I've still got my snows on my stock steel wheels for my 98 Legacy L wagon. I've been shopping around for tires (I drive about once a week, so I'm not too worried about wearing the snows down) but I was thinking about getting another set of wheels so I don't have to pay to unmount and remount tires every season.

 

There's a guy selling 4 17" subaru alloys with some blizzaks on them. I have no interest in 17" wheels, but it's cheaper than buying new steelies, and they come with a set of rubber to grind down this summer (I'd replace the blizzaks with summer tires whenever they wear out). My main question is thus: will my little 2.2/5spd be able to get wheels that big moving? And slightly less important: how bloody ridiculous would they look on my stock ride-height wagon? (would they even fit??)

 

The 17-inchers have 215/45/17 tires on them, which works out to about 1.6% difference in spedometer reading over my 185/70/14s, which I can live with.

your motor will have no trouble moving the 17" wheels and tires. they should work fine there isnt to much of a difference in size. the speeddometer wouldnt be off by that much but some.

 

Dimensions

 

DimensionTire A: 185/70 R 14

(24 x 7.28 x 14)Tire B: 215/45 R 17

(25 x 8.46 x 17)DifferenceWidthSidewall heightOverall heightCircumference7.28"(185.00mm)5.10"(129.50mm)24.20"(614.60mm)76.02"(1930.82mm)8.46"(215.00mm)3.81"(96.75mm)24.62"(625.30mm)77.34"(1964.44mm)+1.18"(+30.00mm)-1.29"(-32.75mm)+0.42"(+10.70mm)+1.32"(+33.62mm)

 

 

 

Speedometer Error

 

Actual SpeedIndicated Speed with Tire BSpeedometer Error5 mph (8.04 kph)4.91 mph (7.91 kph)-0.09 mph (-0.14 kph)10 mph (16.09 kph)9.83 mph (15.81 kph)-0.17 mph (-0.28 kph)15 mph (24.13 kph)14.74 mph (23.72 kph)-0.26 mph (-0.41 kph)20 mph (32.18 kph)19.66 mph (31.63 kph)-0.34 mph (-0.55 kph)25 mph (40.23 kph)24.57 mph (39.54 kph)-0.43 mph (-0.69 kph)30 mph (48.27 kph)29.49 mph (47.44 kph)-0.51 mph (-0.83 kph)35 mph (56.31 kph)34.40 mph (55.35 kph)-0.60 mph (-0.96 kph)40 mph (64.36 kph)39.32 mph (63.26 kph)-0.68 mph (-1.10 kph)45 mph (72.41 kph)44.23 mph (71.17 kph)-0.77 mph (-1.24 kph)50 mph (80.45 kph)49.14 mph (79.07 kph)-0.86 mph (-1.38 kph)55 mph (88.50 kph)54.06 mph (86.98 kph)-0.94 mph (-1.51 kph)60 mph (96.54 kph)58.97 mph (94.89 kph)-1.03 mph (-1.65 kph)65 mph (104.58 kph)63.89 mph (102.80 kph)-1.11 mph (-1.79 kph)70 mph (112.63 kph)68.80 mph (110.70 kph)-1.20 mph (-1.93 kph)75 mph (120.67 kph)73.72 mph (118.61 kph)-1.28 mph (-2.06 kph)80 mph (128.72 kph)78.63 mph (126.52 kph)-1.37 mph (-2.20 kph)85 mph (136.76 kph)83.55 mph (134.42 kph)-1.45 mph (-2.34 kph)90 mph (144.81 kph)88.46 mph (142.33 kph)-1.54 mph (-2.48 kph)95 mph (152.85 kph)93.37 mph (150.24 kph)-1.63 mph (-2.62 kph)100 mph (160.90 kph)98.29 mph (158.15 kph)-1.71 mph (-2.75 kph)105 mph (168.94 kph)103.20 mph (166.05 kph)-1.80 mph (-2.89 kph)110 mph (176.99 kph)108.12 mph (173.96 kph)-1.88 mph (-3.03 kph)115 mph (185.03 kph)113.03 mph (181.87 kph)-1.97 mph (-3.17 kph)120 mph (193.08 kph)117.95 mph (189.78 kph)-2.05 mph (-3.30 kph)125 mph (201.12 kph)122.86 mph (197.68 kph)-2.14 mph (-3.44 kph)130 mph (209.17 kph)127.78 mph (205.59 kph)-2.22 mph (-3.58 kph)135 mph (217.22 kph)132.69 mph (213.50 kph)-2.31 mph (-3.72 kph)140 mph (225.26 kph)137.60 mph (221.41 kph)-2.40 mph (-3.85 kph)145 mph (233.31 kph)142.52 mph (229.31 kph)-2.48 mph (-3.99 kph)150 mph (241.35 kph)147.43 mph (237.22 kph)-2.57 mph (-4.13 kph)155 mph (249.40 kph)152.35 mph (245.13 kph)-2.65 mph (-4.27 kph)160 mph (257.44 kph)157.26 mph (253.03 kph)-2.74 mph (-4.41 kph)165 mph (265.49 kph)162.18 mph (260.94 kph)-2.82 mph (-4.54 kph)170 mph (273.53 kph)167.09 mph (268.85 kph)-2.91 mph (-4.68 kph)175 mph (281.57 kph)172.01 mph (276.76 kph)-2.99 mph (-4.82 kph)180 mph (289.62 kph)176.92 mph (284.66 kph)-3.08 mph (-4.96 kph)185 mph (297.67 kph)181.83 mph (292.57 kph)-3.17 mph (-5.09 kph)190 mph (305.71 kph)186.75 mph (300.48 kph)-3.25 mph (-5.23 kph)195 mph (313.75 kph)191.66 mph (308.39 kph)-3.34 mph (-5.37 kph)200 mph (321.80 kph)196.58 mph (316.29 kph)-3.42 mph (-5.51 kph)

