Many of us would have preferred that our XT's had been outfitted with more performance orientation, even at the sacrifice of some off road capabilities, in the area of tires/wheels.

I bought my XT intending to change to different tires as soon as the Geolanders wore out. I did use the Geolanders a few times in the (Sierra Mountains) snow and found them quite satisfactory. Nevertheless, it doesn't snow in the San Francisco area (those hills would be really something if that were the case!) and I don't go up the the mountains much. Since the XT has so much performance potential I decided not to even wait (several years at my rate of use) for demise of the Geolanders.

I was going to get some Falken Ziex 512 in 16" or Bridgestone LS-H Turanza (two top 11/03 Consumers Report picks for the "Performance All-Season" tire category. This would have cost $400-500. I didn't want to spend $1,500-2,000 I thought plus sizing to 17" wheels/tires would cost.

I just bought some ROTA SDR (Gold) 17" wheels at a very good price so I've decided to go the 17" wheel route.
I must admit that every white XT, like mine, that I've seen with gold wheels has looked outstanding!! (including that Forester STi !) I guess I was inspired!


I'm looking for suggestions for the new wheels. I'll probably buy all-season (e.g., I'll get tires that will allow me to go in the snow/mud and still give me lots of performance) rather than get "summer tires". Still, I'd be curious to hear non-all-season suggestions for tires too, as I could maintain two sets (the OEM 16" as well as "summer" 17 inch) of wheels/tires.

I'm leaning toward 17 inch Falken Ziex 225/50R17, or for about 1/4 more money, Michelein Pilot Sport A/S. Again, these would be all-season rather than just summer tires.


Have any of you plus sized your XT wheels or changed out the Geolanders?? What did you choose and why? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Bob


http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/foresterxt/

hey bob, that syms forester rocks!! where did you get that pic? put it this way... tires are not exactly on subarus high priority list when it comes to their car(x-cept the sti) my uncle in kent wash uses these on his xt-----Yokohama Geolandar H/T G900. . . he has no complaints xcept 4 the fact that they don't really match his gunmetal rims. . . but where he's at it makes sense. you might want to try this----Eagle Ultra Grip GW3. heard good response from these.

The Geolander 900's are the OEM tires that come on the XT Forester. They are OK, but just "OK". Since XT has so much possibility a lot of us want something a bit more than "OK", especially if we don't live where it snows and don't want our XT to be more SUV than Sports Car.

Currently in Consideration are 225/50R17, Michelin Pilot A/S, Falken Zeix 512, Bridgestone LS-V; 225/55R17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3, Bridgestone POtenza S-03 Pole Position, and Dunlop 5000's.

Check out:

http://www.apexjapan.com/news/sti_forester/sti_forester.html

Cheers & Aloha,

Bob

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/foresterxt/

I went with the Falcon Ziex 225/50R17. They are GREAT !!! I am very happy with these (they cost $500, about 1/2 the cost of the Michelin Pilot A/S and come with a 30k miles wear warranty. The difference these make in the way my FXT handles is instantly noticeable. Great in the twisties !!!