About This Subaru WRX Premium 2017 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Subaru WRX Premium 2017 sits on a set of 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch Enkei NT03M wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Enkei 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 Enkei NT03M creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Enkei NT03M on the Subaru WRX Premium 2017
I walked up to this 2017 WRX and immediately noticed the classic Enkei NT03M stance. We are looking at a square 18x8.5 setup on all four corners. That width keeps the car agile without adding unnecessary weight to the hubs.
The +35 offset is the secret sauce here. It pushes the wheels out perfectly flush with the fender lines. We love how this eliminates that sunken-in look common with factory wheels.
Caliper clearance remains a non-issue with this specific design. The NT03M spokes have plenty of curvature to clear the stock WRX brakes easily. You do not need any spacers to get this look right.
The hub bore sits perfectly on the Subaru platform. We always recommend hub-centric rings if you want to avoid those annoying steering wheel vibrations at highway speeds. Trust me, it makes a world of difference.
Those signature perimeter braces on the Enkei design add serious structural rigidity. They also give the wheel that iconic race-ready aesthetic. You can see the barrel lip depth clearly from the side profile.
Since this owner runs air suspension, the fitment changes based on the digital controller. At ride height, the car looks planted and functional. When the air dumps, the tires tuck just inside the fenders without any nasty rubbing.
Watch out for the front liner clearance when you air out completely. We have seen some tight spots near the plastic tabs if you run meaty tires. A quick heat gun treatment on the fender liners solves that problem instantly.
What We Recommend for Subaru WRX Premium 2017 Owners
If you own a VA chassis WRX, stick to a square setup like this one. We constantly see people overcomplicating their builds with staggered widths. A square 18x8.5 or 18x9.5 is all you ever need for performance.
For offsets, keep your numbers between +35 and +40. Anything higher looks weak, and anything lower pushes the wheels too far out of the fenders. We have tested both ranges and +35 is the absolute sweet spot for flush fitment.
Do not go overboard with tire stretch if you actually drive your car. A 245/40/18 tire on this 8.5-inch width provides the perfect balance of rim protection and sidewall support. It looks aggressive without looking like a drift missile experiment.
We always suggest rolling your rear fenders if you plan to go low on coilovers or air. It costs next to nothing and saves your expensive tires from being sliced by the metal lip. Never skip this step if you value your paint.
Avoid buying cheap knockoff wheels that try to mimic this classic design. The NT03M is a proven track wheel that handles potholes and canyon roads without bending. Quality wheels are always worth the extra cash in the long run.
Style and Build Analysis
The silver finish on these Enkeis provides a timeless, clean contrast against the body paint. It looks like a rally car that just stepped off the stage and onto the street. We appreciate how silver doesn't hide the beautiful spoke geometry like black paint often does.
The NT03M design brings a distinct mechanical look to the WRX. Those circular rings aren't just for show; they define the entire character of the wheel. It screams functional performance rather than flashy, trendy fashion.
When the car sits low on its air struts, the proportions look absolutely dialed. The wheels fill the arches exactly how the factory engineers should have done it. It creates a cohesive silhouette that draws the eye immediately.
We have featured plenty of flashy, custom-painted wheels on WheelFront, but silver remains the king. It never goes out of style and stays looking fresh after every wash. This car manages to look sophisticated while retaining its raw, aggressive edge.
The road presence of this build is undeniable. It hits that rare middle ground between a daily driver and a dedicated track weapon. It makes you stop, stare, and wonder why more people don't stick to this simple, winning formula.
Why We Love This Build
Standing next to this WRX, I am struck by how perfectly the light plays off the silver spokes. The car looks purposeful, sharp, and ready to attack any mountain pass you throw its way. It is a masterclass in clean, thoughtful modification that respects the soul of the Subaru platform.
The air suspension allows for that perfect, tucked stance that every enthusiast dreams of achieving. When we see a build this cohesive, it reminds us why we fell in love with car culture in the first place. Every bolt and every offset choice serves a clear vision.
This build is proof that you do not need over-the-top aero or wild colors to stand out. Sometimes, the most iconic look is the one that gets the basics perfectly right. This is exactly how a WRX should look.
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 2017
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Enkei NT03M
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Silver
- Tires: Toyo Tires Proxes Sport 245/35 24.8″x9.6″ / 245/35 24.8″x9.6″
- Suspension: Air Suspension
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.
