About This Subaru WRX Premium 2019 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru WRX Premium 2019 sits on a set of 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch Option Lab R716 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Option Lab for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Subaru WRX Premium builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Option Lab R716 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Option Lab R716 on the Subaru WRX Premium 2019
I walked around this VA chassis WRX for twenty minutes just to soak in the lines. The Option Lab R716 in an 18x8.5 square setup fits this platform like a tailored suit. We see a lot of aggressive builds, but this one nails the geometry.
That +35 offset pushes the face of the wheel right out to the edge of the fender. It eliminates that sunken look the factory wheels suffer from immediately. You get a wider track stance without needing to mess with sketchy wheel spacers.
Clearance is a non-issue with these spokes. The R716 design clears the factory WRX front calipers with plenty of room to spare. You won't find any annoying brake interference here.
The hub bore on these wheels matches the Subaru 56.1mm center bore perfectly. We love a direct fit that keeps vibrations out of the steering wheel at highway speeds. Hub-centric rings are great, but direct fitment is always the gold standard for me.
Because the car sits on coilovers, the wheel tucks perfectly into the wheel well. The slight drop brings the top of the tire right up to the fender line. It looks purposeful and tight, just like a rally-bred machine should.
Watch out for the rear fender liner if you decide to go any lower than this build. We noticed just a tiny bit of rub on full compression during hard cornering. A quick roll of the rear fender tabs would solve that headache for good.
The barrel depth on these 8.5-inch wide wheels provides just enough character. It adds a layer of aggression that the flat-faced factory wheels totally lack. Every spoke flows naturally into the rim, making the wheel look larger than it actually is.
What We Recommend for Subaru WRX Premium 2019 Owners
If you want to build a street weapon, stick to the 18x8.5 size. Going wider usually forces you into fender modifications that get messy fast. Keep the width manageable so you can actually drive the car hard.
The +35 offset is the sweet spot for the VA chassis WRX. It gives you that flush look without causing massive scrub radius issues. Anything lower than +30 starts to destroy your wheel bearings and ruins the handling balance.
Always run a square setup on these cars. Staggered wheels on an AWD platform like the WRX will shred your center differential over time. Do not make that expensive mistake just for a look.
We suggest pairing these wheels with a 245/40R18 tire. This keeps your speedometer reading accurate and fills the wheel gap perfectly. You get enough sidewall to protect your rims from potholes, too.
Avoid cheap spacers at all costs. If you buy a wheel with the right specs, you never need to resort to spacers. Quality wheels like these Option Labs carry the load safely without extra hardware.
Style and Build Analysis
The Gold finish against the car’s paint creates a classic rally contrast. It screams Subaru heritage in the best way possible. The color pops under the streetlights and turns heads at every single stoplight.
The R716 spoke design feels modern yet rooted in motorsport history. It has enough open space to show off the rotors, but enough mass to look substantial. It balances aggression with clean, sharp lines.
Proportions are everything when you build a car. By choosing 18-inch wheels, the owner keeps the car looking nimble and light. Massive 20-inch wheels just look like heavy rubber bands on this platform.
Road presence is where this car really wins. It doesn't look like a show queen that can't handle a backroad. It looks ready to attack a gravel stage or hit a mountain pass at dawn.
Compared to other builds we have featured, this one shows restraint. It isn't over-modified or covered in flashy junk. It relies on great wheels and a dialed suspension to do the heavy lifting.
Why We Love This Build
This WRX stops us in our tracks because it feels honest. The gold wheels catch the afternoon sun, making the whole car look alive and eager to launch. We love how the rubber sits flush with the arches, giving the car a grounded, predatory stance.
It reminds me why I fell in love with modifying cars in the first place. You don't need a widebody kit to make a statement if you choose the right set of wheels. This setup is the perfect blueprint for any WRX owner.
This car is built to be driven, not just parked. Go get yourself a set and feel the difference for yourself.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Subaru WRX Premium 2019
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Option Lab R716
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Gold
- Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 235/45 26.3″x9.3″ / 235/45 26.3″x9.3″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Subaru WRX Premium owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels fit my Subaru WRX Premium? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Subaru WRX Premium owners run 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
