WRXTom Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Rota Subzeros with Kuhmo MX tires were used on my WRX wagon (cheap, light, not bad looking). I put them on my GT wagon this weekend. Weight comparison (bathroom scale so numbers may be off by a pound or so)...stock wheels / tires = 42 lbs, Rotas with Kuhmos = 36 lbs. After some time behind the wheel it is obvious that upgraded tires are going to be required. Front end bite into turns is greatly improved and there is less squirm in high speed sweepers. Saving 6 lbs per corner has obvious benefits. Also, efforts by Subaru to improve sound insulation are obvious. The Kuhmos were annoyingly noisy with the WRX but are not bad with the Legacy. A cheap, sticky tire but not one I would buy again. Visually, I prefer the chunkier look of the stock wheels or something like a Prodrive P7. I will likely put winter rubber on the Rotas and new summer tires on the stockers. But, the lighter wheels are the logical choice for the performance tires. I need to think about it. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolbluelb Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Interesting, I had nothing but good experiences with Kumho's, with zero additional noise. Possibly a different size tire on the Rex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 21, 2004 Author Share Posted June 21, 2004 The MXs seemed to have worn a unevenly which is causing noise. When they were new they were quiet. I aligned and rotated them so I am not sure why the odd wear. One of the reasons I won't buy them again is that I don't have a clear answer as to why the problem which means I'm not sure how to prevent it from happening again. Fantastic dry grip though. I did also have a set of Kuhmo 712s a few years back and I had no issues with them other than being a mediocre tire. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest *Jedimaster* Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Nice review- any pix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 21, 2004 Author Share Posted June 21, 2004 I do have pix but my home PC crapped out so it might take a day or so to get them up. I'll see what I can do. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBE555 Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 :needpics: Heh, someone had to do it. *shrug* I was looking at the MX but think I may be putting down the extra bling for 050's or better next warm season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest *Jedimaster* Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 ^^^ :lol: ^^^ While we're on this topic, did you replace the valve stems in your wheels with the ones from Subaru so the tire pressure warning light goes off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 21, 2004 Author Share Posted June 21, 2004 I was wondering how long before I got the TTIWWP smackdown :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtguy Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 What's the offset on the Rotas? Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 21, 2004 Author Share Posted June 21, 2004 Standard Rota spec - 7.5 inches wide with a 48 mm offset. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerdave Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 What size were the tires/wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 21, 2004 Author Share Posted June 21, 2004 Wheels = 17x7.5 48 mm offset Tires = 215/45/17 (stock Legacy size) Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerdave Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Cool. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outahere Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 WRXTom: With the 48mm offset, do you see any possibility (on the Legacy wagon) of the tire hitting the fender lip under a worst case scenario, such as the steering at full lock and the suspension fully compressed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted June 22, 2004 Share Posted June 22, 2004 [quote name='SUBE555']:needpics:[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 Anyone know where I can host these pics Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axis008 Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 Try [url]http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/[/url] -ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 [url]http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNDQ1ODU5NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/url] I don't mind the look of the Rotas. The stock wheels definitely have a more sophisticated look. I'll keep the Rotas on for the summer which is how much tread I have left on the Kuhmo MXs. Not sure which wheels I will use next winter. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 [quote]do you see any possibility (on the Legacy wagon) of the tire hitting the fender lip under a worst case scenario, such as the steering at full lock and the suspension fully compressed?[/quote] I have to take a closer look at it but it seems similar to the WRX in that rubbing might be a problem only when lowered. I think it will be a tight fit for 225 width on a lowered Legacy. [url]http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNDQ1ODU4NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axis008 Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 First set of rims on a USDM Legacy?!? :P Looks nice, I really like it!! Now to lower the car a little bit for that aggressive stance. -ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 I don't exactly like the looks to much, mostly because for some reason, those ROTAs looks TINY on your wagon. Maybe axis is right, I might have to see a lowered pic first. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 The open spoke design makes them appear smaller. The performance from this wheel / tire combo is much higher compared to stock so I can't see me taking them off at this point. Plus, I have about 50% tread left on the Kuhmos and I want to get my money's worth out of them. I'll likely make the Rotas my winter wheels after this summer. Next summer I will put performance tires on the stock wheels. Or, if I upgrade wheels it would be to save weight since I quite like the look of the stockers. I wonder how much I can sell the stock rubber for? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerdave Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 hahahaha... sell the stock rubber?? Well, you can only hope you get a really dumb buyer, because I wouldn't pay you a Loonie for those RE-92s. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest *Jedimaster* Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 Nice pix! I think they look pretty sweet. BTW, if you need a host and one of the free services is down, PM me and I'll host 'em for ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXTom Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 Thanks Jedimaster. I have limited computer savvy so I am lucky the links worked :) racerdave, one man's junk is another man's treasure :) Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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