17x7 wheels for 2004 WRX STi?

[Mark T.B. Carroll]

I'm looking to buy narrower wheels for winter tires for my 2004 WRX STi.
However, being sure which wheels can clear the brakes worries me. The
web suggests that Rage Breakers should work, but the 42mm offset is
enough smaller than the 53mm of the 17x7.5 stock BBS wheels that I
wonder how well that'll work. Does anyone have recommendations for
narrower wheels for the STi? Cheaper would be good! Of course, if I have
to, I guess I can put 205mm tires on 7.5" wide rims.

-- Mark

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I'm looking to buy narrower wheels for winter tires for my 2004 WRX STi.
However, being sure which wheels can clear the brakes worries me. The
web suggests that Rage Breakers should work, but the 42mm offset is
enough smaller than the 53mm of the 17x7.5 stock BBS wheels that I
wonder how well that'll work. Does anyone have recommendations for
narrower wheels for the STi? Cheaper would be good! Of course, if I have
to, I guess I can put 205mm tires on 7.5" wide rims.

-- Mark

There is a 'sticky' thread about tires for the STi over at
www.nasioc.com in the tire/wheel thread IIRC . It lists the wheels that
will clear the calipers. You also find some cheap used/takeoffs for sale
in the for sale thread - though there are a LOT of folks wanting winter
wheels this time of year. There are only about 3-4 7" wheels that will
clear but I think many 7.5-8" (and larger of course) that will.

Carl

 

[Mark T.B. Carroll]

There is a 'sticky' thread about tires for the STi over at www.nasioc.com in
the tire/wheel thread IIRC . It lists the wheels that will clear the calipers.
You also find some cheap used/takeoffs for sale in the for sale thread

Hmm, thanks Carl. It added more to the last list I saw, including the
Racing Sparco Tarmacs 17X7 5-100 48G which Discount Tire has for $169
apiece, so the offset's not as low as with the Rage Breakers. Maybe I
should take the risk and order some.

-- Mark

 

[Mark T.B. Carroll]

Hmm, thanks Carl. It added more to the last list I saw, including the
Racing Sparco Tarmacs 17X7 5-100 48G which Discount Tire has for $169
apiece, so the offset's not as low as with the Rage Breakers. Maybe I
should take the risk and order some.

In the end I decided to order Enkei 5+ 17x7, on the basis that the tire
place was certain they'd work so it's their fault if they're wrong. (-:
I'll report here if it turns out that they do fit okay.

Regards,
Mark

 

[Mark T.B. Carroll]

In the end I decided to order Enkei 5+ 17x7

They fit my 2004 WRX STi just fine, it seems. (I have Michelin Pilot
Alpins on those rims for the winter.) The only thing to note is that
I needed shorter valve stems so the valves didn't hit the front brake
calipers.

-- Mark

 

[Mark T.B. Carroll]

I have Michelin Pilot Alpins on those rims for the winter.

I should add, wow, they're quieter than the stock RE070's. I had the
radio turned a couple of points lower in volume than usual this morning,
and could still hear it fine. I also no longer hear the loud periodic
sound I used to whose frequency was clearly proportional to wheel speed.

-- Mark

 

[k. ote]

I should add, wow, they're quieter than the stock RE070's. I had the
radio turned a couple of points lower in volume than usual this morning,
and could still hear it fine. I also no longer hear the loud periodic
sound I used to whose frequency was clearly proportional to wheel speed.

-- Mark

Quieter than stock RE070 isn't a ringing endorsement for quietness of the
tires.