New wheels and tires combination

Forester

Forum Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2014
Messages
18
Location
Nederland
Car Year
1999
Car Model
Forester
Transmission
Auto
My first post here on this forum, and a question about tires/wheels, or you're opinion?

I now have 17" Rota SDR wheels with undersized 225/45r17 tires. Bought them secondhand. My plan was to get new tires for these wheels, like Michelin Latitude Cross 215/60r17. (or Yokohama A/T s in that size)

After some reading all over the web I changed my plan and want to get some 15" wheels.
I like the Speedline Corse SL2 Marmora 6.5x15 ET38.
In combination with Yokohama A/T s 225/70r15, will this be a good combination for my Forester SF '99? ET38 will still fit? as it put the wheels more out, more clearance from the struts? Any chance on rubbing with ET38?

The Forester will have a 1" lift (ordered with Subtle), new Kyb SG struts and Ironman springs (yet to order)

I really like my Rota SDR's for they are beauties, i stil have the stock 16" wheels also but I don't like these for their looks.

This is how she looks now with her tiny girly tires :ebiggrin:
Velgen001_zpsc9fc103c.jpg
 
Welcome aboard!

I don't know if ET38 will rub but make sure the 15" wheels will clear your front brake callipers. SF came with 15" wheels over here but not sure about Europe. 15" wheels are much better for offroading (I changed from 16 to 15" but had to "modify" the callipers)
 
Thank you Kevin,

I never thought about the front brake callipers. I think they are default 2 pot callipers.
All SF turbo's came withe 16" wheels, non turbo maybe with 15" I think. Not sure.
The problems with 15" wheels is not just for the beloved 4 pot callipers?
I dont think I can 'test drive' the wheels as they are from online store... And on Sale right now...
 
The Audi 15" wheels that people are keen on are ET38 offset, and have been confirmed to clear everything except some oversize rotors and some 4-pot calipers.
 
Its the concave of the inner part of the rim that dictates big brake clearance not the offset.

Nice rims by the way OP. Very similiar to the team dynamics rally pro 1 rim which clears BBK.

which online store is having the sale?
 
Small update, tires were delivered after a few days, one week later the wheels arrived. Big surprise, the wheels came with hub centric rings for Subaru and 20 new wheelnuts for these wheels, for free...
I will have the tires assembled on the wheels this week.
 
Very nice! Make sure you use the nuts that came with the new wheels as they may be different to your original nuts.
 
IMG_0436_zps7567b88b.jpg


IMG_0437_zps569e4584.jpg


Tight fit :biggrin:, I think there is a 5 mm gap max.
(wet from carwash)
ET38 helped me out just a little.

IMG_0439_zps85880d9e.jpg


Now the tires do fit under the struts, would it be wise to change to SG struts or keep the SF struts...
I still have to order some new springs (King or Ironman) so it is time to make decisions here. Also the Subtle lift kit has arrived so plenty to do.
 
After some more test driving I can hear some slight rubbing in the rear right while making a sharp turn to the left at decent speed.
I think (after pressure up to 2,5 Bar (36 1/4 PSI)) it does touch the strut.. :sad:
 
That means you have to swap for SG struts…

The springs are different on the SF and SG, you will need some SF springs and keep the SF top mounts with the SG struts. This combination will already give you 15mm lift.
 
Thanks JF, I will start with that...
 
Thanks neighbour :)
Where did you get you're Kings?
 
I bought them from euro4x4parts.com. they had them in stock. King was a bit more expensive then ironman. What surprised me was that the front sitting quite high with nearly no negative suspension travel and the rear is quite soft . Also because of the heavy lpg tank in the rear. That's why i lifted the rear 4cm and the front 2.

btw there is a huge 4x4 event 10 -12 october in Budel. Last year i was the only one with a forester. Big fun! See offroadbudel.nl
 
Tnx Casper, I think we meet 2 nov. in Dalfsen?
Groeten, Jan
 
Here she is with 1" lift (Subtle) and of course new wheel alignement.

I was able to get a pair of springs / struts from a Forester SG in the front with 90.000 km on it, ready to install sometime.
For the back I want new SG struts and some new springs. And we have to make some trailing arm spacers, so to be continued :)

Opgehoogd_zps03138149.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top