 

If your speedometer has been calibrated for 185/70 R 14 (24 x 7.28 x 14) tires, replacing them with 215/45 R 17's (29 x 8.46 x 17's) would result in the speedometer reading low by 1.71%.

 

 

 

 

Odometer Error

 

Actual MileageIndicated Mileage with Tire BOdometer Error1 mi (1.61 km)0.98 mi (1.58 km)-0.02 mi (-0.03 km)5 mi (8.04 km)4.91 mi (7.91 km)-0.09 mi (-0.14 km)10 mi (16.09 km)9.83 mi (15.81 km)-0.17 mi (-0.28 km)50 mi (80.45 km)49.14 mi (79.07 km)-0.86 mi (-1.38 km)100 mi (160.90 km)98.29 mi (158.15 km)-1.71 mi (-2.75 km)500 mi (804.50 km)491.44 mi (790.73 km)-8.56 mi (-13.77 km)1000 mi (1609.00 km)982.89 mi (1581.47 km)-17.11 mi (-27.53 km)5000 mi (8045.00 km)4914.44 mi (7907.34 km)-85.56 mi (-137.66 km)10000 mi (16090.00 km)9828.88 mi (15814.67 km)-171.12 mi (-275.33 km)50000 mi (80450.00 km)49144.41 mi (79073.36 km)-855.59 mi (-1376.64 km)100000 mi (160900.00 km)98288.82 mi (158146.71 km)-1711.18 mi (-2753.29 km)

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

I'll be going from my stock 14" tires to 17". Try it, I think you will like how they look.

I have no interest in 17" wheels, but it's cheaper than buying new steelies

 

If cost is a concern (and when isn't it?) it seems to me that Dodge mini van wheels (you know the ones where the transmission craps out on a regular basis leaving yards and driveways full of Dodge junk) will fit your Subaru. The bolt pattern is the same (5X100) and the offset is about right. They are commonly availaible in 14" and 15", and unless you own a Subaru with oversize brakes, they are worth a look.

If the 17's are cheap, I don't see why getting them is such an issue. 17's look fine on the Legacy's. I'd just be a little concerned about rubbing if you're on a worn out suspension.

I'd make sure those 17's arn't bent of something.. because they usually don't go for cheap

but as long as you can cram them in the wheel well, and they don't rub on anything you should be fine.

Like caravan and voyager? Is the offset the same?

 

This is great news. I love 14 steel wheels, for some reason. Cheap tires, smoother ride, actually better handling for stock suspension, since the sidwall roll increases the contact patch.

