Topic: Winter Tire For 2008 Subaru STi

[Hobo]

Hey guys, first post here. 

I have recently started a lease for a 2008 Subaru STi. On that year, all of which came fully loaded, meaning that it comes with 4 BBS wheels with 245/40R18 Dunlop on them.

I am thinking, since I am returning the car to them anyway, why buy a set of winter rim/tire to save those BBS wheels from salt and scratches? They are not mine anyway.

My idea is to buy a set of 4 x 245/40R18 WINTER tires and put them on the stock BBS. Then I'd buy a set of summer rims that I could use in all other seasons and possibly keep them for my next car.

My idea came from the quote I got during last oil change: 1600$ + tax for a set of 4 rims/tires 235/40R17 (not including the TPMS, that would be an extra 100$ and labor). That's unreasonable for me. Besides that, I am skeptical about having an extra half inch of sidewall and 10mm less of width to improve the safety of the car.

So, any thoughts? Opinions appreciated! Thanks.

[Vmango]

First off, nice car! You're going to have a lot of fun in the winter.

Thinking of making those BBSers winter rims? Those sure are some expensive winter rims.

If I were you I'd keep my summer rubber on the BBS, and buy some 17 alloys to put my winter rubber on. You can get some run-of-the-mill 17 alloys for a pretty good price. Winter tires are going to be an expense and you're going to have to accept spending $1000-$1500.

You realize those BBS wheels with rubber are like 3 grand, eh?

You can always keep winter tires for other cars, too. Keep mind, however, that your next car is going to need the same bolt pattern in order to use rims you buy - Subarus being 5 x 100 I believe?

Anyway, that's what I would do.

[johngenx]

 

 

[vicali]

these are from NASIOC:
05' STi bolt pattern = 5x114.3
05' STi BBS wheels = 17x8_ET53
the 08 wheel sizes are different but the bolt pattern and ET is the same.

for winter tires you do want less width and the taller sidewall gives more comfort to running over bumpy ice+snow.

I cringe thinging of your bbs covered in salt+gravel though..

[JR]

I own the same car. The thing you want to do is buy a set of cheap alloys for the winter.  I just talked to the dealer and those OEM rims are 1K each.  So if you ding one up it will cost you more then buying a 4 cheap 17 rims.  As for the price of the tires the difference of 18 vs. 17 is small when you look at the whole picture.  Hopefully you never hit anything but why risk having to buy new OEM rims.

And for tire size look at 225/50/17 as the winter size.  This is a better match in size to the standard size tires that come on the car.

[Hobo]

I own the same car. The thing you want to do is buy a set of cheap alloys for the winter.  I just talked to the dealer and those OEM rims are 1K each.  So if you ding one up it will cost you more then buying a 4 cheap 17 rims.  As for the price of the tires the difference of 18 vs. 17 is small when you look at the whole picture.  Hopefully you never hit anything but why risk having to buy new OEM rims.

And for tire size look at 225/50/17 as the winter size.  This is a better match in size to the standard size tires that come on the car.

Have you gotten your set for this winter? I am thinking of buying from tirerack.com with their 17" package that's around 1100$ US, then I'd pick them up at US border to save some shipper (250$US).

Thanks for the input guys. I did change my mind since I am thinking of tracking with the car. So those BBS would be used rather than *just* for show 

[Zombie]

Thats a nice car for a Hobo.

Is this your dog?

[Hobo]

Thats a nice car for a Hobo.

Is this your dog?

In fact I got 7 more of those in the trunk in case the car breaks down. That's how useful a station wagon is lol.