16's on Blobeye WRX?

[14500rpm]

Hi All, does anyone know if 16in wheels will fit on a 2004 WRX? I'm looking to get some wheels for winter tyres so was thinking of going down a size to some 205/55-16's in get a bit more sidewall over the 215/45-17's that are on it now.

[Mr Taxpayer]

Don't bother. Plenty of winter tyres available in 17". I fitted my 17" winter tyre-shod wheels Sunday to my 05 WRX Wagon, for their second winter. IIRC 16" will fit over the stock calipers, but the handling will be very different.

[plenty]

Not all 16" rims will fit over the Subaru four-pots. The rim fitted to the facelift classic definitely will and is easy to source. IMO it's a good idea to go to a smaller rim with more sidewall for our pot-holed winter roads.

[Ennoch]

Absolutely, I'd be fitting 16's if I could fit them over the AP's on the front. It's a real irritation, I much prefer using smaller wheels over winter as you have more scope for playing with tyre pressures to increase traction in deep snow. That and the rim's less likely to take a hit in any hidden holes. If you look around at gravel rally wheels you'll even find 15's that'll fit over the standard brakes.

[Mr Taxpayer]

Ennoch said:

you have more scope for playing with tyre pressures to increase traction in deep snow.

All tyres should be run at the manufacturer's setting, which will be ~30psi (2.0 Bar). None of them recommend deflating the tyres. The only tyres that benefit from a large scale pressure reduction are balloon tyres with a very high aspect ratio, and there you're talking the realms of extreme off-roading applications.

Granted, smaller wheels cope with potholes better but potholes are a year-round hazard where I live.

[Ennoch]

Like I said, deep snow. On road there is zero need to reduce any pressures down like that but when you're in soft snow there is a definite advantage in dropping from say 35psi to 25psi. With a set of 17's or 18's this leaves you very open to rim damage but using 15's or 16's gives you more to play with. It depends where you live but given my commute in winter can include 15 miles of un or relatively infrequently ploughed roads over the moors in the Borders you'll see why I sometimes have the need. No need on packed snow or cold roads though and this year, as last, I'll be on 17's anyway so it's now a moot point for me. It's also less of an issue on the Scoob with AWD but in FWD or RWD it can be the difference between you keeping moving and not.