New Rims
Guest
Posts: n/a
New Rims
Hey All,
I'm inheriting my wife's '99 GT Legacy Wagon. I'd like to update the look with some new rims (ASA - AR1s is what I am considering at the moment) when I get it. However, I have no idea what size I should be considering. Here are my questions:
1. Rim Size: What size to get? Do the 18" add too much weight? Do they rub the inside of the fenders? Are 17" a more realistic alternative? Are there any performance penalites?
2. Tire Width: I have stock 205s on it now, how wide can I go without it looking too ricey or stupid (sticking too far out beyond the edge/width of the fender) 225?
Thanks,
Yoshi
I'm inheriting my wife's '99 GT Legacy Wagon. I'd like to update the look with some new rims (ASA - AR1s is what I am considering at the moment) when I get it. However, I have no idea what size I should be considering. Here are my questions:
1. Rim Size: What size to get? Do the 18" add too much weight? Do they rub the inside of the fenders? Are 17" a more realistic alternative? Are there any performance penalites?
2. Tire Width: I have stock 205s on it now, how wide can I go without it looking too ricey or stupid (sticking too far out beyond the edge/width of the fender) 225?
Thanks,
Yoshi
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,801
From: my home is Portland but I'm @ School in Seattle
Car Info: 1998 Subaru Legacy L 5-speed
I have ASA JS5's 17x7's with 205/45's. If your goin wider its 215/40 if you want to maintain stock diameter. I think 17s are plenty large enough and perform well w/o being a harsh ride or too heavy
VIP Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 80
From: Toronto
215 is about as wide as you can go with the BD/BG Legacy's without rubbing, especially if you're lowered at all.
To keep the same diameter as stock, you'll need 215/45/17. Here's a handy tool to calculate tire sizes:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc
To keep the same diameter as stock, you'll need 215/45/17. Here's a handy tool to calculate tire sizes:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc
Guest
Posts: n/a
Aftermarket Rim Durability
Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the advice! I was speaking to a few people in the tire business and they were telling me to be wary of some rims. They were telling me that it might be a better idea to stick with the OE rims and get them powder coated.
They were telling me of stories about seeing rims come in that had cracked down the center, bending and breaking. They were telling me that OE rims have a heavier gauge and that they are less prone to cracking and bending. They were telling me that rims like BBS or American Racing don't have these problems but its the less expensive "asian" rims are more prone to these kinds of manufacturing defects and lack of proper engineering. He said that I should double check warranties on the various rims before buying.
Anyone have any comments regarding this?
Regards,
Yoshi
Thanks for all the advice! I was speaking to a few people in the tire business and they were telling me to be wary of some rims. They were telling me that it might be a better idea to stick with the OE rims and get them powder coated.
They were telling me of stories about seeing rims come in that had cracked down the center, bending and breaking. They were telling me that OE rims have a heavier gauge and that they are less prone to cracking and bending. They were telling me that rims like BBS or American Racing don't have these problems but its the less expensive "asian" rims are more prone to these kinds of manufacturing defects and lack of proper engineering. He said that I should double check warranties on the various rims before buying.
Anyone have any comments regarding this?
Regards,
Yoshi
Warm Fuzzy Admin
iTrader: (45)
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,799
From: Sacramento, CA
Car Info: 97 LOB, 05 FXT, 03 Tundra
Well, I think it's a no-brainer that wheels like BBS's are higher quality than Konigs; you get what you pay for. However, there are many options that won't break the bank and still get you decent wheels. Rota is the best example.
FWIW, I'm putting coilovers on my car in a week or two, and I'll be doing some tire width testing at lowered heights, but with an OB. I'm going to mount a set of Rotas with STi rubber on them just for yits and shiggles, so we'll see how that works out (an OB should have considerably more negative camber possible after lowering than a GT, due to subframe spacers).
I can tuck my current 225/50/16's on RS wheels, but those are Kumho 712's, which are somewhat narrow for a 225. An S03 would be a different story.
FWIW, I'm putting coilovers on my car in a week or two, and I'll be doing some tire width testing at lowered heights, but with an OB. I'm going to mount a set of Rotas with STi rubber on them just for yits and shiggles, so we'll see how that works out (an OB should have considerably more negative camber possible after lowering than a GT, due to subframe spacers).
I can tuck my current 225/50/16's on RS wheels, but those are Kumho 712's, which are somewhat narrow for a 225. An S03 would be a different story.
Last edited by sybir; Dec 21, 2003 at 09:43 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ASPEN209
NorCal Classifieds
1
Jan 27, 2008 03:56 PM
imout
NorCal Classifieds
0
Jun 26, 2007 09:56 PM
jdzumwalt
Subaru General
2
May 13, 2003 03:17 PM