 

Thanks!

 

 

I have no interest in 17" wheels, but it's cheaper than buying new steelies

 

If cost is a concern (and when isn't it?) it seems to me that Dodge mini van wheels (you know the ones where the transmission craps out on a regular basis leaving yards and driveways full of Dodge junk) will fit your Subaru. The bolt pattern is the same (5X100) and the offset is about right. They are commonly availaible in 14" and 15", and unless you own a Subaru with oversize brakes, they are worth a look.

Like caravan and voyager? Is the offset the same?

 

Yes, and yes..................

Virtually all (though there are some exceptions) 5 bolt front wheel drive Dodge/Chrysler vehicle wheels are the same, or will fit in the same place. The "grand Caravans" (the extra length ones, and only some of them, not all) have oversize brakes so there is extra room for an increased brake caliper size (though the rotors are the same). This way you can get cheap 14", 15", and 16" wheels.

BUT: if your Subaru has oversize brakes (eg: Sport Sedan) and/or came with 15" wheels (well, the oversize brake models all came with 15" wheels, or bigger) the 14" wheels won't clear the brakes.

offset is about the same? Like how close? How about the centerbore?

 

I don't see the point in trying to fit junky caravan wheels when used Subaru wheels are for sale for cheap all over nasioc and will fit perfectly.

 

For example:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1249830

(I wouldn't pay more than $175 for those though)

Anybody who would pay more than $10 for a junky caravan wheelwould be smoking something, no?

Time to look for caravan wheels... the guy sold them out from under me! I was scheduled to check them out in 2 hours :mad:

 

Thanks for the replies.

Anybody who would pay more than $10 for a junky caravan wheelwould be smoking something, no?

Well, with the money you save from NOT buying bling rims you could afford it.:cool:

 

Wheels make the least difference in all performance mods, IMO.

Also check out Beretta, Cavalier, Sunbird, Grand Am and all of the brothers to these cars . I am running Beretta Z-26 16in. wheels and they fit great and they stick out just enough to line up with the body the centers fit the hubs perfectly also. Just make sure you get the smaller bolt pattern that GM uses not the bigger ones like off Luminas, Bonnevilles, Celeberty and all of the copys to those cars.

The proper offset determines whether the tire meets the road surface properly under deflection and at turning steering angles. Appearance is unimportant.

 

Also, wider wheels with the same offset will ride more on the outside of the tire, due to the typically negative camber applied to most suspensions. This will cause a grabbing feel to the car, which might be mistaken for tighter handling.

 

 

 

 

Also check out Beretta, Cavalier, Sunbird, Grand Am and all of the brothers to these cars . I am running Beretta Z-26 16in. wheels and they fit great and they stick out just enough to line up with the body the centers fit the hubs perfectly also. Just make sure you get the smaller bolt pattern that GM uses not the bigger ones like off Luminas, Bonnevilles, Celeberty and all of the copys to those cars.

Hi wondercow2, I think that guy was hard up for cash. I was thinking about going to get them if you didn't, but the post was removed later that day. That was a fabulous price for those wheels, especially including Blizzaks in good shape.

The proper offset determines whether the tire meets the road surface properly under deflection and at turning steering angles. Appearance is unimportant.

 

Also, wider wheels with the same offset will ride more on the outside of the tire, due to the typically negative camber applied to most suspensions. This will cause a grabbing feel to the car, which might be mistaken for tighter handling.

 

How does negative camber equate to riding on the outside of the tire?

How does negative camber equate to riding on the outside of the tire?

 

Correction "inside".

 

A vehicle will pull to the side with more positive camber. If wider wheels are put on a car with negative camber, (and the outside offset is the same, and the diameter is the same, and the compound and tread are the same), the contact patch will be pushed slightly inboard.

 

Camber is then effectively effect made more positive, and will feel twitchy.

the contact patch will be pushed slightly inboard.

 

Camber is then effectively effect made more positive, and will feel twitchy.

 

 

You're still not making sense here.

 

Do you mean that the scrub radius moves inward?

You're still not making sense here.

 

Do you mean that the scrub radius moves inward?

 

Yes.