Hi! Have a '08 2.5i OB wagon which I love except for the ride! I simply don't like the harsh ride associated with 50/55 series tires that the tire/auto makers have pushed us into. Without going into great detail at this point, I will say that my driving style is "easy going, relaxed" I like a soft, comfortable road. The roads in Vermont, like some other states can be downright horrible and I really want to improve the ride. I don't need any replies asking me why I got a OB and that maybe I should have bought a old man car..Buick:) We have 3 dogs, we bike, we even have a Kayak. So.... I know that there are a bunch of 16" 60 series options that might do, but am curious about 15" 65/70 series that would closely match my 225/55/17 setup. I think the current brake rotor/setup is a major obstacle but I have to ask! Thanks, Bill

if you have dual piston front calipers (which i think you do), then 15" rims are probably not going to fit. i think there are some style aluminum 15" rims that will work with some dual piston calipers (though i don't know what the 08's actually come with since there are multiple varieties). i don't think all, if many, 15" rims are going to fit though.

 

might want to check your air pressure in the tires. a set of 16" might help. type in "mazda tire size calculator" to find the equivalent size.

 

our OBW H6, while a fantastic vehicle, doesn't ride the same as our other subarus. i prefer all of our others one to the OBW when driving over backroads, it feels more like my truck i think! i don't thikn it's due to the tires. it may have something to do with the larger ground clearance, heavier car, and doesn't ride nearly as smooth as any of our other subaru's.

Edited April 9, 200916 yr by grossgary

15" rims won't clear the front brakes. I've heard of folks grinding the brake calipers to make them fit, but that's not something I would do.

 

From what I have found, 215/65R16 is the tallest tire that will fit. There are folks running that size General Grabber AT2s on '05 - '09 Outbacks.

If you were driving an older car (7+ years), it's probably the shocks make the apparent difference, not the tires.

 

There is a night and day difference between my 99 and o8 foresters, but not a big difference between 97 legacy with new kyb shocks and the 08.

 

 

 

 

Hi! Have a '08 2.5i OB wagon which I love except for the ride! I simply don't like the harsh ride associated with 50/55 series tires that the tire/auto makers have pushed us into. Without going into great detail at this point, I will say that my driving style is "easy going, relaxed" I like a soft, comfortable road. The roads in Vermont, like some other states can be downright horrible and I really want to improve the ride. I don't need any replies asking me why I got a OB and that maybe I should have bought a old man car..Buick:) We have 3 dogs, we bike, we even have a Kayak. So.... I know that there are a bunch of 16" 60 series options that might do, but am curious about 15" 65/70 series that would closely match my 225/55/17 setup. I think the current brake rotor/setup is a major obstacle but I have to ask! Thanks, Bill

The only 15" wheels you are going to find that will clear the brakes are going to be the wheels used on subaru rally cars. Some brands to look for are compomotive, team dynamics and speedline.