My list of performance tires/wheels in fittable sizes

[SUBE555]

This is what I have come up with for some of the better and more easy to find sizes and tire types as well as some of the wheels I am looking at, including vendor and prices. I don't know how service is with 1010tires and I know they are a little more pricewise, I just listed them for a reference. Hope this helps some people.

I have some more info in a different spreadsheet that I will add when I can.

Optional Tires:
215/45R-17 (recommended 17x7"+ wheel)
$143 - BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW - TireRack
$143 - BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2 - TireRack
$112 - Bridgestone Fuzion ZRi - 1010Tires
$166 - Bridgestone Potenza 050 - TireRack
$136 - Bridgestone Potenza RE750 - TireRack
$169 - Bridgestone Potenza S-03 - TireRack
$122 - Kumho ECSTA MX - TireRack
$195 - Pirelli Pzero Corsa - TireRack
$116 - Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S - TireRack
$115 - Toyo Proxes 4 - 1010Tires
$160 - Toyo Proxes T1-S - 1010Tires

225/45R-17 (recommended 17x7.5"+ wheel)
$165 - BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KD - TireRack
$147 - BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDW 2 - TireRack
$119 - Bridgestone Fuzion ZRi - 1010Tires
$169 - Bridgestone Potenza 050A - TireRack
$181 - Bridgestone Potenza RE070 - TireRack
$141 - Bridgestone Potenza RE750 - TireRack
$178 - Bridgestone Potenza S-03 - TireRack
$161 - Falken Azenis Sport - 1010Tires
$127 - Kumho ECSTA MX - TireRack
$178 - Kumho ECSTA V700 (Heat Cycled and Shaved) - TireRack
$228 - Pirelli Pzero Corsa - TireRack
$151 - Pirelli Pzero Nero - TireRack
$123 - Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S - TireRack
$154 - Toyo Proxes 4 - 1010Tires
$170 - Toyo Proxes T1-S - 1010Tires
$212 - Yokohama Advan A048 - TireRack

215/40R-18 (recommended 18x7"+ wheel)
$161 - Pirelli Pzero Nero - TireRack
$125 - Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S - TireRack
$179 - Toyo Proxes 4 - 1010Tires

215/45R-18 (req 18x7"+ wheel)
$? - Bridgestone Potenza 050A - ?

225/40R-18 (req 18x7.5"+ wheel)
$189 - BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD - TireRack
$162 - BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2 - TireRack
$139 - Bridgestone Fuzion ZRi - 1010Tires
$233 - Bridgestone Potenza 050A - TireRack
$196 - Bridgestone Potenza S-03 - TireRack
$145 - Bridgestone Potenza RE750 - TireRack
$158 - Kumho ECSTA MX - TireRack
$208 - Kumho ECSTA V700 (Heat Cycled and Shaved) - TireRack
$160 - Toyo Proxes 4 - 1010Tires
$190 - Toyo Proxes T1-S - 1010Tires
$250 - Toyo RA-1 - 1010Tires
$173 - Pirelli Pzero Nero - TireRack
$126 - Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S - TireRack
$273 - Yokohama Advan A048 - TireRack


Price Per Wheels
$420 - BBS RGR Bright Satin Silver Forged 17x7.5" - TireRack
$505 - BBS RGR Bright Satin Silver Forged 18x7.5" - TireRack

$330 - Gram Light 57S Bronze 7-Spoke 17x7.5" - Gruppe-S

$260 - Prodrive P1 17x7" - Prodrive-USA
$320 - Prodrive P1 18x7.5" - Prodrive-USA
$375 - Prodrive PFF-7 Bright Flitter 18x8" - Prodrive-USA

$650 - Rota Torque Steel Grey 17x7.5" (SET) - Subydude
$650 - Rota Tarmac II Bronze, Steel Grey, Full Royal Steel Grey 17x7.5" (SET) - Subydude
$725 - Rota Tarmac II Bronze, Steel Grey, Full Royal Steel Grey 18x7.5" (SET) - Subydude
$105 …Add Spline-Drive Lug Nuts, Basic Centercaps, Touchup Paint Subydude

$410 - SSR GT7 Silver 7-Spoke Forged 17x7.5" - TireRack
$460 - SSR GT7 Silver 7-Spoke Forged 18x8" - TireRack

? - Subaru of Japan OEM 18x7" Spec B - ?
? - Subaru OEM Stock 17x7" - ?

