[jason t]

I have an 08 STI running KW Clubsport coilovers and I'm wondering if anybody is using an 18x10 wheel with 35mm offset. If so how much fender modding had to be done if they even fit? The wheels would be Advan RZ in that size.

Jason

[RallySportDirect]

Originally Posted by jason t

I have an 08 STI running KW Clubsport coilovers and I'm wondering if anybody is using an 18x10 wheel with 35mm offset. If so how much fender modding had to be done if they even fit? The wheels would be Advan RZ in that size.

Jason

+35 will be to much in the back. MAJOR fender rolling(pulling) will be needed if you want a 18x10. a 18x9 +35 would be much easier to fit.

[Chayse]

Originally Posted by JeffTSX

Nice rims!! Just curious, what tires are you using?

I'm currently running Sumitomo HTR ZIII in 275/35-18 size.

[caveguru]

Originally Posted by jason t

I have an 08 STI running KW Clubsport coilovers and I'm wondering if anybody is using an 18x10 wheel with 35mm offset. If so how much fender modding had to be done if they even fit? The wheels would be Advan RZ in that size.

Jason

what width tires do you want to run? The rim isn't the problem- its the tires. I think I could squeeze 295's in with my +45 offset rims and rear fenders rolled completely flat and slightly pulled (very easy pull a bit on the '08's, btw). You should probably be able to run 275's in that case. If you want to run 295's, be prepared for cutting fenders/track only springs/other radical steps.

Frank

[caveguru]

Originally Posted by Chayse

I'm currently running Sumitomo HTR ZIII in 275/35-18 size.

Chayse, you didn't roll your rear fenders yet? No rubbing, huh?

Frank

[Chayse]

Originally Posted by caveguru

Chayse, you didn't roll your rear fenders yet? No rubbing, huh?

Frank

I have no rubbing in the front at all. In the back, I had very, very slight rubbing only on big bumps. Normal driving did not create any rubbing, only going over railroad tracks at speed. I looked in the fender and could not see where it was rubbing. I looked harder and it was about 1-2 mm on the very inner part of the fender lip. It actually was inside past where the seam sealer is in the fender lip. I had the rears rolled ever so slightly. The guy doing it thought it wasn't going to work at first, the fender seems very flexible. it almost seemed like it was plastic, though I know it isn't. After a few passes of the roller, the lip started to move up slightly. That was all it needed, the tire was rubbing down on the sidewall portion and not on the tread so the lip did not need to move much. I think a +47 offset would have been perfect in the rear.

[caveguru]

Originally Posted by Chayse

I had the rears rolled ever so slightly. The guy doing it thought it wasn't going to work at first, the fender seems very flexible. it almost seemed like it was plastic, though I know it isn't.

The plastic sensation might be because subaru covered the seam from the two body panel sheets with a strip of something like seam sealer or caulk. It's quite soft. If you aggressively roll the fenders like I did, the strip will come off. They applied the strip after they primered the panels, but before the paint coats, so you'll have to paint this area if you remove the strip. The good news is that since the car is so new, there was absolutely no cracking of the paint (used a heat gun of course). Much better behavior than rolling my '02 last year.

Frank

[paikman]

Whoever was trying to do 9.5" +28 on the last page, good luck with that.
The Fronts will be fine,
but the rear I have had issues with even "just" 18x9 +29. My rear inner lip is COMPLETELY FLAT and up.
I rubbed still with oem 245/40 on harsh bumps and highway speed sharp turns. I have set my alignment to -2.5 all the way around and 0 toe and am OK now. I will also be switching to a 265/35 which actually is less tall (by almost an inch) then the current 245.

[caveguru]

Paikman,

Wow- that shouldn't happen. +28 with a 245 tire is only 2 mm further out than a +45 with a 275 tire, and I've got at least a 1/2" of clearance with rolled and slightly pulled fenders and factory alignment. A bit less now that I have the rear camber backout out with the WL bushings.

edit: where is it rubbing- inside the wheel well about 1" up the inside wall perhaps?

