Tire and Wheel size guides
 

Here are some resources for calculating tire sizes and wheel offsets:

Edit: Here's a neat graphical wheel & tire calculator: http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

Tire size calculator: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Wheel offset clearance calculator: http://marksink.com/tire_wheel_offset/offset.html

Feel free to add links to other resources!

My favorite wheel/tire calculator

http://gs.tolan-hoechst.com/tirecalc.htm

Helpful! :disco:

2 questions.
How wide is the stock 02-05 wrx 16" wheel?
What is the general rule as far as wheel width vs tire width?

This tire looks too narrow...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/thumpyJ/021.jpg
This tire looks too wide...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62...04c0reykd4.jpg
This tire looks just right...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62...594resized.jpg

Actually the middle is about right.

WRX wheels are 16x6.5

Stock WRX wheels for that MY range are 16x6.5. There are plenty of charts out there on width of wheel versus width of tire, but I think on 16x6.5 anywhere between 195 and 215 depending on sidewall height.

Here is a more indepth chart from Yokohama
http://www.yokohamatire.com/utrimwidth.asp

And I would also disagree about the middle picture being too much tire. I think both the second and third pic look just about right (with the third pic maybe on the small side).

IIRC, WRX wheels are 16"x6.5".

Your second picture is the only one w/o stretched tires.

Here's a set of 255 Azenis on an 8" wide wheel. That's a little too wide. 235 or 245 is right for 8" wide.

thanks for all the response.

I guess what I was getting at with the pictures is not which one is the correct size, but which look I like the most. Out of the first 3 pictures the one i like the best is the bottom. The look I would like to get(with aftermarket 18") is as wide as I can go while keeping somewhat of a rounded look to the tire. Not the square look like in the second pic or the super streched like in the first.

The "rounded look" you speak of is bad for the tires, potentially. If you plan on driving *hard* on them, i.e. auto-x, then there's a good chance of F*ing up the tire's sidewall rolling them over...

I like the rim protector effect though.

I run Toyo Proxes 4's on my stock WRX rims in 225 width. Apparently they're designed for "plus-fitment applications". They squirm a bit, but the handling and wear is superb.

So you wanted to ask people which "look" you like most?

No basically I showed 3 different looks and said which one I want to go for. I have no experience with what a certain size tire would look on a certain size wheel so I was asking for advice on that.

Looks aside, you'd probably want to go with a tire sized similarly to the second picture. Unless the way your tire appearance is more important than shortened lifespan due to uneven wear. If that's the case, then by all means do whatever floats your boat man.

I love the way my 18x8's look with a 245...

No Koanbone appearance isnt more important to me then tire life. tire life floats my boat:rolleyes:



Do you have any pics?

They're on here somewhere, but I'd have to look for them...I'll check when I get home from work unless anyone else feels ambitious.

Hey, I'm not here to roll eyes at you or anyone. I'm just trying to help. From a tire life perspective, you probably want to get properly sized tires and not buy ones that will show up stretched or bulged on your wheels. Its just a small warning since you posted that you thought the third pic had the best fitment.

It all depends on what size rim you are looking at, as well as your current suspension set up. I personally would try and run a wider tire such as 255/40/17 on a 17x8.5 or a 245/40/18 on a 18x8.5. Both of these set ups depending on how much camber you run will probably require fender rolling. If you didn't want to worry about that go with a 225/45/17 or 235/4017 on a 17x8. You have to take into consideration how wide the tires you are buying run, as well as ride height and suspension stiffness.
It's really easy to recommend rim and tires and sizes etc if you give us what you want to use them for and set up, rather than post 3 pictures.

I appreciate your help. I honestly didnt think the third picture was that stretched. Pictures can be deceiving anyways and thats why I posted. So i could get help from those of you who are more experienced with wheels then I.

Ok
I want 18" wheels and they are going to be for my 04 wrx that will have Tein coilovers possibly superstreet. The suspension will be set at the highest level for the coilovers because 99% of my driving is on city streets and I dont like to scrape. weather or not I have to roll the fenders is not an issue with me. If there is anything else that will help determine my setup for wheels just ask.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62...titled78-1.jpg

I like this profile. Is this setup bad for tire life?

Nice widebody.

Anyway, personally I think those tires could stand to go another size wider. But, with wheels and tires that wide, it might not have been an option.

with a 18x9 could you run 265s?

Here...Rota 18x 8's with Falken ZE512 in 245-40-18.

Thanks Matt that gives me a better idea. So lets say I got a set of 18x7.5(because the wheels I want only come that big with 5x100) would I buy a 235/40/18 tire to get the same look you have?

Also are your tires taller then stock? It looks that way to me in the pic.