$295 - Work Emotion CR 17x8" +47 Bronze - Gruppe-S

[outahere]

I take it you are not a fan of Michelin Pilot tires?

[Th3Franz]

Car and Driver had an autocross test of the BF Goodrich tires on TV today. They "compared" them to offerings from Toyo and Yokohama. They used stock WRX STi's to do the "comparison." The event was basically put on by BF Goodrich, so of course Car and Driver would not bash their tires in terms of performance. And, they didn't provide the reviews of the tires with respect to price.

Car and Driver did like the Gforce TA KDW's, and the autocross had wet sections to test both wet and dry performance. Car and Driver liked the BF Goodrich tires, and some of the BFG engineers talked about the design of the tires to get good performance. So, maybe I'll start reading reviews of the BFG tires too. :D

[Jason L]

I take it you are not a fan of Michelin Pilot tires?

Good catch, yeah those are certainly an option (though an expensive one).

[7stars]

There's many great tires for the price, such as the Sumitomo HTRZ II.

[SUBE555]

They are, just rather expensive in comparison to others of similar levels IMO. Perhaps I'll add them later.

[waflowers]

I still like Falken Azenis. Great price, stick well and not too terrible in the wet I've found.

They do wear rather fast -- I got a year on my set with a few autocross days and one autocross school. And lots of hard, fast turns when the traffic allowed. :D

[SUBE555]

The more I read, the Proxes 4 is probably the best A/S tire out there, basically a lower temp version of the T1-S in how it handles, but it can take some snow (less than a dedicated snow of course.)

For those who like others, that's fine, these are just the ones I found had some of the better ratings and prove good by my criteria.

OOO, I found some more vendors with halfways decent listings and some excellent prices! More research. :P

[jim1969]

What about the Falken Ziex ZE 512's. They come in 215/45/ZR17.

[gtguy]

SUBE, you can add the Prodrive P1 in 17 and 18" fitment to that list. A friend called Prodrive to ascertain fitment, and they confirmed that the P1 in both sizes fit the Legacy.

Kevin

[yacoub]

I really like these wheels:

http://www.legacysti.com/album_page.php?pic_id=60
http://www.legacysti.com/album_page.php?pic_id=61

Can anyone tell me if those are 17" or 18"?

Also what width are they and what tires would fit them well?

And where can one purchase ProDrive wheels?
(And those cool blue lug nuts please!!!)

Thanks. =)

[yacoub]

What about the Falken Ziex ZE 512's. They come in 215/45/ZR17.

I had Zeix 512s in 215/45/17 or 225/45/17 (I forget which width) on my last car and they did very well and had high treadlife. They were a bit noisy though, as often is the case with harder compound tires that last longer.

[SUBE555]

I really like these wheels:

http://www.legacysti.com/album_page.php?pic_id=60
http://www.legacysti.com/album_page.php?pic_id=61

Can anyone tell me if those are 17" or 18"?

Also what width are they and what tires would fit them well?

And where can one purchase ProDrive wheels?
(And those cool blue lug nuts please!!!)

Thanks. =)

The Prodrive wheels come with center caps. I believe that is the 18" model from looking at the brakes. Be prepared, they aren't cheap. Over $2k for a set. They're Prodrive and they're forged, that says it all.

BTW, for the Falken's, they are pretty good, but didn't hit me as competitive as the others and I heard of the noise thing, so that turned me off. It is MY list after all. :P

Kevin, you said the P1's didn't look that good on the GT, so I don't think we need to add them. :mrgreen:

[yacoub]

I'm not as concerned with the cost as I am with how they look and how they perform. I've found that's the only way to end up relatively satisfied with the end result. =)

Btw, are you saying that those blue lug nuts are part of the center cap??? I think they're actually sporty lug nuts and I want to know who makes them and where to get them too, because I love how they look on that gunmetal rim on the silver B4, which is the color I'd get. =)

Also, those ProDrive 10s, what width are they in 18"? 18x8? And what size tire is optimal for whatever width they are?

