17x9 or 18x8.5/18x9.5

[howardf]

I've looked around for more info, but not finding what I'm specifically looking for. I'm getting ready to buy some new wheels and tires for my currently stock FR-S. I'm looking at Enkei's, either Kojin for the 17x9 or Raijin for the staggered setup. Both look like they're 45 mm offset. I'll be getting coilovers eventually, but in the meantime, am I going to have any rub or other problems? Also which is a better setup for a weekend fun car with some HPDE track time? Thanks in advance.

[Ndgreely]

I have rota RKR's 18x8.5 and 9.5 in the back offset 44 with 225/40 fronts and 255/35 in back with tein s tech lowering springs and have had no rubbing issues .. The inside of the wheel seems very close to the spring in the front and where the brake line runs in the rear is tight also, but there is a piece of metal between them ..and when I say tight I can barely run a finger between wheels and what I mentioned .. As far as your other question I'm sure other people will tell you if your gonna track it to go with the 17s

[mike the snake]

I'm running the 18" raijins, 18x8.5 and 18x9.5 45 offset, with 245 front and 265 rear Michelin PSS's.

Fronts fit with no issues, rears are rubbing on the fender tabs if I go really low. I'll be trimming those and going back down to where I want to be, which was close to 2" drop.

[TrogDor the Burninator]

I'd buy coilovers first ...

Then you can fit a 9.5" tire in front and back without rubbing at all and you wont have to worry about staggered tires and having mixed tire sets ...

Coilovers give you the flexibility to buy any wheel you want and stay square ... increasing steering grip and gives you tire rotation capability ...

[DAEMANO]

My personal decision is to do this:

Track/AutoX/HDPE setup:
Keep stock wheels as track wheels (for now) and just buy track tires (225-235 max width) for them while I'm learning the car's (and my own) limits. Later upgrade to 17x8 or 17x9 track wheels (e.g. Mach V Awesomes, Enkei PF01, etc) and transfer the tires over. This way the track focused parts do not get compromised by trying to make them livable for the street.

Street setup:
Buy street wheels (18"-19") with more comfy & quiet street tires for street use (eg Continental Extreme Contact DW). Now these don't have to be super lightweight or the absolute highest grip because who needs that for the street anyhow? I've seen 8.5 - 9.5 wide setups work with the stock shocks, lowering springs, and most importantly the right offsets. You kinda don't need coils if you're not looking to run wider than 9.5 in the rear and/or heavily track your car.

2 sets of wheels specialized for their own specific use cases, a gradual upgrade path, and a better end result.