I'm working on getting myself a set of winter tires for my 04 outback. Tires don't seem to be a problem, have my choice of like 8 brands. I just can't find any rims anywhere!

 

The only place is my local subaru dealer, and they only have the ones off the floor for about 150 each. This will not work.

 

I've done searching and what not, and i can find all kinds of rims that would work, but they are all for those who want to trick out their vehicals, hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

 

These are going to be winter tires, they just have to fit, i don't care if they look like crap, they just have to be on.

 

Any suggestions?

Tire Rack has 16x6.5" steelies for $49 each. Any big place that sells tires should have regular steel wheels available too though. You'd think that Subarus would be common enough in PA that someone would have wheels for them.

My local tire place sells replacement steelies at $29.00 ea, next day shipping included. 'Corse Subaru IS the unofficial state car in NW Montana.

Tire Rack has 16x6.5" steelies for $49 each. Any big place that sells tires should have regular steel wheels available too though. You'd think that Subarus would be common enough in PA that someone would have wheels for them.

 

You'd think, but the cheapest i have locally is about 85 bucks a rim.

My local tire place sells replacement steelies at $29.00 ea, next day shipping included. 'Corse Subaru IS the unofficial state car in NW Montana.

 

Do they have a web page perhaps?

Anyone else with any ideas? I'm getting no where with my local folks.

Where in PA are you?

Anyone else with any ideas? I'm getting no where with my local folks.

I picked up a set of take-offs from a WRX for someone who needed a bit more BLING. $300 for four alloy wheels with RE-92 tires having ~4-5K miles on them:). That meant the Blizzaks went on the original Outback alloys, but that was OK. Depending on your area and school of thought, steel wheels for winter are a better choice (potholes, salt, etc...), but I could not pass up the deal. I found the set on one of the more WRX strong sites (www.NASIOC.com or www.I-Club.com) and found someone close enough I did not have to fool with shipping costs.

BTW, the RE-92's are not all that wonderful, especially as the tread depth goes down. The OD of the tires is a little small, so the speedometer is reading almost exactly 10% low according to my GPS. The shorter sidewalls make a slightly firmer ride and less sidewall flex if you are practicing GP driving in an Outback:brow: .

Hope this helps, Speed Safely, David

I picked up 4 used rims off an Outback, $100 at a local Subaru specialist. They were alloy but pretty ugly so I painted them gunmetal grey to mount my winters on. Look for places that buy wrecks for rebuilding. Given the number of Subarus here in Vermont there are cars in virtually every wrecker's yard.

Auto Creek In Vergennes and Junction Auto in New Haven Vermont might be a place to start looking if you're local. Since I have a 98 GT I could use 15" of an Outback and run a slightly taller tire (60 series) to get the same rolling diameter as my 16" summer tires. On a newer Outback you probably need 16's to clear the brake caliper and to find an acceptable tire (diameter).

 

 

 

I'm working on getting myself a set of winter tires for my 04 outback. Tires don't seem to be a problem, have my choice of like 8 brands. I just can't find any rims anywhere!

 

The only place is my local subaru dealer, and they only have the ones off the floor for about 150 each. This will not work.

 

I've done searching and what not, and i can find all kinds of rims that would work, but they are all for those who want to trick out their vehicals, hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

 

These are going to be winter tires, they just have to fit, i don't care if they look like crap, they just have to be on.

 

Any suggestions?

Where in PA are you?

south west pa

I had to get a couple replacement rims for my 98 Outback a couple years ago. Had a hell of a time finding the stock ones anywhere! Junk yards didn't have any! Ended up having one repaired, and maybe found one at a junk yard luckily.

 

Anyway, maybe some older model Subaru rims will fit your 04 and you can check at some junk yards to get them?

http://secure.cartsvr.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=2930894&showprevnext=1

You can buy refinished/resurfaced rims at http://www.wheelcollision.com/subaru2.htm for about 155 a rim depending on the size and model. Try ebay as as well.

What ever happened to junk yards? Got be a couple of wrecked Subaru's somewhere close.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm working on getting myself a set of winter tires for my 04 outback. Tires don't seem to be a problem, have my choice of like 8 brands. I just can't find any rims anywhere!

 

The only place is my local subaru dealer, and they only have the ones off the floor for about 150 each. This will not work.

 

I've done searching and what not, and i can find all kinds of rims that would work, but they are all for those who want to trick out their vehicals, hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

 

These are going to be winter tires, they just have to fit, i don't care if they look like crap, they just have to be on.

 

Any suggestions?

ebay.

 

Search for a 16x6 or 6.5 or whatever you size is, and itll bring back a bunch. Most are expensive, but not all. Ive seen (constantly) wheels go for less than $100 for all 4.

What ever happened to junk yards? Got be a couple of wrecked Subaru's somewhere close.

I Don't trust them.

The old saying goes...beggers can't be choosers. We have given you the options. it is up to you to pick one. Ebay, salvage yard, on-line, newspaper, or local repair shops. Good luck.

The old saying goes...beggers can't be choosers. We have given you the options. it is up to you to pick one. Ebay, salvage yard, on-line, newspaper, or local repair shops. Good luck.

I certainly can be a chooser, expecially considering the gravity of the situation. Would hate to have this much money go down the crapper!

 

I'm most likely going to go with the allsubaru.com folks.

Caravan wheels on 98 GT. Just went to the local wrecker and got 4 15x6 Dodge Caravan wheels for mounting winter tires paid $100. Wheels from older Dodge and Chrylser cars use the 5 by 100 bolt pattern. These came off a 98 Caravan and are their "snowflake design" bolted one on with 205/60-15 snow mounted using front wheel to check for clearance and they fit fine. A bit more offset which is to say they they increase track marginally (8-10mm) but no more than the aftermarket Ronal wheels that Subaru has offered. Thought center hole might be an issue but had plenty of clearance.

Will be using them on my wife's 96 OBW for her studded snows as I'm tired of having to pay for remounting every fall and spring at $40 a whack. Given the number of Chrysler/Dodge cars out there they should be easy to find.

 

May not work on newer models as I suspect they require the 16" diameter to clear brakes but might as my GT has 16" oem wheels, best to try for fit before you pay to have tires mounted etc. I run a 15 OBW alloy wheel in the winter on the GT and have just adjusted aspect ratio to get to same rolling diameter for the snows. 205/55-16 summers equal 205/60-15 winters.

Glenner