hi guys,
i have a stock my12 sti hatch. i've decided to get a cheap dedicated set of winter wheels/tires, as I'm seeing more and more snow up here in Lake Tahoe area.

on tire rack, i see there is a special going for 17" wheels. but i'm wondering if these wheels will clear the brake calipers? i ask because even on the stock 18" wheels, there is barely any clearance already.

the wheels are cheap (for winter use). they are 17x8 MOTEGI RACING MR118 . and i think they come with rings.

any advice would be appreciated.

 

Lots of 17" wheels clear STI's calipers... at least the ones that Tire Rack suggests.

You could always get used 05-07 STI BBS for dirt cheap in classifieds or craigslist.

 

Yeah used 2005-2007 STi BBS wheels are the best deal going for winter wheels that clear the Brembo's. Figure $400-$500 depending on the amount of curbing. Mint ones (no curbing) will cost more but why bother as winter wheels. You can't get quality forged wheels like that for anywhere near that price new.

If you want new wheels then any 17" wheel Tire Rack suggests _for_the_STI_ should fit, as they'll only show ones that have been tested to clear the Brembo's. You may have to tell their website you have a 2005-2007 STi to get it to show 17" wheels. Any wheel that fits the 2005-2007 STi will fit the 2008-2012.

For a 2008-2012 STI on a 17x8" wheels like the 2005-2007 BBS I recommend either 225/50R17 or 235/45R17 tires, to closely match the diameter of your spare tire in case you need it. The former size is the closest match, the latter is close enough and has a bigger selection. (I run the latter.)

The actual 2005-2007 STi tire size was 225/45R17 which is fine except it's slightly beyond the max 2% difference Subaru recommends in wheel diameter from the spare, which means in theory using the spare could damage your diffs. Set DCCD to open, take it easy, and avoid full lock and I bet you'd be fine, but better to not risk it and get one of the aforementioned sizes.

 

This site offer cheap winter tires.
www.i-club.com