviews have been very positive on the braking on the new car. Maybe they just tweaked how the proportioning works? I doubt it's a change in the pads or there wouldn't have been so much b*tching.

Oops.. I should have been more clear. I believe the brakes are different from the GD chassis cars, but what I meant to say is that there isn't a difference between the JDM 08 STI and USDM 08 STI when it comes to brakes.

If the weight difference is per wheel, there is no f'ing way I'm using the stock wheels on mine. Immediate sale on ebay and at least buy Enkei RPF1's for 250/ea and weight that's probably within 2 lbs of the BBS's.

Frank

That's what I'm saying. I think the 5-spoke wheels would look pretty damn sexy on a legacy.

[Imprezard]

Originally Posted by waktasz

If you don't mind me asking, can you site your source? All STI wheels have been +53 to date, am I right? This would throw a monkey wrench in my A-stock autocross plans. (replacement wheels must be within 6mm of stock offset, so the +48 wheels that are plentiful aren't technically legal)

I have the Japanese STI brochure in my hand. And I read Japanese.

08 WRX/S-GT uses 55 as well.

[waktasz]

The WRXs have always been +55, but this is a change for the STI. Thanks

[Frank A]

Originally Posted by Frank A

I get the impression something has changed about the braking since the '04 sti because all anyone ever did was b*tch about the Sti, especially compared to the Evo. Since I haven't owned all the Sti years, maybe someone else could explain what changed and when? Certainly the latest smattering of 08 sti reviews have been very positive on the braking on the new car. Maybe they just tweaked how the proportioning works? I doubt it's a change in the pads or there wouldn't have been so much b*tching.

To answer my own question, here's what the motivemag review says about the brakes:

The brakes are certainly the best ever fitted to a road-legal Subaru, and not just because of the impressive Brembo hardware peeking through the wheel spokes. Good brakes not only stop short, they also "talk" to the driver, an area where a Subaru's middle pedal has traditionally been a letdown. The 2008 STI uses a new brake booster with a double pushrod to eliminate deflection in the linkage, giving a more connected feel, and the flexible brake lines are made of an ultra-low-expansion material for firmer pedal response.

So I wonder if the new brake lines are as good as the aftermarket ones so that I won't have to replace them anyway?

Frank

[kdjstratton]

I'm doing the same thing. I'll buy the base model with the heavy 5-spokes and put some all season tires on them. Preordered today!

[skydes]

My recommendation: If the offset is the same or compatible, buy a set of mint 05-07 BBS 17'' takeoffs with some nice rubber on 'em right NOW.