Thanks for all your help!

[SUBE555]

I just weighed the pros/cons, it wasn't on my list.

I don't know who makes the lugs, but they aren't Prodrive. I'll just use my regular lugs. I'm not much for flair or as I might call rice.

The wheels are 18x7.5 ($625 per) or 18x8 ($635 per.) Optimal tire is 225/40R-18.

[yacoub]

Btw I wasn't saying you should add them to your list, I just saw this thread discussing wheels and tires so informatively, so I figured it would be the right place to ask.

Thanks for the sizing info! I'll have to search around for those lugs. =)

Regards!

[Xee]

What about Continental Conti-Extremes (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiExtr emeContact&partnum=145WR7CEC)? They've gotten great reviews on TireRack and are only $94 per.

[SUBE555]

I'll definitely say they aren't a performance tire. That's why I wouldn't add them, not for the GT's anyhow. Too soft of sidewalls.

The Toyo's I have perform great for an A/S and were cheaper yet. :)

[WRXTom]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+F1+GS-D3

I just bought these. Actually, since I live in Canada I got them from www.talontire.com to avoid shipping and brokerage charges.

Interestingly, my dealer took my RE92s and gave me an $800 (!) credit to be used on anything at the dealer (parts, service, whatever). They said they would use them if another Legacy owner needed a tire.

Tom

[Xenonk]

tire sizes are good to know, I wonder how much more you can get out of the car with the proper alignment and possible of rolling the fenders some.

Keefe

[SUBE555]

Xenonk, unless you are running massive amounts of hp, anything wider than 225 isn't likely to be to your benefit really. Greater rolling mass and resistance beyond needed grip levels equals lesser handling ability and a quicker hit to the fuel tank.

I'm sticking to 215 and 225 width tires. There is a LOT of good tires available in those widths.

[Val]

Those tire sizes are all over the place. In order to maintain the same speedometer readings, the correct tire upgrade in Plus-Zero is 245/40-17 or 235/40-17. For Plus 1, the correct size is 235/35-18. All these tire sizes are good for 8.5-inch wheels.

215/40-18 is also correct, but it makes more sense going Plus Zero than keeping the same narrow 215 tire section on a 18-inch wheel, IMHO.

By the way, the size Tirerack recommends for the 05 Legacy in Plus 1, 225/40-18, is wrong. Last year the same thing happened with the Lexus IS300 and they later corrected it to 215/40-18.

Val

[meier motor sports]

i had firestone firehawk in a 215/45zr17 size and i thougth they were a great tire. bit $$$ like 600 for the set of 4. but a great tire none the less

[Xenonk]

ok guys, I just put on the 18" rims I had left over from my WRX.. on a 7.5" wide rim, the offset should be higher than 42mm (the car will rub the fender IF the car is going to be lowered). Also, running 235/35/18 is even closer to the fender liner edge, so you should get the rears rolled.

I have a set of 225/40/18 with the 18"x7.5" rims with 42mm offset..

OFFSET IS SUPER IMPORTANT, THERE IS NO ROOM IN THE REAR TO PUSH THE WHEELS FURTHER AWAY FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE CAR.


Keefe

[SUBE555]

On that width (7.5"), I believe it is recommended to go towards the +48 range give/take 2mm for optimal.

[Xenonk]

Sube555, correct, it's just that with the WRX, I didnt have to be AS picky with the rim choices on offsets, but for the Legacy, it's a lot more crucial now, especially when I am planning on lowering the car.. I will have to read up on the suspension dynamics as well as checking the geometry for the suspension before I make a commitment on rims.. I DO know for a fact that the aftermarket rims MUST BE LIGHTER than the stock tire/wheel setup. SSR Comps & Toyo T1-S, here I come!

Keefe

[SUBE555]

If they're your race wheels, then yes, lighter is the way to go. If they're street, I'd just be concerned with strength at this point.

[Val]

In wheels, SSR Comps are as light and as strong as they come.

[SUBE555]

In the great white north, I've heard of more than a few bent cases. Potholes will even eat some forged products. Florida is a whole different ball game.

