i am thinking of getting some rims that are 17x8 +35, how would that fit? im thinking ill most likely have to roll my fenders and raise my car slightly? can anyone else give some input on trying to run this setup. thanks

 

17x8 with 225/17 or 235/17 will not require fender rolling. BUT I do not believe a 35 offset will clear even the earlier 2 pot calipers with 'most' wheels. I have gone through agony on this and the most important lesson I've learned is that the thickness and curvature of the wheel spokes are the real determining factors.(with two different wheels of the same offset one may fit and one not).Best advice- test fit or find some one who has done the same swap.Research the #*%^ out of it before you buy. PS:I just went to to www.tirerack.com and punched in a 2004 wrx with 17x8 wheels and they all listed a 45mm offset.

 

i know tires will fit fine, i was worried more about the 35 offset. wondering if that would give me issues as most subaru offsets are 45-50

 

That makes no sense. The lower the offset, the more brake clearance. The only exception to this is if getting a lower offset on a specific wheel changes the pad options. For example, on some wheels, getting a lower offset gives you only low pad (or deep dish) options. However if that is not the case, then a lower offset will always mean more clearance as it is moving the wheel further out.

A 17x8 +35 is an aggressive fitment for this car. It will work, but it will be very tight with even a 215 or 225. A little bit of negative camber, even 1 degree, should make it clear nicely and handle better.

 

I misread your message at first, but fact is all offset is a compromise. Go negative enough and you end up like the low rider kids of 10 yrs ago. You know the one with the skinny tires completely outside the wheel well. They had a wide stance and no fender rubbing problems. Can't believe they all finally had terminal bearing failures.Just kidding, The point I should have stuck to is simple,regardless of offset (+ or-) the wheel spokes may or not clear a given set calipers,etc. on a given car.On the other hand Go with too much negative offset and the tire will hit the wheel well lip,too positive and it's into suspension pieces or the inner tub,etc. Changing the camber will off course not change the wheel / caliper relationship but I also would need to do the simple trigonometry of seeing how much 1 degree moves the outer tire edge inward. I just put 1 degree on my wrx and eyeball wise couldn't see any change(it's there of course just not naked eye stuff).I think it's just back to the usual fact that 99% of the time well thought out middle of the road changes give the best overall performance

 

AS an interesting place to go for anyone with an offset question try this website: www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp. I make no assertion they are right or wrong,just fun to play with.