Winter wheels for '05 STi

[bumpfreaq]

Hello,

I'm looking for wheels to mount winter tires on. I've found a few that
will fit but none with the correct offset. Have any of you travelled
down this road? Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris
(USA, if it makes a difference)

 

[Mark Olson]

I'm looking for wheels to mount winter tires on. I've found a few that
will fit but none with the correct offset. Have any of you travelled
down this road? Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Google for:

WRX STi "steel wheels"

I found a guy selling factory take-offs with 53mm offset for $59 each.

 

[bumpfreaq]

Thanks Mark, I found him easily. I'll definitely consider this option.

Chris

 

[JD]

Hello,

I'm looking for wheels to mount winter tires on. I've found a few that
will fit but none with the correct offset. Have any of you travelled
down this road? Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris
(USA, if it makes a difference)

Enkei makes a set of 17X7 with the correct offset. They are relatively
cheap and look pretty good on the car. That's what I use. I also use a
205/55R17 snow tire (narrower is better in deep snow) so the 7" wheel is
good enough to handle those.

 

[Mark Carroll]

I'm looking for wheels to mount winter tires on. I've found a few that
will fit but none with the correct offset. Have any of you travelled
down this road? Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Out of interest, why would you get different wheels for winter?
Would something with different dimensions perform better, somehow?
Are you looking to protect the OEM wheels from winter weather?
Do you want to be able to switch between summer and winter tires
with just with a jack and a tire iron?

I'm curious, because it had never occurred to me to get different
wheels for winter, and I'm wondering what the benefits are. I'm
certainly planning to replace the RE070's with winter tires.

-- Mark

 

[bumpfreaq]

Mainly I am don't want to risk compromising the integrity of the RE070s
by taking them off and putting them back on. I've been advised by
mechanics (family members, not peeps that want my money) that it's very
common to damage tires when taking them off the rim.

Added bonuses are the convenience of changing tires and not damaging
the BBS rims if I happen to slide into a curb during the winter.

Chris

 

[Here and There]

Mainly I am don't want to risk compromising the integrity of the RE070s
by taking them off and putting them back on. I've been advised by
mechanics (family members, not peeps that want my money) that it's very
common to damage tires when taking them off the rim.

Added bonuses are the convenience of changing tires and not damaging
the BBS rims if I happen to slide into a curb during the winter.

Chris

Not to mention the damage the apes^H^H^H^Hmechanics do to the
aluminum rims doing the change every six months.
This damage allows the aluminum to be exposed to salt
leading to corrosion and air leaks.

 

[Mark Carroll]

(snip)
Not to mention the damage the apes^H^H^H^Hmechanics do to the
aluminum rims doing the change every six months.

(snip)

Thanks for the advice, guys. I really didn't want to spend the money,
but now it looks like I should seriously consider it!

-- Mark

 

[Here and There]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I really didn't want to spend the money,
but now it looks like I should seriously consider it!

Steel wheels are an investment and not really an expense.
Around here the charge is about C$60 to C$80 every six months
to swap tires on rims and rebalance. Only two years and you've
paid off even the most expensive steel wheels in labour costs
alone.

All the other benefits are a bonus.

 

[JD]

Out of interest, why would you get different wheels for winter?
Would something with different dimensions perform better, somehow?
Are you looking to protect the OEM wheels from winter weather?
Do you want to be able to switch between summer and winter tires
with just with a jack and a tire iron?

I'm curious, because it had never occurred to me to get different
wheels for winter, and I'm wondering what the benefits are. I'm
certainly planning to replace the RE070's with winter tires.

-- Mark

I do it because road salt will corrode and damage the BBS wheels which are
very expensive. Consequently, having a cheap set of winter wheels is
better. In addition, 225 are not particularly good for a car as light as an
STi. Narrower is better for winter tires. I use 205/55 for the winter;
same circumference but 2 cm narrower.

 

[Mark Carroll]

I do it because road salt will corrode and damage the BBS wheels which are
very expensive. Consequently, having a cheap set of winter wheels is[/QUOTE]

Hmmm, thanks very much. You and the other posters have certainly
convinced me that I really should get a tire/wheel package for winter.

better. In addition, 225 are not particularly good for a car as light as an
STi. Narrower is better for winter tires. I use 205/55 for the winter;
same circumference but 2 cm narrower.

Ah, that's interesting. With 205/55 what wheel size should I go for?
I've not yet figured out how to tell. For instance, if I say with 17",
should I probably stay with 53-ish offset, but get something a bit
narrower than the BBS' 7.5"? I'd appreciate any advice about winter
tire sizes and what wheel sizes will fit those. (For instance, would
it be worth going down to 16" to save money? How much wiggle room do
I have with offset?)

-- Mark

 

[JD]

I do it because road salt will corrode and damage the BBS wheels which are
very expensive. Consequently, having a cheap set of winter wheels is

Hmmm, thanks very much. You and the other posters have certainly
convinced me that I really should get a tire/wheel package for winter.

better. In addition, 225 are not particularly good for a car as light as
an
STi. Narrower is better for winter tires. I use 205/55 for the winter;
same circumference but 2 cm narrower.

Ah, that's interesting. With 205/55 what wheel size should I go for?
I've not yet figured out how to tell. For instance, if I say with 17",
should I probably stay with 53-ish offset, but get something a bit
narrower than the BBS' 7.5"? I'd appreciate any advice about winter
tire sizes and what wheel sizes will fit those. (For instance, would
it be worth going down to 16" to save money? How much wiggle room do
I have with offset?)

-- Mark[/QUOTE]

I went with a 17 X 7 for the 205/55. You can't go 16. They won't clear the
brakes.

 

[Mark Carroll]

I went with a 17 X 7 for the 205/55. You can't go 16. They won't clear the
brakes.[/QUOTE]

Ah, good point - I should have looked more carefully. (-:
Some Googling suggests that with 205cm tires I can go up
to 7.5" wide but no more on the wheels. I think I did see
soem reasonable 7" wheels around.

-- Mark

 

[leeden]

If you're still looking, try www.subydude.com. I bought a set of Rota
wheels from them. They have fitment for MY04 and MY05+ STi.