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Comments
Stephen
I can't see that 2nd photo, can you try it again? I can see the other 2.
-juice
I did a plus-one wheel/tire upgrade when changing to the Pilot Sports. My rationale was better handling on pavement and in the rain, plus a stiffer sidewall for handling curves. I had seen two Forester WRSport models prepared by Prodrive in the UK in late 2000 which were running on 17-inch wheels, and thought this might be my answer. Appearances weren't top priority but I didn't want to make things look worse.
Size is 225/50-17 on 17x7 OZ Superleggera wheels. The original combo I tried was 225/55-17 on 17x7 Speedline P7 wheels, the recommended combination from distributor The Tire Rack. These didn't work - had rubbing problems due to tire width and improper wheel offset. (P7 wheel = +53mm IIRC, correct for Impreza and Legacy; Superleggera = +48mm, correct for Forester, works on other models as well.) I ran that combo for 2 days; Tire Rack accepted the wheels back and sent out the 50-series. I sold the P7 wheels to a WRX owner and broke even on the transaction.
I had numerous e-mail exchanges with engineers from Prodrive in the UK before settling on the OZs and 225/50-17 combination. They had used both the Superleggeras and Speedline Superturismos, which were no longer available. Prodrive confirmed that the suspension settings are the same for the UK-spec S turbos which they convert to WRSports and the US-spec S that I drive.
There is no rubbing with the current combination. So far (approximately 1000 miles) they've given me all the handling benefits I expected. Excellent wet traction; improved dry traction and lateral grip (though I haven't given them the backroads workout I'd wanted yet). Ride has not been noticeably harmed.
The major tradeoff is noise. They are noisier than the OEM Geolandars; so much so in fact that, according to my Subaru dealer, I am mistaking their sounds for the sound of yet another failing rear wheel bearing. Two dealer techs drove the car and attributed the noise to the tires. However, the tires give off a dull roar as opposed to the whirring roar of the bearing. I heard this while the Geolandars were on the car as well. I expect the wheels will have to fall off before SoA gets involved, at which point I feel sure they will attribute the failure to the use of the non-OEM wheels and tires. Given that this is a known problem with Foresters and Imprezas (and many of the latter have been modified far more extensively than the former), that I have a service history with SoA, and that several dealerships have begun to replace the bearings with the sturdier Legacy version, I can't see how that argument would stand.
But I digress. The benefits of the Pilot Sport A/S have so far outweighed the costs. Speaking of which, they are pricey - $189/each from Tire Rack - but hopefully I got what I paid for. We'll see how treadwear goes - they are rated 400 so that is promising. If I had to do it all over again I may have opted for something cheaper and with shorter tread life, but that's the price I pay for being a guinea pig.
Ed
You still have your OEM wheels, don't you?
You could just throw them back on and see if think you're getting bearing noise.
-Dennis
I did and I do. Should take it back to the dealer with that setup.
Ed
Jimmyp1: Which dealership did you get yours at?
-mike
Jim (no azenis)
Jim
bit
They are located in the northeast and their phone was 877-782-2789. Hope this helps..........
bit
exeter subaru is in NYC, or maybe Long Island. they are semi-serious about their web/mail-order parts biz.
-Colin
-juice
As for Exeter... are you sure it is [email protected] or mike at exetersubaru.com?
Thanks, bit
Took me quite a while to locate him and had a lot of negative comments/responses in seeking help from the "crew". Good news is my personal research/search paid off and I am well pleased with how they look/perform. I have had them on the better part of two years and do NOT have any of the noises people grouse about. I admit to being very precise with the installation but even with that in consideration,it was very easy.
Hope this helps.....
bit
I thought they were in Exeter New Hampshire. I know there's a Subie dealer there, and I believe that's their name.
Bob
-Colin
Anyone with pre-2k Outbacks have 225s mounted on +52 or +55mm offsets?
-Dave
bit
bit
Bummer on the nada for your machine. I guess you will have to work the UK side. In my search I think I also found them in Australia. Both had some $$$$$ shipping.
or autoanything.com.
Gene
Thanks to all
mike k
Thanks anyway,
bit
Seth (sorry, not Dave or Stephen...)
I've known too many people that get into older cars and take a bath on paying others to keep them running, plus overpaying initially too.
but don't let that deter you-- my father and I have a '69 Camaro RS/SS 396. it's not a daily driver but I've been there, done that with a '65 Chevelle.
-Colin
Pop in once in a while to let us know how you're doing. You really gonna use an old muscle car as a daily driver?
-juice
Jim
Jim
What do you think? Which color, BTW?
Ken
Why? Blue for World Rally Blue, and Black to match the stock shift knob. :-)
FWIW,
-Brian
Thanks for the input. Actually, that's the combination I was thinking of getting.
Ken
http://cobbtuning.com/legacy/drivetrain1.html#shifter
bit
http://cobbtuning.com/legacy/drivetrain1.html#shifter
bit
I suppose there's some folks on the iClub who have already tried them...
-Colin
Stephen :-)
-juice
Stephen
Stephen - What was the shipping cost on the rear cup holder? If it's crazy, I could have a friend pick one up for me when he visits home.
-Dennis
Stephen
bit
Other than that it worked great.
Ryan
Stephen