That's the only reason I throw caution out there, for pothole zones. With lightening the wheels that much, there is bound to be at least some weak spots. The right hit...

[Xenonk]

This is how a stock suspension, 18"x7.5" 42mm offset rims would look like.
http://www.speedoptions.com/members/38458/40461/pic3.jpghttp://www.speedoptions.com/members/38458/40461/pic1.jpg

http://www.speedoptions.com/members/38458/40461/pic4.jpghttp://www.speedoptions.com/members/38458/40461/pic2.jpg

http://www.speedoptions.com/members/38458/40461/pic5.jpghttp://www.speedoptions.com/members/38458/40461/pic7.jpg

http://www.speedoptions.com/members/38458/40461/pic6.jpghttp://www.speedoptions.com/members/38458/40461/pic8.jpg

[brady_bunch]

This is how a stock suspension, 18"x7.5" 42mm offset rims would look like.
You wouldn't happen to have a full side shot would you? I'd like to see how these rims fill up the wheel wells with stock suspension. Thanks!

[MSB]

Okay, noob question here, with the extra width of the tyres won't there be a problem with stones etc coming up and damaging the side paintwork of the car?

After looking at my car, the tyres seem to hide in the wheel arch quite well, but with keefe's photos they seem to stick out a bit.

I did see an article where this was a problem with a car in the UK, and it was put down to bad design

[SUBE555]

Having the wheels/tires stick that far out will contribute to body damage. I was flying down a road last night that I didn't notice was somewhat loose gravel on the surface. I don't think it did much if any damage, but with tires sticking out that far, it would likely cause paint chipping in areas you wouldn't normally get it.

[chucktoo]

I have 245/45/18 S-03 on my Outback XT Limited Wagon and no problem since it is 3 in higher than GT . I doubt the tire would fit under a GT. They are on 7.5 in wide rims - there is maybe another tire one to go 255/45/18 but they need 8 in rims and they were a lot more expensive for on .4 " more tread width.

They are the same revs/mile as stock Potenzas so all works well.

I plan to add sway bars and lower the car 1.5 in or so which is about as much as you can do with these tires.

The 2 in wider tread and S-03 are noticable over stocks.

Charlie

[SUBE555]

But your OB also has those big fender flairs as well to help keep debris from getting spit up on the car.

We need a pic of this, from front, rear, and an angled side view. :)

[inthedeck]

Curious, but in general, how are the Rota wheels? I have seen lots of people with WRX's use them, and they come at a fairly reasonable price.

However, my concern is that of strength with those wheels. Would they stand the test of strength? on the street/auto-x? I had only seen one incident in which to total wheel came apart, and flew off of a person's car. So that's why I have the question?

I might look into them, for summer rims, while keeping the stockers for winter, and some snows...not sure...yet...but the time is coming for winter, so we shall see.

Later,
i.

[SUBE555]

I had the same question as the Tarmac II/Prodrive GC-010 is my style of choice, and Rota is the only mfg with my bronze color. I had heard of past incidents.

I have been told to basically stay away from their lightweight designs (ones I wasn't really interested in anyhow.) Designs like the Tarmac II's should be alright as I'm told. I have no first hand experience however.

[Legasee]

bump for good info!

[Egan]

Curious, but in general, how are the Rota wheels? I have seen lots of people with WRX's use them, and they come at a fairly reasonable price.

However, my concern is that of strength with those wheels. Would they stand the test of strength? on the street/auto-x? I had only seen one incident in which to total wheel came apart, and flew off of a person's car. So that's why I have the question?

I might look into them, for summer rims, while keeping the stockers for winter, and some snows...not sure...yet...but the time is coming for winter, so we shall see.

Later,
i.

I ran Rota Subzero's on my WRX wagon at the track and I run Rota Torques on my STi at the track. They get pushed very hard and I have not had any problems. Several of my track buddies also run Rotas, again without any problems.

They're a bit heavy, but seem to be real strong. You really can't beat the price and the only problem I can recollect from any of the boards in the last 3 years was immediately fixed by Rota with no questions asked.

I'm seriously thinking about the Rota Grids for my wife's new LGT.