2007 Legacy Spec.B Winter Wheels - 17"?

[KU_MechE]

I'm looking for a winter setup for my car and I don't really need to spend the money on 18" wheels and tires. Plus, on winter roads, I wouldn't mind the extra tire a 17" wheel affords. Has anyone downgraded their Spec.B to a 17" setup and what tire size did you use? Using the 1010Tires.com calculator and the stock size as a comparison, here are my options:

 

Stock 2007 Legacy Spec.B:

215/45R18

Rim Width Range: 7 - 8 in

Overall Diameter: 25.61 in 650.49 mm

Sidewall Height: 3.80 in 96.52 mm

Actual Speed: 60 mph 100 km/h

 

215/50R17

Rim Width Range: 6 - 7.5 in

Overall Diameter: 25.46 in 646.68 mm

Sidewall Height: 4.23 in 107.44 mm

Speedometer1: 60.3 mph 100. km/h

Diameter Difference: 0.59% smaller than stock

 

215/45R17 (stock 2007 Legacy GT tire size)

Rim Width Range: 7 - 8 in

Overall Diameter: 24.61 in 625.09 mm

Sidewall Height: 3.80 in 96.52 mm

Speedometer1: 62.4 mph 104. km/h

Diameter Difference: 3.91% smaller than stock

 

225/45R17

Rim Width Range: 7 - 8.5 in

Overall Diameter: 24.97 in 634.23 mm

Sidewall Height: 3.98 in 101.09 mm

Speedometer1: 61.5 mph 102. km/h

Diameter Difference: 2.5% smaller than stock

 

 

225/50R17

Rim Width Range: 6 - 8 in

Overall Diameter: 25.85 in 656.59 mm

Sidewall Height: 4.42 in 112.26 mm

Speedometer1: 59.4 mph 99.0 km/h

Diameter Difference: 0.93% larger than stock

 

 

I'm leaning towards the 225/50R17 with plenty of cushion and protection from potholes while also filling up the wheelwell. i'm not concerned about slower acceleration due to increased tire size or the difference in the speedo. Can anyone come up with a reason not to use this tire size? Fitment issues? Rubbing on spring perch? Rubbing on fenders?

 

 

For Reference, i'm also leaning towards the Drag DR-34 wheels in 17x7.5 et +45 5x100. If not the DR-34, i'l try to find some sock LGT or WRX wheels. Also, how annoying is the TPMS light in the cluster? I'd rather not bother with TPMS in the winter wheels since that's a pretty significant cost.

 

http://i54.tinypic.com/2a9xnd5.jpg

[KU_MechE]

Here's the tire I'd most likely install:

 

http://i54.tinypic.com/2airm7t.jpg

 

 

The LGT SB in question:

http://i54.tinypic.com/2cngoax.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/11v3290.jpg

 

and my 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo for good measure:

http://i51.tinypic.com/f9i9fq.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/a2t7wo.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/68a6vo.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/v6qlug.jpg

[rainman]

those tires are amazing btw! had them installed this past saturday afternoon when we got 3-4 inches. not much of a snow but no problems whatsoever!

[KU_MechE]

Can anyone comment on downsizing for winter wheels?

[BAC5.2]

Typically, more sidewall and narrow section width are both good attributes for winter driving.

 

A 205 or 215 would be better than a 225, but you'll be just fine with the 225's. 17's will easily clear your stock brakes, so I don't see any reason why this isn't a fine idea!

 

As for tire size, I know Outback sized tires fit on LGT sedan suspension and they are 225/55/17's. So the 50-series will work fine.

 

Personally, I'd consider the 215/50/17. That's OEM LGT Non-Spec-B sized. No clearance issues, and it'll probably be cheaper than the 225/50.

[rainman]

1" drop on a LGT with OEM 17" wheels with 215/50/17 here, no problems

[brilliant sleeper]

1" drop on a LGT with OEM 17" wheels with 215/50/17 here, no problems

same here, but with 225's

[KU_MechE]

well, today I ordered the 17" Drag DR-34s in gunmetal and some General Altimax Arctic tired in 215/55-17. I'll post pics after they're installed.