I have got a standard MY03 and I am thinking of changing the original 215/45 Potenza RE050 for 225/45 F1 GSD3. I cant go to the 18" option as the roads in my country are crap. I am also contemplating to change the original gun metal rims for a set of grey superleggeras. The latter are 7" wide, is it better to go for a 7.5" wheel?
Do I have to do wheel alignment if I go from 215 to 225 and change the wheels???

Please give me your thoughts.

 

I am in the same boat mate, as the STI8 wheels with 225/45 are 7,5 it's better to follow this dimension, SupeL" are only 17x7 and 18x8 so I decided to fit 18x8 with 225/40 for mine although in my country the roads are also crap.
The overall difference between 17x7 with 225 and 18x8 with 225 is only 6mm and the tyre profile difference between 215/45/17 and 225/40/18 is 0,7mm not remarkable!
JIM

 

I am gonna stick with the 17"s but I have left the original gun metal alloys of my WRX for the winter tyres and I need to find a nice 7.5" summer wheel. I like the Prodrive P1 OZ because its made with the perfect offset 53 for subaru. Quite expensive though.

Do you live in Thessaloniki? I am from Bulgaria and there are no decent garages to tune or service Subaru at home. I would not mind driving down as it is only a three hour drive. Do you know if there are good subaru tuners in the area? anyone that does ecutek re-mapping?

thanks

 

Hi mate
I know the Prodrives are a bit expensive and if my memory serves me right they weight more than the factory 17x7" wheels!
I searched recently for a decent 17x7,5" wheel with no luck (or there is no one that looks good to me) thus I am going to buy 18x8" SuperL" Golds when they'll be available at the end of November, although 48 offset is better (actually "looks" better) and doesn't affect cars behaviour, it's just at the lower offset limit for the Impreza.
There are two authorised services in Thessaloniki and one in Veria, unfortunately they don't remap cars but the one I use here is friendly and can tune your car with good aftermarket parts from Graham Goode, STI, Prodrive, APRacing, Bilstein, Samco etc without warranty issues even when they fit decatted exhausts!
Their tel number is +30 2310 418924 and ask Sofia or Apostolos for information, tell them my name (Jim Theologis).
Cheers
JIM

Edited to add that I can find the SuperL" 17x7" at 1000 euros and 225/45/17 Michelin Pilot Sports at 680 euros (and GSD-F1 little bit cheaper) if you are interested from a friendly shop, currently the wheels aren't available

[Edited by JIM THEO - 10/22/2003 9:07:10 PM]

 

Jim

If you are at all concerned about damaging wheels, then the 18" Superleggera may not be the best option as I remember someone posting here that they had bent several.

Mike

 

I know first hand Nick what you say and yes the wheels you sell are harder and right dimensions but including dispatch cost they are double price from what I'll pay for the SuperL" localy!
And yes the P1s have the correct width (17x7,5) for 225/40/17.
On the other hand OZ has redesigned the SuperL" probably due to been too fragile as you say.
It's personal choice...
JIM

Still waiting for the WRX03 springs Nick, out of interest are they Eibach or Sachs?

 

Jim

I think you mean Mike, not Nick. I haven't posted on this thread before

The springs are being manufactured by Eibach to Prodrive specifications.

Thanks, Nick.

 

Sorry Mike & Nick wrong typing, I have more than three windows opened in my PC one for Scoobynet and the others for my job so it's quite easy to type something wrong during orders, customers etc, you are all likeable (Nick, Mike, Damian) and helpful whenever I need it!
JIM