Subaru (WRX) rims on a Mk4?

[Dyldo]

I am this forum's largest tyre noob (some may soon general noob) and I note that the Subie WRX runs a 5x100. Does that mean that Subie rims (and rims available for Subies) are a fit for Mk4s?

I really need to understand offset and et.....

[noone]

Subaru offset is ususally low (20ish). you need a higher offset, so can use spacers, but then not road legal in NSW...

[schoona]

Hey mate,

Wheel Offset Calculator

Use that to enter new and old specs and help calculate the differences, it's what it's there for

Same width with less offset (numbers closer to 0) will push the wheel towards the guards.
Same width with more offset (numbers closer to 50) will pull them towards your struts.

Yeah im on ozliberty/rexnet etc, was looking for a set of Liberty B4 wheels to run for a while but just found some TT wheels.
You will need to move quick on those forums, they arent up for long as they are track spec/better dailys for the older models and more often than not have flogged tyres.


HTH

[Jace]

Offset/ET... same thing.



Offset is the distance from the mounting face of the center of the wheel (back bit of the wheel the bolts go through) to the center of the actual wheel barrel.


A WRX wheel will probably have a pretty high offset (high positive, around +55mm I think) and depending on the width of the wheel, the inside wall of the tire/lip of the rim might hit the struts/suspension components... even tire wells etc.

[Golf Houso]

Its not the ET so much you have to worry about on Japanese wheels its more the X-Factor on the caliper clearance, thats the real killer...

[Jace]

Mmm good point, calipers might hit the insides of the spokes too. I doubt WRX 17's would have too small an inner diameter to get around MK4 rotors.

[rayray086]

Subaru offset is ususally low (20ish). you need a higher offset, so can use spacers, but then not road legal in NSW...

Which Subaru wheels are you referring to? Most Liberty/Impreza OEM wheels I've seen are high offset, as mentioned by IH8. Most popular wheel I've seen from a Subaru fitment for a VW are the 17x7" ET55 forged BBS wheels from a Liberty (this picture from BRU51N's for sale thread a while back):





And spacers will lower an offset.

As for caliper clearances, I remember similar wheels were used by a certain 2-door VR6 Mk3 in Tasmania, and no spacers were used.

Another notable mention with fitting OEM Subaru wheels on VWs is that you'll need to bore out the centrebore, as they're smaller than what VW uses.