Frank

[paikman]

Driver's side only, I would guess about the spot you said, under full compression.
And you're right, your 9.5" +44 is 12.7mm wider, so yes it would be equivalent of a 9" +32.3. About 2-3mm difference.
Spaceman is having some issues too if I recall.
When I really look though.. I almost want to say it's a caster issue?
I can't really feel anything underneath the fender, seems like it's scuffing on the rear bumper portion.
i dunno, we need to get together some time lol

[Chayse]

Originally Posted by caveguru

The plastic sensation might be because subaru covered the seam from the two body panel sheets with a strip of something like seam sealer or caulk. It's quite soft. If you aggressively roll the fenders like I did, the strip will come off. They applied the strip after they primered the panels, but before the paint coats, so you'll have to paint this area if you remove the strip. The good news is that since the car is so new, there was absolutely no cracking of the paint (used a heat gun of course). Much better behavior than rolling my '02 last year.

Frank

Yeah the strip started to come off a little on the drivers side. I will probably have the lips rolled flat when I put coilovers on so I know I won't have any problems with the lowered height.

[dphoenix]

so tire noob here..
I autocross so I wanted a lighter tire.. but I don't want to roll the fenders and I don't want to do anything to go out of class.
Anyway so tirerack said TR MT1s with 18x9.5 would be fine, and 245/40/18 potenza re960AS pole positions...

I brought the wheels down to Discount Tire which is where I was buying the tire... and they told me the offset was way wrong and the wheel would stick out about an inch.

So now tire rack is telling me I need the 18x8.5 TR MT1s and they will sit flush with the side if I get 245/40/18s. If that the correct way to go?? Tirerack unfortunately can't pick up the rims until wednesday..

[caveguru]

Originally Posted by dphoenix

so tire noob here..
I autocross so I wanted a lighter tire.. but I don't want to roll the fenders and I don't want to do anything to go out of class.
Anyway so tirerack said TR MT1s with 18x9.5 would be fine, and 245/40/18 potenza re960AS pole positions...

I brought the wheels down to Discount Tire which is where I was buying the tire... and they told me the offset was way wrong and the wheel would stick out about an inch.

So now tire rack is telling me I need the 18x8.5 TR MT1s and they will sit flush with the side if I get 245/40/18s. If that the correct way to go?? Tirerack unfortunately can't pick up the rims until wednesday..

you're fine with the +45 9.5" MT1's- no rubbing, no roll necessary. That's what I have with 275's, which require a slight roll. pictures of these installed are in my member's journal (link in sig<<<). The factory offset is +55, so these only stick out 10 mm past factory, not 1" like you were informed. They will not quite be flush, although they will be closer to flush. But putting 245's on a 9.5" rim is a waste of wheel weight unless you plan to install 265+ tires later.

Frank

[dphoenix]

Originally Posted by caveguru

you're fine with the +45 9.5" MT1's- no rubbing, no roll necessary. That's what I have with 275's, which require a slight roll. pictures of these installed are in my member's journal (link in sig<<<). The factory offset is +55, so these only stick out 10 mm past factory, not 1" like you were informed. They will not quite be flush, although they will be closer to flush. But putting 245's on a 9.5" rim is a waste of wheel weight unless you plan to install 265+ tires later.

Frank

I called tire rack.. they are going to exchange the 18x9.5s for 18x8.5s at no cost for me, and discount tire and tire rack both say the 18x8.5s should fit flush.
I eventually want to track the car but seeing as how I have never done it yet... I will keep this setup for awhile as my daily and autocross etup, and a few times maybe while tracking.. and then if I like it I can always get another set of rims and really big dedicated track tires.

[caveguru]

Originally Posted by dphoenix

I called tire rack.. they are going to exchange the 18x9.5s for 18x8.5s at no cost for me, and discount tire and tire rack both say the 18x8.5s should fit flush.
I eventually want to track the car but seeing as how I have never done it yet... I will keep this setup for awhile as my daily and autocross etup, and a few times maybe while tracking.. and then if I like it I can always get another set of rims and really big dedicated track tires.

They should give you some money back- the 8.5" are 20 bucks cheaper- I thought they were a 100% satisfaction company? The 8.5" are only 3mm more offset (+48mm), so they will be slightly less flush than the 9.5", but frankly, I don't think either wheel is properly flush if that is the look you are striving for. As always though, ymmv.

Here's what mine look like: