What does it take to run 17x9s or 18x9.5s with 245s or 255s on a bugeye? I have a totally stock setup right now, but I want to go wide (I like grip and I love the "dish" look on low offset rims).

Is this doable with struts and springs or are coilovers necessary? I commute 30-50mi a day so comfort would be a plus.

 

I honestly have 0 experience, and haven't heard enough about bugeyes with wheels beyond 18x8.5 or 17x8.5, so I won't be much help. What I CAN help you with, is to answer one of your questions. You will absolutely need a coilover setup. If you want to run 255's, and a 17x9/9.5, or 18x9/9.5, you will need good coilovers with at least a front spring rating of about 500lb/in, and a rear rate of around 400lb/in. It's going to kill the comfort for a DD, but some of us (myself included) don't have trouble driving around with those rates. Beyond 500lb/in it gets to be closed circuit pavement only, but up to 400-500 I can handle it. Really, if you have no experience driving a car 4-5 days a week with spring rates like that, you should find someone local and ask for a ride, and see if you can handle it on both smooth, and rough (read: typical california) roads. GL with the setup though. I am all for big wheels with wide tires, as opposed to stretching a tire horribly just to run a wide wheel.

 

I'm running 18 x 9 +35 with on my car ( 06 sti) with stance GR + pro coilovers 8k 6k spring rate. I had my fenders cut in the fronts also no fender liner and pulled in the back. And what vodka said if this is your daily the ride quality will be gone haha but handling and looks wise, with the right camber it will be nice.

 

these guys are right. once you go aggressive, your ride quality completely changes. With coilovers, it stiffens up the suspension alot. How ever, it you want to go with 17x9s, you will be ok with just lowering springs, camber bolts, and probably rear fender rolling. 18x9.5s might be an easier fit with fender rolling/pulling,coilovers, and an alignment

 

thanks for the advice! i guess ride quality is out the window lol how does coilover stiffness compare with stock STi? i've driven my cousin's 05 STi which is pretty harsh for daily IMO, but still liveable

i've heard of running 245s on 17x8s w/o rolling... would 245s on 17x9s make rolling necessary just because of the added wheel width?

for those that have rolled (no pun intended), is paint cracking a problem? i've heard of some ppl

and i totally agree about skinny tires on fat wheels... makes me cringe when i see sidewalls angled inward at 30deg angle

 

05 sti is smooth compared to what they are talking about man.

 

QFT

If you thought his 05 STi was harsh, you'd better fuhgeddaboudit.

As far as paint cracking from rolling/pulling, some will say "Ohhhh no way, if you know what you're doing, and have experience doing it properly, it won't happen", and they'd be wrong. Even if someone has rolled/pulled a Subaru fender a hundred times, it's still a real possibility. It's part of the price we pay to play. Bottom line: if you're going to have fender mods done, go to someone who's done it more than just a few times, as it will help reduce the percentage of possibility of cracked paint but not eliminate it.

 

haha guess i better grow a pair or save up for a 2nd car