It is clear that a lot of folks, including Subaru themeselves, are using 17" rims ( and even 18") and tires on their WRX's. I am interested to know how well these perform on roads that have not had much money spent on them in the last 10 -20 years.

I got the WRX because it is a rally-bred car, not a race car. Many of the places I drive hard are not race track quality surfaces. These roads have a significant number of potholes, substandard repairs by utility companies and plenty of heaving due to tree roots or expansive soils pushing up through the road base. Even with the 16" rims on my WRX wagon, the car gets quite a pounding when driven hard. I like the idea of fitting 17" rims, but not if they will subject myself and my suspension to excessive wear and tear, or if I have to drive it like a piece of Granma's bone china every 100 feet. In fact, I wonder sometimes if 15" rims and more specialized tires might be a better arrangment for areas with less than perfect streets.

Your thoughts?

 

I bent my 17"Konig wheels on some 3"+ uneven pavement on the freeway (100mph+). Blew out the front left tire and bent both driverside wheels. Those rims sucked though, cheap and heavy. I like 16" better; more comfortable, cheaper tires and handle well with good tires.

 

Sorry to hear about the high speed rim destruction. That must have casued a bit of sphincter pucker.

So what tires would you suggest for this situation? I was thinking something with a fairly stiff sidewall. The OEM Potenzas can soak up quite a bit of impact, but really aren't too good at cornering. There must be something better out there.

 

Haha, yeah that sucked. Right now I have dunlop sp5000 all season tires...only because they came practicly brand new with my rs wheels. They are very comfy, excellent in the rain but not the best for hi-speed spirited driving. I really want some summer tires with a stiff sidewall, but that will have to wait untill I use up all the dunlop tread. Theres LOTS of good tires out there that are better than stock

 

17in SSR Comps w/ 225/45 SO-3s w/o any roadrash/bends on car for 53weeks in L.A. & I drive like a lunatic. I regularly take a dip in the road @60mph, when other drivers do 1/2 or 1/3 of that.

 

Drive slow.

 

Quote from Homer Jay - "Drive slow".

Interesting idea. Have you ever tried it?

Actually, I am conservative on obviously bad sections of road, but like Subie OCD pointed out, sometimes the thing hits before you know it. Also, I drive off road from time-to-time and a washout or gully can be brutal, even at moderate speeds.

Rob

 

I'm gonna buy an Outback and they now come with 17 alloys and 55 series tires. Trying to look like a Hollywood forklift. I am old and would like a smoother ride, so am thinking of switching to 15 or 16 inch rims and 65 or 70 series tires. Will I notice the difference?

And while I am here, I also want to mention that I also would like to convert the projector headlights to HID. I read the complicated get-Audi-reflector-and-Dremel-it thread, but is that necessary? I could do it if required - I have TWO Dremels - but if I could avoid that project it would be nice. I would also like to make the lights electrically adjustable for height, although I would want to be able to control it manually.

OF